Playing a pure mage in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered feels like stepping into the robes of a true wizard. You’re slinging fireballs, summoning Daedric allies, and bending reality with spells that make you feel untouchable. The game’s magic system, paired with the updated visuals or mods in Remastered, lets you live out that fantasy of being a master of the arcane, outsmarting enemies with clever spell combos and never touching a sword.

Here’s how to build a pure mage that makes you feel like you’re running the show in Tamriel.

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Character Creation

Race

Pick a race that’s got magic in its blood to keep your spells strong:

  • High Elf (Altmer) (Top Pick): They get +100 Magicka and a +10 Intelligence boost, but their health is a bit low (-10 Endurance). Their Fury of the Elements power juices up your spell damage for a quick burst.
  • Breton: You get +50 Magicka, +10 to Intelligence and Willpower, plus 50% Resist Magic. They’re tougher than Altmer, especially against enemy mages.
  • Dark Elf (Dunmer) (Backup Option): +10 Destruction and +5 Intelligence. Less Magicka but faster on their feet, and Ancestor Guardian summons a ghostly helper.

Best Bet: Go High Elf for raw spellcasting power or Breton if you want to stay alive longer.

Birthsign

Your birthsign can supercharge your Magicka or make spellcasting smoother:

  • The Mage: Adds +50 Magicka. Simple and solid for keeping your spells ready.
  • The Apprentice: Gives +100 Magicka but makes you 100% weaker to magic. Risky, but awesome if you’re a Breton or stack resistance gear.
  • The Atronach: Drops +150 Magicka and 50% Spell Absorption, but you don’t regen Magicka naturally. It’s tricky but powerful if you lean on potions or Absorb Magicka spells.

Best Bet: The Mage keeps it straightforward, or try The Atronach if you’re ready to manage your Magicka like a pro.

Attributes

Focus on stats that make your magic hit harder and keep you casting:

  • Intelligence: Boosts your Magicka pool (2 per point). Prioritize this.
  • Willpower: Speeds up Magicka regen and helps resist stuns. Second priority.
  • Endurance (Optional): Adds health to avoid getting one-shot, especially for High Elves.

Skills

Your Character And Choosing A Class In The Elder S

Major Skills

Pick 7 Major Skills to shape your class and level up. Stick to Magic skills and skip anything like swords or heavy armor to stay true to the mage life:

  • Destruction: Your go-to for damage spells (fire, frost, shock, or weakness). Gets stronger as you level.
  • Restoration: Covers healing, boosting stats like Fortify Magicka, and absorb spells. Keeps you alive.
  • Alteration: Handles utility like Shield, Open Lock, Water Breathing, and Feather. No need for armor or lockpicks.
  • Conjuration: Summons creatures like Daedra or undead to take hits for you. Also has Bound Armor/Weapons for emergencies.
  • Mysticism: Offers Detect Life, Dispel, Reflect Spell, and Spell Absorption. Great for tricks and defense.
  • Illusion: Includes Charm, Invisibility, Paralyze, and Night-Eye. Perfect for controlling enemies or sneaking.
  • Alchemy: Lets you whip up potions for Magicka, health, or buffs. Fits the mage style for staying prepared.

Heads-Up: Don’t pick skills like Mercantile or Speechcraft as Major Skills—they’re tough to manage for leveling and don’t scream “mage.”

Minor Skills

Keep non-magic skills like Acrobatics or Athletics as Minor Skills so you don’t level up by accident. You can still use them a bit.

Gameplay and Progression

Mages Guild

Early Game (Levels 1–5)

  • Starting Spells: Use whatever spells your race starts with (like Flare for Destruction or Heal Minor Wounds for Restoration). Grab cheap spells from Mages Guild halls or shops (think Minor Shield or Summon Skeleton).
  • Join the Mages Guild: Do the Recommendation quests to unlock the Arcane University for spellmaking and enchanting. Start in Anvil or Cheydinhal for easier tasks.
  • Focus: Grind Destruction and Restoration early. Spam low-cost spells like Flare or Heal Minor Wounds to boost those skills.
  • Gear: Stick to robes or light clothes (no armor). Keep a staff or dagger as a last resort, but don’t rely on them.
  • Magicka Tips: Hoard Restore Magicka potions from shops or make them with ingredients like Flax Seeds and Steel-Blue Entoloma.

Mid Game (Levels 6–15)

  • New Spells: Buy or craft beefier spells like Fireball, Major Wound, or Paralyze. Check out Edgar Vautrine in the Imperial City for good deals.
  • Spellmaking: Once you hit the Arcane University, make custom spells:
  • Weakness Stacking: Try Weakness to Fire 100% for 3s + Fire Damage 20pts for 3s. Cast it repeatedly to crank up damage.
  • Efficient Healing: Restore Health 10pts for 5s is cheaper than big heal bursts.
  • Utility: Fortify Magicka 50pts for 30s or Invisibility for 10s.
  • Enchanting: Add Fortify Magicka or Resist Magic to robes using Sigil Stones or soul gems (trap souls with Soul Trap).
  • Summons: Use Summon Scamp or Summon Zombie to draw enemy attention.
  • Combat: Stay back, use high ground or doorways, and pepper enemies with Destruction spells. Cast Shield from Alteration for protection.

Late Game (Levels 16+)

  • Master Spells: Unlock top-tier spells (need 75+ skill):
  • Destruction: Finger of the Mountain (shock AoE) or custom area spells.
  • Restoration: Fortify Magicka 100pts or Absorb Health.
  • Illusion: Mass Paralyze or Command Creature/Humanoid.
  • Conjuration: *,Void Salts).
  • Resistances: Keep Resist Fire/Frost/Shock potions for enemies like Daedra.

Combat Tips

  • Stay Mobile: Run circles around melee enemies with Feather or Fortify Speed.
  • Crowd Control: Hit groups with Paralyze or summons to keep things manageable.
  • Elemental Picks: Fire for raw damage, Shock for precision, Frost to slow enemies. Pair with Weakness to Element for bigger hits.
  • Defense: Pre-cast Shield (Alteration) or Reflect Spell (Mysticism). Use Restore Health mid-fight.
  • Atronach Trick: Use Absorb Magicka on enemies or summon an Atronach and absorb its spells for Magicka.