i find that i almost always play oblivion with the first person viewpoint (as i find it a lot more immersive).only occasionally use third person (mostly when riding my horse).which do you prefer?

Swap back and forth.

I actually prefer 3rd, if I had a choice. I use it most of the time. Although, I switch to first when searching for something. For the most part, If I walk around in 1stP, I feel like I have blinders on. So, both.

I normally use third person while riding or in town. Exploring and dungeon crawling finds me swtiching between the two very frequently - almost second nature now.

I really want to answer "3rd person" but the truth is I have to switch to 1st from time to time, mostly when looking for loot, or to get a better look into a dark room. I need to know if any enemies are lurking about, and sometimes it just makes sense to have the character's best viewpoint to do this. But during combat? I use 3rd all the time. Not only is it more challenging/immersive for me, but it also helps to see if any additional enemies are coming up from behind.

I travel around/explore in third person, but when in combat I use first person, for more accuracy.

I use 1st person most of the time.

I voted third-person. Truth of the matter is, I use both. Some things you almost have to go into first-person for. That said, I'm in third-person the vast majority of the time.

As stated in another thread, this is huge transformation for me. All my computer-RPG life I've been a rabid first-person fanatic. My only use for third-person was screen-captures. Oblivion is the game that broke me of that, first during the latter half of my first play-through when I discovered how much I enjoyed mounted travel in third person, then this play-through when I began using first-person while traveling on foot to break myself of the nasty (un-immersionistic) habit of running everywhere. It certainly worked, too well. Not only did I learn to walk except at need (as when closing on a foe) but also began to appreciate the perspective. Nowadays about the only time my avatar spends a lengthy amount of time in first-person is during dedicated harvesting excursions outside Verona House and Weye Manor...and the Arcane University of course.

-Decrepit-

I always use first person, I only go into 3rd person if I want to look at my character or so I can do TFC to take photos.

Both. Third person exclusively when traveling, or when in melee combat. Basically any time it's possible, because my character is not "me." This is someone whose "life story" I am privileged to share. And I find that certain actions, like jumping or walking across a narrow bridge, are much easier if one can see one's feet.

But, it's very difficult to do any kind of accurate ranged attack from the third person perspective, and camera motion tends to be a problem in close quarters like in dungeons. So, generally it's first person while sneaking around in dungeons, when using a bow or ranged magic, and when casting an unlocking spell on a container or door.

As Acadian says, the switching becomes almost second nature. I do it almost without thinking about it.

In my case, I came to The Elder Scrolls from prior RPGs. Most older RPGs are 2D 3rd person, often with parties of characters. Operating from a first person perspective in a 3D environment (as in Arena and Daggerfall) was a learning curve for me, and I was grateful that Morrowind and Oblivion gave me the option to go back to seeing my character. (I would not want to go back to 2D! )

First, except when riding a horse. Almost never use third-person, my character gets in the way too much.

1st person is a 'true' RP now isn't it? Do you walk around in your daily life
beside yourself? I do admit to using the third person only to admire my
characters when I played MW. I getting ready to buy OB so I'm sure I'll
end up with a female character and doing the same. Someone help me.

1'st for fighting and 3'rd for traipsing unless in tight quarters. I'd be bummed if either perspective were cut.

Also, I can't stand the off centered 3'rd person camera perspective. Albeit, it's easily modded with Beth games, but it's impossible to correct for games like Dead Space

When I'm traveling, or not in a very dangerous area, I play in Third Person.

In combat, or inside dungeons, I switch to First Person.

I tend to switch around a lot, though, so those rules aren't set in stone.

Simple enough.

I would prefer to use 3rd, that way I can see the character and outfit I spent so much time customizing, but it's just easier for me to use 1st.

First. I find it easier, as I am a constant companion to my character, which inhabits my partially inhabits my character's mind

i use frist person when on foot or in combat and 3rd for horse or when i need to look around for somthing close by