Newbie seeks advice for ovewhelming game options

[Xenobuzz]

Hey all,

 

This game is freakin' HUGE!!

 

Clearly, the little manual that came with the GOTY edition only scratches the surface of what's possible.

 

I'm looking for a detailed character build that I can follow that's fairly simple so that I can start slowly learning the massive interconnected structures of character development and gameplay.

 

Ideally, I'd like to play a magic user of some kind. In Diablo II, I loved playing Necromancers because they didn't require so much mouse-clicking. I LOVED having my minions do all the work while I sat back and tossed a few spells out.

 

I realize this game isn't like that, but that's the kind of character build in which I'm interested. I'm not much for combat anymore.

 

Can anyone recommend a site that has a simple breakdown of the choices to make for certain characters who use Magic as their primary attack?

 

I really don't want to have to start over halfway through the game because I made some bad choices early on.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Dave S.

[razorpony]

A good overview of everything in the game can be found at the UESP Wiki .

 

Oblivion really isn't too class-centric, by that I mean even if you start out a mage you can still max out your sword skills and your strength attribute. The section you'll want to pay closest attention to is the leveling system. It isn't like other games. If you want to get the most out of your skill points you'll have to micromanage your levels. Or, you can get a leveling mod like a lot of other people here use. For a first time player I'd say just get in there and learn how everything works and don't be too concerned about figuring everything out at once. After you know what you're doing you can start a more serious roleplaying character, maybe with some mods to change gameplay however you want it.

 

-Razorpony

[bben46]

Unlike some other games, there is no real penalty based on class. Any class can do anything the others can. Any class can wear any armor and use any weapon. Any character can become the head of the mages guild, fighters guild, thieves guild, Black Brotherhood and any other guild all at the same time. So you get to decide how you want to play the character no matter what their class.

 

There is no huge advantage attached to any birth sign either. You just get a different spell to start with. if you don't like that one. later in the game, there is a way to gain a different birthsign spell (without changing your sign or losing the original spell)

 

Race is more of a personal choice, each has a minor racial advantage or ability, but nothing overpowering.

 

And you can always start over with a new character with a different class and different birthsign, and different race if you don't like the one you have.