Oblivion Mods

[Alram]

There are some minor spoilers in my post--not plot spoilers, but how to get things done spoilers.

Had to send the computer back because it had a bad hard drive, so I haven't played any Oblivion since the post and thus haven't been able to use any mods yet. I had really been enjoying playing a Khajiit Assassin, although I also was hoping to be able to use more magic so I was thinking about making a custom class and switching out Acrobatics (the Dodge gained at Journeyman sounded like it might be useful but the water-jumping just sounds like fluff and attacking while falling/50% fatigue reduction for jumping sounds useless) for one of the magic disciplines. I like the idea of Illusion with a thief/assassin-type character, but also really liked the idea of Mysticism for Soul Trap so I can make magic items (are high quality souls plentiful enough for a non-Mysticism trained character to effectively make top tier magic items?), and summoning minions to do by bidding is always attractive so I was considering Conjuration as well. Destruction wasn't really exciting for me since I would rather sneak and deal with foes via blade or bow. Restoration also didn't seem useful because even in the short time I got to play with Alchemy, my backpack was filled to the brim with potions. I have been on the fence about Alteration since I just don't know how useful the Shield-type spells are, but otherwise the encumbrance increase and water breathing spells looked very useful.

I always love playing thief characters in these big opened-ended sandbox-like RPGs because I am essentially a kleptomaniac. I spent my first two hours in the first city I traveled to doing nothing but robbing the place blind and had a blast doing it.

If I dropped Acrobatics I was also most likely going to change my character's race from Khajiit to Wood Elf.

There are 2 schools of thought on selection of skills. If you make the skills you use the most your primary skills, then you will level quickly and not get +5 to attributes when you level. This is not a big problem unless the primary skills are ones which are useless for fighting--in which case your character will get his butt kicked a lot. For instance if sneaking is a primary skill, and you use stealth often, then you will level up with stealth and won't be able to pump up fighting skills optimally. For this reason I never used noncustom classes.
On the other hand, if you make your primary skills ones which are not used all of the time, then you can level your important skills as high as needed and get +5 to attributes when you do level. I personally always used/use this approach.The disadvantage to this is that you have to micromanage your skills and some people feel that interferes with immersion in the game. The wiki I referenced explains it well.

That said, Illusion is very powerful. I made 1 guy who never killed with anything but illusion and conjuration. Whenever there was more than 1 enemy he would dominate one and have them kill each other off. A conjured critter would then finish the job. Illusion can also make you invisible and get you better prices at the merchants by charming them.

Mysticism is very easy to level and doesn't need to be high in order to soul trap. Higher levels of soul trap only increase the duration of the spell. As you level the quality of monster also levels and it is easy to get higher level souls. Also the sigil stones provide higher level enchantments automativally as you level up.
To make magic items you need to gain access to the Arcane University which yo get by completing all the Mage Guild quests.

If conjuration will be a prime method of combat, level it high. Conjuration levels fast.

Alteration is good for some utility spells. It provides an alternative to lockpicking should you so choose. It also levels quickly.

Restoration levels slowly. It makes a good primary skill imo. Alchemy can certainly be used instead. My personal general tendency is to use alchemy for healing when in a tough fight, and restoration otherwise
but special circumstances abound.

The rolling dodge ability you get from Acrobatics also makes it possible to run faster. It does better as a secondary skill.

Have fun. When I get my computer fixed, I will be playing it again.