(spoilers)Newbie in need of help!

[Nathxoxo]

Hi guys Nath here!

So I recently purchased Oblivion GOTY Edition on steam as it was in the sales and I've always heard good things about it! Made my character yesterday, just your average assassin thief class and I am now at Blood of the daedra main quest just after the Shrine of Azura where you need to kill 5 vampires. I was able to kill the human vampires with ease but there is 2 orc vampires in there who just seem impossible to beat which has made me sign up here just to ask for help! The orcs have 2h axes and easily 2 shot me if I let them hit me, and they take barely any damage from me, I even tried a silver dagger which is just the same result! :< Also my bow seems to do literally no damage what so ever compared to my swords..

Here's the build for my assassin (now at Level 5):
Race - Male Argonian
Class - Custom Class (Shadowstalker)
Attributes - Agility and Speed
Birthsign - The Thief
Major Skills - Alchemy, Alteration, Blade, Illusion, Light Armor, Marksman and Sneak.

Please help me as I love this game and this is driving me insane!

PS: The game seems reasonable hard for it being at the start, especially closing that first gate I found hard.

[Tricky]

Yeah, they can be a bit too hard if you're only level 5. My tip would be to fight them with poisons since you have alchemy. Also use attack & retreat tactics aided by invisibility potions or spells.

It can be a bit bothersome and time consuming, but you can let the sun kill them too. These vampires WILL go outside when they run after you. It's a bit problematic though, as it's hard to find a spot close to the cave entrance where you can climb onto something so the vampires can't reach you. It will also take some time before the sun has drained their health completely.

One option is to run all the way back to the shrine and jump onto the statue there. It's tricky though, you can easily lose track of the vampire behind you. It might even fall down the slope of the icey mountain.

I would recommend killing it in combat. It'll be less of a headache that way. You might even want to gain 5-10 levels before finishing this quest.

[Nathxoxo]

Yeah, they can be a bit too hard if you're only level 5. My tip would be to fight them with poisons since you have alchemy. Also use attack & retreat tactics aided by invisibility potions or spells.

It can be a bit bothersome and time consuming, but you can let the sun kill them too. These vampires WILL go outside when they run after you. It's a bit problematic though, as it's hard to find a spot close to the cave entrance where you can climb onto something so the vampires can't reach you. It will also take some time before the sun has drained their health completely.

One option is to run all the way back to the shrine and jump onto the statue there. It's tricky though, you can easily lose track of the vampire behind you. It might even fall down the slope of the icey mountain.

I would recommend killing it in combat. It'll be less of a headache that way. You might even want to gain 5-10 levels before finishing this quest.

So its because I'am to low for it? I was thinking it was because my character was awful and was going to have to remake another 1 :< So if I level up some then come back to it I should be able to do it more easier? Where can I get some other quests to help me level up, I don't fancy grinding endlessly lol

Also is there a website or something to help me know what ingredients are needed for certain poisions cause I haven't the slightest idea of what is needed.

Was also wondering if you could tell me why my bow damage significantly lower than my sword? I love using my bow but I tend to sway away from using it as the damage is awful compared to my sword.

Thanks for the fast reply m8!

[Stworca]

Was also wondering if you could tell me why my bow damage significantly lower than my sword? I love using my bow but I tend to sway away from using it as the damage is awful compared to my sword.

You have to hold the attack button a bit when using bow, so you put more strength into the shot.

[Nathxoxo]

You have to hold the attack button a bit when using bow, so you put more strength into the shot.

Ah I see, I'll try that out mate thanks, but failing that and the damage is still low would there be any particular reason for that?

[Tricky]

There is only one website you will need for anything: UESPWiki

I don't think your character is unviable; pretty much any character can be taken through the game. It's just that those last two vampires were probably tailored to give 'pure' fighters a good workout.

The key is to always play on your characters strengths. You're trying to approach the final vampires as a fighter, which is exactly the problem because you're not a fighter. Remember that you chose skills that will aid you in unique ways.
If you get better at alchemy, you'll eventually be able to tell what kind of effects various ingredients have, allowing you to make all sorts of concoctions along the way.
The combination of sneak and illusion is VERY powerful as it allows you to almost totally rely on dealing backstab damage (extra damage, while catching an opponent unaware), while disappearing with a single spell before they have time to draw their swords.

Since you chose three mage-type skills (I'm kindof including alchemy), it would be a good idea to join the Mages Guild and purchase some spells through their own services to help you train. I wouldn't say that quests are the main source of increasing your skill 'experience'. Just venturing out in the world and exploring random dungeons or even wildlands is the best way to become skilled.

[Tricky]

Ah I see, I'll try that out mate thanks, but failing that and the damage is still low would there be any particular reason for that?

Note that weapons also wear down and need to be repaired over time. If you train your Armorer skill, you can do so yourself.

[Nathxoxo]

There is only one website you will need for anything: UESPWiki

I don't think your character is unviable; pretty much any character can be taken through the game. It's just that those last two vampires were probably tailored to give 'pure' fighters a good workout.

The key is to always play on your characters strengths. You're trying to approach the final vampires as a fighter, which is exactly the problem because you're not a fighter. Remember that you chose skills that will aid you in unique ways.
If you get better at alchemy, you'll eventually be able to tell what kind of effects various ingredients have, allowing you to make all sorts of concoctions along the way.
The combination of sneak and illusion is VERY powerful as it allows you to almost totally rely on dealing backstab damage (extra damage, while catching an opponent unaware), while disappearing with a single spell before they have time to draw their swords.

Since you chose three mage-type skills (I'm kindof including alchemy), it would be a good idea to join the Mages Guild and purchase some spells through their own services to help you train. I wouldn't say that quests are the main source of increasing your skill 'experience'. Just venturing out in the world and exploring random dungeons or even wildlands is the best way to become skilled.

Ah right, so I will learn illusion spells to bring me out of combat so I can keep chaining sneak attacks for maximum damage? Also I haven't come across any dungeons yet, where can I find them and are they certain rewards for completing them?

I recently join the mages guild just so I could take a silver dagger to try and kill them orc vampires lol, ill do some of the quests so I am able to purchase the goods!

Is there any particular reason why my blade damage is much higher than my bow? AS I read people are 1/2shotting things where it takes me like 5 arrows..

Thanks again!

[Ares2382]

Are you doing sneak attacks? Or regular attacks with your bow? Are you using poisons?

Also, as an aside, Alchemy as a major skill is a BAD idea. You'll level up too quickly, but your other more important skills won't level up as fast. Making the game harder then necessary.

[Nathxoxo]

Are you doing sneak attacks? Or regular attacks with your bow? Are you using poisons?

Also, as an aside, Alchemy as a major skill is a BAD idea. You'll level up too quickly, but your other more important skills won't level up as fast. Making the game harder then necessary.

Well I open up with a sneak attack with a bow which damage is so/so then when it comes to them coming at me and me firing arrows at them, the damage is laughable, well compared to my swords damage. It is much more effort killing them with a bow then sword is what I'm trying to say and I'm not sure if its ment to be like that or I am / have done something wrong.

I never knew about the leveling system untill after I made my character..since I'm only at the 'start' of the game would you recommend restarting my character?

[Tricky]

Is there any particular reason why my blade damage is much higher than my bow? AS I read people are 1/2shotting things where it takes me like 5 arrows..

I have no idea. Possible factors are the state of the weapon (repair), the weapon skill you have gathered through use, racial modifiers to your base attributes and finally how strong the respective weapons are.

See that website I linked earlier for good summaries on the weapon types.

[Nathxoxo]

I have no idea. Possible factors are the state of the weapon (repair), the weapon skill you have gathered through use, racial modifiers to your base attributes and finally how strong the respective weapons are.

See that website I linked earlier for good summaries on the weapon types.

Well I have an iron bow and arrows which I picked up off a guard at the first gate. Anyhow I will level some and go back and give it ago. Would you not recommend having alchemy as a major also? If so I might remake my character because I don't want the game to be hard on my first place through.

Also could you recommend any mods for improving gameplay for a noob?

Thanks again, Nath!

[Tricky]

I am a bit out of touch with the mod scene, but I would at least install something that deals with the horrible level-scaling throughout the game. How much loot you get and how tough the enemies are is in direct relation to your level. It's very unrealistic, a real immersion-breaker. After level 15 or 20 or so, every poor bandit will suddenly be clad in expensive, ultra-rare armor. And it just gets worse. I remember Oscuro's Oblivion Overhaul being an okay re-balancer. However, it added a bit too much fluff items and things to the game that I did not care for. There was a better one, but the name escapes me. If you search the forums, in particular ex-moderator Fable's posts in this forum for modlists, you should be able to find some good stuff. I believe DragonWench also made some good posts in this forum.

As for having Alchemy as a major.. hm.. I'm not sure if that's necessary. It's an easy skill to train. Just grab a ton of food items from guilds that you are a member of and make a few hundred potions. You'll be good at it in no time.

[Ares2382]

Yeah, if you're not too far into the game, and you're ok with restarting, then I'd restart and get rid of Alchemy. It's insanely easy to train even as a minor.

Bows are supposed to be weaker them melee weapons. That's the downside of being able to attack someone at range, but you should be able to get several attacks before they get close to you.

Also, believe it or not, but if you're sneak skill is good, and especially if it's paired up with Chameleon spell, you can often attack an enemy at range and they won't even react to you as long as you stay hidden. So you can keep doing sneak attacks all day long.

My suggestion, if you want to stay with a bow, is to always attack from as far as possible. It's very hard in caves, I know, but you have to do a lot of back paddling once you're engaged. Also, early on, until you get your sneak skill up to use the above mention tactic, it's probably good idea to carry a close combat weapon to fight with for when they get close to you.

Being archer is not easy early on, but I think it's a whole lot of fun. My sneaky type chars always get bow and are probably my favorite characters, after a mage (but for me mages trump everything).

Oh and in case you missed it. Always use a poisons for your sneak attacks. Even though the damage multiplier doesn't apply to poisons, it's still important to do as much damage upfront as possible.

Check out this page, lots of useful information on stealth characters. Especially at the bottom Oblivion:Sneak - UESPWiki


P.S. as for mods, just wanted to add. There are a lot of great ones, but I would suggest that you play your game unmodded at least once, so that you can get an idea, of what it's like and what it is that it's missing for you that you want to add, and then look for mods that add that. The mod scene for Oblivion is huge, so there are literaly thousands of mods, and everyone has opinions on which is better

[Fljotsdale]

You can do it at lvl five with a sneak type; I have. There is one place in there that is a cramped little alcove with roots hanging over it. Tuck yourself into there. The orcs CAN reach you, but not too well, so do less damage. Get yourself a longsword, not a dagger, so you can reach them. Poison it before you hit 'em.

simple early poison ingredients:

harrada root (inside Oblivion gates)
nightshade
stinkhorn
spiddal stick (inside Oblivion gates)

combine any two for a damage health potion.

The bow is a good option for long distance poisoning before they see you. Being good at sneaking helps a lot!

[Nathxoxo]

Yeah, if you're not too far into the game, and you're ok with restarting, then I'd restart and get rid of Alchemy. It's insanely easy to train even as a minor.

Bows are supposed to be weaker them melee weapons. That's the downside of being able to attack someone at range, but you should be able to get several attacks before they get close to you.

Also, believe it or not, but if you're sneak skill is good, and especially if it's paired up with Chameleon spell, you can often attack an enemy at range and they won't even react to you as long as you stay hidden. So you can keep doing sneak attacks all day long.

My suggestion, if you want to stay with a bow, is to always attack from as far as possible. It's very hard in caves, I know, but you have to do a lot of back paddling once you're engaged. Also, early on, until you get your sneak skill up to use the above mention tactic, it's probably good idea to carry a close combat weapon to fight with for when they get close to you.

Being archer is not easy early on, but I think it's a whole lot of fun. My sneaky type chars always get bow and are probably my favorite characters, after a mage (but for me mages trump everything).

Oh and in case you missed it. Always use a poisons for your sneak attacks. Even though the damage multiplier doesn't apply to poisons, it's still important to do as much damage upfront as possible.

Check out this page, lots of useful information on stealth characters. Especially at the bottom Oblivion:Sneak - UESPWiki


P.S. as for mods, just wanted to add. There are a lot of great ones, but I would suggest that you play your game unmodded at least once, so that you can get an idea, of what it's like and what it is that it's missing for you that you want to add, and then look for mods that add that. The mod scene for Oblivion is huge, so there are literaly thousands of mods, and everyone has opinions on which is better

Ok mate thanks alot for your help its greatly appreciated I never knew that you could stay unnoticed and keep on firing your bow for the sneak attack which will be very useful Also mate just curious as to which majors you tend to take on your stealthy characters?

I will restart my character and will play it unmodded, It just seemed like the game is alot better with mods while I was browsing through the forums

Once again thanks for your help!

[Nathxoxo]

You can do it at lvl five with a sneak type; I have. There is one place in there that is a cramped little alcove with roots hanging over it. Tuck yourself into there. The orcs CAN reach you, but not too well, so do less damage. Get yourself a longsword, not a dagger, so you can reach them. Poison it before you hit 'em.

simple early poison ingredients:

harrada root (inside Oblivion gates)
nightshade
stinkhorn
spiddal stick (inside Oblivion gates)

combine any two for a damage health potion.

The bow is a good option for long distance poisoning before they see you. Being good at sneaking helps a lot!

Thanks for the early poison ingredients it will help me a ton as I've only been making potions that have not been of great use to me! Would you recommend powerleveling sneaking? Or will that level me to fast and make the game hardmode!

Thanks!

[Ares2382]

My latest one looks very much like yours.

Woodelf
The Thief sign
Speed and Luck as the two attributes (In my opinion you should ALWAYS take luck, regardless of what character you plan to play).

Blade
Mysticism (detect life is a MUST, imho)
Light Armor
Marksmanship
Security (in retrospect since there is an item in the game that makes this skill obsolete it's totally skipable)
Sneak

The game IS better with mods. No doubt about it. The question is which mods are better for you. And you won't know that until you play the unmodded game and see what it is that you're not happy with or you want more of.

For example you might here about a popular mod call OOO, which completely overhauls the game. I don't like that mod, I think it does too many changes, but lots of people love it. I use Francesco's leveled creatures and items mod. Which basically gets rid of the whole world levels with you nonsense and adds new items and creatures. I also use L.A.M.E which I think is a must if you play a mage as it overhauls the magic system and makes a lot of useless spells more useful and adds new spells as well. But that might not be that useful to you since you're playing a stealthy type character.

The only thing I recommend you do install right now is the unofficial patches for both Oblivion and the Shivering Isle expansion (if you have the expansion). They fix a lot of issues that Bethesda left undone. And a lot of mods suggest you have them anyways, so it's good to have them for when you do decide to get into modding your game.

[Tricky]

Francesco's leveled creatures

That is the one I could not remember the name of earlier. I recommend you look up both OOO and Francescos and see which one suits your tastes more. I can tell you in advance that OOO will cause a heavier performance hit on your computer than Francescos, since it adds so much stuff that has nothing to do with level scaling (all fluff, IMO).

[Fljotsdale]

Thanks for the early poison ingredients it will help me a ton as I've only been making potions that have not been of great use to me! Would you recommend powerleveling sneaking? Or will that level me to fast and make the game hardmode!

Thanks!

Well - I tend to sneak most of the time I'm not in cities (and sometimes when I am, if doing illegal things ), which is bound to level up sneaking fast, whether in Major or Minor skills. If in Major, of course it can level up your character too fast unless you are also taking care to keep a balance with other, more physical, skills.
Personally, when creating a stealth char, I always include Sneak , Security, Armourer and Alteration in Majors. Usually Marksman as well, but not always. The rest are subject to variation.
A lot of very useful skills for a stealth char are best kept as minor: Illusion and Alchemy being the two you should never have as Major, imo. They level fast and can be killers for your char in Major.