You get new spells in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion mainly by buying them from spell merchants in cities, chapels, and the Mages Guild, plus later by crafting your own at the Arcane University.

Main ways to get spells

1. Magic shops in cities

Look for dedicated spell shops in major towns. These sell a wide mix of low–mid level spells.

  • Imperial City – Mystic Emporium and Edgar’s Discount Spells in the Market District sell a broad range of magic schools.
  • Bravil – A Warlock’s Luck is a general spell shop.
  • These shops are great early-game stops right after you leave the sewers.

Tip: In shops, the “barter” icon is replaced by a small spell icon when talking to a spell-selling NPC.

2. Chapels (Restoration & anti-undead)

Every major city (except Kvatch) has a chapel, and most have a priest or healer who sells Restoration and anti-undead spells.

  • Examples include:
    • Great Chapel of Dibella in Anvil.
* Great Chapel of Julianos in Skingrad.
  • Expect healing, cure disease, turn undead, and similar support spells.

3. Mages Guild halls in each city

Almost every city’s Mages Guild has one or more members who sell spells, and each hall tends to lean toward certain schools.

  • Anvil – Thaurron sells general spells.
  • Bravil – Ungarion (at A Warlock’s Luck) and guild members cover several schools.
  • Bruma – Selena Orania and Volanaro sell spells, including some unique options.
  • Chorrol – Focus on Conjuration ; a good stop if you want summoning spells.
  • Skingrad – Strong on Destruction spells.
  • Leyawiin – Agata sells spells and offers training.

Early game route example: After the tutorial, visit the Imperial City Market District for cheap spells, then hit Skingrad for Destruction and Chorrol for Conjuration as your damage and summons upgrade path.

4. Arcane University & spell crafting

If you complete all Mages Guild recommendation quests, you gain access to the Arcane University in the Imperial City.

  • There you’ll find high-level spell vendors like Raminus Polus, Borissean, and Gaspar Stegine, who sell stronger spells across all schools.
  • You also unlock spellmaking altars, letting you craft custom spells based on effects you already know (for example, you must know at least one Health-damaging spell to create new damage-health variants).
  • Custom spells are how players create “broken” builds like super-efficient buffs or stacked damage-over-time.

5. Special and out-of-the-way vendors

A few notable merchants sit outside the normal shop / guild loop.

  • M’raaj-Dar – Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary in Cheydinhal; sells some powerful and unusual spells once you join the faction.
  • Mirili Ulven – In Highcross (Shivering Isles), offers extra spell options if you have the DLC.

6. Spell tomes & loot (with add-ons)

By default, Oblivion mostly avoids the “find spellbook, learn spell” system.

  • In the base game, you almost always buy spells rather than loot them.
  • If you have the Spell Tomes add-on, spell books can appear as random dungeon loot; reading one permanently teaches you a new spell.

Quick practical checklist

  1. Right after sewers:
    • Go to Imperial City Market District → visit Mystic Emporium + Edgar’s Discount Spells for cheap basics.
  1. As you explore cities:
    • Visit each Mages Guild hall and chapel , talk to everyone, and check for the spell icon.
  1. Mid-game:
    • Complete all Mages Guild recommendation quests → unlock Arcane University for high-tier spells and spellmaking.
  1. Late-game / power builds:
    • Use spellmaking altars to design custom damage and buff spells tuned to your Magicka pool and playstyle.

TL;DR: For “where to get spells Oblivion,” hit magic shops, chapels, and Mages Guilds in every city, then push the Mages Guild questline so you can reach the Arcane University and craft your own spells.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.