How To Use Poisons In Oblivion Remastered
Hey there, fellow adventurer! So, you’ve been roaming the vast and sometimes treacherous lands of Oblivion, right? And you’ve probably noticed those little vials of shimmering liquid with names like “Damage Health” or “Paralysis” chilling in your inventory. Ever thought, "Hmm, what should I do with these bad boys?" Well, my friend, today we’re diving headfirst into the wonderfully wicked world of poisons in Oblivion, Remastered edition! No need for a hazmat suit; we’re keeping it fun and, dare I say, easy.
Forget those fancy swords that cost more than a small country’s GDP. Sometimes, a little well-placed goo is all you need to get the job done. And let’s be honest, watching a hulking ogre suddenly start dancing like a ballerina because you tickled him with a poisoned dagger is just… chef’s kiss.
The Sweet, Sweet Science of Sneaking Poisons
Alright, so poisons in Oblivion aren’t exactly like mixing potions at Hogwarts, but there’s a definite art to it. Think of yourself as a stealthy spider, weaving a sticky, deadly web. Most of the time, you’re going to want to use poisons when you’re playing the sneaky assassin type. You know, the one who prefers a quiet night in with a book… or a quiet night out with a blade and a bit of vitriol.
Why poisons for stealth? Simple! You get to whack them once, maybe twice, and then poof! They’re either dead as a doornail or incapacitated, giving you ample time to admire your handiwork or, you know, loot their pockets. No need for a drawn-out duel where you might accidentally attract the attention of a patrolling guard who, let’s face it, has the situational awareness of a particularly dense brick.
Getting Your Hands on the Goods: Acquisition & Crafting
So, how do you actually get these potent little potions? Well, there are a few ways, and none of them involve digging through your grandma’s expired medicine cabinet.
Scavenging and Pilfering: The Honest (ish) Way
You'll find poisons scattered all over Cyrodiil. Chests, bandit camps, the pockets of unsuspecting merchants… basically, anywhere someone might want to discreetly get rid of a problem. Keep an eye out! You’ll find common ones like “Weakness to Fire” or “Damage Fatigue” fairly regularly. These are great for starting out. Think of them as your poison training wheels.
Bandits are your best friends here. Seriously, they hoard them like little treasure goblins. Just… uh… try not to let them know you’re there to borrow their inventory. A swift dagger to the back usually solves that little social faux pas.
The Alchemist’s Delight: Crafting Your Own Brews
Now, this is where things get really fun. If you have the Alchemy skill, you can become your own little mad scientist! You’ll need an Alchemy set, which you can buy from alchemist trainers or find in various shops. Then, you’ll need ingredients. Oh, and the ingredients, my friend, are the secret sauce.
Ingredients have up to four effects. When you combine two or more ingredients with a shared effect at an alchemy table, you’ll create a potion. The magic happens when you combine ingredients that share multiple effects! For example, if you have an ingredient that does “Damage Health” and “Damage Magicka,” and another that also does “Damage Health” and “Damage Magicka,” you’re in for a treat.
Let’s break down the effects you’ll be looking for. You can see these effects listed when you hover over an ingredient in your inventory. They're color-coded too, which is nice. Think of it as a rainbow of mayhem.
- Damage Health: The classic. Turns your enemies into a slightly more decompressed version of themselves. Always a crowd-pleaser.
- Damage Magicka: Great for those pesky mages who love to rain down fireballs. Takes away their toys, so to speak.
- Damage Fatigue: Makes your enemies tired. Like, really tired. They won't be doing much swinging or spell-casting when they're busy contemplating the existential dread of exhaustion.
- Weakness to [Element]: This is fantastic! You make them more vulnerable to fire, frost, shock, or even poison itself! Imagine hitting them with a fire enchant after poisoning them with “Weakness to Fire.” Boom! Double trouble.
- Paralysis: The ultimate troll move. They just… stop. Freeze frame! You can then walk up and… well, you know. Get creative!
- Silence: Stops mages in their tracks. No more annoying shouts or spells. Just awkward silence.
- Drain [Attribute]: Drains Strength, Intelligence, Willpower, or Agility. Makes them weaker, stupider, or just generally less competent.
When you’re starting out, focus on combining ingredients with “Damage Health” and “Weakness to [Element]”. These are your bread and butter for dispatching tougher foes. For example, if you find a Deathbell and a Nightshade, they both have Damage Health. Combine them, and bam! You’ve got yourself a potent health-draining concoction. Add in something with Weakness to Fire (like a Dragonfly Wing), and you’ve got a recipe for disaster… for them, not you!
Applying Your Deadly Touch: Delivery Methods
So you’ve brewed your masterpiece. Now what? Do you just… throw it at them? Not quite, although that would be hilarious to watch. You need to apply your poison to a weapon.
The Weaponization of Whimsy
This is the easiest part. Open your inventory, select your poison vial, and there should be an option to "Apply to Weapon." Just choose the weapon you want to poison, and voila! Your weapon now carries your deadly brew. The poison will be consumed after one strike, so choose your target wisely.
The type of weapon matters, of course. A swift dagger is perfect for a quick, poisoned stab. A bow and arrow can deliver poison from a safe distance, which is ideal for those really nasty concoctions. Even a mace or axe can benefit from a splash of poison if you’re going for a more brutal, direct approach. It’s all about matching your poison to your playstyle and your target.
The Bow and Arrow Gambit: Ranged Retribution
Using poisons with a bow is particularly satisfying. You can pick off enemies from afar, letting the poison do its insidious work before they even know what hit them. Imagine an assassin perched on a cliff, raining down arrows of death and despair. It’s poetic, really.
Just remember that the poison will be consumed on the first hit. So, if you’re facing a group and want to apply poison to multiple targets, you’ll need to re-apply it after each shot. This is where having a good supply of poisons comes in handy. Keep those vials stocked!
Targeting Your Terrains: Who to Poison and When
Not all enemies are created equal, and not all poisons work on everyone. Think of it as a game of elemental rock-paper-scissors, but with more screaming and less actual paper.
Creatures of Habit (and Weaknesses)
Most creatures in Oblivion have specific resistances and weaknesses. For instance, vampires are generally weak to fire. Undead creatures are often vulnerable to blunt damage and sometimes shock. Goblins, bless their little green hearts, are often susceptible to poison itself.
Do a little reconnaissance! If you’re about to storm a cave full of trolls, a poison that causes “Weakness to Fire” might be your best friend. If you’re dealing with a powerful mage, “Damage Magicka” and “Silence” are your go-to pals. Don’t be afraid to experiment! The worst that can happen is they’re mildly inconvenienced before you finish them off the old-fashioned way.
The Big Baddies: Boss Encounters and Tough Nuts
When you’re facing a particularly challenging boss or a group of elite enemies, poisons can be a real game-changer. A well-applied “Paralysis” can take a tough enemy out of the fight for a crucial few seconds, allowing you to focus on other threats or land some devastating blows. “Damage Health” combined with “Weakness to [Element]” can significantly shorten the fight and save you from taking too much damage yourself.
Don’t underestimate the power of a good buff before a fight either. While we’re talking poisons, it’s worth mentioning that you can also drink potions to buff yourself! A potion that boosts your weapon damage or your stealth can be just as effective as a poisoned blade.
Pro Tips for the Prudent Poisoner
Alright, aspiring alchemist-assassin, here are a few more nuggets of wisdom to keep your poison game strong:
- Alchemy Level is Key: The higher your Alchemy skill, the more potent your poisons will be, and the more effects you can stack. So, practice your potion-making! It’s a surprisingly lucrative and fun skill.
- Ingredient Knowledge is Power: Start memorizing which ingredients have which effects. The UESP wiki is your best friend for this. Seriously, bookmark it.
- Don’t Waste Your Best Brews: Save your most potent poisons for the toughest enemies. Don’t go wasting a paralysis poison on a grumpy chicken. (Although, again, hilarious to imagine.)
- Stacking Effects: If you can find ingredients with multiple shared effects, you can create some truly nasty concoctions. Think “Damage Health” and “Paralysis” on one blade. Oh, the sweet, sweet suffering.
- Trade and Barter: Alchemists in cities often sell rare ingredients and even pre-made poisons. If you’ve got some coin, it’s often worth stocking up.
- Quests and Rewards: Many quests will reward you with valuable poisons or rare ingredients. Always keep an eye on your quest log!
Remember, using poisons isn’t just about being evil or sneaky. It’s about being smart. It’s about using the tools at your disposal to overcome challenges efficiently and, dare I say, with a bit of flair. It’s about turning the tide of battle in your favor with a touch of calculated chaos.
A Final Flourish of Fun
So there you have it! Poisons in Oblivion Remastered. They’re not just little vials of goo; they’re tactical advantages, they’re crowd control, they’re the secret ingredient to becoming a legendary adventurer. Whether you’re a noble knight who happens to have a discreet way of dealing with assassins, or a shadowy rogue who prefers to leave a trail of unconscious (or worse!) foes in your wake, poisons are an invaluable part of your arsenal.
Don’t be afraid to experiment. Don’t be afraid to get a little… experimental. The world of Cyrodiil is vast and full of wonders, and a well-placed poison can help you experience more of it, with a little less hassle and a lot more… satisfaction. So go forth, mix your brews, sharpen your blades, and may your enemies fall as gracefully (or ungracefully) as possible!