The best class in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is widely considered to be the Spellsword. This class combines magic and melee combat in a well-balanced way, making it highly enjoyable, especially for first-time players. The Spellsword excels with skills in Alteration, Blade, Block, Heavy Armor, Destruction, Illusion, and Restoration, allowing for powerful ranged magic attacks, strong melee combat, good defense, and utility spells. Following the Spellsword, the Sorcerer is a strong magic-based choice, and the Assassin is considered the best stealth class, offering excellent versatility for covert playstyles. If you prefer straightforward combat, the Warrior and Crusader classes are excellent picks as well. Here is a brief summary of the top picks:

• Spellsword: Best overall, balanced magic-melee hybrid
• Sorcerer: Strong magic user with good defense
• Assassin: Best stealth class with melee and ranged options
• Warrior: Best pure combat class with heavy armor and durability
• Crusader: Strong combat specialist with some magic support

The Spellsword offers the best blend of combat and magic abilities, making it the recommended class for maximizing enjoyment and effectiveness in Oblivion. If you want to tailor a specific playstyle, creating a Custom Class is also a popular option. This ranking is supported by recent guides and tier lists from Oblivion Remastered analysis.