Oblivion Walker: Do You Need All 15 Daedric Artifacts At Once in Skyrim?
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The short answer is no. To unlock the Oblivion Walker achievement in Skyrim, you do not need to possess all 15 Daedric artifacts simultaneously. The game simply tracks whether you have obtained each artifact at any point during your playthrough. You can acquire, use, and even sell or discard Daedric artifacts without jeopardizing your progress toward the achievement. The key is simply to obtain the correct 15 artifacts during a single playthrough. This means you can, for example, complete a quest for one artifact, obtain it, then complete another quest that involves sacrificing that first artifact for a different one; this will still count toward the achievement.
Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty with some frequently asked questions that plague every aspiring Oblivion Walker.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Oblivion Walker Achievement
Here are 15 essential FAQs about the Oblivion Walker achievement in Skyrim:
1. What exactly is the Oblivion Walker achievement?
The Oblivion Walker achievement is a coveted reward in Skyrim for dedicated players who collect at least 15 of the Daedric artifacts scattered throughout the game. It’s one of the most challenging achievements, demanding careful planning and a deep understanding of the Daedric quests.
2. How many Daedric Artifacts are there in Skyrim?
There are a total of 16 Daedric artifacts available in Skyrim. However, you only need to acquire 15 for the achievement. This gives you some leeway when quests offer a choice, or when an artifact requires another to be sacrificed.
3. Which Daedric Artifacts are missable, potentially blocking the achievement?
Several Daedric quests offer choices that can lock you out of obtaining specific artifacts. The most crucial missable artifacts are:
- Masque of Clavicus Vile – Obtainable from the quest “A Daedra’s Best Friend” for Clavicus Vile. You must return Barbas to Clavicus Vile, as the Rueful Axe does not count toward the achievement.
- Mehrunes’ Razor – Obtained during the quest “Pieces of the Past” for Mehrunes Dagon.
- Ring of Namira – Acquired during the quest “The Taste of Death” for Namira. You must embrace cannibalism and feast on the priest. Refusing to do so will prevent you from obtaining the ring.
- Skull of Corruption – Earned during the quest “Waking Nightmare” for Vaermina. You must corrupt the soul gem rather than kill Erandur.
4. Does the Rueful Axe count towards the Oblivion Walker achievement?
No. This is a common mistake players make. While the Rueful Axe is obtained during the quest “A Daedra’s Best Friend,” it does not count as a Daedric artifact for the Oblivion Walker achievement. You must get the Masque of Clavicus Vile by completing the quest properly (returning Barbas).
5. Can I get multiple artifacts from Hircine’s quest “Ill Met By Moonlight”?
Yes, this is one of the few quests that can net you two artifacts. After initially receiving the Cursed Ring of Hircine, you can choose to cleanse the ring or hunt down Sinding. If you hunt Sinding and skin him, you will get Savior’s Hide. If you cleanse the ring, you can loot the Ring of Hircine from Sinding’s corpse. Both count as artifacts, although obtaining the uncursed Ring requires you to first obtain and wear the Cursed Ring.
6. Does the Skeleton Key count towards the Oblivion Walker achievement?
No. While the Skeleton Key is a Daedric artifact, obtaining it does not count toward the Oblivion Walker achievement. Furthermore, if you progress the Thieves Guild questline, you’ll eventually be forced to return it to its designated location within the Twilight Sepulcher.
7. Can I get two Dawnbreakers and have both count?
No. Duplicates do not count toward the 15 artifacts needed. You cannot simply acquire the same artifact multiple times through glitches or exploits to cheese the achievement. Only unique Daedric Artifacts count.
8. What about the Ebony Blade? Is that one?
Yes, The Ebony Blade is a Daedric artifact. It’s obtained by initiating and completing the quest “The Whispering Door” in Whiterun. This one is obtained fairly early in the game, so be sure to keep it in mind.
9. How does “The Black Star” quest figure into all this?
“The Black Star” is a quest to obtain Azura’s Star or The Black Star. It is also a Daedric artifact. Either version counts as an artifact, but only one can be obtained per playthrough. Choose wisely based on your character’s build (Azura’s Star is better for mages, The Black Star for warriors).
10. Do I need to be a certain level to start the Daedric quests?
While there is no hard requirement, some Daedric quests have level prerequisites to initiate them or to face the challenges within. It is recommended to be at least level 20 before attempting most Daedric quests to ensure you are strong enough to complete them successfully.
11. What happens if I accidentally kill an NPC required for a Daedric quest?
This can be a major problem. If you kill an essential NPC, the quest will become uncompletable, and you will be locked out of obtaining that Daedric artifact. It is important to be careful with your actions around quest-related NPCs. If you do make a mistake, reloading a previous save is often the only solution.
12. Can I get the Oblivion Walker achievement on any difficulty setting?
Yes. The difficulty setting has no impact on your ability to unlock the Oblivion Walker achievement. You can play on the easiest setting if you want to focus solely on collecting the artifacts without the added challenge of difficult combat.
13. If I miss an artifact, do I have to start a completely new game?
If you miss an artifact and realize it before progressing too far, reloading a previous save is the best option. However, if you discover it late in the game, then yes, you will need to start a new playthrough to obtain the Oblivion Walker achievement, as it requires obtaining 15 artifacts within a single playthrough.
14. Can I use mods and still get the Oblivion Walker achievement?
This depends on the platform you’re playing on. On PC, the Steam version of Skyrim typically disables achievements when mods are enabled unless you use a mod that re-enables them. On consoles like PlayStation and Xbox, achievements are usually disabled when mods are active. Always check the specifics of your chosen mods and platform. You might be able to play through the game and obtain the achievements, and then reload the game with mods.
15. Are there any resources to help me keep track of which artifacts I’ve collected?
Absolutely. Many online resources, such as the Elder Scrolls Wiki, UESP (Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages), and various Skyrim achievement guides, provide detailed checklists and walkthroughs to help you keep track of your progress. Creating your own spreadsheet or note is also a useful strategy.
Hopefully, this comprehensive guide answers all of your burning questions about the Oblivion Walker achievement. Remember to plan your quests carefully, be mindful of your choices, and enjoy the adventure! The world of Skyrim is vast and full of adventure, and the pursuit of these powerful artifacts is a great way to experience it all.
For those interested in further exploring the educational and social impact of games like Skyrim, consider visiting the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. There, you’ll find valuable research and insights into how games foster learning, problem-solving, and creativity.