Contracting a disease in *Oblivion* is almost as common as finding a bandit camp… and just as irritating. One minute you’re bravely battling a pack of wolves, and the next, you’re hobbled by a crippling affliction that saps your strength and drains your skills. These maladies lurk in the shadows, ready to pounce and turn your heroic adventure into a frustrating slog. Ignoring them is a recipe for disaster. This guide will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to combat these creeping illnesses and ensure your journey through Cyrodiil is a healthy and successful one.
Why is it so important to stay healthy in *Oblivion*? The answer is simple: diseases weaken your character. They impose penalties on your attributes and skills, making you less effective in combat, spellcasting, thievery, and everything else that makes your character unique. Imagine trying to land a critical hit when your Strength has been drastically reduced, or casting a powerful spell when your Magicka reserves are constantly draining away. Diseases cripple your potential and make even simple tasks significantly harder.
This guide provides a complete overview of diseases in *Oblivion* and details all methods for curing them, allowing you to stay healthy and maximize your adventuring potential. We’ll cover everything from identifying the various diseases to crafting your own potent cures, ensuring you’re always prepared to face the dangers that Cyrodiil throws your way.
Understanding Diseases in *Oblivion*
*Oblivion* boasts a rather impressive roster of ailments, each with its own unique and unpleasant effects. Recognizing these diseases and understanding how they impact your character is the first step towards maintaining optimal health.
Types of Diseases
Here’s a rundown of some of the most common (and debilitating) diseases you’ll encounter:
- Ataxia: Reduces your Agility, making it harder to hit targets and easier to be hit yourself. Agility is important to fighters and sneaky thieves.
- Bloodlung: Drains your Endurance, impacting your health and stamina, impacting your ability to run and carry more items.
- Brown Rot: Weakens your Strength, reducing your carry weight and melee damage.
- Consumption: Drains your Health. If untreated, this will be game over very quickly.
- Dementia: Reduces your Intelligence, which reduces your Magicka pool and your ability to cast spells.
- Droops: Reduces your Speed, slowing you down and making it harder to escape from enemies. This one will have you dragging.
- Feeble Limb: Hurts your Strength.
- Hell Joint: Reduces your Speed.
- Rattles: Reduces your Agility.
- Rockjoint: Hinders your Strength.
- Rust Chancre: Impacts your Personality, making it harder to persuade others, which can be a pain.
- Shakes: Messes with your Agility.
- Swamp Fever: Lowers your Agility.
- Witbane: Reduces your Intelligence.
These diseases are not just minor inconveniences; they can significantly alter your gameplay experience. A warrior with Brown Rot will struggle to swing their sword effectively, while a mage afflicted with Dementia will find their spells fizzling out before their very eyes. Identifying and treating these conditions swiftly is crucial for maintaining your character’s effectiveness.
How Diseases are Contracted
So, how do these nasty diseases find their way into your bloodstream? The most common culprits are diseased creatures. Rats, wolves, dogs, and other vermin often carry diseases and can transmit them through their bites. Combat, especially in close quarters, is a prime opportunity for contracting an illness. Certain traps found in dungeons can also inflict diseases, adding an extra layer of danger to exploration. Be cautious when navigating dark and forgotten places!
Recognizing Disease
And, of course, there’s the dreaded Sanguinare Vampiris, the disease that leads to vampirism. This particular affliction is contracted through combat with vampires, and if left untreated for three days, it will transform your character into a creature of the night. We’ll touch on this briefly, but it is vital to note that acting swiftly upon contracting this ailment is of paramount importance.
Recognizing that you’ve contracted a disease is just as important as knowing how to cure it. Unlike some games, *Oblivion* doesn’t always explicitly tell you when you’ve been infected. While there might be subtle visual cues in some cases, the most reliable method is to check your Active Effects in the Magic menu. This screen will list any ongoing magical effects affecting your character, including diseases. Pay close attention to any negative effects listed, and compare them to the list above to identify the specific disease you’ve contracted. Also be attentive to unexplained decreases in stats and skills that may be subtle.
Methods for Curing Diseases
Now that you understand the nature of diseases in *Oblivion*, let’s explore the various methods for curing them. Thankfully, Cyrodiil offers several avenues for purging these unwanted ailments.
Potions of Cure Disease
The simplest and most readily available method is using a Potion of Cure Disease. These potions can be found in various locations throughout the game, including shops, loot containers, and as rewards for completing quests. Alchemists and general goods merchants are your best bet for purchasing these potions, and they often restock their inventory regularly.
However, relying solely on purchasing potions can become expensive, especially in the early game. A more cost-effective approach is to craft your own using alchemy. Several ingredients possess the “Cure Disease” effect, including:
- Garlic
- Lavender
- Mandrake Root
- Somnalius Stalk
- Vampire Dust
By combining any two of these ingredients at an alchemy apparatus, you can create a potent potion that will banish any disease plaguing your character. Experimenting with different combinations and leveling up your alchemy skill will allow you to create more powerful and effective potions.
Shrine Blessings
Beyond potions, the deities of Cyrodiil offer another path to healing. Each of the Nine Divines has a shrine dedicated to them, and praying at these shrines can bestow a blessing upon your character, including a cure for all diseases. The Imperial Chapels in major cities, such as the Chapel of Julianos in Skingrad or the Chapel of Dibella in Anvil, are easily accessible and provide a convenient way to receive these blessings.
For those who prefer a more secluded approach, numerous remote shrines are scattered throughout the landscape. Seeking out these hidden locations can be a rewarding experience, both for the blessing they provide and for the sense of discovery they offer.
Altars in Forts
Some forts throughout Cyrodiil also contain altars that cure diseases. Exploring these ruins may bring some relief from the diseases that plague the player character.
Cure Disease Spell
Mages have another trick up their sleeve: the Cure Disease spell. This spell, once learned, can be cast to instantly remove any disease affecting the target. It is found at merchants, and is a boon for any magic user to obtain and use when needed.
Vampirism Considerations
Finally, a note on Sanguinare Vampiris: as mentioned earlier, this disease is the precursor to vampirism. If you contract it, you have three in-game days to cure it before the transformation is complete. Once you become a vampire, curing the condition becomes significantly more complicated, often requiring a lengthy and challenging quest. Therefore, if you suspect you’ve contracted Sanguinare Vampiris, seek a cure immediately.
Argonian Racial Ability
As an aside, the Argonian race possesses a natural resistance to disease, making them less susceptible to contracting these ailments in the first place. This racial ability can be a significant advantage, especially for players who plan on spending a lot of time exploring dungeons and fighting diseased creatures.
Prevention is Better Than Cure
While knowing how to cure diseases is essential, preventing them in the first place is always the best strategy. Several methods can be employed to reduce your character’s susceptibility to illness.
Resist Disease Effects
Spells, enchantments, and potions that provide Resist Disease offer a valuable layer of protection. These effects reduce the likelihood of contracting a disease when exposed to a potential source of infection. Armor and jewelry can be enchanted with Resist Disease, providing a permanent or semi-permanent buff. Potions offer a temporary boost, useful for tackling particularly dangerous areas.
Avoiding Risky Situations
Of course, simply avoiding risky situations is another effective preventative measure. Being cautious around diseased creatures, such as rats and wolves, can significantly reduce your chances of infection. Disarming traps carefully and avoiding unnecessary contact with potentially contaminated surfaces can also help to keep you healthy.
Troubleshooting and Common Issues
Despite your best efforts, you may encounter situations where curing a disease proves challenging. Here are some common issues and potential solutions:
If you’re struggling to find a Cure Disease potion, check shops repeatedly, as their inventories often refresh. Leveling up your alchemy skill can also make it easier to craft your own potions, ensuring a constant supply of cures.
If you’re afflicted by multiple diseases, don’t panic. Most methods for curing disease will remove all ailments simultaneously.
Always double-check your Active Effects after using a cure to confirm that the disease has been successfully removed. Sometimes, the game may not visually indicate that the cure has worked, but the Active Effects screen will provide definitive proof.
Although not a common occurrence, *Oblivion* can sometimes be prone to bugs. If you suspect you’ve encountered a bug related to diseases, consult online resources, such as the UESP wiki, for potential fixes or workarounds.
Conclusion
Curing disease in *Oblivion* is an essential aspect of ensuring a successful and enjoyable gameplay experience. By understanding the different types of diseases, how they are contracted, and the various methods for curing them, you can keep your character healthy and ready for adventure.
Remember, potions of Cure Disease are your most reliable friend, shrines offer divine intervention, and prevention is always better than cure. Embrace these principles, and you’ll be well-equipped to face the challenges of Cyrodiil and emerge victorious, free from the debilitating effects of disease. Go forth, adventurer, and may your journey be filled with health and triumph!
