Choosing the Best Class in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered

The highly-anticipated release of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered has reintroduced players to the sprawling province of Cyrodiil with updated graphics and quality-of-life improvements. While the game’s core mechanics remain the same, the question of which class is “best” is a popular topic for both new and returning players. With 21 premade classes and the option to create your own, the choices can be overwhelming. The “best” class is ultimately a matter of personal playstyle, but certain builds offer a clear advantage in terms of power, versatility, and ease of use. As a general rule, hybrid classes that blend magic and combat are often considered the most effective.

Unlike Skyrim, your choice of class in Oblivion is a foundational decision that impacts your character’s progression from the very start. It determines your specialization (Combat, Magic, or Stealth), your favored attributes, and your seven major skills. A well-chosen class can make the brutal early-game much more manageable and set you up for success in the mid-to-late game. This guide breaks down the top classes and popular build archetypes, helping you forge your perfect champion of Cyrodiil.

Top Tier Classes: The Most Powerful Builds

For players seeking a powerful and versatile character that can handle any situation, the following classes are consistently ranked at the top of the tier lists. They are strong choices for both beginners and veterans alike, offering a balanced mix of offensive and defensive capabilities.

The Spellsword: Master of the Arcane Blade

The Spellsword is widely considered one of the best premade classes in Oblivion Remastered, and for good reason. It’s a classic hybrid that perfectly blends melee combat with magical prowess. The class specializes in Magic and favors Endurance and Willpower, which are crucial for survivability and Magicka regeneration. Its major skills include Blade, Block, Heavy Armor, Destruction, and Restoration. This combination allows you to tank damage, deal high physical and magical damage, and heal yourself on the fly. You are a self-sufficient powerhouse, capable of handling both spellcasters and melee foes with ease. The Spellsword is an excellent choice for first-time players who want to experience the best of both combat and magic without feeling overwhelmed.

The Sorcerer: The Armored Mage

The Sorcerer offers a tankier alternative to the traditional Mage, making it a highly effective and popular choice. It sacrifices the Illusion school of magic for a proficiency in Heavy Armor, a trade-off that many players find incredibly beneficial. The Sorcerer can cast powerful Destruction spells while wearing heavy armor, allowing them to withstand significant physical damage. This class favors Intelligence and Endurance, giving you a large Magicka pool and a high health total. With the ability to cast spells, summon allies with Conjuration, and endure physical attacks, the Sorcerer is a jack-of-all-trades that excels in most combat scenarios.

The Crusader: The Holy Warrior

The Crusader is the quintessential paladin class, a hybrid that combines the best of Combat and Magic. It is a fantastic choice for players who want to be a tanky melee fighter with access to powerful healing and offensive spells. The Crusader specializes in Combat and favors Strength and Willpower. Its major skills include Heavy Armor, Blade, Blunt, and Restoration. This combination provides excellent survivability and damage output, while Restoration allows you to heal yourself and your allies, making you an invaluable asset in any situation. The Crusader is an incredibly forgiving class for new players, offering built-in sustain and a straightforward playstyle.

Highly Recommended Builds: The Stealth Archer and The Assassin

For players who prefer a stealthier approach to combat, the “Stealth Archer” archetype is a classic that has been a fan favorite across all Elder Scrolls titles. The premade class that best represents this playstyle is the Assassin.

The Assassin: Master of the Shadows

The Assassin is the best premade class for a dedicated stealth playthrough. It specializes in Stealth and favors Speed and Intelligence. Its major skills include Sneak, Marksman, Blade, and Light Armor, giving you all the tools you need to silently dispatch enemies from a distance or up close. The Assassin is particularly effective at dealing high damage with sneak attacks, and the class is perfect for players who enjoy careful planning and strategic positioning. While they can be squishy in a straight-up fight, their ability to control the flow of combat from the shadows is unparalleled.

The Custom Class: The Ultimate Power

While the premade classes are excellent, the true power of Oblivion Remastered’s character creation lies in the ability to design your own. By creating a custom class, you can cherry-pick the most powerful skills and attributes to craft a character tailored to your exact specifications. For an optimal build, it is highly recommended to choose skills that you won’t level up naturally and avoid those that level up too quickly, as this can lead to an uneven power curve. For example, a custom “Stealth Archer” could be built with Marksman and Sneak as Major Skills, while also including Restoration and a magic school for utility.

Key Elements to Consider for an Optimal Custom Build:

• Endurance is Key: A high Endurance stat is the most important attribute in the game, as it determines your starting health and how much health you gain with each level. Maxing out Endurance early will make your character significantly more durable in the long run.
• Hybrid Specialization: The most powerful builds often take advantage of both combat and magic, so a hybrid specialization can give you a significant advantage.
• Choose Your Major Skills Carefully: Avoid making skills like Athletics and Acrobatics major skills, as they level up too quickly and can cause you to “power-level,” making the game world scale and become too difficult. Instead, choose a mix of combat and magic skills that you can control.

Ultimately, the “best” class in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is the one that gives you the most enjoyment. Whether you want to be a powerful Spellsword, a cunning Assassin, or a self-made hero, the game provides a rich and flexible system to support your playstyle. The new remastered version is a perfect opportunity to dive back into the world of Cyrodiil and experience the freedom of choice that has made the Elder Scrolls series a legend in the gaming world.