Can You Forge Your Own Destiny? Armour Creation in Oblivion Explained

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, a sprawling RPG renowned for its immersive world and player freedom, offers a myriad of possibilities. From mastering arcane spells to becoming a stealthy assassin, the game caters to diverse playstyles. A question frequently posed by newcomers and even seasoned adventurers alike is: Can you make armour on Oblivion? The answer, while not a straightforward ‘yes,’ involves a nuanced understanding of the game’s mechanics and available mods.

Unlike some other RPGs, Oblivion doesn’t natively support armour crafting in the traditional sense. You won’t find a blacksmithing skill allowing you to smelt ore, hammer ingots, and meticulously assemble a suit of gleaming plate armour. The base game focuses on acquisition rather than creation. Armour is primarily obtained through looting dungeons, purchasing from merchants, or receiving as rewards for completing quests. This might seem limiting, but the sheer variety of armour sets and the depth of the game’s systems provide ample opportunities for customization and character development.

Understanding Oblivion’s Armour System

Before delving into alternative methods for acquiring or simulating armour creation, it’s crucial to understand the fundamentals of Oblivion’s armour system. Armour is categorized into several types, each offering varying levels of protection and weight. These include:

• Light Armour: Favoured by agile characters, light armour prioritizes mobility and stealth. Examples include leather, chainmail, and glass armour.
• Heavy Armour: The choice of warriors and heavily armoured knights, heavy armour provides superior protection at the cost of speed and stamina. Examples include iron, steel, silver, ebony, and Daedric armour.
• Clothing: Offers minimal protection but allows for enchanting with magical effects. Often worn by mages and characters focused on non-combat skills.

Each piece of armour has an armour rating, which determines how much damage it absorbs from incoming attacks. The higher the rating, the more effective the armour is at mitigating damage. Armour also has a condition rating, which degrades as it takes damage. Damaged armour provides less protection and requires repair. The Armorer skill governs your ability to repair armour, either by using repair hammers or paying a blacksmith.

The Limitations of Native Armour Creation

As previously stated, Oblivion does not include a native system for crafting armour from raw materials. The game’s design emphasizes exploration, combat, and quest completion as the primary means of acquiring powerful equipment. While this may disappoint players accustomed to crafting systems, it encourages a different style of gameplay. You are incentivized to explore every corner of Cyrodiil, delve into treacherous dungeons, and undertake challenging quests to find the best gear. The thrill of discovering a rare piece of armour after a difficult encounter is a significant part of the Oblivion experience.

The absence of crafting also helps to maintain the game’s economy. If players could easily create their own armour, it would devalue the wares of blacksmiths and merchants, undermining a key aspect of the game’s world. By limiting armour acquisition to specific methods, the game ensures that merchants remain relevant and that finding powerful equipment remains a rewarding experience.

Exploring Alternative Methods and Mods

While you can’t make armour on Oblivion in the traditional sense without modifications, the game’s modding community has stepped in to fill this void. Numerous mods introduce crafting systems, allowing players to forge their own armour from raw materials. These mods vary in complexity, ranging from simple additions that allow you to craft basic armour to comprehensive overhauls that introduce entire new crafting trees and resources. Some popular options include:

• Oblivion Crafting: This mod introduces a comprehensive crafting system, allowing you to create armour, weapons, and other items from raw materials. It adds new crafting stations, recipes, and resources to the game, providing a deep and engaging crafting experience.
• Advanced Alchemy: While primarily focused on alchemy, this mod also includes recipes for crafting certain types of armour and equipment. It expands the alchemy system, allowing you to create more powerful potions and poisons, as well as craft unique items.
• Custom Armour Mods: Many mods introduce entirely new armour sets to the game, often with unique designs and properties. While these mods don’t necessarily allow you to craft armour, they provide a wider range of options for customization and character development.

When choosing a mod, it’s important to consider its compatibility with other mods you may be using. Read the mod’s description carefully and check for any known issues or conflicts. It’s also a good idea to back up your save files before installing any mods, in case something goes wrong.

Beyond Crafting: Customizing Your Armour

Even without crafting, Oblivion offers several ways to customize your armour and make it your own. Enchanting is a powerful tool that allows you to imbue your armour with magical effects, such as increased strength, agility, or resistance to magic. You can enchant armour yourself using soul gems and an enchanting altar, or you can pay an enchanter to do it for you. The strength of the enchantment depends on the size of the soul gem and your enchanting skill.

Another way to customize your armour is through repairing and maintaining it. Keeping your armour in good condition is essential for maximizing its protective capabilities. The Armorer skill allows you to repair your own armour, while blacksmiths can also repair it for a fee. Regular maintenance not only keeps your armour functional but also allows you to appreciate its craftsmanship and design.

The Allure of Finding the Perfect Armour

While the absence of native armour crafting may seem like a limitation, it ultimately enhances the sense of adventure and discovery in Oblivion. The game encourages you to explore every nook and cranny of Cyrodiil, searching for hidden treasures and powerful equipment. The thrill of finding a rare piece of armour after a challenging quest or a difficult battle is a reward in itself. The knowledge that you earned that armour through your own skill and perseverance makes it all the more valuable.

The focus on acquisition rather than creation also reinforces the game’s themes of exploration and self-discovery. As you journey through Cyrodiil, you’ll encounter a diverse cast of characters, uncover ancient secrets, and confront powerful enemies. The armour you wear becomes a symbol of your achievements and a testament to your character’s growth. Each piece of armour tells a story, reflecting the challenges you’ve overcome and the battles you’ve fought.

Conclusion: Embracing the Adventure

So, to reiterate the original question: Can you make armour on Oblivion? The answer is technically no, not in the base game. However, the game’s modding community provides ample opportunities to introduce crafting systems, allowing you to forge your own armour from raw materials. Whether you choose to embrace the vanilla experience and rely on exploration and quest completion to acquire your armour, or you opt to install mods and become a master craftsman, Oblivion offers a rich and rewarding experience for all types of players. The game encourages you to forge your own destiny, whether through skill, magic, or sheer determination. The armour you wear is merely a reflection of the choices you make and the path you choose to follow. Embrace the adventure, explore the world, and discover the treasures that await you in the land of Cyrodiil. Remember to explore the various options for [See also: Enchanting in Oblivion] and [See also: Best Armour Sets in Oblivion] to further enhance your character.