Fighting spellcasters...*possible spoilers*

[Trailer]

I just recently purchased Oblivion and so far, I've really enjoyed it.

Problem is I basically ignored the manual when it come to character creation and rolled a High Elf. The thinking was I'd enter a room, nuke everything in it before marching up to what was left and smiting them with a large warhammer. Of course, High Elfs aren't really cut out for that sort of playstyle, although I didn't realise at the time.

Thus far however, this has worked surprisingly well for dealing with non-magic users. However fighting spellcasters is a pain as they are hitting me very hard. Fights with them are fast becoming stressed and its taking multiple takes to down them.

Can any kind souls give me some tips for dealing with spellcasters or point in me in a direction where I can gain some magic items to nullify/reduce the damage taken for my High Elf? I've become quite attached to her, and I'd rather not start over.

Thanks in advance.

[Fljotsdale]

Er...yeeeessssss... You picked a doolally of a race for your first attempt!:laugh:
But they ARE playable, and very good, too. You have to contend with the fact that they have 25% weakness to Fire, Frost, and Shock. I hope you didn't choose The Apprentice birthsign? If so, she has 100% weakness to Magic attacks as well.:speech:

Anyway: You should do the Thoronir Quest in the Imperial City (Go see Jensine at her shop in the Market District. That should net you TWO magic weapons (you have to search a bit to find the second one) and a ring that offers 10% (or more) protection against Fire and Frost, which helps a bit.
Take up Alchemy. You can make potions that offer protection against Fire, Frost and Shock.
Join the Mage's Guild. Do the Quests. The early ones are easy. After you get to the Arcane University you can enchant items to give you protection, and at one point you get given a VERY useful Amulet.

[Mr. Arrow]

focus on some melee skill as well as magic. What i do is move closer as i cast spells and once i'm close i hack away at the poor uncordinated spellcaster.

[Fljotsdale]

Yes, they aren't very strong - but they DO move VERY fast! AND they conjure up nice little zombies and suchlike critters to hammer at you.

The thing to remember is to go OUT of Sneak mode as soon as you are seen, so that you speed up too, and IGNORE the conjured critters. Go straight for the spellcaster.

Hm. Another thing occurs to me: you need to improve your Endurance. A good way is getting up your Armourer skill level by repairing your armour/weapons yourself, and by paying for training. See Rhossan in her shop in the Market district.

[Belthan]

Silence is golden when fighting spellcasters. A bow (or arrows) with a silence enchantment works well. If you can't find or enchant a bow of silence, you can use alchemy to brew poison of silence and coat an arrow with it before you shoot. I guess the same principle would work with a melee weapon, but it would be a lot harder to sneak up and hit 'em before they can conjure allies or toast you with destruction magic. Anyway, once you get them to shut up, you have a little breathing room to finish them off with more arrows or melee weapons (since they usually aren't strong fighters and frequently don't wear much armor).

[Trailer]

Er...yeeeessssss... You picked a doolally of a race for your first attempt!:laugh:
But they ARE playable, and very good, too. You have to contend with the fact that they have 25% weakness to Fire, Frost, and Shock. I hope you didn't choose The Apprentice birthsign? If so, she has 100% weakness to Magic attacks as well.:speech:

Don't worry, I didn't pick that one, I think it was one of the simple stat boosting ones (think it was the Lady or the Warrior).

And thanks for all your help. It seems progress through the Mages Guild is a good start. ^_^

[Fljotsdale]

The Lady and The Warrior are both good choices.
And both give you +10 on Endurance, which is essential, imo, for a High Elf, if you haven't played one before.
Good luck! Let us know how you get on with her.

[Fljotsdale]

Silence is golden when fighting spellcasters. A bow (or arrows) with a silence enchantment works well. If you can't find or enchant a bow of silence, you can use alchemy to brew poison of silence and coat an arrow with it before you shoot. I guess the same principle would work with a melee weapon, but it would be a lot harder to sneak up and hit 'em before they can conjure allies or toast you with destruction magic. Anyway, once you get them to shut up, you have a little breathing room to finish them off with more arrows or melee weapons (since they usually aren't strong fighters and frequently don't wear much armor).

Good point! I forgot that one! Mostly because I rarely use it. I depend a great deal on stealth, and can usually kill spell-casters with one x6 stealth strike.