The Reality: No Direct Armor Crafting
Facing the dangers of Cyrodiil requires more than just a sharp sword and a quick spell. The world of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is fraught with peril, from marauding bandits to fearsome daedric creatures and the looming threat of the Oblivion gates. A robust and well-suited set of armor is arguably just as crucial to survival as any offensive weapon. But in a game with such vast possibilities and rich detail, the question naturally arises: Can you craft armor in Oblivion?
The Elder Scrolls games have always been known for their depth, offering players an immersive experience and a high degree of freedom. It allows you to role-play and build characters in diverse ways. You can become a master thief, a mighty warrior, or a powerful mage, all with unique skills and approaches. However, within this expansive fantasy world, the ability to directly craft armor, like in some other role-playing games, isn’t a feature you’ll find. The game takes a different, yet still engaging, approach to armor acquisition and enhancement.
As an avid gamer, you might be accustomed to seeing detailed crafting systems. Titles like Skyrim, which followed Oblivion, heavily feature crafting. Oblivion, however, opted for a more traditional approach to armor design. The system, while different from a dedicated crafting system, still offers a plethora of ways to equip, improve, and customize your protective gear, leading to a highly satisfying experience.
Methods to Improve and Customize Armor
The world of Cyrodiil offers many opportunities to acquire armor and protect yourself from the dangers that await. You won’t be forging plates from scratch, but you have different effective avenues for acquiring the armor you need.
Finding & Acquiring Armor
One of the primary methods for equipping yourself is the age-old method of taking what you can. The harsh realities of the game mean you may have to loot corpses, pillage bandit camps, and plunder forgotten ruins for the armor you need. Enemies, both humanoid and monstrous, will frequently drop armor as loot upon their defeat. This can range from basic leather armor to higher-tier materials depending on the enemy’s strength and location. Treasure chests and other containers scattered throughout Cyrodiil also hold a wealth of armor, waiting to be discovered by adventurous players.
Beyond the thrill of the hunt, acquiring armor can be a simple matter of commerce. Merchants, especially armorers, are found throughout the game. They offer a selection of armor for sale, with the selection varying depending on their location and the wares of their supply. These shops become critical hubs for acquiring new gear, particularly during the early stages of the game or when seeking specific pieces. As you progress through the game, you’ll encounter better quality armor at higher prices.
Many quests throughout Oblivion will reward players with armor upon their completion. This can include unique, named pieces with special enchantments. These quest rewards often provide some of the best armor in the game, offering valuable advantages and making them an incentive to explore every quest and side-quest the game offers. This is a crucial aspect of the game to gather powerful armor.
Armor Enchanting
The true depth of the armor system in Oblivion lies beyond simple acquisition. A character’s armor is more than just a physical barrier against attacks; it’s a canvas for enhancement. The Enchanting skill is one of the most powerful ways to customize your armor and truly make it your own. Enchanting allows players to imbue armor with magical properties, granting a wide range of effects that can significantly alter your character’s capabilities.
This essential skill is available in multiple locations. The first requirement is that you find an enchanting altar. Enchanting altars are rare but can be found at different locations and guilds. From these altars, you can combine soul gems, containing trapped souls, with armor to impart magical properties to the equipment.
The types of enchantments you can apply are vast. Some enchantments improve your character’s stats, such as Fortify Strength or Fortify Endurance, making you stronger and more resilient. Others offer resistances, such as Resist Magic, providing a significant defense against hostile spells. Defensive enchantments such as Reflect Damage can turn your enemy’s hits back against them. The options are practically unlimited.
The more powerful the soul gem, the more potent the enchantment. The rarer the soul, the better the effect. The Enchanting skill itself also plays a role. As you increase your Enchanting skill, you gain the ability to create more powerful enchantments. Experimentation is essential; finding the perfect combination of armor, enchantments, and playstyle is a key element of the game’s appeal. The higher your Enchanting skill, the more you are able to enhance your armor.
Armor Repair & Maintenance
Armor is not a passive entity; it suffers wear and tear, especially when you get into combat. Armor degrades over time. Maintaining your armor in good condition is crucial for survival, and that is where the repair system comes in. Regular repair ensures that your armor provides optimal protection.
Repairing armor is a fairly simple process. Damage armor can be repaired using repair hammers, which can be purchased from merchants or found throughout the world. The Armorer skill is the main skill for repairing armor. As your Armorer skill increases, you are able to repair armor more effectively. You can also pay a merchant to repair the armor for you.
Armor Materials & Types
You will also find a few different materials that make up the armor. Understanding the different materials and types available is critical to building your character. Each material offers varying levels of protection, weight, and price.
Armor materials range from basic leather and iron to more advanced options like steel, elven, glass, and daedric. Each material offers different levels of protection and affects the armor’s weight and cost. Leather is the lightest and least protective, while Daedric is the heaviest and most protective.
The game also categorizes armor into different types. The three main types are Light Armor, Medium Armor, and Heavy Armor. Light Armor offers greater freedom of movement but less protection. Heavy Armor offers the best protection but limits stamina and movement speed. Medium armor offers a middle ground.
Using the Blacksmith’s Services
Blacksmiths offer services beyond just selling armor. They also provide ways for you to improve your existing armor. The armorer’s skill is used here. The better your armorer skill, the better the quality of the armor. Blacksmiths are available in most towns and cities, and finding them allows you to get the gear that your character needs.
The Alternatives and Their Impact
The core gameplay experience in Oblivion focuses on the primary method for acquiring and customizing your equipment. You can acquire them from merchants, loot them, or gain them as rewards. However, it is important to understand the alternatives that can enhance the experience.
Mods
The modding scene has always been a vibrant part of The Elder Scrolls games, and Oblivion is no exception. While the base game does not offer armor crafting, the modding community has stepped in to fill that void. Many player-created mods introduce a crafting system, allowing players to gather materials and create their own armor. These mods can significantly expand the armor options and provide a deeper level of customization. The modding community also created a plethora of armor options for players to customize and adjust their equipment. These modifications are primarily available for PC players.
Roleplaying and Armor Selection
The selection of armor is a way to express your character’s identity. Beyond the practical aspects of defense, your choice of armor often reflects your character’s class, skills, and play style. A stealthy rogue might prefer light armor for its agility, while a heavily armored warrior would favor heavy armor for its brute force. The diverse appearance of the available armor adds another layer of customization and allows players to create unique and visually striking characters. From simple leather to the imposing Daedric armor, the game offers a wide variety of styles to suit any aesthetic preference.
Conclusion
Can you craft armor in Oblivion? The short answer is no, not in the traditional sense.
However, that doesn’t diminish the experience. The lack of a dedicated crafting system is counterbalanced by other engaging mechanics. You can still acquire armor through looting, purchasing, and quests. The enchantment system allows you to significantly enhance your gear, while the repair system keeps your armor in top condition. The importance of armor materials and types must also be considered when building your character. The game allows the player to customize their character in many ways.
Furthermore, the modding community on PC provides an optional method for adding armor crafting. The range of choices and opportunities available makes armor acquisition and management a satisfying and engaging part of the Oblivion experience.
Ultimately, while you can’t forge your own armor in Oblivion, the game provides a deep, rewarding experience. You have a ton of different methods available to build and customize your character, ensuring that you are well-equipped to face the challenges that await in Cyrodiil. The lack of crafting is more than compensated by the other systems available. So prepare yourself, choose your armor wisely, and embark on your adventures.
