How To Cure Vampirism in Oblivion: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

Vampirism in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is a curse—and sometimes, a blessing—that transforms your character into a creature of the night. While the enhanced strength, speed, and magical abilities can be alluring, the burning daylight, negative NPC interactions, and insatiable thirst for blood can quickly turn the dream of being a vampire into a frustrating nightmare. Fortunately, there is a way to break free from this supernatural affliction. If you find yourself yearning for the sun and craving a normal life once more, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of curing Vampirism in Oblivion. We’ll cover everything from understanding the symptoms and stages of the disease to completing the necessary quest or, for PC players, utilizing console commands to reverse the transformation. This guide offers two distinct approaches: embarking on the game’s elaborate quest and using console commands. Choose your adventure and reclaim your mortal existence.

Understanding Vampirism in Oblivion

Vampirism in Oblivion is not a choice, at least not initially. It starts with a disease called Sanguinare Vampiris, contracted through combat with vampires. You’ll usually get a notification if you contract it, but it’s easy to miss in the heat of battle. Left untreated, Sanguinare Vampiris progresses into full-blown vampirism after three in-game days. Once the transformation is complete, you’ll be forever changed, subject to the benefits and drawbacks of your undead existence.

The effects of vampirism in Oblivion are based on stages. The disease progresses through four stages, depending on how recently you’ve fed. The more you go without blood, the stronger your vampiric powers become, but so do your weaknesses.

At stage one, you’ll receive bonuses like increased strength, speed, and acrobatics, along with resistance to disease and paralysis. However, you’ll also become slightly weaker to sunlight. At stage four, the benefits are amplified, offering superhuman strength and agility. However, the downside is immense: you become extremely vulnerable to sunlight, which damages you while outside. NPCs will shun and attack you on sight, forcing you to live in the shadows.

Determining your current stage of vampirism is crucial for managing your affliction. The best way to do this is to simply observe the behavior of non-player characters around you. If people are friendly, you’re likely in the earlier stages. If they are hostile, you’re probably at the fourth. Additionally, you can check your active effects in the magic menu to see the exact status and benefits you are currently experiencing.

Maintaining the benefits of vampirism while mitigating the downsides requires understanding the importance of feeding. As a vampire, you need to drink the blood of sleeping non-player characters to survive and control your condition. Feeding resets your stage to one, minimizing your vulnerability to sunlight and allowing you to interact more freely with the world. However, if you choose to embrace the darkness and remain unfed, your powers will grow, but so will the associated risks.

Failing to feed will propel you through the stages, culminating in the fourth stage where the repercussions are most severe. Without blood, you become a pariah, unable to venture out in daylight or interact with the living. This can make it difficult to progress in the game, complete quests, or even simply navigate the world. Therefore, balancing your hunger with your desire for acceptance is essential to managing your vampiric existence.

Vampirism profoundly alters your character’s core statistics. Beyond the bonuses and penalties mentioned, your appearance will also change, becoming paler and gaunter as you progress through the stages. Your skills may also be affected, making some abilities easier to develop while hindering others. Understanding how vampirism impacts your stats and skills is crucial for adapting your gameplay and maximizing your potential as a creature of the night.

Preparing for the Cure

Curing vampirism in Oblivion is no simple task. It requires careful planning and preparation. The quest to cure your vampiric condition is time-sensitive, adding a sense of urgency to the process.

The quest can only be started when your character is at the fourth stage of vampirism. This means you’ll need to avoid feeding for at least three days to reach this stage. It is essential to keep track of the time and monitor your status closely. Failing to reach stage four will prevent you from initiating the quest, forcing you to wait until you progress further into vampirism.

Reaching stage four vampirism can be accelerated by avoiding feeding, embracing the negative effects, and focusing on activities that can be done at night. Exploring dungeons, completing quests that do not require interaction with non-player characters, and preparing for the ingredients needed for the cure can all be done while waiting to reach the necessary stage.

Before diving into the quest, you’ll need to gather information. The cure for vampirism is not common knowledge, so you’ll need to seek out rumors and leads. This involves speaking to non-player characters, particularly guards and innkeepers, to gather clues about a potential cure.

Talking to guards and innkeepers is a crucial step in triggering the quest. They often hold key information about local events, rumors, and potential leads. Ask them about anything unusual or related to vampirism. Persistence and patience are key, as it may take several attempts to get the information you need.

The role of rumors cannot be understated. Rumors can provide valuable clues, leading you to characters or locations that can help you on your quest. Keep an ear out for gossip and news, as even the smallest tidbit of information could be the key to finding the cure. Guards and innkeepers are essential sources of rumors, so make sure to exhaust all dialogue options to gather as much information as possible.

The guards serve as invaluable informants, offering insights into the game world’s secrets. If you frequent cities, make it a habit to converse with the city guards; they possess valuable information regarding the vampirism quest, especially the critical knowledge of who to approach. Talking to city guards helps initiate the questline by providing the necessary details and setting you on the path to finding a cure.

The Vampirism Cure Quest: Cure for Vampirism

The questline to cure vampirism in Oblivion is a complex and challenging journey that requires gathering rare ingredients, navigating dangerous locations, and interacting with eccentric characters. Here’s a step-by-step walkthrough to guide you through the process.

Finding Count Hassildor

The first step in the quest is locating Count Hassildor of Skingrad. Hassildor is known for his expertise in dealing with unusual conditions, making him a prime candidate to help you find a cure for your vampirism.

Journey to Skingrad

To find Count Hassildor, travel to the city of Skingrad, located in the West Weald region of Cyrodiil. Once you arrive, head to Skingrad Castle, where the Count resides. Enter the castle and speak to the Count. He will express his interest in helping you, but with a condition: you must gather several rare ingredients for him.

Gathering Ingredients for the Cure

Count Hassildor will task you with gathering a Grand Soul Gem, six cloves of garlic, five nightshade flowers, bloodgrass, and Argonian blood. Each ingredient requires a different approach and can be found in various locations throughout Cyrodiil.

Grand Soul Gem

Grand Soul Gems can be found in dungeons, purchased from mages, or obtained as rewards for completing certain quests. Be sure that the gem is empty before filling it with a soul.

Six Cloves of Garlic

Garlic is a common ingredient found in many homes and shops in Cyrodiil. Check the food vendors in major cities, such as the Market District of the Imperial City, or search through the kitchens and pantries of homes in towns like Skingrad and Chorrol.

Five Nightshade Flowers

Nightshade flowers grow in many areas throughout Cyrodiil, particularly in graveyards and near ruins. Explore areas like the Great Forest and the Jerall Mountains to find these valuable ingredients.

Bloodgrass

Bloodgrass is a rare plant found in the Planes of Oblivion. You’ll need to venture into Oblivion gates to find it. Be prepared for dangerous enemies and challenging environments when exploring these realms.

Argonian Blood

Obtaining Argonian blood involves either killing an Argonian or obtaining a sample from a willing Argonian. This part of the quest can be morally challenging, depending on your character’s values.

Speaking to Melisande

Once you have gathered all the ingredients, return to Count Hassildor in Skingrad Castle. He will then direct you to Melisande, an expert alchemist residing in Drakelowe.

Journey to Drakelowe

Drakelowe is located in the northern part of Cyrodiil, near the border with Skyrim. Travel to Drakelowe to meet Melisande and complete the cure.

Meeting Melisande

Upon arriving at Drakelowe, speak to Melisande. She will use the ingredients you have gathered to create the cure for vampirism. After a brief ritual, you will be cured of your vampiric affliction, returning you to your mortal state.

Dealing with Enemies

During the quest, you may encounter various enemies, including other vampires and undead creatures. Be prepared for combat and carry appropriate weapons, armor, and potions to defend yourself.

Vampire Encounters

Vampires can be challenging opponents, possessing similar strengths and weaknesses as your character. Use fire-based spells and weapons to exploit their vulnerability to sunlight.

Undead Creatures

Undead creatures, such as skeletons and zombies, are immune to poison and disease, so use blunt weapons or magical attacks to defeat them.

Alternative Method: Using Console Commands (PC Only)

If you are playing Oblivion on a PC, you have the option to use console commands to instantly cure vampirism. This method is quick and straightforward but may disable achievements or trophies.

Using console commands can be convenient, but it may impact your game experience and prevent you from earning certain achievements or trophies. If you’re concerned about these effects, it’s best to stick to the quest method.

To cure vampirism using console commands, open the console by pressing the `~` key (usually located to the left of the number one key). Then, type the following command:

SetPCVampire to 0

Press enter to execute the command. This will instantly remove vampirism from your character.

After entering the command, sleep for twenty-four hours to fully reset your character’s status. This will ensure that all vampiric effects are removed and that your character’s statistics return to normal.

While console commands can be effective, they may occasionally cause unintended side effects. This can range from minor graphical glitches to more serious gameplay issues. Save your game before using console commands to avoid any potential problems.

Troubleshooting

Even with careful planning, players may encounter issues during the Vampirism cure quest. Here are some common problems and tips for resolving them.

Quest Glitches

Quest glitches can sometimes occur, preventing you from progressing in the questline. This can include issues with non-player characters not appearing, dialogue options not working, or quest objectives not updating. If you encounter a glitch, try reloading a previous save, restarting the game, or consulting online forums for solutions.

Difficulty Finding Ingredients

Finding all the required ingredients can be challenging, especially for players unfamiliar with the game world. Use online guides, maps, and forums to locate specific ingredients. Be patient and persistent, and don’t be afraid to explore new areas to find what you need.

Accidentally Curing Vampirism Too Early

Curing vampirism too early, before reaching stage four, is another common mistake. Make sure you are at the fourth stage of vampirism before initiating the quest. If you accidentally cure vampirism too early, you’ll need to contract the disease again and wait until you reach the necessary stage.

To avoid these problems, save your game often, especially before making critical decisions or completing important quest objectives. Double-check your quest logs to ensure you are following the correct steps and completing all necessary tasks. Consult online resources, such as the Elder Scrolls Wiki, for additional information and troubleshooting tips.

Conclusion

Curing vampirism in Oblivion can be a challenging but rewarding experience. Whether you choose to embark on the complex quest or use console commands, freeing yourself from the curse of vampirism allows you to embrace the sunlight and return to a normal life. Remember to plan carefully, gather the necessary resources, and be patient throughout the process. With perseverance and determination, you can overcome the darkness and reclaim your destiny in the world of Cyrodiil. Good luck, adventurer, and may the sun shine upon you once more!