Introduction
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, a name that still resonates with gamers years after its initial release. Its vast, immersive world, intricate questlines, and freedom of choice have cemented its place as a classic in the open-world RPG genre. While many have explored Cyrodiil extensively, hidden depths and ingenious strategies remain waiting to be discovered. Fortunately, the vibrant Oblivion community on Reddit continues to share its collective wisdom, offering invaluable tips and tricks to both newcomers and seasoned adventurers alike. The sprawling forums act as a treasure trove of knowledge, providing solutions to common problems, unearthing obscure secrets, and optimizing gameplay for maximum enjoyment.
This article compiles some of the most helpful and surprising Oblivion tips and tricks shared by Reddit users, helping you enhance your gameplay experience. We will delve into early game strategies, combat mastery, questing secrets, and even some controversial exploits, all gleaned from the insightful discussions within the Oblivion Reddit community. Get ready to level up your Oblivion game!
Early Game Strategies for Success
The early hours of Oblivion can be challenging, especially with the game’s unique leveling system. Understanding how character progression works is paramount to building a powerful and versatile hero. Many Reddit users emphasize the importance of strategic leveling, as poorly planned character builds can quickly become underpowered due to the game’s enemy scaling.
One popular Reddit tip involves carefully choosing your Major Skills. These skills directly contribute to your character’s level progression. If you focus on skills that you use frequently, you’ll level up quickly, but your character’s attributes might lag behind. This can lead to facing enemies that are significantly stronger than you. To avoid this “level tax,” many Redditors recommend focusing on leveling efficiently, picking Major skills you will slowly build.
Another technique recommended by the Reddit community is ‘powerleveling’ specific skills early in the game. For example, repeatedly jumping builds up Acrobatics, but this should be done with caution as too much too soon, like with any skill, will level you without providing the necessary attributes. Similarly, repeatedly swimming builds Athletics. These can be great to build early, but plan your character building for maximum efficiency and enjoyment.
Making money is also a priority in the early game. Reddit users have shared numerous methods for accumulating wealth. Joining the Fighters Guild or Mages Guild offers a steady stream of quests and rewards. Selling loot from dungeons is another reliable source of income. Look for caves and ruins near cities like Skingrad or Chorrol, as these often contain valuable items. Many Reddit users suggest alchemy, creating potions and selling them to merchants, as it’s a lucrative activity. If you are lucky, you may even find a Daedra heart, a high-value item sought after by collectors.
The Adoring Fan, a quirky character you encounter after becoming the Grand Champion of the Arena, can be surprisingly useful early on. While he’s not much of a fighter, he can serve as a distraction for enemies, allowing you to escape or reposition yourself. Plus, his constant adoration can be strangely endearing… or incredibly annoying, depending on your perspective.
Focusing on essential skills can greatly improve your early game experience. Blade or Blunt skills are crucial for melee combat. Sneak is invaluable for thievery and stealth-based builds. Alchemy not only provides a source of income but also allows you to create potions for healing, buffs, and resistances. The Speechcraft skill can be used to persuade guards to ignore crime or for better sales deals with merchants.
Efficient travel is essential for navigating the expansive world of Cyrodiil. Joining the Mages Guild as quickly as possible grants access to teleportation services, allowing you to fast travel between guild halls. Purchasing a horse is another convenient way to traverse the landscape. Consider completing a quest for a free horse in Cheydinhal. Some Reddit users suggest avoiding the main quest early on, instead focusing on exploring dungeons and completing side quests to gain experience and equipment before tackling the more challenging storylines.
Mastering Combat for Survival
Combat in Oblivion can be challenging, but mastering its mechanics can significantly increase your chances of survival. Reddit users have shared numerous tips for improving your combat skills.
Blocking is an essential defensive maneuver. Blocking effectively not only reduces damage but also staggers enemies, creating opportunities for counterattacks. Experiment with different weapon types to find one that suits your playstyle. Swords and axes are versatile options, while maces are effective against armored opponents.
Stealth is a powerful tool for those who prefer a more subtle approach. Using Chameleon and Invisibility spells or potions allows you to sneak past enemies undetected. Sneak attacks deal bonus damage, making them a deadly option for taking down unsuspecting foes. Reddit users advise paying attention to light and shadows, as these factors affect your visibility. Wearing light armor and having high agility help.
Magic combat offers a variety of options, from offensive spells to defensive wards. Creating custom spells allows you to tailor your abilities to specific situations. Experiment with different elemental effects, such as fire, frost, and shock, to exploit enemy weaknesses. Summoning creatures can provide valuable support in combat. Reddit users suggest using summons as distractions or to absorb damage while you focus on dealing damage yourself.
Alchemy can also be used in combat. Creating poisons allows you to weaken enemies or inflict damage over time. Potions can provide healing, buffs, and resistances, giving you a significant advantage in battle. Reddit users advise stocking up on potions before entering dungeons or engaging in difficult encounters.
Questing Secrets and Strategies
Oblivion‘s questlines are a highlight of the game, offering engaging storylines and memorable characters. Reddit users have shared numerous tips for optimizing your questing experience.
Some Reddit users recommend starting with certain questlines to gain valuable rewards early on. The Dark Brotherhood questline offers access to powerful equipment and abilities, but it requires committing morally questionable acts. The Thieves Guild provides opportunities for stealth-based gameplay and lucrative rewards.
The Mages Guild questline unlocks access to powerful spells and enchantments. Reddit users suggest completing the questline for the Knights of the Nine to obtain a set of powerful enchanted armor. Some quests offer hidden rewards or alternative solutions. Reddit users advise exploring all dialogue options and thoroughly investigating your surroundings to uncover these secrets. Some quests require specific skills or attributes. Reddit users suggest leveling up relevant skills before attempting these quests.
Exploiting Glitches (Use With Caution)
Oblivion, like many Bethesda games, is known for its glitches and exploits. While some players frown upon using these exploits, others find them to be a fun and harmless way to bend the rules. Reddit users have shared numerous details and insights.
One popular exploit is the duplication glitch. This allows you to duplicate items, creating multiple copies of valuable objects. The mechanics of the glitch involve dropping items in a specific location and then manipulating the game’s inventory system. Items that are best to duplicate include valuable gems, rare ingredients, and unique equipment.
Other exploits include leveling exploits, allowing you to quickly increase your skills. Money-making exploits allow you to accumulate wealth rapidly. Some exploits allow you to bypass certain challenges or skip sections of the game.
It’s important to note that using glitches can potentially break the game or ruin the experience. Some glitches can cause crashes or corrupt your save file. Others can make the game too easy, diminishing the sense of accomplishment. Proceed with caution and use glitches at your own risk.
Enhancing Your Game With Mods
The modding community has breathed new life into Oblivion, creating a vast library of enhancements and improvements. Reddit users often recommend essential mods for improving the game. A graphics overhaul mod significantly enhances the game’s visuals, making it look more modern and immersive. The Unofficial Oblivion Patch fixes numerous bugs and glitches that were not addressed by the developers. Better leveling mods improve the game’s leveling system, addressing the issues with enemy scaling and attribute progression.
Mods can be found on websites such as Nexus Mods, a popular platform for sharing and downloading Oblivion mods. Reddit users recommend reading the installation instructions carefully before installing any mods.
A Treasure Trove of Oblivion Knowledge
The Oblivion Reddit community is an invaluable resource for players seeking tips, tricks, and advice. From early game strategies to combat mastery to questing secrets, the Reddit forums offer a wealth of information to enhance your gameplay experience. This article has compiled some of the most helpful and surprising Oblivion tips and tricks shared by Reddit users.
The knowledge and insights from the Reddit forums provides a deeper understanding of the game’s mechanics and secrets. Whether you are a seasoned adventurer or a newcomer to Cyrodiil, the Oblivion Reddit community can help you unlock the full potential of this timeless classic. The community constantly discovers and shares tips, expanding the collective knowledge of Oblivion.
What are your favorite Oblivion tips and tricks? Share them in the comments below!
