In this guide for Oblivion Remasteredwe will be taking a look at ways to build an Elemental Wizard Build that will allow you to obliterate your foes using the forces of magic.
Oblivion Remastered Guide — Mage Build Introduction
Oblivion Remastered boasts a great degree of spells for you to utilize when facing off against your enemies, and in this build, we will be taking a look at some of the most effective ways to build a spell-casting character and create a glass cannon magic caster that is all about firepower. Once fully realized, this build has the ability to one-shot any enemy you come across, letting you become an unstoppable force of nature.
Character Creation
From the 10 races available in Oblivionif you are looking to create a magic caster, there are a couple of races that suit the purpose really well. The first is the High Elf (Altmer) race because they receive the bonuses of Fortified Maximum Magicka (+100) and Resist Disease (75%), but they are also weak to Fire, Frost, and Shock (-25%), making them the perfect race for being a glass cannon. Their starting skill bonuses include Destruction (+10), Mysticism (+10), and others.
For the Origin, I would recommend going with the Auridon origin, since this will start with 40 Endurance, giving you more maximum health, which will help with survivability.
But if you want to go with a race that provides a little more resilience, the Breton is a solid choice. They receive the bonuses of Resist Magicka (50%) and Fortified Maximum Magicka (+50). For the starting skill bonuses, they start with 10 skill levels of Conjuration, Mysticism, and Restoration.
For the Origin, the High Rock Breton is a more favorable approach since the +10 bonus to Speed will help you be faster and more mobile, and will help with kiting your enemies and avoiding their attacks.
Birthsigns
For the Elemental Wizard build in Oblivion Remasteredthere are a few options depending on the type of challenge you want. If you are a new player or do not want any extra risks, the Mage is a solid option, offering an additional +50 Magicka without any drawbacks, making it ideal for balanced spellcasters.
For the experienced players or for those who want to prioritize raw magical power, the Apprentice provides a significant boost of +100 Magickkabut it comes with the drawback of a 100% increase in magic vulnerabilitywhich requires careful planning to mitigate and will make you significantly squishier against magic-casting foes. If you want to build a true glass cannon build, this Birthsign is the one you’ll want to choose.
Lastly, the Atrons is perfect for players seeking high Magicka reserves and spell absorption, granting +150 Magicka and 50% spell absorptionthough it disables Magicka regeneration entirely. This Birthsign demands a more strategic approach, rewarding those who can manage their resources effectively, providing a different layer of challenge, and is perfect if you are looking for a new way to experience spellcasting in the game.
Each Birthsign caters to different strengths, allowing players to tailor their characters to match their preferred magic-casting strategy.
Starting Classes
For a glass cannon spellcaster build in Oblivion Remasteredthe Sorcer and Mage classes are excellent choices if you do not want to create a custom class.
The Sorcer class specializes in heavy spellcasting with a focus on Destruction magic for high damage output. It also benefits from Intelligence and Endurance as favored attributes, ensuring a balance between magical power and survivability.
The Mage class, on the other hand, emphasizes Intelligence and Willpowermaking it ideal for pure magic users who rely on a wide range of spells for offense and utility. Both classes allow you to maximize your spellcasting potential while embracing the high-risk, high-reward nature of a glass cannon build.
Leveling Up
Attributes
For the Elemental Wizard buildyou will want to focus on the Intelligence attribute when you level up, as it will increase the damage of your spells. In addition to Willpoweryou will also want to put some points into Endurance and Strength as you level up, which will allow you to carry more items in your inventory and increase your maximum health.
Since we are not able to put more than five points into a single attribute from the twelve points we gain per level, I recommend focusing 5 points on Intelligence every level and then alternating between 5 points in Willpower or Endurancein addition to 2 points in Strength or Speed.
Leveling up this way will provide a way of increasing your survivability a little bit while using this glass cannon build.
Skills
When leveling up in Oblivion, you gain experience in a particular ability simply by using it. This means some are easier to improve than others, and you can become quite powerful early on by focusing on those that advance more quickly.
Although you can level up by spamming some of your spells, the biggest weakness of this build is that it has no major skills that will level up easily as you explore the map. You can visit the trainers to help you level up the skill of your choice faster, but I recommend focusing on Destruction and Conjuration first, as they will allow you to take care of your enemies in multiple ways.
- Alteration trainers, such as Datan in the Cheydinhal Mages Guild and Tooth-in-the-Sea near Bravil, cater to various skill levels.
- Conjuration training is available from Sulinus Vassinus in Skingrad and master-level trainer Olyn Seran at Molag Bal’s Shrine.
- Destruction trainers include Delphine Jend in Bravil and Marc Gulitte in Anvil, with Bralsa Andaren offering master training.
- Illusion trainers range from Carhil in Anvil to Martina Floria at the Arcane University for top-tier mastery.
- Mysticism trainers include Ita Rienus in Bravil and Trevaia in Chorrol as the master trainer.
Please keep in mind that you can only train 5 times per character leveland the times will not carry over even if you didn’t train at a particular level. So do not forget to go seek training every time you level up for maximum efficiency at gaining the skill levels.
Equipments
In Oblivion Remasteredthe best equipment for the Mage class focuses on enhancing Magickka, spell effectivenessand survivability.
For weaponsenchanted daggers with Absorb Magicka or staffs like the Staff of Worms and Wabbajack are excellent choices, offering powerful magical effects and utility. But the best offensive staff is the Apotheosis Staffwhich you can buy from Randir's Staffs in the Imperial City Market District.
For armor, robes or light armor with enchantments that boost Magicka regeneration or resistance to magic are ideal. Accessories such as rings and amulets with Fortify Magicka or Spell Absorption enchantments further enhance your capabilities. These items allow Mages to maximize their magical potential while maintaining flexibility in combat.
Spells
If you’re looking to harness raw magical power, Destruction spells are your go-to for dealing direct damage. Here are some of the best Destruction-based spells to consider:
Fire Spells
- Flare – A basic fireball spell, great for early-game damage.
- Fireball – A mid-tier spell that deals area-of-effect fire damage.
- Inferno – A high-level spell that engulfs enemies in flames.
Frost Spells
- Frostbite – A simple frost spell that slows enemies.
- Ice Spike – A powerful ice projectile that deals heavy damage.
- Blizzard – A devastating area-of-effect frost spell.
Shock Spells
- Spark – A beginner-friendly shock spell.
- Lightning Bolt – A mid-tier spell that delivers a strong electrical attack.
- Thunderstorm – A high-level spell that calls down lightning on multiple enemies.
Other Destruction Spells
These spells will help you dominate battles with sheer magical force.
In addition to the Destruction spellsyou can also reinforce with summons to provide more targets for your enemies while you stay out of harm’s way.
Final Thoughts
The Elemental Wizard build can be a powerful build that can take out enemies easily, but it is not without its weaknesses. It is a glass cannon build and comes with some serious weaknesses.
First off, it has low survivability, having low health and weak armor, making the build vulnerable to physical attacks. And it is highly dependent on your Magickka. Without them, you’re essentially defenseless, and running out mid-combat can be disastrous.
To offset these weaknesses, consider enchanting gear for Magicka regenerationusing summons to distract enemies, and investing in Illusion magic for stealth-based tactics.
So this wraps up my guide for the Elemental Wizard build for Oblivion Remastered. If you have any tips to share or have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments below.
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