Introduction
Ever felt the pinch in Cyrodiil? The longing gaze at that shiny Daedric armor you can’t afford, the frustration of being too poor to train your skills to the max, the sheer humiliation of not being able to buy that waterfront house in Anvil? In *The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion*, money talks. It buys you power, skills, a fancy roof over your head, and the respect of merchants (sort of). And sometimes, earning that gold the “honest” way can feel like a serious grind.
That’s where the alluring world of *Oblivion* money cheats comes in. Now, the term “cheat” is loaded. It can mean anything from clever exploitation of game mechanics to downright console command shenanigans. Some players embrace the easy path to wealth, while others see it as sacrilege, a betrayal of the game’s intended experience. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer looking for a quick boost or a newcomer curious about the possibilities, this guide will explore various methods to amass a fortune in *Oblivion*, ranging from efficient gameplay strategies to more controversial exploits. We’ll delve into alchemy, dungeon delving, the infamous duplicate scroll glitch, and even the power of the console command, all while considering the impact on your overall gameplay. So, grab your lockpicks and your scroll of Command Creature; it’s time to get rich!
Mastering the Art of Alchemy for Profit
Before we dive into the more questionable methods, let’s explore a legitimate (and surprisingly effective) way to become wealthy: alchemy. Alchemy in *Oblivion* isn’t just about brewing potions; it’s about brewing fortunes. By mastering this skill, you can create incredibly valuable potions that will line your pockets with gold.
The key is to level up your Alchemy skill as quickly as possible. Find an Alchemy trainer – almost every major city has one. Practice makes perfect, but early on, you’ll want to focus on discovering new potion effects by combining ingredients. Use an Alchemy apparatus (mortar & pestle, retort, etc.) to combine two or three ingredients. If the combination reveals a new effect, you’ll gain skill.
Valuable Potion Recipes
Once you’ve learned a decent number of effects, focus on creating potions with valuable combinations. Here are a few reliable recipes to get you started:
- Restore Fatigue: Extremely common and useful. Combine ingredients like Wheat, Water Hyacinth Nectar, and Sweetroll. These potions sell well because almost every character needs to regain stamina.
- Fortify Skill: These potions are potent and valuable. Ingredients like Steel-Blue Entoloma, Flax Seeds, and Wormwood create fortify skills, making them extremely marketable.
- Damage Health: Ingredients such as Harrada, Imp Gall, and Luminous Russula create damaging potions. These are particularly effective, but be sure you’re not accidentally poisoning yourself when experimenting!
Where do you find these ingredients? Explore! The world of Cyrodiil is teeming with alchemical ingredients. Pay attention to the plants and fungi you encounter in forests, caves, and even city gardens. Merchants also sell ingredients, but their prices can be steep early on. Consider joining the Mages Guild; they often have ingredient restock supplies that are accessible once you’re a member.
Finally, maximize your profits by paying attention to merchant disposition. Persuade merchants to like you before selling them your potions. A higher disposition means they’ll offer you better prices. Using the Charm spell or bribery can significantly increase your profits.
Dungeon Delving and the Art of Acquisition
Another “legitimate” path to wealth involves exploring the numerous dungeons scattered throughout Cyrodiil. These forgotten ruins, caves, and forts are often filled with valuable loot just waiting to be discovered and sold.
The key to successful dungeon delving is efficiency. Focus on dungeons that are known to contain valuable items. Look for Daedric ruins, Ayleid ruins, and bandit camps. These locations often have a higher concentration of enchanted weapons, armor, and jewelry.
Repair your equipment often. Damaged equipment sells for significantly less, so keeping your gear in good condition is crucial for maximizing profits. Invest in Armorer skill training.
Managing your inventory weight is also critical. Over-encumbrance will slow you down and prevent you from looting everything you find. Prioritize valuable items and consider investing in Strength-enhancing items or spells to increase your carry capacity. Also, make sure you sell your loot often! A full inventory isn’t useful if you can’t lighten the load for the good stuff.
Joining the Thieves Guild offers a significant advantage for dungeon delvers. The Thieves Guild fence (a special merchant who buys stolen goods) will purchase items that regular merchants won’t touch. This allows you to sell stolen items without incurring the wrath of the law. And really, who’s going to miss *that* silver candlestick?
Questing for Riches and Reputation
While less “cheaty”, quests are the most consistent way to earn gold and items in *Oblivion*. Many quests offer substantial monetary rewards upon completion, making them a reliable source of income.
Focus on quests that offer significant rewards. The Main Quest, Guild Quests (Fighters Guild, Mages Guild, Thieves Guild, Dark Brotherhood), and Daedric Quests are all excellent sources of wealth and unique items.
Complete quests efficiently. Optimize your pathing, choose dialogue options carefully, and use your skills to overcome obstacles quickly. Some quests are very time-consuming, and you want to maximize your earnings per hour.
Don’t neglect side quests. While they may not offer the same massive rewards as the main quests, many side quests are quick and easy to complete and provide a steady stream of income. Look for quests in smaller towns and villages; they often have hidden gems.
The Duplicate Scroll Glitch: A Risky Path to Riches
Now, we venture into the territory of glitches and exploits. The Duplicate Scroll Glitch is arguably the most famous money cheat in *Oblivion*. It allows you to duplicate items, effectively creating an infinite supply of valuable goods to sell.
Here’s how it works, but remember: game instability is possible, so save often! Find a scroll that you can use on a target, like a Summon spell or something similar. Equip the item you want to duplicate. Cast the scroll, and *immediately* go into your inventory and drop the equipped item *before* the spell actually goes off. If you do this successfully, you will still have the item equipped *and* it will be on the ground. Pick the item up from the ground to have it duplicated!
Items that work best with the glitch are valuable scrolls (like expensive Summon creature spells) and gems (diamonds, emeralds, rubies, etc.). This method is particularly effective early in the game when resources are scarce.
The Duplicate Scroll Glitch has potential risks and limitations. It can sometimes cause game instability or even corrupt your save file. Always save your game before attempting the glitch, and be prepared to reload if something goes wrong. Some items may not duplicate properly, and the glitch can be finicky to execute consistently.
The Painting Glitch (Proceed With Caution!)
This glitch is less reliable than the Scroll Glitch, but it might be possible in your copy of Oblivion. Find a painting to steal and pick it up, then drop it against a wall. With the painting against the wall, you can often use it to clip through a wall. Some paintings have a higher value than others, so look for the most valuable ones.
Be warned: Clipping through walls can easily break your game, so use this with extreme caution.
Console Commands: The Ultimate Power (PC Only!)
For PC players, the console command offers unparalleled control over the game, including the ability to instantly generate wealth. However, with great power comes great responsibility (and the potential to ruin your game, so be careful).
To access the console, press the tilde key (~) during gameplay. A text box will appear at the bottom of the screen.
The primary command for generating items is `player.additem [item code] [quantity]`. The `item code` is a hexadecimal code that identifies each item in the game. The `quantity` is the number of items you want to add to your inventory.
For example, to add gold, you would use the command `player.additem 0000000f 1000`. This would add one thousand gold to your character’s inventory.
You can also add other valuable items using their respective item codes. Some common item codes include gems (diamonds, emeralds, rubies), ingots (ebony, glass, Daedric), and enchanted weapons. Research item codes online.
While there isn’t a definitive command such as `player.addgold`, the method of adding gold via `additem` is the easiest and the preferred method.
Before using console commands, be aware of the potential consequences. Console commands can introduce bugs, corrupt your save file, or break the game’s intended progression. Save your game before using any console command, and use them sparingly.
Furthermore, using console commands can diminish your sense of accomplishment. The game has challenges for a reason. Getting all you want in a snap can kill your motivation to play, so consider your options carefully.
Mods for a Tailored Economy
If you’re not a fan of glitches or console commands but still want to tweak the game’s economy, mods are your answer. *Oblivion*’s modding community is vast and creative, offering a wide range of mods that can alter the game’s economy or provide new ways to make money.
Many mods increase the amount of loot you find in dungeons, reduce the prices of goods, or add new quests and opportunities to earn money. Search Nexus Mods or other modding sites to discover what is available. Here are a few examples:
- Realistic Loot: This type of mod will drastically increase the amount and quality of loot found in dungeons, caves, and bandit camps.
- Economy Overhaul: These mods alter prices, making goods cheaper or more expensive, and can affect the earnings from quests and jobs.
- New Quests: Mods that add new quests will always contribute to a greater income as long as they offer rewards.
Installing mods typically involves using a mod manager, such as Oblivion Mod Manager (OBMM). Follow the instructions provided with each mod carefully.
The Slippery Slope of Easy Money: Considerations and Consequences
Before you embark on your path to infinite riches, consider the potential consequences. Using money cheats can significantly alter your gameplay experience and potentially diminish your enjoyment of the game.
Easy money can remove the challenge of *Oblivion*. The game is designed to be challenging, and overcoming those challenges is part of what makes it rewarding. When money is no longer a concern, you may lose motivation to explore the world, complete quests, and develop your character.
Cheating can also conflict with your roleplaying goals. If you’re playing a character who is supposed to be poor and struggling, using money cheats will undermine your character’s identity.
Think about alternate methods as well. If you find yourself constantly struggling with money, consider focusing on alchemy or dungeon delving.
In Conclusion: Choose Your Path to Fortune Wisely
*Oblivion* offers a variety of ways to amass wealth, from the honest toil of alchemy and questing to the ethically ambiguous world of glitches and console commands. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the best choice depends on your playstyle and desired level of challenge. Whether you choose to exploit the game’s mechanics, wield the power of the console, or rely on the ingenuity of modders, remember to consider the consequences and how your choices will impact your overall experience.
What are your favorite ways to make money in *Oblivion*? Share your tips and tricks in the comments below! And remember, a Khajiit has wares, if you have coin. May your coffers always be overflowing!
