Skills (Oblivion)

A skill in Oblivion refers to a player's effectiveness in using the skill itself (i.e. points in Armorer lead to improved ability to repair armor), or in using spells associated with that skill (i.e. points in Conjuration improves effectiveness of Conjuration spells). A character chooses seven major skills, and the remaining skills are made minor skills. Each skill is governed by an attribute. There are three main categories of skills:


 * For a quick reference table of the skill bonuses for each race, see Skill bonuses quick reference.

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Combat Arts
Strength


 * Blade
 * Blunt
 * Hand to Hand

Endurance


 * Armorer
 * Block
 * Heavy Armor

Speed


 * Athletics
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Magic Arts
Willpower Intelligence Personality
 * Alteration
 * Destruction
 * Restoration
 * Alchemy
 * Conjuration
 * Mysticism
 * Illusion
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Stealth Arts
Agility Speed Personality
 * Security
 * Sneak
 * Marksman
 * Acrobatics
 * Light Armor
 * Mercantile
 * Speechcraft
 * }

Skills can be raised to a maximum of 100. At certain points of increasing skill level, a player is given a rank to demonstrate their expertise. The ranks can't be reached by means that only last a limited time (potions or spells), nor through constant effect items. The ranks are:
 * Novice (0-24)
 * Apprentice (25-49)
 * Journeyman (50-74)
 * Expert (75-99)
 * Master (100)

Each rank in a particular skill grants the player a skill perk, which can provide a passive boost to something, provide a new attack or ability, or make the skill more effective. Note that except for Athletics and Acrobatics, skills over 100 have no further effects.

Major vs. minor skills
Major skills are skills which you have selected, upon Character Creation, for your character to focus in. You can choose 7 skills of the available 21, and the rest will be minor skills. Major skills will start at 25 instead of 5, and for every 10 major skill increases, the player will gain a character level. Major skills do not increase faster than minor skills. But instead they increase faster by which specialization the skill is under.

Minor skill are skills that aren't selected as a major skill at Character Creation, but do not improve at a reduced rate. Minor skills do not contribute to the total amount of skill increases needed for leveling, though they do count towards attribute multipliers when leveling.

Increasing skills

 * For additional tips, see skill leveling tips.

There are five ways to increase skills permanently*: And three ways to increase skills temporarily: * Going to jail may lower skills (even if they are at 100), and they may be raised again afterwards through the above-listed means.
 * Using the skill repeatedly.
 * Reading books that increase the skill.
 * Paying trainers to increase the skill.
 * As a quest reward.
 * Other special means (such as watching the two people fight outside the Arena for a while).
 * Potions that increase the skill for a limited amount of time.
 * Spells that increase the skill for a limited amount of time.
 * Constant effect items that increase the skill as long as they are equipped.