Combat

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Guide - The Basics

Combat

There are different types of weapons in Oblivion: Blade, Blunt, and Ranged. The Blade classification encompasses daggers, short swords, long swords, claymores, and so on. The Blunt encompasses anything from maces and hammers to one-handed and two-handed axes. Weapons are also further classed as either one-handed or two-handed. With two-handed weapons, while you have the benefit of a slightly more powerful weapon, you lose the extra defence of a shield that could be used in conjunction with a one-handed weapon.

The amount of damage a weapon will deal is dependent on several factors. The strength of a melee weapon is dependent on your character's weapon skill level, the condition of the weapon, and the weapon itself. For example, if your character's Blade skill level is higher than their Blunt skill level, the damage dealt using a Blade weapon would be much higher than the damage dealt with a Blunt weapon. The damage dealt using a Ranged weapon is dependent on your character's Marksman skill level, the bow itself, as well as your character's Agility attribute.

There are two different types of melee attacks: basic attacks and power attacks. To perform a power attack, hold down RT/R2 and push the Right Stick in a certain direction. Level up your skills to reach new mastery levels. Each time a new mastery level is reached, a new power attack will be unlocked. A Novice in Blade or Blunt can perform a basic power attack by holding down RT/R2 and pushing the Right Stick in any direction. An Apprentice of Blade or Blunt can perform a more powerful power attack by holding RT/R2 without moving the Right Stick. A Journeyman of Blade or Blunt can perform an additional power attack by holding down RT/R2 and moving the Right Thumbstick to the left or right. Experts gain another power attack (hold RT/R2 and pull back on the Right Stick) that has a chance of knocking an opponent back. Finally, a Master of Blade or Blunt gains a forward power attack (hold RT/R2 and push up on the Right Stick) that has a chance of paralyzing the target.

When using a Ranged weapon, hold down RT/R2 to pull the bowstring to its full extension, and then release RT/R2 to release the arrow. Aim upward to adjust the distance. When your character reaches the Journeyman mastery, you can then zoom in by holding down LT/L2. To learn about the perks unlocked at higher mastery levels, refer to the “Skills” section of this guide.

Blocking is an important part of combat. You can block with a weapon, but a shield is more effective, and you won't damage your weapon with one. A shield can only be equipped with a one-handed weapon.

Weapons deteriorate with regular use. When the condition of the weapon drops to zero, it becomes unusable. A damaged weapon won't deal as much damage as it normally would, and damaged pieces of armour are less effective at absorbing damage. Use a Repair Hammer to repair damaged equipment. With a higher Armorer skill level there is less of a chance of a Repair Hammer breaking while being used. Enchanted equipment cannot be repaired until the Journeyman mastery level. You can, however, bring your damaged equipment to just about any weapon and armour store and have the shopkeeper fix it for a price.