Khajiits are one of 10 playable races in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. The Khajiit race, hailing from the province of Elsweyr, stands out with exceptional agility, intelligence, and unmatched acrobatics skill, making them a great choice for players who prefer stealth builds or nimble combat.
Within the diverse selection of Oblivion Remastered races, Khajiit are especially notable for their agility and stealth-focused stats, which distinguish them from other playable options. This complete guide breaks down every aspect of Oblivion Khajiit stats, from base attributes to optimal build strategies.

Introduction to the Khajiit Race
The Khajiit are one of the most intriguing and agile races you can choose in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. Renowned for their natural agility and high intelligence, Khajiit excel in stealth, making them the perfect choice for players who enjoy sneaking through the shadows and striking with precision. Whether you’re planning to create a master thief, a cunning assassin, or a swift melee fighter, the Khajiit’s blend of agility and stealth-focused skills makes them exceptionally well-suited for these roles.
Key Takeaways
- Khajiit receive +10 bonuses to Acrobatics and Hand-to-Hand combat skills
- Additional +5 skill bonuses in Athletics, Blade, Light Armor, Security, and Sneak
- Two origin options: Anequina (+10 Agility, -10 Willpower/Endurance) and Pellitine (+10 Agility, -10 Willpower/Strength)
- Special abilities include Eye of Night (30-second Night-Eye) and Eye of Fear (enemies flee for 30 seconds)
- Best suited for stealth-focused builds, thieves, and agility-based melee characters
- Bonus: Can achieve Hand-to-Hand skill levels of 85-100 at character levels 1-2!

Khajiit Base Attributes and Skills
The khajiit excel in areas that emphasize natural agility and stealth prowess. Their racial bonuses create a character naturally suited for mobile, evasive gameplay that other races struggle to match. In addition to their stealth abilities, Khajiit are also proficient with blades, which enhances their combat effectiveness when stealth is not an option.
Primary Attribute Bonuses
All Khajiit characters in The Elder Scrolls IV receive a significant +10 bonus to Agility, regardless of their chosen origin. This high agility translates directly into improved accuracy with ranged weapons, better dodge chances, and enhanced overall mobility, making them naturally superior to many other races in these areas.
Major Skill Bonuses
The Khajiit’s best advantages come through their major skill bonuses:
- Acrobatics (+10): Improves jump height, distance, and fall damage reduction
- Hand-to-Hand (+10): Determines unarmed combat effectiveness and damage
These bonuses allow Khajiit to achieve remarkable early-game performance. With proper character creation choices, a Khajiit can reach Hand-to-Hand skill levels of 85-100 at character levels 1-2, a feat impossible for other races without extensive grinding.
Minor Skill Bonuses
Five additional skills receive +5 bonuses, creating a well-rounded package for agile characters:
Skill | Bonus | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|
Athletics | +5 | Running speed and fatigue |
Blade | +5 | One-handed sword combat |
Light Armor | +5 | Mobile protection |
Security | +5 | Lockpicking and trap detection |
Sneak | +5 | Stealth movement and detection avoidance |
This combination makes them excellent thieves and natural candidates for stealth-based gameplay approaches that emphasize their intelligent quick and agile nature over brute force.

Khajiit Origin Options
Oblivion Remastered introduces origin choices that allow players to customize their Khajiit’s specific stat distribution. Both male khajiit and female khajiit can choose between these origins during character creation.
Anequina Origin
The Anequina origin provides:
- +10 Agility (standard for all Khajiit)
- -10 Willpower
- -10 Endurance
This origin favors characters who prioritize combat skills and mobility over magical energies and raw survivability. The higher Strength retention makes Anequina Khajiit more effective in blade combat and physical confrontations.
Pellitine Origin
The Pellitine origin offers:
- +10 Agility (standard for all Khajiit)
- -10 Willpower
- -10 Strength
Pellitine Khajiit maintain higher Endurance, providing better health pools and fatigue management. This makes them slightly more resilient but reduces their effectiveness in strength-based combat situations.
Choosing Your Origin
The choice between origins depends on your intended build:
- Choose Anequina for stealth assassins and blade-focused characters who need combat effectiveness
- Choose Pellitine for pure thieves and characters who prioritize survival over direct combat
Both origins suffer from reduced Willpower, making magic resistance and spell effectiveness challenging regardless of choice.

Special Abilities and Powers
Every Khajiit possesses two unique racial abilities that provide significant tactical advantages throughout the game. While Khajiit excel with their own distinct powers, other races also have notable abilities—such as the Redguard’s adrenaline rush, which boosts agility, endurance, and health in combat, and the Dunmer’s ancestor guardian, a spectral spirit that aids in battle and draws enemy attention. Each race offers unique tactical advantages through these special powers.
Eye of Night
This greater power grants Night-Eye for 30 seconds with no magicka cost. Unlike spells, this ability can be used at will and provides:
- Complete dark vision in poorly lit areas
- Enhanced stealth opportunities in dungeons and at night
- Tactical advantages over enemies who rely on torches or light sources
The ability to see in the dark makes Khajiit invaluable for dungeon exploration and stealth missions where other races would struggle with visibility.
Eye of Fear
This once-daily power causes enemies up to level 25 to flee for 30 seconds. The tactical applications include:
- Crowd control against multiple opponents
- Strategic retreats when overwhelmed
- Tactical positioning during difficult encounters
Eye of Fear proves particularly valuable in the early game when facing groups of bandits or challenging dungeon encounters.

Hand-to-Hand Combat
No discussion of Oblivion Khajiit stats would be complete without highlighting their unmatched prowess in unarmed combat. The combination of racial bonuses, natural claws, and potential equipment effects creates characters capable of extraordinary Hand-to-Hand performance.
Stacking Bonuses
The Hand-to-Hand bonuses stack with:
- Class selection (choosing Hand-to-Hand as a major skill)
- Equipment effects (gloves and rings with Hand-to-Hand bonuses)
- Vampirism effects (in specific circumstances)
These combinations allow Khajiit to dominate unarmed combat throughout the entire game.
Optimal Build Strategies
The khajiit’s stat distribution naturally guides them toward specific archetypes that maximize their racial advantages.
Stealth Assassin
This classic build emphasizes:
- Sneak for undetected movement
- Blade for sneak attack damage
- Light armor for mobility and stealth bonuses
- Security for infiltration capabilities
The combination of natural agility and stealth bonuses makes Khajiit the best race for players who enjoy eliminating enemies before combat begins.
Unarmed Monk
A unique playstyle that capitalizes on:
- Hand-to-Hand for primary combat
- Acrobatics for mobility and evasion
- Athletics for speed and endurance
- Light Armor or unarmored gameplay
This build offers a distinctive Elder Scrolls experience unavailable to other races without significant disadvantages.
Agile Thief
Perfect for players who prioritize:
- Security for lockpicking and trap detection
- Sneak for avoiding confrontation
- Acrobatics for escape routes and access
- Athletics for quick getaways
The natural bonuses make Khajiit excellent thieves capable of infiltrating any location in the original game.
Scout Archer
While lacking direct Marksman bonuses, Khajiit make effective archers through:
- High agility improving accuracy
- Stealth capabilities for positioning
- Light armor maintaining mobility
- Speed for kiting enemies
Strengths and Weaknesses
Understanding both advantages and limitations helps players make informed decisions about Khajiit characters. For example, unlike Bretons who possess high resistance to magic, or Nords who can inflict frost damage with their racial abilities, Khajiit do not have these specific defensive or elemental advantages.
Comparison to Other Races
While high elf characters excel in magical energies and nordic frost resistance provides specific environmental advantages, Khajiit offer unmatched versatility in physical skills. They lack the raw combat power of orcs or the magical aptitude of Bretons, but their balanced skill set and unique abilities create opportunities unavailable to other races.

Equipment and Gameplay Tips
Maximizing Khajiit potential requires understanding how to leverage their natural advantages through equipment choices and gameplay strategies.
Armor Recommendations
Light Armor Priority: Always prioritize light armor over heavy armor to maintain agility bonuses and stealth effectiveness. The natural Light Armor skill bonus makes this choice even more beneficial.
Enchanted Items: Seek equipment that enhances:
- Agility for improved combat accuracy
- Stealth for better infiltration
- Acrobatics for enhanced mobility
- Hand-to-Hand for unarmed builds
FAQ
Q: What’s the difference between Anequina and Pellitine origins?
A: Anequina reduces Willpower and Endurance by 10 each, while Pellitine reduces Willpower and Strength by 10 each. Both grant the standard +10 Agility bonus. Choose Anequina for better combat effectiveness or Pellitine for improved survivability.
Q: Can Khajiit be effective mages?
A: While possible, their low Willpower and lack of Intelligence bonuses make them less effective than high-intelligence races like Bretons or High Elves for magic-focused builds. Their strengths lie in physical skills rather than spells.
Q: How does Khajiit Hand-to-Hand compare to other races?
A: Khajiit are unmatched in unarmed combat due to their +10 racial bonus, natural claws providing extra damage, and the ability to reach 85-100 skill levels easily. No other race can achieve similar unarmed effectiveness without significant investment.
Q: Are Khajiit good for first-time players?
A: Yes, their stealth advantages and versatile skill set make them forgiving for new players. The night vision ability helps with dungeon exploration, while their agility makes them harder to hit in combat.
Q: Do Khajiit have any disadvantages in social interactions?
A: Some NPCs may react negatively due to racial prejudice, but this can be overcome with high Personality scores or Speechcraft skills. The impact is generally minor and manageable through gameplay choices.
Q: What’s the best class for Khajiit characters?
A: Classes that emphasize Stealth, Agility, or Combat work best. Consider Thief, Assassin, Scout, or Monk classes that align with their natural skill bonuses. Custom classes allow for optimal stat distribution based on your specific build goals.
Q: Can Khajiit use heavy armor effectively?
A: While possible, heavy armor negates many of their natural advantages in stealth and mobility. Light armor or unarmored builds better complement their racial strengths and allow full utilization of their agility bonuses.
The Last Word
The Khajiit stand out as one of the best races for players who value agility, stealth, and creative problem-solving in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. Their natural skill bonuses, special abilities, and unique cultural background make them ideal for a wide range of playstyles—from nimble thieves and deadly assassins to unconventional unarmed fighters. By focusing on their strengths and avoiding common pitfalls, you can create a Khajiit character that not only survives but thrives in the world of Oblivion.



