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One of the most iconic mechanics inThe Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivionis spellcrafting. Players can choose potent magical properties from their spellbook to create new arcane spells, ranging from utility effects to overpowered damage spells. Spellcrafting can push Oblivion’s balance to its limit, but you’ll need to fully understand this system to make the most of it.
Fortunately, not much has changed withThe Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. In this guide, we cover how spellcrafting works in Oblivion, explain how to access an Altar of Spellmaking to forge your own spells, and give some recommendations on useful spells you can use throughout your playthrough.
What Is Spell Crafting?
Spell crafting is exactly what it sounds like.In Oblivion, you can create custom spells using any magical effects your character has learned. This includes all magic disciplines and nearly every spell effect in the game. Create a fiery touch spell that also heals you, summon an army of minions in one cast, or create a strong utility spell for leveling your skills. The possibilities are near-limitless.
Creating a spell will require access to anAltar of Spellmaking, a crafting station that is tied to the Mages Guild questline and Frostcrag Spire, a player home you’re able to find east of Bruma. Once you find an altar, you may forge a spell using the properties of pre-existing spells your character has discovered. Expand your roster of known spells, upgrade your Magicka, and you’ll be able to cast some truly devastating spells
How To Unlock Spell Crafting
Spellcrafting is possible from any Altar of Spellmaking, regardless of your character’s stats or level. Finding an altar, however, is a different story. There are two locations in the entire game where you may find one:
The Arcane University is tied to theMages Guild questline.To gain entry, you’ll need to get a letter of recommendation from every local guild hall in Cyrodiil. In other words, you need to complete a short quest for the Mages Guild in each major city (excluding the Imperial City and Kvatch).
How To Reach The Wizard’s Tower In Oblivion Remastered
Frostcrag Spire was originally a player home DLC in the original release of Oblivion, but it has been integrated into the core game with the Oblivion Remastered edition. From the entrance of Bruma,look towards the east, and you should see a massive tower in the distance.Climb up the mountain to reach the tower, and then pick the Average-skill lock to head inside.
There is a book inside that will trigger a short questline that explains how to upgrade Frostcrag Spire.To get the Altar of Spellmaking online, visit the Mystical Emporium in the Imperial City and purchase a Magetallow Candle Box.Interact with the Altar of Spellmaking back in Frostcrag Spire to repair the altar.
Fastest Way To Spellcrafting
If you’re new to Oblivion, we recommend you unlock Frostcrag Spire first. This quest is fairly short, requires roughly 3,000 Gold to complete, and grants you a permanent player home when complete. The Mages Guild quests take much longer and are rather tedious.
Using The Altar Of Spellmaking
Now that you have access to an altar, it’s time to start making spells. Interacting with the Altar of Spellcrafting will bring up a list of every spell effect your character knows. If you want to expand your roster of spell effects, consider purchasing new spells from merchants across Cyrodiil. Spells with new effects will automatically be added to your spellcrafting roster.
Upon selecting a spell effect, you’ll be presented with a number of permutations that modify how that spell effect behaves.
Each modifier will influence the final spell’sMagicka drain, so be wary of how many effects you throw onto your spell. There’s no limit to how many effects you can apply to a spell; you just need enough Gold to create the spell and Magicka to cast it.
Once you’re happy with how your spell behaves, you may name the spell and finalize the creation process.Making a spell will cost a hefty sum of Gold.The cost depends on what type of spell you created. Typically, the stronger the spell is, the more expensive it’ll be to make.
Uses For Custom Spells
The most common use for custom spells in Oblivion ispower leveling, at least in the original release. Oblivion Remastered’s new leveling system means you don’t need to min-max attributes anymore, but upgrading your major skills is still a vital part of scaling your character’s power. And in that regard, spell crafting can act as a legal cheat code to level up every school of magic.
Here are a few spells you may craft that make leveling each school of magic a breeze. Simply spam these spells until you run out of Magicka, wait an hour to refill your resources, and repeat. Boring is an understatement, but this is an efficient means of leveling your character and their mastery of the arcane.
Destruction
Disintegrate Armor on self for 1s.
Also a great way to level Armorer. Bring Repair Hammers if you use this.
Night-Eye or Chameleon on self for 1s.
Can be cast while on full HP.
Useful Custom Spells
Custom spells are extremely versatile in Oblivion and can benefit virtually every build. Strong AoE damage spells are a no-brainer with this system, but you’re able to also create spells that calm angry guards, summon minions to draw enemy aggro, or even stat buffs that can be used to gain deep discounts with vendors. Here are some of our favorite spells we’ve made thus far.
Drastically reduces vendor prices; increases sell value of your items.
Spell buff timers pause while in dialogue, so this persists for the entire trade.
Overencumber Fast Travel
Greatly increases your carry weight, allowing you to fast travel while overencumbered.
Free Repairs
Makes your repair hammer unbreakable if you open your inventory right after casting.
Magic Leap
Allows you to lunge forward by jumping without taking fall damage. Tune the duration to suit your needs.
Magicka Surge
Refills and substantially increases your maximum Magicka for a set duration.
Set X to a spell magnitude you can handle. Y should be the duration you want this buff to last.
Soul Siphon
Cheap damage spell. If the target dies, their soul willcharge an empty Soul Gem.
