In The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, the Oblivion luck stat remains one of the most enigmatic attributes, sparking curiosity among players seeking to optimize their builds. Oblivion luck affects nearly every skill and chance-based event, yet its vague in-game description—“affects all your skills, having an effect on everything you do”—leaves many wondering how it truly functions. Unlike Strength or Intelligence, which have clear ties to melee damage or magicka, luck in Oblivion Remastered operates in the background, subtly influencing outcomes like lockpicking, gambling, and even resisting diseases. For players exploring Cyrodiil on Gameoblivion, understanding Oblivion luck is key to deciding whether it’s worth investing those precious Virtue Points. Is luck good in Oblivion? That depends on your playstyle and game stage, and we’ll break it down for you. This article was updated on April 29, 2025, to ensure you have the latest insights for Oblivion Remastered.
Luck in Oblivion Remaster is unique because it doesn’t govern any specific skills directly, unlike other attributes. Instead, it provides a hidden modifier to most skills, boosting their effectiveness when above 50 or penalizing them when below. It also impacts situational events, making it a versatile but tricky stat to prioritize. Let’s dive into the Oblivion luck guide to help you decide if Oblivion luck deserves a spot in your leveling plans.
🌀How Luck Works in Oblivion Remastered
🔍The Core Mechanics of Oblivion Luck
Oblivion luck operates as a universal modifier that enhances or diminishes the effectiveness of most skills, excluding Athletics, Acrobatics, and Speechcraft. The formula is straightforward: for every point of luck above or below 50, your skills gain or lose 0.4 points. This is calculated as:
Skill Bonus/Penalty = 0.4 × (Luck - 50)
For example, with 60 luck, you get a +4 bonus to affected skills (0.4 × (60 - 50) = 4). At 100 luck, this jumps to +20, significantly boosting skills like Blade, Destruction, or Armorer. Conversely, if your luck drops to 40, you face a -4 penalty, making tasks like repairing armor or casting spells less effective. Gameoblivion’s community often debates whether this hidden boost justifies the cost, especially since leveling luck in Oblivion Remaster requires 4 Virtue Points per point, unlike other attributes.
🔍Oblivion Luck’s Role in Leveling
In Oblivion Remastered, the overhauled leveling system allows players to allocate 12 Virtue Points across attributes upon leveling up, with a cap of 5 points per attribute—except for luck, which demands 4 Virtue Points for a single point. This makes luck in Oblivion Remaster a costly investment compared to Strength or Endurance, which directly enhance combat or health. However, the early-game benefits of Oblivion luck can smooth out weaker skills, making it appealing for players aiming for a balanced build. Gameoblivion recommends considering luck if you’re struggling with skill checks early on, but its value diminishes as skills approach 100.
🎲Bonuses and Penalties Luck Can Provide
Oblivion luck cannot push a skill’s effective value beyond 100, meaning its benefits taper off for maxed-out skills. The table below outlines the bonuses and penalties luck provides based on its value, helping you visualize its impact:
| Luck | Luck Bonus | Bonus/Penalty to Skills* |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | -5 | -20 |
| 10 | -4 | -16 |
| 20 | -3 | -12 |
| 30 | -2 | -8 |
| 40 | -1 | -4 |
| 50 | 0 | 0 |
| 60 | 1 | +4 |
| 70 | 2 | +8 |
| 80 | 3 | +12 |
| 90 | 4 | +16 |
| 100 | 5 | +20 |
*All skills besides Athletics, Acrobatics, and Speechcraft are affected by luck.
Is luck Oblivion good for your build? If your skills are below 80, luck’s boost can make a noticeable difference, but it’s less impactful once you hit skill caps.
⚠️Other Oblivion Luck Effects
Chance-Based Events Influenced by Luck
Beyond skill modifiers, luck in Oblivion Remaster affects several chance-based events, adding a layer of unpredictability to your adventures. Here’s how Oblivion luck shapes these scenarios:
- Arena Betting: When wagering in the Imperial City’s Arena, higher Oblivion luck increases the health of the combatant you bet on, improving their odds of victory. Low luck reduces their health, making upsets more likely. Gameoblivion tip: Keep luck above 50 for safer bets!
- Disease Resistance: Oblivion Luck boosts your chance of resisting diseases from creatures like mud crabs or zombies. If your luck dips below 50, expect frequent infections, which can drain stats until cured.
- Trap Avoidance: High Oblivion luck can prevent traps in dungeons from triggering as you pass over them, saving you from damage or status effects. This is a lifesaver in Ayleid ruins packed with pressure plates.
- Mehrunes Razor: When wielding this iconic dagger, Oblivion luck in Oblivion Remaster increases the chance of triggering its Daedric Banishing effect, instantly killing weaker enemies. Low Oblivion luck reduces this proc rate, making the weapon less reliable.
These effects make Oblivion luck a situational but valuable stat for players who engage in gambling, explore dangerous dungeons, or rely on specific weapons. Gameoblivion’s guides suggest pairing high luck with a stealth build for maximum trap-dodging potential.
🧪Should You Level Luck in Oblivion Remastered?
🪦You Should Only Invest in Oblivion Luck Early
Early in Oblivion Remastered, luck can be a game-changer. With skills starting low, a +4 or +8 bonus from 60 or 70 luck can make your Blade swings hit harder, your Illusion spells last longer, or your Lockpicking attempts succeed more often. For players new to Cyrodiil or those experimenting with hybrid builds, investing in Oblivion luck early provides a safety net, smoothing out the rough edges of underdeveloped skills. Gameoblivion recommends allocating a few Virtue Points to luck (up to 60 or 65) in the first 10 levels, especially if you chose The Thief birthsign for a +10 Oblivion luck boost at character creation.
To maximize early Oblivion luck, consider equipping items like the Ring of Wortcraft (available in Skingrad with 50 Mercantile) for a +5 luck boost or selecting Zenithar’s Blessing during the Knights of the Nine quest for another +5. These can push your Oblivion luck high enough to feel the benefits without heavy Virtue Point investment.
🪦Luck Isn’t As Useful in the Late-Game
As you progress in Oblivion Remastered, the value of Oblivion luck diminishes. Once your key skills—like Destruction for mages or Heavy Armor for warriors—reach 100, luck’s bonuses become redundant since they can’t push skills beyond this cap. Other attributes offer better returns: Endurance increases health, Intelligence boosts magicka, and Strength enhances melee damage. Spending 4 Virtue Points on luck for a mere +0.4 skill boost feels underwhelming when you could gain +5 Endurance for the same cost.
Additionally, luck’s chance-based effects, like trap avoidance or arena betting, become less critical in the late game. With high skills, you’ll likely have alternative ways to handle diseases (Restoration spells), traps (high Agility or Sneak), or Mehrunes Razor’s proc rate (enchanted gear). Gameoblivion’s veteran players suggest focusing on primary attributes after level 15, reserving Oblivion luck for niche builds or roleplay-focused characters who thrive on being “lucky.”
🪦Strategic Considerations
Is luck good in Oblivion for every player? Not quite. If you’re min-maxing a warrior or mage, skip Oblivion luck after the early game and prioritize attributes tied to your core skills. However, for jack-of-all-trades builds or players who enjoy the thrill of chance-based mechanics, luck in Oblivion Remaster adds a fun, unpredictable edge. To balance efficiency, aim for 60-70 luck early, then shift to other attributes. You can also use console commands (if on PC) to test luck’s impact, as explored in Gameoblivion’s modding guides.
By understanding Oblivion luck and its role in Oblivion Remastered, you can make informed decisions about your build. Whether you’re dodging traps, betting in the Arena, or boosting your skills, luck offers unique benefits—especially early on. Visit Gameoblivion for more tips, from leveling strategies to gear recommendations, and conquer Cyrodiil with confidence!
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