Alteration (Oblivion)

For other instances, see Alteration.

Alteration is a magic arts skill that involves the manipulation of parts of the physical world and its natural properties. It includes the ability to walk on water and breathe it, open locks, shield oneself from physical and magical damage, and alter a target's encumbrance. The Cheydinhal Mage's Guild specializes in Alteration.

Governing attribute: Willpower

Spell effects

• Burden
• Feather
• Open Lock
• Shield (general)
  • Fire Shield
  • Frost Shield
  • Shock Shield
• Water Breathing
• Water Walking

A 'Lock' Spell is listed in the construction set (Easy/Average Lock) with several warnings saying DO NOT USE. Possibly to avoid interference in a script where an NPC is supposed to open a chest or door.

Alteration spell merchants and trainers

• Refer to the Spell merchant page.
• Refer to the Trainers page.

Books that permanently increase the Alteration skill

• Daughter of the Niben
• The Dragon Break
• Reality & Other Falsehoods
• The Lunar Lorkhan - Two Sides of the Coin
• Sithis (Book)

Alteration leveling tips

• Casting a weak Open Lock spell on a door with high-level lock increases your Alteration indefinitely. Some purists believe this is in fact cheating, or at least manipulating.
• You can also cast a small Protect/Shield spell on yourself over and over.

Leveling text

Apprentice

You have unlocked more arcane secrets of Altering the fabric of reality. You can now cast Apprentice level Alteration spells.

Journeyman

You have unlocked more arcane secrets of Altering the fabric of reality. You can now cast Journeyman level Alteration spells.

Expert

You have unlocked more arcane secrets of Altering the fabric of reality. You can now cast Expert level Alteration spells.

Master

You have unlocked more arcane secrets of Altering the fabric of reality. You can now cast Master level Alteration spells.

NPC Dialogue

When your alteration skill is 70 or higher, NPC's will say "You look skilled in Alteration. Perhaps you can teach me a bit."

Usefulness

High-level open lock spells can completely obliterate the need for lockpicks and Security training.

Any character can benefit from the effects of a shield spell, especially those that wear little to no armor.

See also

• Magic
• Skill leveling tips