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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →For a flexible first playthrough, choose a Systres Breton. Its magic resistance and magicka bonus are useful across several playstyles, without locking you into a mage build. If you already know how you want to fight, Stronghold Orc is a strong melee fit, Reaper’s March Wood Elf suits archery, Summerset High Elf favors dedicated magic, Anequina Khajiit fits stealth, and Vvardenfell Dark Elf is a balanced weapon-and-magic option. These are build recommendations, not official rankings or requirements.
What your race and origin affect
Oblivion offers ten races: Argonian, Breton, Dark Elf (Dunmer), High Elf (Altmer), Imperial, Khajiit, Nord, Orc, Redguard, and Wood Elf (Bosmer). As the official Oblivion PC manual puts it, “When you begin Oblivion, you must choose a name and race.” Race affects skill bonuses, attributes, passive resistances or weaknesses, and a special power. Remastered also gives each race two origins, which affect starting attributes.
Origins reframe the original game’s gender-linked stat variations as selectable backgrounds: you can choose a character’s appearance without inheriting those old gender-specific stat differences. To compare options, consider five things together: starting attributes, racial skill bonuses, passive defenses or vulnerabilities, active racial powers, and whether they suit the build you actually want to play.
The original manual remains a useful baseline for racial traits, but some attribute effects differ in Remastered. For example, the classic descriptions include Argonian water breathing and poison immunity, Breton magic resistance and a magicka bonus, Dunmer fire resistance and an ancestral guardian, Altmer increased magicka with elemental weaknesses, Khajiit night vision, Nord frost resistance, Orc magic resistance and Berserk, Redguard poison and disease resistance, and Wood Elf creature command. Remastered-specific origin advice is needed for starting-stat comparisons.
#1 Best Overall
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- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered - Physical Deluxe Edition includes the main game, unique digital Akatosh and Mehrunes Dagon armor, weapons and horse armor sets, Shivering Isles and Knights of the Nine story expansions, access to the digital artbook and soundtrack app, plus additional content to download. en: Fighter's Stronghold, Spell Tomes, Vile Lair, Mehrune's Razor, The Thieves Den, Wizard's Tower, Orrery and Horse Armor Pack.
- Travels through the magnificent world of Tamriel and struggles on the plains of the realm of oblivion. The hand-crafted details have been meticulously recreated so that your exploration becomes an unforgettable experience.
- Create your own way from the noble warrior to the sinister assassin to the wrinkled wizard or funny blacksmith and play in your way.
Best races by playstyle
| Playstyle | Recommended race and origin | Why it fits | Tradeoff or alternative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flexible first character | Breton, especially Systres | GamesRadar+ describes Systres Breton as having 50% magic resistance and a 50-point magicka fortification. The mix supports spell use and defense without dictating a single combat style. | Its strengths lean toward magic, but it remains a flexible choice. A High Elf is more specialized for spellcasting and less forgiving of elemental threats. |
| Melee | Orc, especially Stronghold | PCGamesN recommends Stronghold Orc for high Strength and Endurance, passive magic resistance, and the once-per-day Berserk power. | Redguard is an alternative if nimbleness matters more; Western Nord suits players who prefer frost defense and a tankier profile. |
| Ranged combat | Wood Elf, often Reaper’s March | Wood Elf skill bonuses favor Marksman and Sneak, making the race a natural fit for archery and stealth archery. | Origin choice changes the starting attribute profile, so weigh that against your preferred opening strengths. |
| Dedicated magic | High Elf; choose an origin for its attribute profile | High Elves have the largest cited racial magicka bonus and magic-skill bonuses. | Elemental vulnerability is a meaningful cost. Choose Breton instead if you want a mage with more durability. |
| Stealth | Khajiit for close stealth; Wood Elf for stealth archery | Khajiit traits support sneaking and security, with night vision; Wood Elf bonuses favor ranged attacks and sneaking. | Choose according to whether you expect to operate close-up or rely on a bow. |
| Mixed weapon and magic combat | Dark Elf, especially Vvardenfell | PCGamesN favors Vvardenfell Dark Elf for broad skill strengths, fire resistance, and an ancestral summon. | This is a versatile starting profile, not a requirement for hybrid play. |
These recommendations synthesize the build guidance from PCGamesN and GamesRadar+; they are editorial judgments, not measured rankings.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why your starting choice does not lock your build
Race and origin provide starting advantages, not a permanent ban on other approaches. PC Gamer reports that Remastered retains the eight attributes but changes some of their effects, and awards a flat 12 attribute points per level rather than using the original skill-based attribute-upgrade calculation. Starting modifiers still shape your opening character, but they do not mean you cannot develop toward another build.
Rank #2
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered modernizes the 2006 Game of the Year with all new stunning visuals and refined gameplay. Required Content Download
- Explore the vast landscape of Cyrodiil like never before and stop the forces of Oblivion from overtaking the land in one of the greatest RPGs ever from the award-winning Bethesda Game Studios.
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Physical Deluxe Edition includes the base game, unique digital Akatosh and Mehrunes Dagon Armors, Weapons, and Horse Armor Sets, Shivering Isles and Knights of the Nine story expansions, access to the Digital Artbook and Soundtrack App, and additional downloadable content: Fighter’s Stronghold, Spell Tomes, Vile Lair, Mehrune’s Razor, The Thieves Den, Wizard’s Tower, The Orrery, and Horse Armor Pack.
- Journey through the rich world of Tamriel and battle across the planes of Oblivion where handcrafted details have been meticulously recreated to ensure each moment of exploration is awe inspiring.
- From the noble warrior to the sinister assassin, wizened sorcerer, or scrappy blacksmith, forge your path and play the way you want.
For race-specific starting-stat decisions, see PC Gamer’s guides to origins and attributes. The original manual’s attribute descriptions are useful context, but they should not be treated as a complete description of Remastered’s modified calculations.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Kena: Bridge of Spirits - Deluxe Edition includes: Base Game, Official Digital Soundtrack, Unique Kena Staff, Golden Rot Skin, Retail Exclusive Sticker Sheet, Unique Celebration Hats for Rot
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- Fast-Paced Combat: Spirits have become corrupt, trapped, and unable to move on, challenging Kena at every turn
Rank #3
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered modernises the 2006 Game of the Year with all new stunning visuals and refined gameplay.
Quick decision guide
- If you are unsure what you will enjoy, start as a Systres Breton.
- If you plan to fight mainly with melee weapons, pick Stronghold Orc; consider Redguard or Western Nord for their different strengths.
- If a bow is central to your plan, choose Wood Elf and compare origins for the starting attributes you prefer.
- If spellcasting is the main event, choose High Elf and accept its elemental weakness; choose Breton for a more defensive mage.
- If you want stealth, pick Khajiit for close-range sneaking or Wood Elf for stealth archery.
- If you expect to alternate between weapons and magic, consider Vvardenfell Dark Elf.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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