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Hi all,

I've been playing oblivion for a while now, but I have not been paying attention to the leveling process. I've been getting +2s and +3 for each level up. I'm now on level 13 and got the "you must rest" message to level up. I've been reading about the efficent leveling strategy where you get +5s. My question is: right now if I level up I'm going to get +2s and +3s (I did a test where I went to sleep and then reloaded the game before that). If I keep playing and improve more skills, is that leveling bonus going to go up, or is it locked once you get the "you must rest " message? Also, Is there a disadvantage to just staying at level 13 for a while. I started notecing that the regular NPC are harder to beat because I was leveling up quickly with +2s and +3s that's why I don't want to level up.
Another somewhat related question: I want to buy the soultrap from the Mages Guild, but it says that I do not have enough Magica. Is there a way to increase my magica without leveling up? My Magica is 160 now, how much magica does it need?

you are in the same boat as I and I'm level 14, no you do not have to sleep tho some quests require you too. I've just stayed away from those. Your magicka will not go up unless you level or fortify it, tho you do not need that much magicka to cast a simple soul trap. It looks like here http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Spells#Mysticism you can get a basic one from Alberic Litte in Chorrol.

In Morrowind you need to get 10 in personalty to get X5 etc. The same in Oblivion?

The bonuses are locked, once you get your 10th major skill increase. In Morrowind you can train other skills after that to increase your bonuses. In Oblivion, however, this is not possible. Once you get the "you should rest" message, every other skill increase will count for your next level.

There are some disadvantages to stay at level 13. You won't get the best quest awards, some equipment like daedric and glass armor and weapons are only available at higher levels.

Thanks for all the info. I guess I can level up and if things get too hard I can play with the difficulty slider, but it feels like cheating Thanks for the tip about the simple soul trap Bear, I'll go look for it.