How to Create a Mage Character in Oblivion

The mage is one of the most powerful characters you can create in Oblivion, but it's not without its flaws. Your goal should be to create a well rounded mage character. You should be maxed out on magic bonuses while minimizing your character's weaknesses. These steps can help you create a Necromancer killing machine.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Choose your race carefully. You want to pick a race that's made to use magic. This narrows the field down to two races. Bretons receive a +50 magic bonus and have some resistance to magic while High Elves receive a +100 magic bonus but have a slight weakness to magic.
2. Choose your birthsign. Three birthsigns give you a magic bonus, but some come with their own drawbacks. The Atronach gives you the largest magicka bonus at +150 but you can't regenerate magicka, meaning you must rely on potions and the 50 percent spell absorbtion that comes with the birthsign. The Apprentice gives players a +100 magicka bonus but also comes with a 100 percent weakness to magicka. The final birthsign is the Mage. The Mage gives characters a +50 bonus and has no drawbacks.
3. Pick your classes to build a 100 percent mage character. Choose Magic for your specialization and Willpower and Intelligence as you major attributes. Also pick the following seven skills: Alchemy, Alteration, Conjuration, Destruction, Illusion, Mysticism and Restoration.
4. Start wandering the plains of Oblvion and pick up new spells. Once you've made your way into the Arcane University, you can start making your own spells.

Tips & Warnings

• When choosing your skills, it's also a good idea to throw in Light Armor for some added protection against blade foes.
• Before you can create your own spell you need soul gems with souls trapped in them. First you need the soul trap spell. Travel to mage guilds and talk with the other mages, many who have spells for sale. Once you have a soul trap spell you can use, cast it on your enemies just before you kill them as this traps their soul and places it into an empty soul gem in your inventory.