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As you get started inThe Elder Scrolls IV:Oblivion Remastered, races are one of the first things you will have to choose after waking up in the Imperial Sewer. Though youget a chance to re-work your characterbefore exiting the tutorial area, if you want to start on the right foot, it’s a good idea to choose one of the best races inOblivion Remasteredfor your envisioned build right from the start.
In total, there are 10 races inOblivion Remastered, but not all can be considered the bestOblivion Remasteredraces. This guide explains every race inOblivion Remastered, explains all racial bonuses and powers, and provides a ranked list of the bestOblivion Remasteredraces to help playersmake the right choices for different buildsand playstyles in character creation
High Elf
Also known as “Altmer” in their homeland of Summerset Isle, the High Elves are exceptionally gifted in the arcane arts, they also boast resistance to illness.
However, they are also somewhat vulnerable to fire, frost and shock.
InOblivion Remastered, High Elves have high Intelligence and are skilled in various schools of magic, including Alteration, Destruction, Mysticism, Conjuration, and Illusion – the only school High Elves are not proficient in is Restoration. High Elves also start with a bonus 100 to their base Max Magicka, as well as a nifty 75% resistance to all Diseases.
The High Elf race is one of the bestOblivion Remasteredraces forplayers who want to play a pure caster, a Mage who uses nothing but their spells to get by. However, thisOblivion Remasteredrace is the only one with a Weakness to Elemental damage, so be careful not to get hit by Fire, Frost, or Shock spells if you get into a spell-slinging match with a fellow caster.
High Elf Racial Powers
Argonian
This reptilian race, well-suited for the treacherous swamps of their homeland, has developed natural immunities to poisons.
They can breathe water and are good at picking locks.
InOblivion Remastered, Argonians are the reptilian humanoids of the Black Marsh, and their unique culture makesall Argonians proficient at the Security, Illusion, Alchemy, and Blade skills. However, depending on which Origin you choose, you will get vastly different Attribute bonuses. All Argonians are able to breathe underwater, and gain immunity to Poisons and a high resistance to Diseases, too.
The Argonian race is one of the bestOblivion Remasteredraces for players who want to play as a stealthy, mysterious Lizard person. This race is particularly well suited to Nightblade-type builds, which fuse together Stealth and Magic skills to create a sneaky assassin with access to useful spells.
Nord
Citizens of Skyrim, they are a tall and fair-haired people.
Strong and hardy, Nords are famous for their resistance to cold.
They are highly talented warriors.
Nords are one of the many melee-oriented races inOblivion Remastered, but compared to the benefits provided by the Redguard or Orc races, Nords come up short. Their bonus to Strengthand bonuses to important Combat skillsare definitely nice, and their Nordic Frost, Woad, and Frost Immunity powers are situationally really useful, too.
The Nord race is one of the bestOblivion Remastered races for players who want to be a berserker, someone who gets into the middle of combat and doesn’t leave until they or their target are lying in a bloody pool on the ground. But if you want to deal more damage in melee combat, or be more defensive in general, choose Orc or Redguard instead.
Nord Racial Powers
Khajiit
Hailing from the province of Elsweyr, they are intelligent, quick, and agile.
They make excellent thieves due to their natural agility and unmatched acrobatics skill.
All Khajit can see in the dark.
InOblivion Remastered, Khajiit are the infamous cat people of Tamriel, and their feline instincts translate into a suite of racial bonuses that benefit stealth builds. Khajiit are among the best races for Sneak and Security in the game, and both Origins gain anoticeable +10 to the Agility Attribute. Khajiit also have the ability to see in the dark at will, and can Demoralize low-to-mid-level enemies once per day.
The Khajiit race is one of the bestOblivion Remastered races for stealth builds, especially Rogue or Stealth Archer-type builds that can take full advantage of the race’s penchant for thievery and sneaking around.
Khajiit Racial Powers
Dark Elf
Also known as “Dunmer” in their homeland of Morrowind, the Dark Elves are noted for their skilled and balanced integration of the sword, the bow and destruction magic.
They are resistant to fire and can summon an ancestral ghost for aid.
InOblivion Remastered, Dark Elves offer players a mix of Magic and Combat skills that make it suited for Battlemage hybrid builds. The bonus to Speed across both of its Origins is handy, but the real appeal of this race is its special abilities and its high bonuses to Blade, Destruction, Marksman, and Light Armor.
The Dark Elf race is one of the bestOblivion Remastered races for Battlemage and Spellsword-type builds. If you want to play a character that can swing a sword just as well as itcan dish out damage with spells, choose Dark Elf.
Dark Elf Racial Powers
Orc
The people of the Wrothgarian and Dragontail Mountains, Orcish armorers are prized for their craftsmanship.
Orc troops in heavy armor are among the finest in the Empire, and are fearsome when using their berserker rage.
When it comes to the best melee combat races inOblivion Remastered, Orcs and Redguards are really close. Orcs gain higher Endurance, Strength, and Willpoweracross both of their Origin options, the ability to resist Magic damage by 25%, and the Berserk skill, which vastly increases Health, Fatigue, and Strength at the cost of Agility for a minute.
The Orc race is one of the bestOblivion Remastered races for melee builds thanks to the strength of the Berserk power and its Magic resistance buff. However, compared to the Redguard’s high passive resistances, and comparable Adrenaline Rush power, Orcs come up slightly short.
Orc Racial Powers
Wood Elf
The clanfolk of the Western Valenwood forests, also known as “Bosmer”.
Wood Elves are nimble and quick, making them good scouts and thieves, and there are no finer archers in all of Tamriel.
Their ability to command simple creatures is well-known.
Wood Elves inOblivion Remasteredhave high Agility and skill bonuses thatalmost exclusively suit a Ranger playstyle. With high Marksmanship, Agility, and Sneak, Wood Elves are unmatched when it comes to stealth gameplay and ranged combat.
The Wood Elf race is one of the bestOblivion Remastered races for Ranger builds, especially if you plan to play as a ranged assassin or witchhunter/nightblade. Wood Elves also gain a passive 75% Disease Resistance, and can Command any creature up to Level 5 for a full minute.
Redguard
The most naturally talented warriors in Tamriel.
In addition to their cultural affinities for many weapon and armor styles, they also have a hardy constitution and a natural resistance to disease and poison.
InOblivion Remastered, Redguard is the best race for melee combat builds thanks to its high Strength and Endurance Attributes, as well as its high bonuses to important Combat skills like Blade, Blunt, and Heavy Armor. Notably, Redguard also gain the Adrenaline Rush ability, which fortifies their Agility, Endurance, Speed, Strength, and Health with no downsides. They also boast a 75% resistance to Disease and Poison.
The Redguard race is the bestOblivion Remastered race for pure combat builds thanks to these powerful melee abilities and bonuses that outclassthose offered by the Nordor Orc races.
Choose the Dragontail Mountains Redguad to gain extra Strength, or the Alik’r Desert for some extra Personality, depending on how you plan to RP your character.
Breton
In addition to their quick and perceptive grasp of spellcraft, even the humblest of Bretons can boast a resistance to magical energies.
They are particularly skilled at summoning and healing magic.
InOblivion Remastered, Bretons are the best spellcaster race, and it’s really not even close. Bretons start with higher Intelligence and Willpower, allowing them to cast more powerful spells more often than other races. They also have proficiency in every Magic school except Destruction, a passive 50% Magic damage resistance, a 50-pointbonus to Max Magicka, and a Greater Power that provides a massive 50% damage shield for a minute.
The Breton race is one of the bestOblivion Remasteredraces for Mage builds, especially Battlemages who avoid Destruction spells and instead opt for control, defense, and summoning spells available in the other schools.
Breton Racial Powers
Imperial
Natives of the civilized, cosmopolitan province of Cyrodiil, they have proved to be shrewd diplomats and traders.
They are skilled with heavy armor and in the social skills and tend to favor the warrior classes.
Imperials inOblivion Remasteredare the native people of the land of Cyrodiil, the homeland of the Septim Empire smack-dab in the middle of Tamriel. Because they come into contact with the other regions of Tamriel so often,Imperials are great at the social aspectsof the game, and have a higher Personality than other races as well as bonuses to Mercantile and Speechcraft.
Imperials also get two Greater Powers, both of which are Touch spells. One will let the player absorb 100 Fatigue from an enemy, while the other can Charm an enemy for 30 Points for 30 seconds, making social interactions easier.
Imperials are a bit of a jack-of-all-trades race, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t one of the best racesOblivion Remasteredhas to offer. Quite the contrary – Imperials excel in melee combat, but can be tuned to fit Mage and Stealth builds, too. Pick the Imperial race if you aren’t sure what you want to do inOblivion Remasteredbut want to have an easier time with the non-combat aspects of the game.
