Can You Craft Weapons In Oblivion Remastered? What To Expect.

The whispers are growing louder, the anticipation is building, and the fervent prayers of gamers everywhere seem to be coalescing into a single, unified demand: *Oblivion Remastered.* While officially unconfirmed, the mere prospect of revisiting Cyrodiil with modern visuals and perhaps, just *perhaps*, some expanded gameplay mechanics is enough to send shivers down the spines of veterans and tantalize newcomers alike. A core question that inevitably arises when discussing this hypothetical remaster is, “Can you craft weapons in Oblivion Remastered?”

The answer, as with most things in the realm of speculation, is complicated. In the original *Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion*, direct weapon crafting was noticeably absent. Players couldn’t smelt ore, forge blades, or imbue hilts with magical energies. However, a remaster presents a golden opportunity to introduce new mechanics, influenced by the community’s desires and contemporary RPG trends. We’ll explore the original game’s systems, delve into the vibrant world of weapon crafting mods that already exist, and cautiously peek into the future, speculating on how weapon crafting might be implemented in a possible *Oblivion Remastered*, considering both the expectations of die-hard fans and the potential design choices Bethesda might make.

This article will explore the existing methods of weapon acquisition and maintenance in *Oblivion*, examine the creativity of the modding community in providing weapon crafting options, and theorize about possible implementations of such a system in a remastered version, examining how it could enhance the game or potentially detract from its core identity.

Weapon Acquisition and Repair in Original Oblivion

Back in the mid-aughts, before crafting systems became ubiquitous in role-playing games, *Oblivion* took a different approach. The primary method of acquiring new weapons was decidedly hands-on – or perhaps more accurately, *loot-on.*

The sprawling landscapes of Cyrodiil were teeming with enemies, from lowly goblins brandishing rusty iron daggers to formidable Daedra wielding gleaming Ebony blades. Defeating these foes often resulted in the acquisition of their weapons, which varied in quality and type depending on the enemy’s level and the area. Looting chests, hidden within dungeons, bandit camps, and forgotten ruins, was another common source of weaponry. The quality of the loot found within these containers depended on the difficulty of the location and the player’s level.

Merchants throughout Cyrodiil also offered a wide selection of weapons for sale, ranging from basic iron swords to rare and powerful artifacts. Purchasing weapons from vendors was a reliable way to upgrade equipment, especially early in the game when looting opportunities were limited. Certain quests also rewarded players with unique or powerful weapons. These quest rewards often possessed special enchantments or properties, making them highly sought after. Finally, exploring the vast world of Cyrodiil sometimes led to the discovery of unique weapons hidden in specific locations. These weapons were often guarded by powerful enemies or required solving puzzles to obtain, adding an extra layer of challenge and reward to exploration.

However, simply acquiring a weapon wasn’t enough to guarantee its effectiveness. *Oblivion* featured a degradation system, meaning weapons gradually lost their condition with each strike. A weapon’s condition directly impacted its damage output. Neglecting weapon repair meant wielding increasingly ineffective equipment. This is where the Armorer skill came into play.

The Armorer skill determined the player’s ability to repair their own weapons and armor. A higher Armorer skill allowed for more effective repairs, restoring a greater percentage of the weapon’s condition. Players could repair their own equipment using repair hammers, which could be purchased from merchants. The Armorer skill not only impacted the effectiveness of repairs but also influenced the cost, with higher skills reducing the number of repair hammers needed. This made training the Armorer skill a worthwhile investment for any character relying on melee combat.

The decision *not* to include direct weapon crafting in the original *Oblivion* stemmed from several design choices. Firstly, the game emphasized exploration and discovery. Finding a powerful weapon felt more rewarding when it was the result of a perilous dungeon delve or a difficult quest. Secondly, *Oblivion’s* skill system already offered a wealth of character customization options. Adding weapon crafting would have required implementing another skill tree, potentially diluting the existing system.

Weapon Crafting in Oblivion Through Mods

Despite the absence of official weapon crafting, the *Oblivion* modding community stepped in to fill the void. Numerous mods have been created over the years that introduce various weapon crafting systems, demonstrating the player desire for this functionality.

These mods vary widely in their complexity and implementation. Some mods offer simple crafting recipes using readily available materials, while others require rare ingredients, specialized tools, and advanced skills. Many mods incorporate existing skills, such as Alchemy or Enchanting, into the crafting process, adding another layer of integration.

Examples of Features commonly found in weapon crafting Mods

These are commonly found in weapon crafting mods:

• Material Requirements: Players typically need to gather specific materials, such as ore, leather, wood, and various components salvaged from creatures or found in the environment. The types and quantities of materials needed depend on the type and quality of the weapon being crafted.

• Skill Requirements: Many crafting mods require players to have a certain level in relevant skills, such as Armorer, Alchemy, or even specific weapon skills, before they can craft certain items. This ensures that crafting is a rewarding progression system.

• Tools and Locations: Often, players need to use specific tools, such as a forge, anvil, or workbench, to craft weapons. These tools might be located in specific locations, such as blacksmith shops or player-owned homes, adding a sense of place and realism to the crafting process.

The popularity and prevalence of weapon crafting mods in *Oblivion* clearly demonstrates a desire within the community for this feature. These mods offer a glimpse into what could be possible in a remastered version, providing inspiration for Bethesda should they choose to incorporate crafting mechanics.

Speculating on Weapon Crafting in an Oblivion Remastered Edition

Given the prevalence of crafting in modern RPGs and the demonstrated demand from the *Oblivion* community, it’s reasonable to speculate on the possibility of weapon crafting in a remastered version. However, implementing such a system would require careful consideration to avoid disrupting the game’s balance and alienating long-time fans.

There are strong arguments *for* including weapon crafting in an *Oblivion Remastered*. Firstly, it aligns with modern RPG trends, offering players greater control over their equipment and character progression. Secondly, it addresses the desire for weapon crafting expressed by the modding community. Thirdly, it has the potential to enhance immersion and player agency, allowing players to feel more connected to the world and their characters.

However, there are also valid arguments *against* weapon crafting. Some argue that it would deviate from the original game’s design, potentially diminishing the satisfaction of finding rare and powerful weapons through exploration. There’s also a risk of unbalancing the game if crafting is too easy or powerful, reducing the challenge and diminishing the value of looted equipment.

If weapon crafting were to be implemented in a remastered version, Bethesda could consider several approaches:

• Dedicated Crafting Skill: A new skill tree focused specifically on weapon crafting, separate from the Armorer skill, could provide a dedicated progression path for aspiring blacksmiths.

• Integration with Existing Skills: Incorporating weapon crafting into existing skills, such as Alchemy for weapon enhancements or Enchanting for imbuing weapons with magical properties, could add depth to these systems.

• Rare Materials and Recipes: Requiring rare and difficult-to-obtain materials for crafting powerful weapons would maintain balance and encourage exploration.

• Crafting Stations: Requiring players to use specific crafting stations, located in towns or hidden within dungeons, would add a sense of place and challenge to the crafting process.

Perhaps a middle ground could be struck with robust enhancement systems rather than weapon creation. Allowing players to significantly improve weapons they already find, utilizing rare materials and complex alchemical processes, could scratch the crafting itch without entirely invalidating the original weapon acquisition methods.

Other Remastered Possibilities Affecting Weapon Acquisition

Beyond crafting, a remaster could address other criticisms of the original game’s weapon acquisition systems.

Improving loot distribution to address complaints of unbalanced or repetitive loot drops would enhance the exploration experience. Ensuring a wider variety of weapons appear throughout the game, with scaling appropriate to the player’s level, would make each dungeon delve feel more rewarding. Expanded merchant inventories, featuring new and unique weapons that become available as the player progresses, would offer alternative means of upgrading equipment. Finally, improving unique weapons, ensuring they are more compelling and memorable, and adding new quests or challenges to acquire them, would further incentivize exploration and quest completion.

Conclusion

The question of whether you can craft weapons in an *Oblivion Remastered* is currently shrouded in uncertainty. The original game lacked direct crafting, relying instead on exploration, looting, and purchasing from merchants. However, the modding community has demonstrated a clear desire for weapon crafting, and modern RPG trends favor such systems.

A remastered version could potentially incorporate weapon crafting, either through a dedicated skill tree, integration with existing skills, or a system of rare materials and recipes. However, such a change would need to be carefully implemented to avoid disrupting the game’s balance and alienating long-time fans.

Ultimately, the decision rests with Bethesda. Whether or not weapon crafting makes it into an *Oblivion Remastered* remains to be seen. However, the possibilities are exciting, and the potential for an even more immersive and engaging experience is undeniable. Gamers around the world are eagerly awaiting any news on this front.

What are your thoughts? Would you like to see weapon crafting in a potential *Oblivion Remastered*? What kind of system would you prefer? Share your ideas in the comments below!