oblivion things to do early

Oblivion, the fourth installment in Bethesda's legendary Elder Scrolls series, remains a masterpiece of open-world role-playing. Its vast province of Cyrodiil invites exploration and adventure from the very moment you exit the sewers. While the game offers unparalleled freedom, a strategic approach to your early hours can dramatically shape your entire journey. This guide focuses on essential "things to do early" to establish a strong foundation, unlock valuable opportunities, and set the stage for a truly epic adventure.

Table of Contents

Securing Your First Home: The Imperial City Waterfront Shack
Joining a Guild: Early Training and Steady Income
The Arena: Fast Combat Experience and Gold
Acquiring the Horse Armor (and Better Steeds)
Early Exploration for Unique Gear: The Ayleid Ruins
Managing Major Skills and Efficient Leveling
Conclusion: Building Your Legacy

Securing Your First Home: The Imperial City Waterfront Shack

Possessing a safe haven for storage and rest is a critical early-game objective. The most accessible and affordable first home is the shack on the Imperial City Waterfront. For a mere 2,000 gold, it provides a permanent container for your belongings, a bed for well-rested bonuses, and a central location. Earning this sum quickly is achievable by completing simple quests for city residents or selling loot from the initial dungeon. Owning this property eliminates the constant burden of managing encumbrance and offers a strategic base of operations before undertaking lengthier expeditions. It is the first concrete step towards establishing your identity in Cyrodiil beyond that of a anonymous prisoner.

Joining a Guild: Early Training and Steady Income

Guild membership is not merely for role-playing; it provides structured early-game goals, training, and financial rewards. The Fighters Guild and Mages Guild are particularly welcoming to newcomers. The initial quests for these factions are designed for low-level characters and often involve straightforward tasks like clearing out pests or retrieving items. Completing them yields immediate gold, but more importantly, unlocks access to guild trainers and services. The Mages Guild, upon joining all regional chapters, grants access to the Arcane University, enabling you to craft custom spells—a game-changing ability. Early guild progression integrates seamlessly with exploration, directing you to new locations while building your reputation and resources.

The Arena: Fast Combat Experience and Gold

For combat-oriented characters, the Imperial City Arena is an unparalleled early-game resource. Located in the Temple District, it offers a structured, progressive ladder of fights. The initial matches pit you against weak opponents, providing a safe environment to hone your combat skills without the unpredictable dangers of the wilderness. Each victory awards a substantial purse, quickly solving early financial woes. Rising through the ranks to become the Grand Champion is a long-term goal, but even the first few tiers deliver significant combat experience, gold for equipment or housing, and valuable fame. It is a concentrated loop of combat, reward, and progression that powerfully accelerates your character's early development.

Acquiring the Horse Armor (and Better Steeds)

Travel is a core component of Oblivion, and a reliable horse saves immense time. While a basic horse can be purchased in most cities, a superior early-game goal is to obtain a free, unkillable horse. This is achieved by completing the "Allies for Bruma" quest by convincing the Counts of each city to provide aid. The reward from the Count of Skingrad is a powerful, immortal black horse named Shadowmere. Alternatively, joining the Dark Brotherhood through a specific early action yields the same steed. For those seeking a simpler upgrade, visiting the stable outside the Imperial City and investing in the official "Horse Armor" DLC, historically the first of its kind, provides a tangible visual and defensive boost for your mount, symbolizing the early pursuit of quality-of-life improvements.

Early Exploration for Unique Gear: The Ayleid Ruins

Cyrodiil's landscape is dotted with Ayleid ruins, many of which contain unique artifacts accessible at low levels. Strategic early exploration can yield equipment that remains useful for dozens of hours. The ruin of "Vilverin," southeast of Chorrol, is a prime target. Within its chambers lies the "Chillrend" sword, a powerful enchanted blade effective against many early foes. Similarly, "Fort Farragut," east of Cheydinhal, holds the "Escutcheon of Chorrol" shield, which dramatically boosts armor rating. These forays are risky but rewarding, teaching valuable lessons about dungeon navigation, trap avoidance, and combat tactics while providing a tangible power spike that makes subsequent early quests significantly more manageable.

Managing Major Skills and Efficient Leveling

Oblivion's leveling system is unique and can inadvertently punish the unprepared. Your character levels up by increasing Major Skills ten times. However, the world levels with you. If you level up too quickly by increasing minor skills, without also raising core attributes like Strength or Endurance, you may become relatively weaker. An early-game imperative is to understand this mechanic. Focus on deliberately training the skills you use in combat. Rest often to gain the "Well-Rested" bonus for faster skill gains. Consider selecting Major Skills you do not use constantly for more controlled leveling. Efficient early leveling ensures your growth in power outpaces the escalating threats of the world, making your adventure challenging but never unfairly so.

Conclusion: Building Your Legacy

The early hours in Cyrodiil are a time of immense potential. The "things to do early" outlined here are not a rigid checklist but a series of foundational pillars. Securing a home establishes stability. Guild membership provides direction and community. The Arena offers a proving ground. A reliable mount expands your horizons. Targeted exploration yields the tools for survival. Understanding leveling ensures sustainable growth. Together, these early actions transform you from a vulnerable escapee into a rising force within the province. They lay the groundwork upon which your unique legend—be it as a heroic champion, a shadowy assassin, or a master wizard—will be built. Cyrodiil is waiting; a strategic beginning ensures you are truly ready to meet its countless wonders and dangers.

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