The Rueful Axe: A Daedric Artifact Imposter?
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The world of Skyrim is rich with lore, powerful items, and quests that test the mettle of even the most seasoned Dragonborn. Among these are the Daedric Artifacts, relics of immense power bestowed upon the mortal realm by the Daedric Princes. A common question that arises when players are striving for the coveted Oblivion Walker achievement is: Does the Rueful Axe count as a Daedric artifact?
The answer, unequivocally, is no. Despite its unique nature and connection to the Daedric Prince Clavicus Vile, the Rueful Axe does not count towards the Oblivion Walker achievement in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. If your aim is to unlock this achievement, you must ensure you acquire the Masque of Clavicus Vile instead during the quest “A Daedra’s Best Friend.” Making the wrong choice can be a painful setback in your artifact-collecting journey!
The Deceptive Nature of “A Daedra’s Best Friend”
The quest itself presents a moral dilemma: kill Barbas, Clavicus Vile’s canine companion, with the Rueful Axe to keep the axe, or spare Barbas and receive the Masque. The lure of a unique weapon might be tempting, but the pragmatic choice for achievement hunters is clear. Sparing Barbas and claiming the Masque is the only way to ensure progress towards Oblivion Walker. The Axe is not recognized in the game’s programming as one of the fifteen required artifacts.
It’s worth noting that the “A Daedra’s Best Friend” quest becomes available when the player reaches level 10 and ventures into the vicinity of Falkreath. The seemingly ordinary dog you encounter outside the town’s gates is anything but.
Why the Axe Doesn’t Count
While the Rueful Axe is undoubtedly a powerful weapon and has lore ties to the Daedric Prince Clavicus Vile, its lack of designation as an official Daedric Artifact within the game’s code is the key reason for its exclusion from the Oblivion Walker achievement. It’s an important distinction that many players discover the hard way, leading to much frustration and the need to revisit earlier saves.
Understanding the Oblivion Walker Achievement
The Oblivion Walker achievement/trophy in Skyrim tasks players with collecting fifteen Daedric artifacts within a single playthrough. The game’s code specifically checks for these fifteen artifacts. Obtaining all of them can be tricky, as some quests offer choices that lock you out of acquiring certain artifacts. Careful planning and foreknowledge are crucial. It is important to always save the game beforehand.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions surrounding Daedric Artifacts, the Rueful Axe, and the quest for the Oblivion Walker achievement.
1. Which is better: the Rueful Axe or the Masque of Clavicus Vile?
In terms of utility and impact on gameplay, the Masque of Clavicus Vile is generally considered superior. While the Rueful Axe deals decent damage, its slow swing speed and relatively unimpressive enchantments make it less desirable compared to many other weapons available in Skyrim. The Masque provides significant benefits to speechcraft, magicka regeneration, and barter, making it highly useful for various playstyles. For DT (Damage output), the Masque is better.
2. Can I get both the Rueful Axe and the Masque of Clavicus Vile?
Unfortunately, no. The quest “A Daedra’s Best Friend” only allows you to acquire one or the other. Once you make your choice, the other item becomes unobtainable within that playthrough. There may be exploits or glitches to get both that can be found online, but these methods might not be reliable and could potentially corrupt your save game.
3. Does the Ebony Blade count as a Daedric artifact for Oblivion Walker?
Yes, the Ebony Blade is a Daedric artifact. This weapon is associated with the Daedric Prince Mephala. It does count toward the Oblivion Walker achievement. The Ebony Blade becomes more powerful by killing innocent non-player characters.
4. Do I need to have all 15 Daedric artifacts in my inventory at the same time to unlock Oblivion Walker?
No, you do not need to possess all fifteen Daedric artifacts simultaneously. The game tracks your acquisition of each artifact throughout your playthrough. Once you have obtained all fifteen unique artifacts (remembering to get the Masque of Clavicus Vile!), the achievement should unlock.
5. What happens if I betray Barbas and kill him?
If you kill Barbas with the Rueful Axe, you will keep the Rueful Axe. However, you will forfeit the Masque of Clavicus Vile and, crucially, you will be one artifact short of unlocking the Oblivion Walker achievement. This is not recommended for those seeking to complete the achievement.
6. Is Barbas a Daedra?
Yes, Barbas is a Daedra. He is a shapeshifting being that serves as a companion and a manifestation of half of Clavicus Vile’s power. He frequently takes the form of a dog.
7. Which Daedric Artifacts are missable?
Several Daedric Artifacts can be missed if you make the wrong choices during their respective quests. The Skull of Corruption, Namira’s Ring, the Masque of Clavicus Vile, and Mehrunes’ Razor are among those that require careful attention to the quest objectives to ensure acquisition.
8. Is the Savior’s Hide a Daedric Artifact?
Yes, the Savior’s Hide is a Daedric Artifact. It is one of the possible rewards for completing the quest associated with the Daedric Prince Hircine.
9. At what level can I start the “A Daedra’s Best Friend” quest?
The “A Daedra’s Best Friend” quest becomes available once your character reaches level 10. You can find Barbas, the talking dog, just outside of Falkreath.
10. Should I keep the Rueful Axe in Skyrim?
Whether or not to keep the Rueful Axe depends on your priorities. If you are aiming for the Oblivion Walker achievement, then the answer is a resounding no. The Axe is not necessary to get the achievement.
11. How many Daedric artifacts are there in Skyrim?
While there are many unique items and weapons associated with the Daedric Princes, only fifteen are officially recognized as Daedric Artifacts for the purpose of the Oblivion Walker achievement.
12. Does the Skeleton Key count as a Daedric Artifact for the Oblivion Walker achievement?
Despite being a Daedric artifact associated with Nocturnal, the Skeleton Key does not count towards the Oblivion Walker achievement.
13. Who is Clavicus Vile?
Clavicus Vile is the Daedric Prince of wishes, deals, and bargains. He is known for his clever and often malicious manipulation of mortals, typically offering them what they desire, but with unforeseen and disastrous consequences.
14. Is there a way to avoid missing Daedric artifacts and guarantee the Oblivion Walker achievement?
The best way to ensure you unlock the Oblivion Walker achievement is to thoroughly research each Daedric quest before undertaking it. Consult online guides, wikis, and forums to understand the potential outcomes and ensure you make the correct choices to obtain the necessary artifacts. Additionally, create multiple save files throughout your playthrough, particularly before making significant decisions, so you can revert to an earlier point if necessary.
15. How does video game learning impact achievement hunting and strategic gameplay?
Video games, especially those with complex narratives and achievement systems like Skyrim, offer valuable learning opportunities. Players develop problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, and information literacy as they navigate the game world, complete quests, and strive for achievements. Learning from online communities, guides, and even the game’s internal lore, all contribute to a deeper understanding of the game mechanics and promote cognitive development. Understanding complex game mechanics is an essential component of the Games Learning Society and its efforts to study how to promote cognitive development via learning by understanding complex game mechanics. For more information, visit GamesLearningSociety.org.
By keeping these points in mind, you can navigate the treacherous path of Daedric quests and secure your place among the Oblivion Walkers of Skyrim!