Ultimate Battlemage Guide: Skills, Spells, Gear & More!

In The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, having a specialized build can be great, but sometimes you just want more flexibility. That’s where the Battlemage class comes in—a versatile option that combines magic and melee skills, allowing you to tackle threats up close or at a distance. Unlike other titles in the series like Skyrim, Oblivion provides the ability to equip items in both hands, along with your chosen spell or magical ability. This gives you the choice to wield either a one-handed weapon with a shield or a two-handed weapon alongside your spells, giving you plenty of options in combat.

Battlemages can become incredibly powerful as you level up, but they do start off a bit weak. You’ll need to focus on leveling them up strategically to get the best results. Thanks to the revamped leveling system in Oblivion Remastered, this is easier than ever. Here’s everything you need to know to craft a formidable Battlemage capable of taking on the toughest challenges in the game.

Top Skills & Attributes for a Battlemage

Choosing Your Race, Class, & Birthsign

If you’re aiming to become a Battlemage, you can skip creating a custom class—the default Battlemage is the way to go. Just focus on optimizing it for your playstyle.

For race, either the Breton or High Elf offers great advantages for a Battlemage. Bretons receive bonuses in Intelligence and Willpower, both critical for spellcasting, along with a constant Fortify Magicka effect that provides an additional 50 points. High Elves, on the other hand, benefit from boosts in Alteration, Destruction, and Mysticism, as well as a stronger Fortify Magicka effect. Check out the table below for a detailed overview of the bonuses each race offers.

Ultimately, you’ll want to decide which spell types suit your Battlemage best. If you prefer dealing damage with Destruction and enhancing yourself with Alteration, pick a High Elf. If you’d rather summon allies and heal yourself through Restoration, Bretons are the way to go.

As for your Birthsign, you can either select one that enhances your natural skills or one that offsets the weaknesses of a Battlemage. Personally, I lean towards maximizing damage output while compensating for their lower defense through gear (discussed in the gear section below). The table below includes some suggested Birthsigns worth considering.

Pick any of the above based on the spells you plan to use most often, along with how you prefer to maintain your survival in harder early-game battles.

Top Spells for a Battlemage

Healing/Restoration

As a Battlemage, spells are essential. They cover everything from healing to damage dealing. Start with a broad selection of Restoration spells, focusing on those in the Heal line. Initially, you’ll have Heal Minor Wounds, which can be enhanced later at Mages Guilds and the Arcane University.

Immolating Blast

Throughout Oblivion, you’ll collect many Destruction spells, but perhaps Immolating Blast is the most powerful. It’s a straightforward point-and-shoot spell causing 110 damage instantly to its target.

You can purchase it from Vigge at the Skingrad Mages Guild or from Borissean once you reach the Arcane University, but keep in mind it requires a Master Destruction skill to cast.

Shield/Fortify Endurance

With a low initial Endurance, you’ll need to find ways to compensate as a Battlemage. Utilizing spells from the Shield line can help boost your defense, or select spells that provide a Fortify Endurance effect to temporarily increase your health.

Disintegrate

While buffing yourself, it’s also vital to weaken your opponents. You can get Disintegrate from Vigge or Gaspar at the Arcane University to chip away at your enemy’s armor and make them more susceptible to damage.

Summon Xivilai

Your magical abilities also allow you to summon various creatures to assist you. One of the strongest is the Xivilai, a formidable Daedra. You can obtain Summon Xivilai from Borissean.

Create Your Own Spells!

While pre-made spells can take you far, the true magic of Oblivion lies in your ability to create your own spells.

You’ll need to gather recommendations from every Mages Guild in the game to unlock the Arcane University for this feature.

As a Battlemage, you’ll master various magical disciplines, giving you a wealth of magical effects to mix at the Altar of Spellmaking. This is where you’ll create your most potent spells—don’t hesitate to experiment and let your creativity flow.

Top Weapons & Armor for a Battlemage

Heavy Armor

Starting with relatively low Endurance can complicate things for a Battlemage, so rely on Heavy Armor early on to help keep your character safe. Progress through Steel, Orcish, Dwarven, Ebony, and Daedric armors, swapping unique pieces with useful effects as you go.

Best Weapons for a Battlemage

As a Battlemage, you gain proficiency with both bladed and blunt weapons (though not shields). I suggest using a high-damage one- or two-handed melee weapon for your main attacks.

Your weapon choice isn’t crucial, as you will often buff your melee skills with spells. Instead of seeking out one exceptionally powerful sword, gather what you find and use enchanting to give your weapons unique magical properties. And remember to upgrade your weapon frequently to keep pace with tougher enemies.

Playing a Battlemage can be challenging, but with the right spells and careful progression, it can lead to an incredibly strong character. Just be aware of the challenges that come with this unique build in The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered.