Ready to roam the lush fields of Cyrodiil in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered? Bethesda and Virtuos dropped this gorgeous update in 2025, and it’s packed with sharper visuals and a slick new leveling system. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a newbie stepping into Tamriel, getting the hang of leveling up is your ticket to becoming a legendary hero. This guide breaks down the revamped mechanics, lists every skill, and spills some secrets to power-level like a pro. Let’s dive in and make your character unstoppable!
How the New Leveling System Works
Oblivion Remastered shakes up the classic leveling system, making it more forgiving and fun. Unlike the original, where only your major skills counted toward leveling, now every skill—major or minor—helps you grow. Swing a sword, cast a spell, or sneak through shadows, and you’re racking up experience.
When you level up, you get 12 “virtues” to boost your attributes, like Strength, Agility, or Intelligence. These shape your character’s strengths, from dealing massive damage to casting epic spells. Pro tip: Luck is a tough one—it takes four virtues to bump it up by one point, so spend wisely!
What’s New?
- All skills contribute to leveling, not just majors.
- You manually assign virtues to attributes for total control.
- It feels like a mix of Oblivion’s depth and Skyrim’s ease.
Every Skill You Need to Know
Your character’s skills fall into three groups: Combat, Magic, and Stealth. Level them up by using them in the game, and you’ll unlock cool perks and stat boosts. Here’s the full rundown of all 21 skills:
| Category | Skill | How to Level It |
| Combat | Blade | Slash enemies with swords. |
| Combat | Blunt | Smash foes with maces or axes. |
| Combat | Hand-to-Hand | Punch your way to victory. |
| Combat | Block | Deflect attacks with shields. |
| Combat | Armorer | Fix gear with repair hammers. |
| Combat | Heavy Armor | Tank hits in heavy armor. |
| Combat | Athletics | Sprint, run, or swim. |
| Magic | Destruction | Blast enemies with fire or ice. |
| Magic | Restoration | Heal yourself or allies. |
| Magic | Conjuration | Summon creatures or weapons. |
| Magic | Illusion | Charm or scare NPCs. |
| Magic | Alteration | Change your surroundings. |
| Magic | Mysticism | Soul trap or teleport. |
| Magic | Alchemy | Brew potions or poisons. |
| Stealth | Marksman | Nail targets with arrows. |
| Stealth | Sneak | Stay hidden or pick pockets. |
| Stealth | Light Armor | Take hits in light armor. |
| Stealth | Acrobatics | Jump high or fall safely. |
| Stealth | Security | Pick locks on doors or chests. |
| Stealth | Mercantile | Haggle for better prices. |
| Stealth | Speechcraft | Sweet-talk NPCs. |
Each skill starts at Novice and climbs to Apprentice, Journeyman, Expert, and Master. Higher ranks unlock awesome abilities, like water-walking spells or paralyzing arrow shots.
Tricks to Level Up Fast (and a Few Cheeky Exploits)
Want to hit max level without grinding for hours? Here are some legit ways to boost your skills, plus a few sneaky exploits for those who want to bend the rules:
- Combat Skills: Join the Arena in the Imperial City. Fight endless opponents to sharpen your Blade, Blunt, or Block skills.
- Magic Skills: Visit Peryite’s Shrine (east of Bravil) and spam spells on the robed figures—they won’t fight back, but you’ll gain XP.
- Stealth Skills:
- Sneak: Crouch in the Imperial City Arena Bloodworks’ corner. Stay hidden for easy Sneak XP.
- Acrobatics: Jump repeatedly at the well in Hackdirt (south of Chorrol) to level up fast.
- Security: Sneak into the Imperial City Market District at night and practice lockpicking shop doors. Focus on setting tumblers for quick gains.
A Quick Warning: Exploits can make leveling a breeze, but they might sap some of the game’s magic. Use them if you’re chasing a specific build, but don’t miss out on Cyrodiil’s epic vibes!
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
- How do I pick my major and minor skills?
At character creation, choose a class or create a custom one to set your major and minor skills. Pick ones that match your playstyle! - What are virtues, and how do I spend them?
Virtues are points you earn per level to boost attributes. You get 12 to spend, but Luck costs four per point, so choose carefully. - Can I respec my character later?
Nope, Oblivion Remastered doesn’t offer respecs. Plan your build early to avoid regrets. - How’s the new system different from the original?
All skills now help you level, and you assign virtues manually for more flexibility, unlike the original’s rigid setup. - Are there new skills in the remaster?
The skill list stays the same, but the leveling mechanics are smoother and more balanced.
Expert Insight: According to Dr. James Paul Gee, a scholar in game-based learning, well-designed leveling systems like Oblivion’s encourage strategic thinking and player agency (Gee, 2007).
Wrap-Up: Rule Cyrodiil with Your Perfect Build
Leveling up in Oblivion Remastered is your key to crafting a character that dominates Tamriel—whether you’re a hulking warrior, cunning thief, or spell-slinging mage. The new system’s flexibility lets you experiment without feeling stuck. Sure, exploits can speed things up, but exploring Cyrodiil’s vibrant world is half the fun. So jump in, tweak your skills, and carve your legend. Ready to conquer? Start playing now!
