If you’re diving into The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered and want a build that’s straightforward, powerful, the strength-focused, two-handed build is where it’s at. This setup is the go-to for players who love wading into battle, swinging massive weapons, and watching enemies drop like flies. Its ease comes from leaning hard into raw power—no need for fancy spells or sneaky tactics—just pure, unfiltered brawn. With high strength pumping up your damage and carry weight, plus the simplicity of smashing through foes with two-handed weapons, this build’s popularity stems from its satisfying, no-nonsense approach to dominating Tamriel. Here’s how to make it work.

Hq720

1. Character Creation

Race

Nord is your go-to pick.
  • Bonuses: +10 Strength, +10 Blunt (covers two-handed hammers and maces), +5 Blade (for two-handed swords and axes).
  • Special Abilities: 50% frost resistance and Woad (a temporary shield to keep you alive).
  • Nords start strong with a beefy Strength boost and Blunt skill, perfect for swinging heavy weapons. Their endurance also helps with health and stamina for long fights.
Alternative: Imperial works too, with +5 Strength, +5 Blade, +5 Heavy Armor, and Star of the West (sucks up enemy fatigue, handy for power attacks).

Class

Make a custom class to nail the skills you need:
  • Specialization: Combat (makes combat skills like Blade, Blunt, and Heavy Armor level up faster).
  • Favored Attributes: Strength and Endurance (Strength pumps up damage and carry weight; Endurance keeps your health and fatigue high for brawling).

Major Skills

Obliivon Remastered Combat

Pick these to focus on crushing foes and staying alive:
  1. Blunt (for two-handed hammers and maces; hits hard and staggers enemies).
  2. Blade (for two-handed swords and axes; lots of unique weapons to find).
  3. Heavy Armor (tanks hits, especially early on; pairs well with high Endurance).
  4. Armorer (fix your gear to keep it strong; enchanted stuff breaks fast).
  5. Block (cuts damage when you’re holding a two-handed weapon; key for aggressive play).
  6. Restoration (basic healing spells to patch up without chugging potions).
  7. Athletics (moves you faster and recovers stamina for dodging and swinging).
Note: Blunt and Blade both handle two-handed weapons, so lean into Blunt for Nords (thanks to the racial bonus) but level Blade on the side for variety. Blunt weapons like maces or hammers are great for staggering and breaking armor, avoiding the clunky reset of two-handed swords against tough enemies.

Birthsign

The Warrior is the way to go.
  • Bonuses: +10 Strength, +10 Endurance.
  • It juices up your main stats right away, boosting damage, health, and fatigue.
Alternative: The Lady (+10 Endurance, +10 Willpower) for more health and quicker fatigue recovery, especially if you’re spamming power attacks.

Attributes

  • Primary: Strength (ups your melee damage and carry weight; max it out fast).
  • Secondary: Endurance (more health and fatigue to take hits and keep swinging).
  • Tertiary: Agility (helps with stamina and keeps you from getting staggered).

2. Gear and Playstyle

44b4d 17456201280587 1920

Gear

  • Weapons:
    • Early Game: Grab the Bands of Kwang Lao for some unarmed fun if you want, but stick to basic warhammers or claymores from shops.
    • Mid Game: Hunt down Volendrung, a beastly two-handed hammer that paralyzes and drains health.
    • Late Game: Get the Akaviri Sunderblade (buy it in the Imperial City Marketplace). It wrecks enemy armor and weapons (100pts each), making fights way easier.
  • Armor: Rock Heavy Armor like Orcish or Daedric for top-tier protection. Enchant it with Fortify Strength or Health for extra juice.
  • Accessories: Look for rings or amulets with Fortify Strength or Resist Magic to handle spellcasters.

Playstyle Tips

  • Combat: Go for power attacks (hold the attack button) to knock enemies back, especially with Blunt weapons. Use Block to soak up hits when you’re not swinging. Stay mobile to avoid getting swarmed, since two-handed weapons are slow.
  • Skill Management: Level minor skills (like Light Armor or Alchemy) to pace your leveling and stack attribute bonuses (+5 Strength/Endurance per level if you can).
  • Survivability: Cast Restoration spells or pop potions to stay in the fight. Nords’ Woad or Imperial’s Star of the West can bail you out of tight spots.
  • Enchantments: Grab weapons with Disintegrate Armor (like Akaviri Sunderblade) to shred enemy defenses.
  • Leveling: Hit up the Arena questline early for cash and practice, and join the Fighters Guild for warrior-friendly missions and sweet loot.

Stat Goals

  • Early Game (Level 1-10): Push Strength to 70-80, Blunt/Blade to 50, Heavy Armor to 50.
  • Mid Game (Level 10-20): Max Strength at 100, get Endurance to 80, Blunt/Blade to 75, and start enchanting gear.
  • Late Game (Level 20+): Cap Endurance, master Blunt/Blade, and deck out your gear with Fortify Strength enchantments.