Oblivion question......

I do believe that the merchandise available from the shops is dependent on your level.Marfoo

Thanks for responding. Anyone else knows whats up with the mod problem????

I have never heard of that mod and I never use Mod Manager, however I can provide a bit more information on the armor. I'm pretty sure the way it works is that every four levels you will start to see newer/improved armor types off of humanoid enemies, such as marauders/vampires, etc.

The way the generic progression works I believe is:

Heavy Armor - Iron -> Steel(4+) -> Dwarven(8+) -> Orcish(12+) -> Ebony(16+) -> Daedric(20+)

Light Armor - Fur -> Leather -> Chainmail -> Mithril -> Elven -> Glass

Each one after Iron/Fur are on 4 level increments. This should be true with vendor merchandise as well.

If you want to have a stat increase of 5 points when you level up, you may want to developp skills related to that stats which are not your selected skills, for your class.

If Heavy Armor is not in your class skills, raising it will offer you more points increase when you level up in it related stats (Endurance I think, but didn't play it for sometimes). So you can raise a skill you have no points in by 5 ranks or so, and you should get 5 points in the stat linked to that skill when you level up.

Remember, you level up when you gain 10 ranks in skills related to your class...so you may want to increase unrelated skills before leveling up (gaining points in the class skills).

Being a pure mage at the start of Ob is a hard thing to pull of without resorting to armour or weapons.
A good way to have alot of magica available is to go one of two routes.

Become a Breton with The Mage Sign for around 200/300 Magica from the off, or go for a Dark Elf with Atronach.

If you play Breton the first thing you should do is ensure you have taken Mysticism, it saves money on torches keys, all the essentials. Also take alchemy for Poisons not health. Health becomes dirt cheap later. Then go hunting for magical items that help you bump your mana and increase your evasion. If anything complete the Brotherhood line for the Cowl of the Grey Fox which makes you invisible to most enemies.

If you play the Dark Elf you should take Light Armour, Daggers/Blade, Bow, Destruction and Alechemy. This mix is the Quickest to level but proves weak if levelled too fast. To level quick just get to around lvl 15 and find a low level goblin mage. Stand afront it and spam fireball AWAY from it while it fireballs you. You should absorb most of the damage from the Atronach sign, and keep casting. Occassionally heal. Playing this mixture means you can easily despatch enemy spellcasters, fast targets and atleast be able to hold your ground against some tougher melee types, but dont expect to be able to toe against a Troll or similar.

One word of warning though, if this is your first time round I advise NOT playing a Mage. Because when you near level 40 and beyond they are UNSTOPPABLE. You will find yourself crafting Invisible Suits (100%), casting Infernos at everything and only having to quaff a potion here or there. I did the second time round and it ruined my experience as a Warrior as your thoughts keep drifting to how easy it was as a mage.