Can You Become a Guild-Hopping Legend in Oblivion? A Deep Dive into Factions and Loyalties
So, you’re diving into Cyrodiil, huh? You’ve got your adventurer gear, your sword ready, and a big question: “Can I join every guild in Oblivion?” Fair enough! Who doesn’t want to be a master thief by day and an assassin by night, while also being a respected member of the Fighters Guild? Let’s see if Oblivion allows your guild-hopping dreams or if tough choices await.
Navigating the Labyrinth of Guilds and Factions: Can You Join Them All?
Oblivion is generous with guild memberships. The short answer? Yes! You can join multiple guilds and factions. Think of it like joining every club in school. These clubs have more excitement and less baking.
You want specifics, right? “Can I really join every guild?” Let’s break it down.
- Dark Brotherhood: Fancy being a shadowy figure at night? The Dark Brotherhood is your ticket. Yes, you can join them. Many argue the Dark Brotherhood questline is one of the best parts of Oblivion. More on this later.
- Thieves Guild: Got sticky fingers? The Thieves Guild awaits. Joining them is crucial for any rogue, and yes, you can juggle your other guilds too. Just don’t “borrow” from fellow members, it’s awkward.
- Fighters Guild (and the Blackwood Company): Ready to fight? The Fighters Guild is the mercenary group for you. You’ll find the Blackwood Company in their quests. You don’t join separately; it’s part of the story.
- The Blades: Servants of the Emperor and dragon hunters. You can join the Blades directly through the main quest. Free reign of Cloud Ruler Temple! You get beds, a horse, and weapons. No need for advancement in the Blades. Free stuff is nice!
- Mythic Dawn: This one’s different. The Mythic Dawn are the antagonists in Oblivion, the cult causing chaos. You can join them temporarily during the “Dagon Shrine” quest if you want to rebel. You’ll eventually be forced to leave, though.
To recap: Dark Brotherhood, Thieves Guild, Fighters Guild, Blades – all joinable at once. Mythic Dawn? A short-lived experience at best.
Navigating the Treacherous Waters of Faction Conflicts and Guild Master Ambitions
Oblivion allows you to spread your character’s skills across guilds, but family dynamics can complicate your plans.
Faction Foes: When Guilds Don’t Play Nice: Oblivion doesn’t have guilds at war. You won’t become an enemy by joining another guild. Unlike Skyrim’s Civil War, guilds operate in their spheres. You can be a thief and a respected fighter without issues. However, consider your character’s morals carefully.
The Guild Master Conundrum: One Throne, Many Aspirants: You can be in five guilds at once, but you can only lead one. Choose wisely! You can be a respected member and even the head of the Thieves Guild, but only one will be under your rule.
Mutually Exclusive Mayhem (or Lack Thereof in Oblivion): Oblivion doesn’t have clear-cut conflicts like Skyrim’s Imperial Legion vs. Stormcloaks. You won’t have to betray one guild to excel in another. This makes joining all guilds much easier.
Betrayal? In My Guild? It’s More Likely Than You Think (But Seriously, Don’t): While you can join many guilds, betraying one is unwise. Especially with the Dark Brotherhood. They’re unforgiving towards traitors. Disobeying orders triggers the “Wrath of Sithis.” Nobody wants that. It’s bad for business.
Purification Protocols: When Things Go Sideways in the Sanctuary: In the Dark Brotherhood, if there’s betrayal, drastic actions occur. Lucien Lachance may say a “Purification” is necessary. This means cleaning house violently. Some members escape this fate for unknown reasons. Purification shows even assassins have messy politics.
Delving into the Depths of the Dark Brotherhood: Why Death is the Best Perk
The Dark Brotherhood often steals the spotlight in Oblivion. Players consider it the best guild in the game. Why? Characters, story, and rewards. It’s a trifecta of fun. There’s dark irony in saying “the best enjoyment comes from death.” Morbid? Sure. Entertaining? Absolutely.
Unmasking the Traitor: Who Dunnit in the Dark Brotherhood? Intrigue! The Dark Brotherhood questline is like a Shakespearean tragedy but with more daggers. The main issue? A traitor! Mathieu Bellamont is revealed during “Honor Thy Mother.” His betrayal adds suspense to an already fantastic storyline.
Oblivion vs. Skyrim: Dark Brotherhood Showdown:The Dark Brotherhood exists in both games, but which is better? It’s subjective, but many prefer Oblivion’s questline. Oblivion focuses on intricate missions while Skyrim emphasizes character growth. In short: Oblivion for quests, Skyrim for characters. Pick your method!
assassination.
The Ever-Present Wrath of Sithis: A Recurring Theme: The Wrath of Sithis is vital. It represents consequences for the Dark Brotherhood. Betrayal or disobedience is not tolerated. This wrath results in divine retribution. It’s like a “do not pass go” for disloyalty.
“Destroying” the Dark Brotherhood? Think Again: Can you destroy the Dark Brotherhood? Not really. The organization is not dismantled entirely. You can wipe out the Cheydinhal Sanctuary, though. This diminishes their local operations. It’s like closing one store, not ending the chain.
Beyond Guilds: Other Gameplay Mechanics That Matter
Oblivion has guilds, but other mechanics are present too. Let’s briefly explore them.
Ring Rules: Accessorizing with Limits: Adventurers, take note! You can wear two rings in Oblivion. This may seem limiting, but it requires strategic decisions. The good news is you can wear two rings with the same effects if their names differ. So, stack up on that Fortify Strength enchantment.
Marriage? Love in the Time of Oblivion Gates: You can get married in Oblivion. Amidst chaos, romance exists. This feature started as a mod but is now part of the game. With fan patches, marriage is an option for companionship. Try to schedule the wedding between the gate closures.
Vampire Vibes: Embracing the Night (and the Weakness to Sunlight): Want to add some undead flair? Vampirism exists! You can become a vampire by catching “Porphyric Hemophilia” from bites or via a Dark Brotherhood questline. Vampires gain increased stats at night but suffer in the sunlight. It’s certainly a unique choice for gameplay.
Bounty Hunting…Yourself? Clearing Your Criminal Record: If you have a bounty, you can clear it with guards. However, if your bounty exceeds 5000 gold, you’re in trouble. At this point, you’re public enemy number one. Bribery won’t help. Thus, keep your crimes moderate.
Quest Completion Mania: How Many Quests Can You Conquer? For completionists, how many quests are in Oblivion? In an unmodded version, you can finish 199 quests in your journal. With expansions like Shivering Isles and Knights of the Nine, that number rises to 241. That’s a hefty amount to keep adventurers busy.
Oblivion vs. Skyrim: A Tale of Two Tamriels
The eternal debate: Oblivion or Skyrim? Both games have their merits. Skyrim is often seen as accessible and polished. Oblivion is known for its unique charm and quirky characters. Each has something special to offer. Oblivion has a jankiness that enhances its appeal.
Dark Brotherhood Duel: Oblivion Takes the Quest Crown (Again): When discussing the Dark Brotherhood questline, many choose Oblivion as superior. Its quests are intricate and morally complex. Skyrim’s Dark Brotherhood excels too, focusing on character and endgame content. If looking for killer quests, Oblivion’s take may be best.
Other Factions in the Cyrodiilic Landscape
Beyond guilds, other factions populate Oblivion’s world. Interactions may differ.
The Imperial Legion: Service Not Included (For Players): The Imperial Legion plays a vital role in Oblivion’s story. They form the backbone of the Empire’s military force. Unlike Morrowind, you can’t join them formally as a soldier here. You interact with them, but no barracks duty awaits.
Modding and Exploits: Pushing Oblivion to Its Limits (and Beyond)
Despite its age, Oblivion’s modding community thrives. Mods allow for tweaking and breaking game limits.
Modding Mayhem: Breaking the Plugin Barrier: Oblivion had plugin limits that frustrated modders. Luckily, wizards created mods to fix this issue. They can enhance maximum loadable plugins to 255. This opens many modding possibilities for players seeking more freedom.
Level Cap Shenanigans: Going Beyond 50 (If You Dare): Oblivion has a soft level cap around 46 to 50. This depends on character builds. For those craving power, there’s an exploit with the jail system. Strategic arrests can let you surpass level 50. It’s cheesy and risky but a viable method for grinding power.
You can join every guild in Oblivion. Some minor details exist, but overall yes. Be a master of trades, a leader, or meddle in the criminal underworld while balancing your responsibilities. Explore and experiment freely in Oblivion’s world. Just don’t betray the Brotherhood or let your bounty rise too high! Happy adventuring!
