Character Creation: Custom Classes

Well, I've had to re-evaluate my ideas about standard classes. I've encountered a real problem with leveling, though it's not related to the scaling so many gripe about. But my issue is also well-documented and thoroughly discussed. I've only really begun to understand it.

Increasing one's level in Oblivion is tied inextricably to the use of major skills. It's worth noting that leveling is not tied only to the successful use of major skills, but even to failed attempts with those skills. So, even if you accomplish nothing and only practice with major skills, your character's level will still increase. This can potentially propel you quite prematurely to high levels, at which you may not be prepared to survive against the opponents that you will then encounter (level scaling) because you may not have had time to obtain powerful magic items or to develop other skills. Rapid leveling may also result in your character having relatively low attributes (which do increase by some measure at each level increase).

More importantly, you may miss a great portion of the game experience. I'd like to control leveling in order to maximize (or at least improve) the attribute bonuses I receive at the point of level increase. But I also want to just take a leisurely pace through the game and savor the entire experience.

In the old days of Dungeons & Dragons, experience points drove leveling. D&D had flaws, to be sure, but this might be a better idea than allowing the use of skills to drive level increases.

With all that in mind, I have second thoughts about using standard classes. Rather, I might be driven to build custom classes that reflects, not the skills I anticipate using with a particular character, but quite the opposite, skills I will not be using. This is "anti-intutive" and quite frustrating. But there is the reality.

But, it's not all black and white. I can make an effective character class that has some skills I will be using and some I will not. For example, Marksman is a skill more difficult than many other to increase, so I might like to have the 20 point bonus and the more rapid advancement obtained from choosing it as a major skill.

So, while I will try to maintain a sense of reality established by the standard classes, I will - I must - use custom classes when necessary.