Every Skill In Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is an intense journey filled with dangerous enemies to beat, loot to called, and most importantly: Skills to master. But to know how to master a skill, players first need to know how they work in depth, and which stats are directly related to them.

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Here's a comprehensive guide to all Skills in Oblivion Remastered, including how to level up each of them, which perks they unlock, and how to use them, and important details about spells, associated abilities, and how NPCs respond to their use outside of combat situations.

Oblivion Remastered Major & Minor Skills Explained

Major and Minor Skills Explained Oblivion Remastered

Players diving into Oblivion Remastered will notice that there are two types of Skills they can level up, and how they do it is directly associated with their every action in the game. There are Minor Skills and Major Skills, which will be classified depending on the Starter Class the players pick. Both are affected by the Attributes the players have, which can be increased in various forms throughout the adventure, though the main one is by leveling up.

For example, if players pick the Witchhunter as their starter Class, they will have Athletics, Alchemy, Conjuration, Destruction, Mysticism, Marksman, and Security as their Major Skills. The rest of the skills will be marked as Minor Skills.

The main difference between Minor and Major Skills, is the speed at which they increase in level, which determines how effective the players will be using their selected Starting Class.

All Skills In Oblivion Remastered Explained

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There are a total of 21 Skills in Oblivion Remastered, and all of them can be leveled up individually, no matter what class the players choose at the start. Each skill has 5 Tier levels, which unlock Perks according to the total level from 0 to 100 (Max). These are: Novice (0-24), Apprentice (25-49), Journeyman (50-74), Expert (75-99), Master (100). Here's a full overview of all the skills and their respective Perks:

Acrobatics

Novice: You Have No Perk.
Apprentice: You Can Dodge by Pressing Jump + Holding Block & Directional Key.
Journeyman: Jumping Consumes Less Fatigue.
Expert: You can jump over the surface of water.
Master: You take less damage when jumping long distances. Jumping consumes a lot less fatigue.

Acrobatics is a skill that governs movement in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, which means it is associated with speed, stamina, dodging, running, and jumping. Acrobatics can be leveled up by performing all of those actions, and upon reaching Level 25 (Apprentice), players will be able to acquire the Dodge ability.

It also governs how much players can jump around without tiring themselves up (depleting the Fatigue/Stamina bar), and having this skill at a high enough level will help players solve most of the jumping puzzles in Ayleid ruins, and dodge dangerous traps.

Alchemy

Novice: You recognize only the first property of ingredients.
Apprentice: You recognize the first two properties of ingredients, and have a chance to craft an additional potion.
Journeyman: You recognize the first three properties of ingredients, and can handle more simultaneous potion effects.
Expert: You recognize all four properties of ingredients, and always craft an additional potion.
Master: You can make potions from a single ingredient, and can handle even more simultaneous potion effects.

Alchemy allows players to craft Potions and Poisons that grant various effects from restoring Fatigue, to turning them invisible, or in the case of poison, crippling enemies and prevent them from moving. All potions and poisons are crafted using a tool named Mortar and Pestle, which varies in quality (from Novice to Master) as well as the skill, and grants players the chance to combine more ingredients and get better results at higher levels of quality.

While potions can be used directly to recover or grant certain effects, poisons can be used as a coating for weapons and arrows. Their effects depend on the elements mixed in their preparation, and the higher the level of Alchemy the player has, the more properties of the ingredients they will be able to recognize, which will open even more possibilities to combine them into powerful consumables.

Alteration

Novice: You can only cast Novice level Alteration spells.
Apprentice: You can cast Apprentice level Alteration spells.
Journeyman: You can cast Journeyman level Alteration spells.
Expert: You can cast Expert level Alteration spells.
Master: You can cast all Alteration spells.

Alteration is the branch of magic that specializes in altering the world around the players, covering them into powerful shields, allowing them to walk on water (or breathe under it), resist the elements, open closed doors, and cripple their foes with various debuffs that can turn them into a useless ragdoll during combat.

It is one of the hardest magic schools to level up, and its payoff cannot be noticed until late-game, where its most powerful magic spells become available, and players masters the ability to bend reality at their will.

Armorer

Novice: You cannot repair magic items.
Apprentice: You can now repair magic items.
Journeyman: Your Repair Hammers last twice as long.
Expert: You can repair items beyond their maximum durability. Improved weapons deal more damage, improved armors protects more.
Master: Your Repair Hammers never break. One hammer lasts a lifetime.

The Armorer skills allow players to repair their gear, the higher the level, the more efficient Repair Hammers become, and the less likely for them to break while repairing armor and weapons.

At higher levels, Armorer experts can repair their items above the maximum, unlocking special properties in their weapons and armor that increase damage and defense considerably. It is one of the best 'crafting skills' to level up earlier, since it brings lots of benefits in the long term.

Athletics

Novice: Your Fatigue regenerates more slowly when running.
Apprentice: Your Fatigue regenerates at a normal rate when running.
Journeyman: Sprinting consumes slightly less Fatigue.
Expert: Sprinting consumes a lot less Fatigue.
Master: Sprinting no longer consumes Fatigue.

Athletics is associated with Strength, Willpower, and Endurance, and determines how well players recover from Fatigue caused by all the associated actions that consume this resource. The higher the Athletics level is, the faster the Fatigue Bar (Stamina) will recover after use.

This skill is one of the easiest to level up in Oblivion Remastered since it will most certainly level up as players move, explore, and run around during combat. At higher levels, Fatigue consumption while running practically disappears, making it possible for players to explore more and faster.

Blade

Novice: You have no particular perk.
Apprentice: Your Power Attacks deal more damage, and Blade weapons are more durable.
Journeyman: Your Power Attacks apply Weakness to Normal Weapon to your opponent.
Expert: Your Regular Attacks have a slight chance to make your opponents bleed, dealing damage over time.
Master: The Weakness to Normal Weapon applied by your Power Attack is even stronger.

Blade is the skill that governs all bladed weapons (swords, two-handed swords, and daggers) and increases their effectiveness and that of their normal and power attacks. It also determines how fast weapons of that subtype lose durability as players fight with them equipped.

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At higher levels, bladed weapons become more lethal, causing bleeding damage and penetrating the enemy's defenses, making this an indispensable skill for melee fighters who prefer swords and daggers over blunt weapons. As players might have guessed already, it can be leveled up by fighting using blades.

Block

Novice: Your shield or weapon loses durability when you block an attack.
Apprentice: Your shield or weapon no longer loses durability when you block an attack.
Journeyman: Blocking an attack consumes slightly less Fatigue.
Expert: Blocking an attack consumes even less Fatigue. You can perform a Shield Bash while blocking with a shield.
Master: Blocking an attack consumes almost no Fatigue. Your Shield Bash deals much more damage.

Block provides extra perks that benefit players that use shields, one-handed, and two-handed weapons, since they can block with al lof them. However, it pairs better with Blade/Blunt & Shield than with single weapons, since at higher levels, it provides more benefits for those who use shields in their off-hand.

The Shield Bash ability is a powerful attack that can send opponents reeling or make them eat their own attacks as the player rushes through the battlefield like an unstoppable juggernaut. Needless to say, to level this skill, players need to block lots of attacks.

Blunt

Novice: You have no particular perk.
Apprentice: Your Power Attacks deal more damage, and Blunt weapons are more durable.
Journeyman: Your Power Attacks temporarily grant you Shield.
Expert: Your Regular Attacks have a slight chance to silence your opponents.
Master: The Shield granted by your Power Attacks is even stronger.

Blunt increases the effectiveness of Hammers, Maces, and Axes (be it one or two-handed), and as players level this skill, they will notice some incredibly useful perks for those who love tanking. The first comes at Apprentice level, increasing the damage output and overall durability of weapons. The second comes at Journeyman Level, granting an overshield each time players land a Power Attack.

Then, as players become more proficient with Blunt Weapons, their light attacks will have a chance to cause 'Silence' on enemies, making them unable to cast spells. This, paired with all the other properties of the Blunt perk tree, makes it one of the best in the game, especially when paired with Two-Handed Axes, which are absolutely broken.

Conjuration

Novice: You can only cast Novice level Conjuration spells.
Apprentice: You can cast Apprentice level Conjuration spells.
Journeyman: You can cast Journeyman level Conjuration spells.
Expert: You can cast Expert level Conjuration spells.
Master: You can cast all Conjuration spells.

Conjuration is the school of magic associated with Daedric entities, because most of the creatures invoked with its spells come from one of the Daedric Planes. Still, this is not only summoning magic to call forth Daedroths and Clannfears, as Conjurers can also equip themselves with powerful bound weapons and armor, which can swiftly turn them from a feeble magic user into a powerful melee fighter.

This skill will automatically level up the more players use magic to summon entities, and the higher the level, the more powerful those creatures can be. From the humble zombie (Reanimated from the dead) to the powerful Dremora Lord, this is the best magic school for those who want to let minions do their dirty work for them.

Destruction

Novice: You can only cast Novice level Destruction spells.
Apprentice: You can cast Apprentice level Destruction spells.
Journeyman: You can cast Journeyman level Destruction spells.
Expert: You can cast Expert level Destruction spells.
Master: You can cast all Destruction spells.

The skill associated with the Destruction school of magic, which levels up each time players use the powerful elemental spells that rain down destruction upon their enemies. The simplest spells like Chill Touch or Shock can cause tons of damage if players know how to use them well, and the more they level up their Destruction skill, the better and more powerful spells they will be able to use.

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Some Master level Destruction spells are so good that they completely change the way players feel: from squishy spellcasters, to absolute menace in a second. Blizzard, for example, has a powerful crowd control effect, while Disintegrate Weapon/Armor will turn the enemy gear to dust, leaving them defenseless and dumbfounded.

Hand to Hand

Novice: Your attacks additionally deal Fatigue damage. You do not recoil armed opponents when blocking their attacks.
Apprentice: Your Power Attacks deal more damage, and you recoil armed opponents when blocking.
Journeyman: Your Power Attacks have a chance to disarm your opponents. Your attacks can hit creatures immune to physical damage.
Expert: Your attacks deal more Fatigue damage.
Master: Your attacks deal even more Fatigue damage.

Hand-To-Hand is the skill of choice for those who want to become wanderer monks of Cyrodiil, bringing justice to those who spread evil by the force of their fists. Unarmed combat has gone a long way ever since the first Elder Scrolls game was released, and in Oblivion Remastered it shines brighter than ever.

If players want to create a tavern brawler, or a hero of justice that beats Daedroths using their bare fists, then this skill is for them. One of the good things about this skill, is that the more it increases, the more Fatigue damage it causes to enemies, and that means they will become less likely to respond after each attack, turning into true punching bags.

Heavy Armor

Novice: Heavy Armor you wear degrades much faster.
Apprentice: Heavy Armor you wear degrades at a normal rate.
Journeyman: Heavy Armor you wear degrades much more slowly.
Expert: Heavy Armor you wear no longer encumbers you as much.
Master: Heavy Armor you wear no longer encumbers you at all.

The Heavy Armor skill will favor those who use that category of armor, reducing the degradation, weight, and ultimately eliminating the encumbrance factor that is the main minus point of wearing full-plated gear.

The only way to dominate this skill to perfection is by wearing heavy armor and receiving unblocked attacks from enemies (or to train it with an instructor), so it might take a while before players become walking fortresses.

Illusion

Novice: You can only cast Novice level Illusion spells.
Apprentice: You can cast Apprentice level Illusion spells.
Journeyman: You can cast Journeyman level Illusion spells.
Expert: You can cast Expert level Illusion spells.
Master: You can cast all Illusion spells.

The Illusion skill allows players to learn all the spells from this school of magic that bends the light and the minds of their enemies, allowing them to become invisible, merge with the shadows, or confuse NPCs in plain daylight. It can also cause various debuffs like rage, fear, and confusion, or apply buffs to summoned creatures and allies, changing the course of battle in the players' favor.

Illusion is a pretty useful spell, ideal for those playing Witchhunters, Thieves, Rogues, and other stealthy classes. But also, for those going with a pure Magic build, since they are bound to find themselves in a situation where stealth is needed, and becoming completely invisible will allow them to overcome those game stages if they don't have any training in the Stealth skill. Beware, though, being invisible doesn't mean being 'silent,' and enemies will still be able to hear players if they are too noisy.

Light Armor

Novice: Light Armor you wear degrades much faster.
Apprentice: Light Armor you wear degrades at a normal rate.
Journeyman: Light Armor you wear degrades much more slowly.
Expert: Light Armor you wear no longer encumbers you at all.
Master: While wearing exclusively Light Armor, your protection is greatly increased.

For those players who use robes or leather armor, the Light Armor skill is essential to gain some extra benefits, which include even more reduction to their already light build, and extra protection when the skill is completely mastered.

Still, this skill is even harder to level up than Heavy Armor, since players receiving blows while wearing Light Armor are more exposed, and there's a higher chance for them to become staggered and killed. Better find a trainer and invest some money to level this skill.

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Marksman

Novice: You consume Fatigue while drawing a bow.
Apprentice: You no longer consume Fatigue while drawing a bow.
Journeyman: You can focus your vision while aiming.
Expert: Your arrows have a slight chance to paralyze the target on hit.
Master: Your arrows have a great chance to paralyze the target on hit.

Marksman is the skill of the Rangers, Witchhunters, and Thieves, and basically all classes who prefer to use Bows over Melee weapons. This skill will bring benefits to players almost immediately after getting out of the Novice level, since it will eliminate the cost of Stamina while aiming (drawing) ranged weapons.

After a long time using it and leveling it up by killing and shooting creatures and enemies all over Cyrodiil, players will become powerful a rchers, using shots to paralyze their targets and gaining even more time to land the next shot. Knocking one arrow after the other, downing monsters all around, is one of the best feelings in Oblivion Remastered.

Mercantile

Novice: The value of items you sell is reduced if the item is in poor condition.
Apprentice: The value of items you sell is no longer reduced if the item is in poor condition. Merchants may also offer better items.
Journeyman: You can buy and sell any item to any vendor. Merchants may also offer even better items.
Expert: All merchants have more gold available. You can invest in a shop to permanently increase that merchant's available gold.
Master: You always buy and sell items at the best price possible. Merchants offer the best items they have.

Mercantile is the ability to bargain with traders, and the more this skill increases, the better prices players will receive for their items, and the lower the cost for their purchases. It is quite simple, and leveling it up will depend on how often they barter with traders.

Of course, players can also take the fast route and level it up using trainers, which are often found in big cities and are NPCs that are considered famous traders, like Palonirya, the legendary trader who runs the Divine Elegance clothing shop in the Imperial City.

Mysticism

Novice: You can only cast Novice level Mysticism spells.
Apprentice: You can cast Apprentice level Mysticism spells.
Journeyman: You can cast Journeyman level Mysticism spells.
Expert: You can cast Expert level Mysticism spells.
Master: You can cast all Mysticism spells.

Mysticism is the go-to skill for those who want to become Enchanters and use Magic Empowered weapons, since it is the magic school that governs Soul Trap magic, which turns the spirits of downed enemies into power trapped in Soul Gems. Those adept at Mysticism can also detect living beings, absorb magic power from other spells, and use telekinetic magic to crush their foes.

Leveling Mysticism is a good way to introduce a variety of useful spells to the player's repertoire, among which Spell Reflection is the best of them all, since it basically acts as a Magical Counter-Attack that will return to sender any annoying spell or curse. A great way to deal with Fireball fanatic enemies.

Restoration

Novice: You can only cast Novice level Restoration spells.
Apprentice: You can cast Apprentice level Restoration spells.
Journeyman: You can cast Journeyman level Restoration spells.
Expert: You can cast Expert level Restoration spells.
Master: You can cast all Restoration spells.

From dispelling curses and healing sicknesses (like the one that causes Vampirism) to closing up heavy wounds, the Restoration skill associated with that school of magic allows players to cast more and better versions of spells that grant healing in various forms. This school is also adept at the use of various types of vital energies, clearing the effects of damage on Fatigue and Magic.

If players are tired of those enemies that cause multiple status effects with their magical spells, then Restoration is the best answer to counter everything they send their way. But, of course, leveling it up is not as easy as it might seem, since higher levels will require casting healing spells over willing targets (or the players themselves), which will consume lots of time.

Security

Novice: Up to four tumblers will fall when you fail and break a lockpick.
Apprentice: Up to three tumblers will fall when you fail and break a lockpick.
Journeyman: Up to two tumblers will fall when you fail and break a lockpick.
Expert: Only one tumbler will fall when you fail and break a lockpick.
Master: No tumblers fall when you fail and break a lockpick.

Security (Lockpicking) is the art of breaking locks using lockpicks, and the more players train this Stealth-associated skill, the better their chances of getting some extra loot from closed chests, or breaking the lock of doors impeding their entrance. Of course, some containers and private property are off-limits, and being caught using a lockpick in a town or a city will be considered a crime by the Guards, who will come running (and yelling 'Stop right there. Criminal Scum!') to arrest them.

But if players don't mind stealing and selling items to a fence (which might increase their Infamy), this skill can be trained quite easily. However, solving the mini-games to open locks can be a little bit annoying, since it requires time and patience to master. But the higher the skill is, the easier it will become to force locks, so, at the end of the day, it is a must-have skill for all the Classes in the game.

Sneak

Novice: Hitting enemies while undetected deals extra damage, particularly with Daggers.
Apprentice: Your Sneak Attacks are a lot deadlier.
Journeyman: You make less noise when moving while sneaking.
Expert: You are harder to detect in bright environments.
Master: Your Sneak Attacks ignore the opponent's armor.

Sneak is the skill that controls how stealthy players are, also offering bonuses to their attacks when hitting unaware targets, which is commonly referred to as a 'Sneak Attack.' For those looking to become deadly assassins or master burglars, this skill is critical, and they should level it up by constantly crouching and trying to become one with the night.

Simpler said than done, since most enemies will often detect players sneaking around, especially if they're wearing heavy armor. On that note, using leather or cloth armor is the best way to cause less noise, and reduce the overall 'visibility' of the players. Light effects also alter how easily enemies will find the players, so carrying torches or magic lights is not an option for players trying to sneak around.

Speechcraft

Novice: You have no particular perk.
Apprentice: Disposition decreases more slowly over time when trying to persuade a character.
Journeyman: You can rotate once for free when trying to persuade a character.
Expert: Bribes cost much less.
Master: Disposition no longer decreases over time when trying to persuade a character. Disposition is also less impacted by the most disliked action.

Speechcraft is the ability to persuade (or coerce) NPCs into doing what the players want. It affects how quickly players gain positive Disposition, and how much negative impact their failed persuasion attempts have on NPCs.

The mini-game that controls this skill can be accessed by choosing the option on the left side of the dialogue interface, which appears when players interact with NPCs or followers. Take into consideration that a negative disposition might cause NPCs to ignore the players' interactions, or even become hostile to them.

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