Oblivion Remastered: Best Early Game Weapons to Get (Ranked)

TL;DR

  • Eight powerful weapons available from Level 1 with strategic acquisition methods
  • Each weapon offers unique enchantments and damage mechanics for different playstyles
  • Location-specific strategies to minimize time investment and maximize effectiveness
  • Combat optimization tips for leveraging weapon strengths against specific enemy types
  • Progression guidance for transitioning from early to mid-game equipment

Oblivion Remastered presents players with an arsenal of formidable weapons that maintain combat effectiveness well beyond the initial hours of gameplay. What makes these armaments particularly valuable is their accessibility—many can be secured as early as character Level 1, providing immediate power spikes without extensive level grinding. Successful acquisition requires venturing beyond conventional paths and thoroughly exploring Cyrodiil’s numerous dungeons and hidden locations. The strategic value gained from these early acquisitions far outweighs the exploration effort required.

Understanding weapon mechanics and their strategic applications is crucial for maximizing combat efficiency. This guide not only reveals weapon locations but also provides tactical insights for leveraging each weapon’s unique properties against specific enemy types and combat scenarios.

Akaviri Katana in Oblivion Remastered
Image Credit: Bethesda/ Elder Scrolls IV (screenshot by Aryan Singh, Beebom)

For players seeking a dependable starting blade capable of handling Oblivion Remastered’s early adversaries, the Akaviri Katana represents an exceptional choice. Its acquisition process is remarkably straightforward, typically requiring less than sixty minutes of focused gameplay. Progress through the primary narrative until locating Martin, the clandestine successor to the departed Emperor. This objective involves eliminating numerous Stunted Scamps besieging Kvatch before escorting the heir back to Weynon Priory.

Accompanied by the Blades’ Grandmaster Jauffre, journey to Cloud Ruler Temple where, following a cinematic sequence, you’ll receive an invitation to join the Blades. Accepting this offer grants immediate possession of the katana. The weapon boasts respectable base damage coupled with excellent durability, making it a trustworthy companion for early adventures. Advanced players should note that a superior iteration, designated the Ancient Akaviri Katana, becomes available during later main story progression.

Combat Optimization: The Akaviri Katana excels against humanoid enemies and wildlife, but struggles against heavily armored opponents. Consider pairing it with damage-enhancing spells or potions when facing bandits in plate armor.

Oblivion Remastered: Best Early Game Weapons to Get (Ranked)
Brusef Amelion's Sword in Oblivion Remastered

Though technically associated with the Fighters Guild narrative arc, Brusef Amelion’s Sword can be claimed without initiating the associated mission. Navigate northward from the Leyawiin-North East Gate waypoint to discover the entrance to a modest cavern. The interior layout presents navigational challenges with its winding passages, but persistent exploration leads to the Sarcophagus Chamber. Identification of the correct area is confirmed by the presence of a distinctive green-spectral adversary patrolling the vicinity.

Defeat the spectral guardian to discover the sword positioned adjacent to Brusef Amelion’s Cuirass—an exceptional armor piece within the game’s equipment hierarchy. The blade itself carries frost enchantment that accumulates additional cold damage with consecutive strikes. It features a base damage rating of 14, substantially outperforming conventional longswords available during early gameplay stages.

Strategic Advantage: The stacking frost effect makes this weapon particularly effective against fire-based creatures and enemies with low frost resistance. The cumulative damage becomes increasingly potent against tankier opponents who survive multiple hits.

High Elf NPC in Oblivion Remastered
Redwave in Oblivion Remastered

Seeking a pirate-themed blade for your nautical character concept? The distinctive Redwave perfectly fulfills this role. To acquire it, travel to Anvil and exit through the gate accessing the Gold Coast region. Following a brief overland trek, you’ll encounter a vessel moored offshore. Board the ship and converse with Varulae to initiate the weapon’s associated side mission. The High Elf will request retrieval of a Crystal Ball from the ship’s deck. Successful completion of this task rewards you with Redwave.

This elegant cutlass combines substantial base damage with health absorption capabilities. While Redwave’s effectiveness diminishes during the middle segments of the primary narrative, it remains an outstanding sword selection for early game content.

Build Compatibility: Redwave synergizes exceptionally well with light armor builds and characters specializing in agility-based combat. The health drain effect provides valuable sustainability during extended dungeon explorations where healing resources may be limited.

Blackwater Blade in Oblivion Remastered
Oblivion Remastered: Best Early Game Weapons to Get (Ranked)

The Blackwater Blade connects to one of Oblivion’s most unexpectedly engaging questlines. Activation requires simply fast traveling to the Imperial City Waterfront and purchasing accommodation at the Bloated Float Inn. Situated aboard the vessel, lodging costs a mere 10 gold coins—an insignificant expense considering the exceptional weapon and memorable adventure gained. After completing the transaction, proceed to your assigned chamber and rest. Upon awakening, complete the side quest to its conclusion to obtain the Blackwater Blade from an antagonist character.

This longsword possesses the unique attribute of fatigue absorption, causing adversaries with limited Endurance to collapse after sustaining just two strikes from the weapon. This distinctive capability alone justifies the acquisition effort.

Tactical Application: The fatigue drain effect proves particularly devastating against mages and archers who typically possess lower endurance ratings. This makes the Blackwater Blade an ideal choice for characters focusing on disabling spellcasters and ranged combatants quickly.

Chillrend in Oblivion Remastered
Valus Odiil in Oblivion Remastered

Chillrend represents a specialized one-handed sword that visually appears as a glacial blade fused to its hilt. Unsurprisingly, it delivers frost-based damage—an extremely valuable capability during early gameplay phases. To acquire it, journey to Chorrol, situated in Cyrodiil’s northwestern quadrant, and enter The Gray Mare tavern.

The weapon’s frost enchantment not only deals immediate cold damage but also slows enemy movement and attack speed. This dual effect provides significant tactical advantages in combat situations where positioning and timing are critical.

Elemental Superiority: Chillrend’s frost damage proves exceptionally effective against fire-based creatures like Flame Atronachs and also hampers melee-focused enemies through movement impairment.

Goblin Totem Staff in Oblivion Remastered
Plundered Mine map location in Oblivion Remastered

The Goblin Totem Staff offers a completely different combat approach through summoning capabilities. Located within the Plundered Mine northeast of the Imperial City, this staff provides early-game access to conjuration magic without requiring investment in the magic skills tree. The acquisition involves navigating through goblin-infested tunnels to reach the staff’s resting place.

This magical implement summons a powerful goblin ally to fight alongside you, effectively turning difficult one-versus-many encounters into more manageable team battles. The summoned creature draws enemy aggression, allowing strategic positioning and focused damage deployment.

Strategic Deployment: The staff proves invaluable for characters with limited combat capabilities or those specializing in support roles. The summoned goblin possesses substantial health and damage output, making it capable of handling most early-game threats independently if necessary.

Frostwyrm Bow location in Oblivion Remastered
Oblivion Remastered: Best Early Game Weapons to Get (Ranked)
Frostwyrm Bow in Oblivion Remastered

For archery-focused characters, the Frostwyrm Bow represents an exceptional early-game acquisition. Located in the northern reaches of Cyrodiil, this bow combines frost damage with exceptional range, making it ideal for kiting strategies and tactical positioning. The acquisition requires navigating through challenging terrain and defeating powerful adversaries guarding the weapon.

The bow’s frost enchantment not only deals additional damage but also slows pursuing enemies, creating valuable distance for subsequent shots.

Ranged Combat Optimization: The Frostwyrm Bow excels against melee-focused enemies and creatures vulnerable to cold damage. Its extended effective range allows engagement from positions of safety, particularly valuable when exploring dangerous areas prematurely under-leveled.

Umbra map location in Oblivion Remastered
Oblivion Remastered: Best Early Game Weapons to Get (Ranked)
Umbra weapon in Oblivion Remastered

Umbra stands as the pinnacle of early-game weaponry, offering unparalleled damage output and unique soul-trapping capabilities. Located within Vindasel ruins, this legendary blade presents a significant combat challenge but rewards successful acquisition with a weapon that remains viable throughout much of the game.

The sword possesses exceptional base damage complemented by its soul capture enchantment, allowing continuous recharging through defeated enemies’ souls. This self-sustaining mechanism eliminates the need for soul gems, providing exceptional value for characters not specializing in enchantment.

Combat Superiority: Umbra’s combination of raw damage and utility makes it the definitive early-game weapon choice. The soul trap effect ensures the weapon maintains maximum charge without external resources, making it ideal for extended exploration and dungeon delving.

Acquisition Strategy: Successfully claiming Umbra requires careful preparation. Stock up on healing potions, consider bringing companions to distract the powerful guardian, and utilize terrain advantages during the confrontation.

Action Checklist

  • Complete Kvatch rescue mission to acquire Akaviri Katana from Blades initiation
  • Navigate to Amelion Tomb north of Leyawiin for Brusef Amelion’s Sword
  • Visit Anvil docks and complete Varulae’s quest for Redwave cutlass
  • Book room at Bloated Float Inn in Imperial City Waterfront for Blackwater Blade
  • Travel to Chorrol and locate The Gray Mare inn for Chillrend acquisition
  • Explore Plundered Mine for Goblin Totem Staff
  • Navigate to northern Cyrodiil ruins for Frostwyrm Bow
  • Prepare thoroughly before challenging Umbra’s guardian in Vindasel ruins

No reproduction without permission:Tsp Game Club » Oblivion Remastered: Best Early Game Weapons to Get (Ranked) Discover the 8 most powerful early game weapons in Oblivion Remastered with detailed acquisition strategies and combat optimization tips