Summary
Jumping back into the world ofOblivionfeels almost like a dream, and players have once again been gifted with an unforgettable RPG experience that defies all expectations. One of the mosticonic classes inThe Elder Scrollsis the mage, a long-range caster that likes to keep their distance and really pump out the DPS through a range of elemental spells and defensive casts to keep them alive when things get a bit rocky.
With a long list of spells to learn and enemies to discover, it is nice to start with a good foundation so that the player can set off on their magical journey, knowing that they are as prepared as they can possibly be. The starting decisions when it comes to creating a character can be pretty impactful, not just for early game progression, and one of the most important is the race, each of which comes with its own strengths and weaknesses that allow for a specific build to really shine. In the mage department, there are a few exceptional choices that elevate a simple spell thrower into an unstoppable archmage that excels at dishing out insane damage numbers and keeping enemies at bay with an onslaught of spells.
Heavy Armor, Mercantile, Speechcraft, Blade, Blunt, Hand to Hand
Racial Powers:
When it comes to balance and versatility, few races can match the power of the Imperial. Decent starting Willpower and solid bonuses in Restoration and Mercantile, this race is best suited to a more supportive style mage that likes to usemanipulation tactics and sustainrather than focusing on insane damage output. But it is nice sometimes to have some extra utility, like Voice of the Emperor, to give the player an extra tool to help in confrontations before things turn ugly.
The Imperial does suffer from a lack of raw Magicka potential when compared to some more offensive-oriented mage races, but the hybrid style and the ability to stay flexible in more situations make the Imperial race a decent choice for mages that don’t want to go full-on into the magical overload route and who want to keep their options open down the line.
Athletics, Security, Alchemy, Blade, Hand to Hand, Illusion
An iconic race that has always been a staple choice fornew and returning players, Argonians are a pretty decent choice for mages looking for a more durable and unique mage playstyle. A mage build for this race centers around Illusion-based builds that combine a stealthy approach with some added resistances, to deliver a unique playstyle that shoots from the shadows and can take significantly more punishment than a standard mage.
While normal mages might like to keep their distance and play safe, Argonian mages can use their mobility and clever mix of utility spells to slip through hostile territories with ease and never feel pressured to stand and launch a barrage of spells over and over. This, combined with Restoration spells, gives them some much-needed sustain to match the resilience, and in spite of an overall lower damage output, their survival traits make them one of the most reliable and self-sufficient mage options in the entire game.
Blade, Destruction, Athletics, Blunt, Light Armor, Marksman, Mysticism
Dark Elves are an incredibly flexible choice for players who want to blend magic with some head-on combat. Ideal for offensive mage builds that want damage over safety, their starting bonus to Destruction makes them natural fire-wielders right out of the gate, combined with a resistance to the same damage type that gives them a serious edge over one of themore common damage typesin the game. It allows for an aggressive casting style that shrugs off magical retaliation and continues to show its power throughout an entire playthrough.
On top of that, the high Willpower and balanced stats make them ideal for battle-mage or spellsword styles that need that extra survivability and not being as frail as High Elves or as reliant on support spells, allowing the player to really dish out the punishment with little to no trouble. The freedom to focus on destruction-heavy builds or even bring in some conjuration allows for way more agency and power overall. For players looking for that powerful and self-reliant race that doesn’t sacrifice the traditional mage style, the Dark Elf is a great choice that is both consistent and strong.
Alteration, Destruction, Mysticism, Alchemy, Conjuration, Illusion
The quintessential mage race, High Elves are designed from the ground up to dominate in magical combat the moment the game begins. A massive +100 bonus to Magicka gives them the largest potential casting pool of any race in the game, ideal for pure mage builds that want to stick to pumping damage andpure spell-casting fun.Destruction, Conjuration, and Illusion already require a pretty hefty Magicka investment, so having a headstart in that department, combined with high Intelligence and Willpower, only adds to their ability to become relentless casters that launch high-level spells significantly earlier than other races.
That immense power does come at a cost. High Elves are naturally vulnerable, as most mages are, but specifically to several magic damage types that make the arcane monsters into more fragile casters that need to play with care and attention at all times. Careful decision-making can alleviate some of the fragility, and when paired with the right equipment and playstyle, the weaknesses can basically be ignored. Any player looking to experience the upper limits of the magic system should consider the High Elves, as, despite having some obvious drawbacks, no race enables that explosive power quite like it.
Conjuration, Mysticism, Restoration, Alchemy, Alteration, Illusion
Bretons are widely considered the most well-rounded and efficient race for magic users inOblivion, both in the original and now in the remaster as well. They start with a 50% resistance to Magicka, making them extraordinarily durable in magical encounters, which are pretty common throughout the world, a trait that only grows in value as enemies and spellcasters become more dangerous later in the game. The +50 bonus to Magicka is also a great starting boon, giving them a healthy casting pool without suffering from elemental vulnerabilities. Their skill bonuses lean heavily into Restoration and Conjuration, ideal for builds focused on support magic, summoning, or survivability, while still leaving plenty of room to branch into offensive spellcasting.
What makes Bretons exceptional and the best choice for a mage player is their balance. While High Elves offer more raw power and can reach pretty insane damage numbers, Bretons can safely stand their ground in magical duels thanks to their innate resistances, whilst still putting up comparable numbers in their offensive spells. Their racial power, Dragon Skin, adds a Magicka absorbing skill that doubles as a defensive spell, a game-changing tool that turns enemy attacks into resources that allow the player to keep the fight going without needing to potion up. This race is perfect for players who want to build powerful mages that can handle both aggressive and tactical scenarios without relying on glass-cannon tactics, and gives players a much more stable playstyle that is consistent and effective throughout.
