Unlocking Fortunes: A Comprehensive Guide to Oblivion Money Cheats & Exploits
Introduction
Tired of scrounging for Septims in the sprawling world of Cyrodiil? Oblivion, while a masterpiece of role-playing, can often feel like a struggle for the financially challenged adventurer. Every aspiring mage dreams of mastering powerful spells, every warrior yearns for gleaming armor, and every thief covets the latest gadgets, but all of that requires one crucial element: money. The allure of instant wealth, bypassing the grind and unlocking the best that Oblivion has to offer, is undeniably strong. This article aims to be your complete guide to the various money cheats and exploits available in Oblivion, empowering you to amass a fortune and truly experience the game on your own terms.
However, a word of caution. While these methods can be tempting, they also have the potential to diminish the sense of accomplishment and progression that makes Oblivion so rewarding. Consider the impact on your overall enjoyment before diving headfirst into a world of unlimited gold. The choice, as always, is yours.
PC Power: Mastering Console Commands
For PC players, the game console is your gateway to godlike power, including the ability to conjure vast sums of money from thin air. Accessing the console is simple: press the tilde key (~
) during gameplay. This will bring up a command prompt where you can enter a variety of commands to manipulate the game world.
The most essential command for aspiring millionaires is player.additem
. This command allows you to add any item in the game directly to your inventory. The syntax is relatively straightforward: player.additem [item ID] [quantity]
. The key is knowing the item ID, a hexadecimal code that uniquely identifies each item in Oblivion.
Fortunately, finding item IDs is easier than you might think. A quick search on the Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages (UESPwiki) will provide you with a comprehensive list of item IDs for everything from swords and armor to potions and scrolls. UESPwiki is a invaluable resource for any Oblivion player and should be bookmarked.
For example, if you wanted to give yourself one thousand Septims (the currency of Tamriel), you would enter the following command: player.additem 0000000F 1000
. The item ID 0000000F
corresponds to gold. You can adjust the quantity as needed to reach your desired level of wealth.
But why limit yourself to just gold? You can use player.additem
to add valuable gems, rare ingredients, or powerful artifacts to your inventory, which you can then sell to merchants for a hefty profit. Diamond, Emerald, Ruby and Sapphire are good items to conjure and sell.
Furthermore, consider using psb
in conjunction with your newfound money. psb
stands for “player spell book” and gives you all spells. This will allow you to purchase high-level scrolls and spells at the mage guild that can be sold for more money.
Exploiting In-Game Glitches: A Universal Approach
While console commands are exclusive to PC users, certain in-game exploits can be used on all platforms, including consoles. These glitches rely on manipulating the game’s mechanics to achieve unintended results, and while they can be a bit finicky, they offer a way to generate wealth without resorting to console commands.
These involve finding quirks in the game’s programming to duplicate items or otherwise gain an unfair advantage. It is important to realize that Bethesda never intended these to be features of the game, so they are prone to be patched or cease working as expected.
The Paintbrush Predicament
One particularly infamous, though possibly patched by now, is often referred to as the “Paintbrush Glitch.” The exploit utilizes the physics of the world to your advantage. Find a corner of a room and drop a paintbrush on the floor. Begin walking into the wall while attempting to pick up the paintbrush. If you do this correctly, the wall will launch you into the air. You can pickpocket the guards and gain access to the loot within the walls of any given city.
Strategic Gameplay: Earning Your Fortune the Smart Way
Not all methods of acquiring wealth involve outright cheating or exploiting glitches. Oblivion offers several legitimate avenues for making money, some of which can be surprisingly lucrative with a bit of planning and strategy.
Alchemy’s Allure
Alchemy is a powerful skill that, when leveled up, can become a significant source of income. By combining various ingredients, you can create potions with valuable effects, which can then be sold to alchemists or general merchants. Focus on ingredients that have multiple beneficial effects, such as Restore Health, Fortify Magicka, or Invisibility. Certain ingredients, like Nirnroot and Spiddal Stick, are particularly valuable. Prioritize leveling your alchemy skill early on, as higher skill levels allow you to create more potent and valuable potions. Travel around Cyrodiil and pick up all available ingredients. This will level your character naturally.
Enchanting Excellence
Enchanting is another crafting skill that can be highly profitable. By imbuing weapons and armor with magical properties, you can significantly increase their value. To enchant effectively, you’ll need Grand Soul Gems filled with Grand Souls. Capturing Grand Souls often involves hunting powerful creatures like Storm Atronachs or Liches. Soul Trap spells are essential for capturing souls. Create custom Soul Trap spells at the Mage Guild that have low mana costs to gain maximum profit. Focus on enchantments that enhance combat abilities, such as Fortify Strength, Fortify Blade, or Resist Magic. These enchantments are highly sought after by adventurers and can fetch a premium price.
Dungeon Delving and Loot Hauls
While potentially dangerous, exploring dungeons is a reliable way to find valuable loot. Focus on dungeons known for their abundance of gold, gems, and enchanted items. Clear out the enemies and thoroughly search every nook and cranny for hidden chests and containers. Prioritize skills like Lockpicking and Security to access locked chests and doors that may contain valuable treasures. Manage your inventory efficiently to maximize your carrying capacity. Consider investing in Strength to increase your carry weight, or use Feather spells to temporarily lighten your load. Sell your loot to merchants in nearby towns to replenish your funds and prepare for your next adventure.
The Quest for Gold
Completing quests is a fundamental part of the Oblivion experience, and many quests offer substantial rewards, both in terms of gold and valuable items. Pay attention to the quest descriptions and choose quests that align with your skills and interests. Joining factions, such as the Fighters Guild or the Mages Guild, can open up access to more lucrative quests and opportunities. Faction memberships often come with perks and benefits that can further enhance your wealth and power.
Buy Low, Sell High – A Mercantile Mindset
A successful merchant in Oblivion is always on the lookout for opportunities to buy low and sell high. Pay attention to the prices offered by different merchants and identify those who are willing to pay the most for your goods. Haggling is a crucial skill for maximizing your profits. Invest in the Mercantile skill to improve your bargaining ability and get the best possible prices.
Joining Guilds
The Fighter’s Guild and the Mage’s Guild offers many quests for players. These quests reward you with money and items that you can sell.
Stealing from Stores
With enough sneak, it is possible to steal nearly every single item within any given store. Use invisibility potions to aid in the process. Once you have the items, visit a fence and sell the items.
Modding Your Way to Millions (PC Only)
For PC players who prefer a more direct approach, mods can provide a convenient way to adjust the game’s economy and amass wealth. Several mods are available that increase loot drops, improve vendor inventories, or directly grant the player large sums of money. Nexus Mods is a great website to find these mods. However, it’s important to be cautious when installing mods, as they can sometimes cause compatibility issues or negatively impact game balance. Always read the mod descriptions carefully and follow the installation instructions closely.
Conclusion: Finding Your Path to Prosperity in Cyrodiil
From console commands to in-game glitches to strategic gameplay, Oblivion offers a wide range of methods for acquiring wealth. Whether you choose to exploit glitches, master crafting skills, or delve into dangerous dungeons, the path to prosperity is yours to forge. Remember that using cheats and exploits can potentially diminish the sense of accomplishment and progression, so consider the impact on your overall enjoyment before diving in. Ultimately, the best way to get rich in Oblivion is to find a balance between efficiency and fun, exploring the world, completing quests, and embracing the challenges that Cyrodiil has to offer. Now, it’s your turn. Which methods do you prefer for making money in Oblivion? Share your tips and strategies in the comments below!