Endurance in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is a key character attribute that primarily affects your character's health and fatigue. Here is what Endurance does in the game:
- Health : Your base health is calculated as twice your Endurance value. For example, if your Endurance is 50, your base health will be 100. Additionally, each time you level up, your health increases by one-tenth of your current Endurance (rounded down). This means higher Endurance results in more health gained per level, making it crucial for survivability
- Fatigue : Endurance contributes to your total fatigue along with Agility, Strength, and Willpower. Fatigue determines how much physical activity your character can perform before becoming exhausted
- Skills Governed by Endurance : The attribute governs the skills Block, Armorer, and Heavy Armor. Increasing Endurance helps improve these skills more effectively
- Health Regeneration and Breathing : Endurance also improves health regeneration rate and the duration your character can hold their breath underwater before drowning
- Leveling Strategy : Since health gained from Endurance at level up is not retroactive, it is beneficial to increase Endurance as early and as quickly as possible to maximize total health throughout the game. Choosing races and birthsigns that boost Endurance, and specializing in related skills, helps achieve this
- Maximum Endurance and Bonuses : The base Endurance can be increased beyond 100 through certain quests and effects, further increasing health and fatigue. However, health gain per level caps at 11 points when Endurance reaches 115 or more
In summary, Endurance is the primary attribute for increasing your character's health pool and fatigue, directly impacting your survivability and effectiveness in combat in Oblivion. Players aiming for a tanky or combat- focused build prioritize Endurance to maximize health gains and improve related defensive skills
