Oblivion Knight Guide: A Beginner's Journey

Hey there, fellow adventurers! So, you're diving into the captivating world of Oblivion and have a burning desire to play a classic knight? Awesome! You've chosen a fantastic path, one filled with honor, bravery, and plenty of clanging steel. But where do you even begin in this massive, open-world RPG? Fear not, my friend, for this guide is crafted just for you, the complete newbie eager to forge their knightly legend in Cyrodiil. We'll break down everything, from character creation to combat tactics, ensuring you're well-equipped to face the challenges ahead. This guide will provide a comprehensive walkthrough for players who are new to Oblivion and wish to experience the game as a traditional knight character. Playing as a knight offers a balanced approach, combining melee combat prowess with defensive capabilities and a touch of magic for support. Let’s get started on creating your valiant hero!

1. Crafting Your Noble Hero: Race, Class, and Attributes

The foundation of any great knight lies in their character build. This is where you'll make crucial decisions that shape your playstyle and strengths. Let's break down the key elements:

Choosing Your Race: A Knight's Heritage

The race you select in Oblivion provides initial stat bonuses and abilities that can significantly influence your knight's journey. While any race can become a knight, some are naturally better suited to the role. Here are a few solid choices for aspiring knights:

• Imperial: Imperials make excellent knights due to their balanced stats and bonuses to skills like blade, heavy armor, and mercantile. Their Voice of the Emperor ability can also be a lifesaver in tough situations, calming enemies and giving you a moment to breathe. Imperials are often seen as the quintessential knights of Cyrodiil, embodying the ideals of chivalry and service. Their inherent diplomatic skills and combat prowess make them well-rounded and capable leaders, fitting the knightly archetype perfectly. Moreover, their cultural background emphasizes discipline and order, which aligns well with the knight's role as a protector and enforcer of justice. Choosing an Imperial knight allows players to immerse themselves in the lore and traditions of Cyrodiil, providing a deeply thematic and engaging experience. Whether charging into battle or negotiating peace, the Imperial knight is a symbol of strength and integrity, ready to face any challenge with unwavering resolve. Their ability to adapt to various situations and lead by example makes them a formidable force in the world of Oblivion, embodying the true spirit of knighthood.
• Nord: Nords are hardy warriors hailing from the snowy lands of Skyrim. They possess a natural resistance to frost and excel in combat skills like blade, blunt, and heavy armor. Their Woad ability grants them a temporary boost to strength, making them formidable in melee combat. Nords are renowned for their courage and martial prowess, often depicted as fearless warriors who thrive in the heat of battle. Their physical resilience and combat skills make them excellent knights, capable of withstanding heavy blows and delivering devastating attacks. The Nord's cultural emphasis on honor and valor further aligns with the knightly ideal, making them a natural fit for this role. Whether facing down a fearsome dragon or protecting the innocent, the Nord knight stands as a bulwark against the forces of evil. Their unwavering determination and battle-hardened nature make them a force to be reckoned with, inspiring allies and striking fear into the hearts of their enemies. Embracing the Nord heritage allows players to tap into a rich tradition of warrior culture, creating a knight character that is both powerful and deeply rooted in the lore of Tamriel.
• Redguard: Redguards are skilled warriors from Hammerfell, known for their mastery of swordsmanship. They have a natural aptitude for blade weapons and possess the Adrenaline Rush ability, which temporarily boosts their stamina, allowing for more powerful attacks and maneuvers. Redguards are fiercely independent and renowned for their martial prowess, making them excellent knights. Their cultural emphasis on swordplay and combat excellence translates into a formidable fighting style, perfectly suited for the knightly role. The Redguard's natural athleticism and stamina make them agile and enduring warriors, capable of engaging in prolonged battles and emerging victorious. Their strong sense of honor and justice further aligns with the knightly ideal, making them steadfast protectors of the innocent and champions of righteousness. Whether dueling a skilled opponent or leading a charge against overwhelming odds, the Redguard knight embodies the spirit of the warrior, combining skill, courage, and unwavering resolve. Playing as a Redguard knight allows players to experience the game with a focus on martial excellence, creating a character that is both deadly and deeply honorable.

Defining Your Class: The Path of the Knight

Oblivion offers a flexible class system, allowing you to choose a pre-made class or create your own. For a basic knight, the Knight class is a solid starting point. It emphasizes combat skills like blade, heavy armor, and block, while also incorporating magic skills like restoration for healing. However, feel free to customize your class to fit your preferred playstyle. You might consider a custom class focusing on: Major Skills: Blade, Heavy Armor, Block, Restoration, Destruction, Armorer, Athletics. This setup provides a good balance of offense, defense, and utility. Blade will be your primary damage dealing skill, allowing you to wield swords effectively. Heavy Armor provides excellent protection, making you a tough opponent to take down. Block is crucial for mitigating damage in combat, allowing you to parry attacks and create openings. Restoration magic is essential for healing yourself and others, keeping you in the fight longer. Destruction magic offers ranged damage options, providing versatility in combat. Armorer allows you to maintain and repair your equipment, ensuring your gear is always in top condition. Athletics increases your movement speed and stamina, allowing you to traverse the world more efficiently and engage in prolonged battles. This skill set is designed to create a well-rounded knight character capable of handling various combat situations and challenges. By focusing on these skills, you will be able to effectively engage enemies in melee combat, withstand heavy blows, heal yourself and others, and maintain your equipment. Additionally, the inclusion of Athletics provides added mobility and stamina, enhancing your overall effectiveness as a knight.

Attribute Allocation: The Knight's Strengths

Attributes are your character's core stats, influencing their overall capabilities. For a knight, focus on the following:

• Strength: This is crucial for melee damage and carrying capacity. The higher your Strength, the more damage you'll inflict with melee weapons and the more equipment you can carry without becoming encumbered. Strength is a primary attribute for a knight, as it directly impacts their combat effectiveness and ability to wear heavy armor and wield powerful weapons. A high Strength score ensures that your knight can deal significant damage in melee combat, making them a formidable opponent on the battlefield. Additionally, a strong knight can carry more equipment, such as spare weapons, potions, and armor, without being weighed down. This allows for greater flexibility and preparedness when venturing into dangerous areas. Furthermore, Strength affects your character's encumbrance limit, which determines how much weight they can carry before becoming overburdened and suffering movement penalties. A higher Strength allows you to carry more loot and supplies, making it easier to manage your inventory and transport valuable items. Investing in Strength is essential for creating a powerful and capable knight character, ensuring they can withstand the rigors of combat and carry the necessary equipment for their adventures. By maximizing Strength, you will be able to deal more damage, carry more items, and maintain your combat effectiveness even when heavily laden with gear.
• Endurance: This determines your health and fatigue, essential for surviving tough battles. Endurance is a critical attribute for knights, as it directly influences their health and stamina, which are essential for surviving prolonged battles and withstanding enemy attacks. A high Endurance score provides a substantial health pool, allowing your knight to absorb more damage before being defeated. This is particularly important in melee combat, where you will be taking hits from enemies on a regular basis. Additionally, Endurance affects your character's fatigue, which is consumed by actions such as running, jumping, and attacking. A higher Endurance allows you to perform these actions for longer periods without becoming exhausted, ensuring that you can maintain your combat effectiveness throughout a battle. Furthermore, Endurance contributes to your character's overall survivability, making them more resilient to environmental hazards and diseases. A well-endowed Endurance ensures that your knight can endure the challenges of Oblivion, whether facing hordes of enemies or exploring treacherous dungeons. Investing in Endurance is crucial for creating a resilient and durable knight character, ensuring they can withstand the rigors of combat and survive even the most dangerous encounters. By maximizing Endurance, you will be able to take more damage, sustain your stamina, and maintain your combat effectiveness over extended periods.
• Intelligence: While not as crucial as Strength and Endurance, Intelligence boosts your Magicka, which is needed for restoration spells and other magical abilities. While Strength and Endurance are undoubtedly vital for a knight's physical prowess and survivability, Intelligence also plays a significant role in their overall effectiveness. Intelligence governs your character's Magicka pool, which is essential for casting spells, including healing and support magic. A knight with a decent Intelligence score can utilize restoration spells to heal themselves and their allies, providing crucial support in combat. Additionally, Intelligence affects your character's ability to learn and improve magical skills, such as Restoration and Mysticism. Investing in Intelligence allows you to diversify your combat capabilities and enhance your overall survivability. While you may not be casting powerful offensive spells as a traditional knight, having access to healing magic can make a significant difference in challenging encounters. Furthermore, Intelligence contributes to your character's magical resistance, making them more resilient to magical attacks. A well-rounded knight with a balanced Intelligence score is better equipped to handle various combat situations and support their allies in battle. By investing in Intelligence, you will be able to enhance your magical abilities, improve your survivability, and provide essential support to your party.

2. Mastering the Knight's Arsenal: Skills and Combat

Now that you've created your character, it's time to delve into the art of combat. A knight's strength lies in their mastery of weapons and armor, combined with tactical prowess.

Weapon of Choice: The Blade

For a classic knight, the blade skill is paramount. Swords are versatile weapons, offering a balance of speed and power. Invest heavily in this skill to increase your damage output and unlock special attacks. Mastering the blade is essential for any aspiring knight, as it forms the core of their combat prowess. Swords are versatile weapons, offering a balance of speed and power, making them ideal for a variety of combat situations. Investing heavily in the blade skill will significantly increase your damage output, allowing you to dispatch enemies more quickly and efficiently. As you level up your blade skill, you will unlock special attacks, such as power attacks and critical strikes, which can deal devastating damage to your opponents. These special attacks add depth and complexity to your combat style, allowing you to adapt your tactics to different enemy types and situations. Furthermore, a high blade skill improves your accuracy and reduces the likelihood of missing your attacks, ensuring that you consistently land blows on your enemies. Whether facing a single powerful foe or a horde of weaker enemies, a skilled swordsman can effectively control the battlefield and emerge victorious. The blade skill also synergizes well with other knightly skills, such as Heavy Armor and Block, allowing you to create a formidable and well-rounded combatant. By mastering the blade, you will become a deadly force on the battlefield, capable of wielding your sword with precision and power. This skill is the foundation of your knight's combat effectiveness, enabling you to cut through your enemies and protect the innocent.

Armor Up: The Importance of Heavy Armor

Heavy armor is your best friend as a knight. It provides excellent protection against physical attacks, allowing you to withstand heavy blows and stay in the fight. Train this skill diligently to improve your armor rating and reduce incoming damage. Heavy armor is the quintessential defensive gear for a knight, providing unparalleled protection against physical attacks. As a knight, your primary role is often to stand on the front lines and shield your allies from harm, making heavy armor an indispensable asset. Investing in the Heavy Armor skill will significantly improve your armor rating, reducing the amount of damage you take from enemy attacks. This allows you to withstand heavy blows and remain in the fight longer, making you a formidable opponent on the battlefield. Furthermore, heavy armor offers resistance to certain types of damage, such as slashing and blunt attacks, providing additional protection against specific enemy types. As you level up your Heavy Armor skill, you will become more proficient in wearing and maintaining your armor, reducing the penalties associated with its weight and encumbrance. This allows you to move more freely and efficiently while still benefiting from the superior protection that heavy armor provides. Whether facing a single powerful enemy or a group of attackers, heavy armor ensures that you can withstand the onslaught and emerge victorious. The Heavy Armor skill also complements other knightly skills, such as Blade and Block, creating a well-rounded and resilient combatant. By mastering Heavy Armor, you will become an unyielding force on the battlefield, capable of absorbing punishment and protecting your allies from harm. This skill is the cornerstone of your knight's defensive capabilities, ensuring that you can stand strong in the face of adversity.

The Art of Defense: Mastering the Block

Don't underestimate the power of blocking. This skill allows you to reduce incoming damage and even stagger opponents, creating openings for counterattacks. Practice blocking frequently to become a master of defense. Blocking is a crucial defensive skill for a knight, allowing you to mitigate incoming damage and create openings for counterattacks. Mastering the art of blocking is essential for surviving tough encounters and maintaining your combat effectiveness on the battlefield. By raising your shield or weapon to block an attack, you can significantly reduce the amount of damage you take, protecting yourself from devastating blows. A well-timed block can even stagger your opponent, disrupting their attack and leaving them vulnerable to your counterattacks. As you level up your Block skill, you will become more proficient in parrying attacks, which can completely negate incoming damage and create an even greater opening for a counterattack. Parrying requires precise timing and coordination, but it can be a game-changer in challenging combat situations. Furthermore, a high Block skill improves your overall defensive capabilities, allowing you to withstand prolonged assaults and protect yourself from multiple attackers. Whether facing a single powerful enemy or a group of foes, blocking is an invaluable tool for staying alive and controlling the flow of combat. The Block skill also synergizes well with other knightly skills, such as Heavy Armor and Blade, allowing you to create a formidable and well-rounded combatant. By mastering Block, you will become a defensive powerhouse on the battlefield, capable of withstanding heavy attacks and turning the tide of battle in your favor. This skill is the cornerstone of your knight's defensive strategy, ensuring that you can survive even the most dangerous encounters.

Magic as a Knightly Tool: Restoration and Beyond

While not a primary focus, restoration magic is incredibly useful for a knight. Healing spells can keep you alive in tough fights, allowing you to conserve potions and stay in the action longer. Consider investing in other magic schools as well, such as Destruction for ranged attacks or Mysticism for utility spells like telekinesis. Restoration magic is an invaluable asset for a knight, providing essential healing capabilities that can keep you alive in the heat of battle. While knights are primarily known for their martial prowess, having the ability to heal yourself and your allies can significantly enhance your survivability and combat effectiveness. Restoration spells allow you to quickly recover health, patching up wounds and injuries sustained in combat. This is particularly useful in prolonged engagements, where potions alone may not be sufficient to keep you in the fight. As you level up your Restoration skill, you will learn more powerful healing spells, allowing you to restore larger amounts of health and even cure diseases and poisons. In addition to healing yourself, you can also use Restoration magic to support your allies, mending their wounds and keeping them in the fight. This makes you a valuable asset in group combat situations, allowing you to contribute to the overall success of your party. The Restoration skill also complements other knightly skills, such as Heavy Armor and Block, creating a well-rounded and resilient combatant. By investing in Restoration magic, you will become a more self-sufficient and versatile knight, capable of handling a wide range of combat situations. This magical discipline is the key to your knight's longevity, ensuring that you can endure even the most challenging encounters and emerge victorious.

Combat Tactics: A Knight's Approach

A knight's combat style is typically direct and forceful. Engage enemies head-on, using your heavy armor to absorb damage while delivering powerful blows with your sword. Utilize blocking to mitigate attacks and create openings. Don't be afraid to use restoration spells to heal yourself when needed. A knight's combat style is characterized by directness, forcefulness, and a focus on melee engagement. As a knight, you will typically charge into battle, using your heavy armor to absorb incoming damage while delivering powerful blows with your sword. This approach allows you to control the battlefield and dictate the pace of the fight. Utilizing blocking is crucial for mitigating enemy attacks and creating openings for counterattacks. A well-timed block can deflect a blow, stagger your opponent, and leave them vulnerable to your strikes. Don't hesitate to use restoration spells to heal yourself when needed. Healing magic is an essential tool for sustaining your combat effectiveness, allowing you to recover from injuries and stay in the fight longer. In addition to these core tactics, a knight should also be aware of their surroundings and adapt their approach to different enemy types and situations. For example, against heavily armored opponents, you may want to use power attacks to break through their defenses. Against faster enemies, you may need to rely more on blocking and parrying to avoid taking damage. A skilled knight is a versatile combatant, capable of adapting their tactics to any challenge. This adaptability, combined with your heavy armor, powerful sword, and restoration magic, will make you a formidable force on the battlefield. Remember, a true knight fights with honor and courage, protecting the innocent and upholding justice. Embrace this role, and you will become a legendary hero in the world of Oblivion.

3. Living the Knightly Life: Questing and Character Development

Beyond combat, a knight's life is filled with quests, exploration, and personal growth. Let's explore how to develop your character and make the most of your adventure.

Joining Factions: The Path to Knighthood

Oblivion offers several factions that align well with the knightly archetype. Consider joining the Fighters Guild for combat-oriented quests, the Imperial Legion for a taste of military service, or a religious order like the Knights of the Nine for a more spiritual path. Joining factions is a great way for a knight to find purpose, gain experience, and develop their skills. Oblivion offers several factions that align well with the knightly archetype, each with its own unique quests, rewards, and challenges. The Fighters Guild is an excellent choice for knights seeking combat-oriented quests, providing opportunities to hone your martial skills and earn a reputation as a skilled warrior. Joining the Fighters Guild will give you access to a variety of contracts, ranging from simple monster hunting to more complex investigations and mercenary work. The Imperial Legion offers a taste of military service, allowing you to serve the Empire and uphold law and order in Cyrodiil. Joining the Imperial Legion will immerse you in the political landscape of the game, giving you a chance to rise through the ranks and participate in significant events and campaigns. For a more spiritual path, consider joining a religious order like the Knights of the Nine. This faction focuses on quests related to faith, morality, and the pursuit of justice, aligning perfectly with the ideals of knighthood. Joining the Knights of the Nine will involve a journey of self-discovery and redemption, as you seek to restore the order and combat the forces of evil. Each faction offers a unique perspective on the world of Oblivion, allowing you to tailor your knight's journey to your personal preferences. By joining factions, you will not only gain valuable skills and experience but also forge alliances, make enemies, and shape the destiny of Cyrodiil. Embracing your role within these organizations will define your character and their place in the world.

Questing for Glory: Embracing the Hero's Journey

The main quest in Oblivion is a grand epic that perfectly suits a knightly character. Embrace the role of the hero, protecting Cyrodiil from the invading Daedric hordes. Side quests offer further opportunities for heroism and character development. Embracing the role of the hero is central to the knightly archetype, and the main quest in Oblivion provides the perfect opportunity to do so. The grand epic storyline, which sees Cyrodiil threatened by invading Daedric hordes, aligns perfectly with the knight's duty to protect the innocent and uphold justice. As you progress through the main quest, you will face numerous challenges and trials, testing your combat skills, your moral compass, and your resolve as a hero. Along the way, you will encounter memorable characters, explore diverse locations, and uncover the secrets of the Daedric invasion. Side quests offer further opportunities for heroism and character development, allowing you to delve deeper into the world of Oblivion and shape your knight's legacy. These quests often involve helping the less fortunate, resolving conflicts, and combating the forces of evil in various forms. By completing side quests, you will not only gain experience and rewards but also enhance your reputation and forge lasting relationships with the people of Cyrodiil. Whether you are rescuing a kidnapped villager, retrieving a lost artifact, or mediating a dispute between rival factions, side quests allow you to embody the spirit of knighthood and make a positive impact on the world around you. Embracing the hero's journey is about more than just completing quests; it's about living by a code of honor, standing up for what is right, and becoming a beacon of hope in a world threatened by darkness. As you embark on your adventures, remember that the choices you make will shape not only your character but also the fate of Cyrodiil.

Roleplaying the Knight: Honor and Chivalry

Finally, remember to roleplay your knight. Make decisions based on your character's values and beliefs. Uphold your honor, protect the innocent, and strive to be a true champion of justice. Roleplaying is the heart of any RPG experience, and it is particularly important for a knight character. A knight is more than just a skilled warrior; they are a symbol of honor, chivalry, and justice. When making decisions in Oblivion, consider your character's values and beliefs, and choose the path that aligns with your knightly ideals. Uphold your honor by keeping your word, respecting authority, and treating others with courtesy and respect. Protect the innocent by standing up against tyranny, aiding those in need, and defending the weak from harm. Strive to be a true champion of justice by seeking out and punishing evildoers, resolving conflicts fairly, and upholding the laws of the land. Roleplaying your knight involves more than just making choices; it's about embodying the character's personality, motivations, and worldview. Consider how your knight would react in different situations, how they would interact with others, and what they would be willing to fight for. Embracing the roleplaying aspect of the game will significantly enhance your immersion and enjoyment, making your knight's journey feel more personal and meaningful. Remember, a true knight is not defined solely by their combat skills but also by their character and their commitment to upholding the virtues of knighthood. By roleplaying your knight with dedication and passion, you will create a memorable and inspiring hero who leaves a lasting legacy in the world of Oblivion.

Conclusion: Forging Your Knightly Legend

So there you have it, a comprehensive guide to playing a basic knight in Oblivion. From character creation to combat tactics and roleplaying tips, you're now equipped to embark on your own knightly adventure. Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and create a character you enjoy playing. Cyrodiil awaits your heroism – go forth and forge your legend! Remember, guys, the most important thing is to have fun and create a character that resonates with you. Oblivion is a vast and immersive world, full of opportunities for adventure and self-discovery. Don't be afraid to experiment with different builds, explore the world, and make your own choices. The journey of a knight is not always easy, but it is always rewarding. Embrace the challenges, uphold your ideals, and become the hero that Cyrodiil needs. Go forth and forge your legend, brave knight, and may your name be spoken with honor and respect throughout the land! Oblivion awaits!