This game is too hard

[Mållgan]

I just installed Oblivion and created my character and looked forward to making a stealth mage archer. But I just keep on dying in the first area at the prison. Rats are pwning me so much and I do so little damage.

I cranked the difficulty to max since the slider was quite confusing and I thought "sure, why not?". But now the game is literally unplayable. I have been able to progress a bit by crouching all the time and abusing doors to run away after shooting my arrow or casting my flare.

Should I reduce the difficulty in the beginning of the game and increase it later, or should I just keep the difficulty at max and continue plowing through?

[Microsoft227sam]

Keep it on Max the entire play-through

[DefraggedSSD]

If it's too hard reduce it for a while

[Mållgan]

Originally posted by Defragged:

If it's too hard reduce it for a while

But then it will feel like I cheated. I always play on the hardest difficulty and I don't want to cheese the game by lowering it occasionally.

[BlueXThunder]

Originally posted by Generic Player:

Originally posted by Defragged:

If it's too hard reduce it for a while

But then it will feel like I cheated. I always play on the hardest difficulty and I don't want to cheese the game by lowering it occasionally.

Use a Sword and Sheild (If you have one)

[DefraggedSSD]

Originally posted by Generic Player:

Originally posted by Defragged:

If it's too hard reduce it for a while

But then it will feel like I cheated. I always play on the hardest difficulty and I don't want to cheese the game by lowering it occasionally.

I have a great plan. once you fixed the first oblivion gate put the difficulty back up. since the forces of oblivion have breached the boundaries of oblivion and now send more power into the world and stuff.

[76561198034396398]

stealth mage ? i think that's not a good combo,use Alchemy it's overpowered and easy to lvl Mages should try and avoid close combat,do a little research about your foes,most enemies dislike Shock so get a decent Staff. Alteration has Shield spells,what armour are you using ? Illusion has Paralyze and Invisibility very usefull for tight spots and running away......there's no shame in it

[Mållgan]

Originally posted by Evil Doctor Porkchop:

stealth mage ? i think that's not a good combo,use Alchemy it's overpowered and easy to lvl Mages should try and avoid close combat,do a little research about your foes,most enemies dislike Shock so get a decent Staff. Alteration has Shield spells,what armour are you using ? Illusion has Paralyze and Invisibility very usefull for tight spots and running away......there's no shame in it

I'm still at the begining of the game (the prison dungeon). I'm a wood elf and I got the stuff from the dead bodies in the prison.

[76561198034396398]

Bosmers have an Archery bonus,but if your going mage why use archery ? High Elves Bretons or Dark Elfs are decent Mage types,Wood Elves are thieves,though choosing your Birthsign will affect this as will your skills http://en.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Character_Creation#Birthsign

[Arrancar]

First time playthrough on hardest difficulty is just stupid in any game.
There are pretty much 3 basic characters :
1. Warrior in heavy armor using either blades or blunt weapons. Nord, Orc, Imperial or Redguard are good choices.
2. Mage - using mainly conjuration, destruction and alteration. Breton, High Elf, Dark Elf.
3. Thief/Assassin - using sneak(for sneak bonus aka crits) and mainly bows. I recommend using poisons and invisibility spell/potions. Wood Elf, Khajiit, Argonian.
Ofc you can use any race in any role and combine classes as well(although I've never heard of stealth mage). Spellsword might be really devastating in Skyrim, but in Oblivion your spells will be less effective when you are wearing armor. Also I like hand-to-hand characters, but they will get pretty underpowered later in the game, also playing on hardest difficulty with such character would be stupid.
Best choice for new players in my opinion is either warrior in heavy armor with sword and shield, or if you can play careful mage.
Stealth works way differently than in Skyrim and enemies will find you easilly when you shoot them and they won't die in one hit. Unless you are far away and in shadows, so you can get few more sneaky hits before they will reach you.

[CMDR Herne]

Originally posted by Generic Player:

I cranked the difficulty to max since the slider was quite confusing and I thought "sure, why not?". But now the game is literally unplayable.

Dry

[NikiUh]

I would let it on max. But playing as an archer mage at maximum difficulty is suicidal. You are forced to use alchemy and enchantments. Just rush through the first area and then after you are coming out of prison, play seriously again.

[CullinB]

Originally posted by Generic Player:

I just installed Oblivion and created my character and looked forward to making a stealth mage archer. But I just keep on dying in the first area at the prison. Rats are pwning me so much and I do so little damage.

I cranked the difficulty to max since the slider was quite confusing and I thought "sure, why not?". But now the game is literally unplayable. I have been able to progress a bit by crouching all the time and abusing doors to run away after shooting my arrow or casting my flare.

Should I reduce the difficulty in the beginning of the game and increase it later, or should I just keep the difficulty at max and continue plowing through?

This is not Skyrim. Max difficulty is for Experienced Player who knows much about TES4.

[Mållgan]

Originally posted by CullinB:

Originally posted by Generic Player:

I just installed Oblivion and created my character and looked forward to making a stealth mage archer. But I just keep on dying in the first area at the prison. Rats are pwning me so much and I do so little damage.

I cranked the difficulty to max since the slider was quite confusing and I thought "sure, why not?". But now the game is literally unplayable. I have been able to progress a bit by crouching all the time and abusing doors to run away after shooting my arrow or casting my flare.

Should I reduce the difficulty in the beginning of the game and increase it later, or should I just keep the difficulty at max and continue plowing through?

This is not Skyrim. Max difficulty is for Experienced Player who knows much about TES4.

But I play all of my games on max difficulty.

[CullinB]

Originally posted by Generic Player:

Originally posted by CullinB:

This is not Skyrim. Max difficulty is for Experienced Player who knows much about TES4.

But I play all of my games on max difficulty.

So go ahead it's your game

[[MOSS]-BurningUp]

Those rats kill you in like 2 hits at Max difficulty I don't see any way to do it without adjusting the slider or getting lucky with Flare and running around trying to kite.

Your skills are very weak at the beginning of the game.