Choosing the best birthsign in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is one of the most important decisions you’ll make during character creation. Your birthsign adds powerful passive effects or abilities that can completely change how your playstyle feels. Whether you’re going for a stealthy assassin, a destructive mage, or a tanky warrior, this guide will break down the best birthsigns for every type of build in Oblivion.
What Are Birthsigns in Oblivion?
Birthsigns in Oblivion are celestial signs that grant your character unique bonuses. You choose one during character creation, and it cannot be changed later. There are 13 total birthsigns, and each one adds its own perks—ranging from attribute boosts to powerful once-a-day powers.
Best Birthsigns for Each Playstyle
Here are the best birthsigns depending on how you plan to play:
Best Birthsign for Stealth Builds: The Thief
- Bonuses: +10 Agility, Speed, and Luck
- Why It’s Great: Perfect for assassins, archers, and thieves. Agility and Speed help with dodging and critical hits, while Luck boosts every action slightly.
- Recommended For: Khajiit, Wood Elf, Argonian, or anyone planning to join the Thieves Guild or Dark Brotherhood.
Best Birthsign for Warrior Builds: The Warrior
- Bonuses: +10 Strength and Endurance
- Why It’s Great: These are the two best attributes for melee fighters. Strength increases damage, and Endurance boosts your health and fatigue.
- Recommended For: Redguard, Nord, Orc, and any heavy armor fighter.
Best Birthsign for Mage Builds: The Mage
- Bonus: +50 Magicka
- Why It’s Great: Pure mages need lots of Magicka, and this is a straightforward boost without any penalties.
- Recommended For: High Elf, Breton, or anyone going full Destruction/Conjuration.
Best Birthsign for Hybrid Spellsword Builds: The Atronach
- Bonuses: +150 Magicka, but no Magicka regeneration
- Why It’s Great: You start with a massive Magicka pool and can absorb 50% of all magic cast at you. It’s tricky to play but extremely powerful once mastered.
- Recommended For: Experienced players who want a challenge with high reward.
Best Birthsign for Survivability: The Lady
- Bonuses: +10 Willpower and Endurance
- Why It’s Great: Willpower helps Magicka regeneration, and Endurance boosts your max health. Great for new players or tanky builds.
- Recommended For: Anyone who wants a safe and solid start.
Best Birthsign for Pure Damage Output: The Apprentice
- Bonus: +100 Magicka
- Downside: 100% Weakness to Magic
- Why It’s Great: Insane offensive potential, but very risky. If you know how to avoid or resist enemy magic, it’s worth it.
- Recommended For: Destruction mages who don’t mind glass cannon builds.
Best Birthsign for Utility: The Lover
- Power: Lover’s Kiss — paralyze a target for 10 seconds once a day (at the cost of 120 fatigue)
- Why It’s Great: Paralyze is a strong crowd control ability. This is a fun option for stealthy or roleplay-heavy characters.
- Recommended For: Characters focused on sneaky or charming gameplay.
Birthsigns You Might Want to Avoid
While all birthsigns can be viable, some are outclassed by others:
- The Serpent: A one-time poison attack and weak healing—generally not worth it.
- The Shadow: Invisibility for 60 seconds once per day is nice, but can be replaced with spells or potions.
- The Ritual: Decent healing and turn undead, but other signs offer more impactful bonuses.
Final Tips for Picking a Birthsign in Oblivion
- Pick based on your build. If you’re a stealth archer, go Thief. If you’re a spell-slinging glass cannon, try Apprentice or Mage.
- Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself. The Atronach is difficult to use but incredibly rewarding.
- Remember that birthsigns are permanent. Plan ahead before locking one in.
No matter which path you choose, the right birthsign can give you a huge advantage in Cyrodiil. From stealthy assassins to arcane battlemages, there’s a sign that fits every playstyle.
Want more tips for your Oblivion playthrough? Check out our full collection of guides, including how to level up fast, how to pick locks, and how to cure vampirism.