Xenobuzz Posted November 13, 2011 Share Posted November 13, 2011 Hey, all! I'm sure a lot of folks will be moving on to Skyrim, but I just decided recently to take another shot at Oblivion since I now have a graphics card that can run the game on max settings (and it flows like buttah)! The game was given to me as a gift several years ago, but I never played it for two main reasons: I couldn't run it with full graphic support and the scope of the world was a bit overwhelming. I did play it a bit. I figured a few basic spells and did a few small quests, but I still felt totally daunted by how huge the world was. One of the reasons I like FO3 is that you have the choice to run off in any direction and explore, or you can follow quests. I didn't get that same impression from Oblivion. I may be wrong. I'm thinking I should probably start my character over because I've heard that if you don't choose wisely you can literally become trapped and unable to proceed. The information I'm interested in is how to start a basic character that can take me through most of the game on the easiest difficulty just so I can begin to understand how the game works. Then once I've gained some knowledge, I can start over and do a more custom built character to suit my playing style. I have Prima's GOTY strategy guide for FO3, and it has been invaluable to me on many occasions, even after having played through several times. Does such a guide exist for Oblivion?Aside from a physical guide, what sites would you recommend for a greenhorn like me? Thanks in advance! Dave S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiyasumeni Posted November 13, 2011 Share Posted November 13, 2011 (edited) Hey, all! I'm sure a lot of folks will be moving on to Skyrim, but I just decided recently to take another shot at Oblivion since I now have a graphics card that can run the game on max settings (and it flows like buttah)! The game was given to me as a gift several years ago, but I never played it for two main reasons: I couldn't run it with full graphic support and the scope of the world was a bit overwhelming. I did play it a bit. I figured a few basic spells and did a few small quests, but I still felt totally daunted by how huge the world was. One of the reasons I like FO3 is that you have the choice to run off in any direction and explore, or you can follow quests. I didn't get that same impression from Oblivion. I may be wrong. I'm thinking I should probably start my character over because I've heard that if you don't choose wisely you can literally become trapped and unable to proceed. The information I'm interested in is how to start a basic character that can take me through most of the game on the easiest difficulty just so I can begin to understand how the game works. Then once I've gained some knowledge, I can start over and do a more custom built character to suit my playing style. I have Prima's GOTY strategy guide for FO3, and it has been invaluable to me on many occasions, even after having played through several times. Does such a guide exist for Oblivion?Aside from a physical guide, what sites would you recommend for a greenhorn like me? Thanks in advance! Dave S. I completely understand what you mean by feeling overwhelmed with the huge world. However you shouldn't feel that way, i have played for four years without ever completing the main quest which should show you how much random exploring there is to do. Any quests you pick up will always be there for you to continue later and you have no baggage in game so to speak. As for being trapped based on character choice; I say choose wisely because each character is unique and has separate abilities. Race, class and birthsign all factor in to how your character ends up but it doesn't trap you in any way. As for guides, using a guide for oblivion is blasphemy since there are a million things you have the option to do at any time.. Any information you do need if you get confused would be right here in this wiki- http://www.uesp.net/ Best of luck in game and enjoy! Edited November 13, 2011 by Kiyasumeni Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lodur9000 Posted November 14, 2011 Share Posted November 14, 2011 One of the reasons I like FO3 is that you have the choice to run off in any direction and explore, or you can follow quests. I didn't get that same impression from Oblivion. I may be wrong. I'd say it was a bit of a false impression. Oblivion is much the same as what you felt about FO3, don't be too daunted by appearances. The main quest dialogue and journals sort of nudge you to keep following that questline but you can resist their wiles and do your own thing instead. Most of the time all I do is go to see Jauffre, toss him the damn amulet and tell him they're on their own. I'm thinking I should probably start my character over because I've heard that if you don't choose wisely you can literally become trapped and unable to proceed. It can happen but you kinda have to go out of your way to create that situation. It's not likely to happen even with an unoptimized character. As long as you make sure to steadily raise your fighting skills as you progress, whether they be melee, magic, marksman or any combination of those, you'll be fine. The information I'm interested in is how to start a basic character that can take me through most of the game on the easiest difficulty just so I can begin to understand how the game works. Then once I've gained some knowledge, I can start over and do a more custom built character to suit my playing style. For a learning character I guess you'd want something of an all-rounder, or at least a hybrid. Try the Spellsword for melee and magic. For stealth and melee, look at the Assassin. I have Prima's GOTY strategy guide for FO3, and it has been invaluable to me on many occasions, even after having played through several times. Does such a guide exist for Oblivion?Aside from a physical guide, what sites would you recommend for a greenhorn like me? I second the www.uesp.net recommendation. It's a wiki and as game wikis go, an exceptionally well-ordered one with tons of info, nothing like the tatty crap you get on a lot of game wikis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubikNight Posted November 14, 2011 Share Posted November 14, 2011 I'd suggest to most definitely just explore. You will get the most out of it and will really feel involved in the game. Fast travel if you need, but to really enjoy the game taking the long way is a lot more rewarding. I suggest installing the Unofficial Oblivion Patch as there quite a few annoying glitches that ruin quests and pacing. Talk to everyone, and most likely, they'll give you a quest. Most quests are simple search and retrive or talk to this person kind of quest, and though the level scaling is quite off compared to Skyrim, you can always toggle god mode (tgm) in the console if you are in a situation where you need a quick escape, as terrible as it would be to use it. If it ever becomes to hard you can lower the difficulty in the option's menu, and if you ever want to change your race or class, although it'll reset your attributes, the console is your friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NocturneNight Posted November 14, 2011 Share Posted November 14, 2011 (edited) UESP is a good starting point like Kiyasumeni has stated. Keep in mind though that the UESP can and will often spoil quests for you, so use it with caution. I'd recommend you look up their guides on how to level effectively, though. Personally I never felt that Oblivion was particularly hard, quite the opposite. May be since I have played video games all my life, though. :P EDITAs for what you should do: That is up to yourself to decide. Did the main quest seem interesting to you? Then that is what you should pursue. Or maybe you'd take more pleasure in just exploring the world? Maybe you just want to be a thief and break into peoples home and play the game like a stealth-game? Then go for it. You need to sit down and figure out what you really want to do in this game, and then you can begin building a character that will help you accomplish those goals. And like Bethesda themselves say in the manual: "There's no wrong or right way to play Oblivion". Now good luck! :) Edited November 14, 2011 by NocturneNight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proximitus Posted November 14, 2011 Share Posted November 14, 2011 I also advise to use the "no beginning fast travel mod" (http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=31499) In my opinion, it makes it more realistic that you can't fast travel to the cities when you just exited the sewers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balakirev Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 Hey, all! I'm sure a lot of folks will be moving on to Skyrim,... And a lot won't. :) Many of us are perfectly happy playing our heavily modded Morrowind and Oblivion characters. We'll consider Skyrim when the bugs are fixed, an expansion comes out, the price drops, and modders form a very active community that deals with its known issues and "features," such as a lack of magic scaling for the PC above level 50, the absence of spell making, and an inventory interface that was devised with console users in mind. As for Oblivion: I think there's a Gamespot strategy guide out there, and I know there are several up on GameFAQs. I'd also suggest checking out at least one or two basic mods, especially the Unofficial Oblivion Patch. Beyond that, just take a look at the top 100 rated mod downloads and maybe scan through the mod categories when you get a chance. This will give you a good feeling for what modders have done, so that when you feel ready, you'll know what you want to add to your Oblivion experience. A really unique player house? A companion with elaborate dialog who can make potions and fight alongside you? A store that lets you bet on snail races? There are some incredibly creative modders active for Oblivion. Definitely not your main focus now, but a good thing to keep in mind. I strongly recommend this First Time Players guide to get a feel for the game. Also, take it slow. While Oblivion is a lot more forgiving than Morrowind to new arrivals, the sheer size and variety of it all can be daunting. That article should help. Also, feel free to ask questions here when they arise--and they will. ;) Have fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roquefort Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 I would also suggest installing the mods that beautify & improve the gameworld -- mods for landscape, weather, window-lighting, good-looking NPCs and so forth. It's a big world and you spend a lot of time just travelling around in it, so it's worth making the environment as interesting as you can. Like others, I'm in no hurry to get Skyrim as Oblivion just never seems to get old :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palpenious Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 I would second that, having played Oblivion for a couple years on 360 before ever getting a PC that could handle it. The first few mods I got were for better books, character faces, etc. it allows you to have the default experience and still update it a little. As for character creation, the only thing to worry much about is your major/minor skills. If you made a character with skills you might not use (like alchemy, or conjuration if you're a fighter) you will level up more slowly. However any skill can be increased through use, so you can actually max out the skills you use (weapons and armor in the case of fighters) with out leveling up. This in turn gives you the advantage over a world which scales to your level, so even a mistake like that will give you a unique experience. Best bet being fresh to the game is just play, do whatever feels natural. Put some money on a fight, solve a murder, go hunting, get drunk, etc. Anyway you have fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zegh8578 Posted November 24, 2011 Share Posted November 24, 2011 oblivion is just as sandboxy and open as fallout 3. both begin similarily, pushing you through a "tutorial" which also functions as a main quest catalyst. once you are out, you are free to do whatever you want, keep up the main quest which has allready begun, or leave it for later. personally i will plan character creation a bit. find out what the various stats do, and also how they will affect levelling once im out of the tutorial, i will head up into the imperial city and simply roleplay around. in the imperial city there are a small handful of easy to find quests which can get you started. there's a quest given to you by the merchants right away, and there is another quick one in the floating inn by the waterfront. with some patience youll also be able to join the thieves guild pretty early on as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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