Is the Skull of Corruption Needed for Oblivion Walker? A Deep Dive into Skyrim’s Daedric Achievement
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Absolutely! If you’re aiming for the Oblivion Walker achievement in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, you must acquire the Skull of Corruption. This means siding with Vaermina during the quest “Waking Nightmare” in Dawnstar and killing Erandur before he can destroy the artifact. Letting Erandur destroy the Skull will lock you out of the achievement for that playthrough.
Understanding Oblivion Walker: The Daedric Artifact Hunt
The Oblivion Walker achievement is notorious for being one of the most challenging to obtain in Skyrim. It requires you to collect 15 Daedric Artifacts within a single playthrough. This isn’t as simple as it sounds, because certain Daedric quests present you with choices that can make an artifact unobtainable. Knowing the requirements and the potential pitfalls is essential.
The quest “Waking Nightmare” is one such pitfall. You’re presented with a choice: help Erandur destroy the Skull of Corruption, or betray him and claim it for yourself. For Oblivion Walker, the choice is clear: betray Erandur. While Erandur might seem like a sympathetic character, sacrificing him is necessary to secure the artifact and, therefore, the achievement.
Remember to approach the Daedric quests strategically, always prioritizing obtaining the artifact over any moral considerations. If you are interested in the educational aspects of games, you should also check the Games Learning Society website.
Maximizing Your Chances: Tips for Success
- Plan Your Route: Before diving in, research all the Daedric quests and their potential outcomes. Know which quests offer choices and how those choices impact your artifact collection.
- Early Preparation: Some quests are level-dependent, so reaching the recommended level before starting them can make the experience smoother.
- Save Often: Create multiple save files throughout your playthrough. This allows you to backtrack if you make a mistake or realize you’ve locked yourself out of an artifact.
- Double-Check Your Inventory: Periodically review your inventory to ensure you possess all the artifacts you’ve acquired so far. It’s easy to accidentally sell or store an artifact, potentially jeopardizing your progress.
- Utilize Glitches (Carefully): While some glitches can hinder your progress, others can be exploited to obtain multiple artifacts from a single quest. However, use these at your own risk, as patches may remove them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Oblivion Walker
Q1: How many Daedric Artifacts are there in Skyrim?
There are more than 15 Daedric Artifacts in Skyrim. This allows for some flexibility if you miss one due to a quest choice or glitch. However, you still need to be meticulous in your collection efforts.
Q2: Does the Skeleton Key count towards Oblivion Walker?
No, the Skeleton Key, obtained during the Thieves Guild questline, does not count towards the Oblivion Walker achievement.
Q3: Can I sell Daedric Artifacts after acquiring them and still get the achievement?
Yes, you can sell Daedric Artifacts after obtaining them. The achievement only checks whether you have possessed the required 15 artifacts at some point during your playthrough.
Q4: What happens if I accidentally kill Erandur before starting the “Waking Nightmare” quest?
If you kill Erandur before starting the “Waking Nightmare” quest, you will not be able to obtain the Skull of Corruption. This will prevent you from getting the Oblivion Walker achievement.
Q5: Is it possible to get two Daedric Artifacts from one quest?
Yes, there is a known glitch related to Clavicus Vile’s quest “A Daedra’s Best Friend” that allows you to obtain both the Rueful Axe and Clavicus Vile’s Mask. However, only the Mask counts toward the achievement. To be specific, you must ensure you get the Clavicus Vile Mask, as the Rueful Axe does not count.
Q6: Do I need to complete the Dawnguard or Dragonborn DLCs for Oblivion Walker?
No, the Dawnguard and Dragonborn DLCs are not required for the Oblivion Walker achievement. The achievement only requires 15 Daedric Artifacts from the base game.
Q7: Can I use console commands to get the Daedric Artifacts and unlock the achievement?
Using console commands to acquire the Daedric Artifacts will not unlock the Oblivion Walker achievement on PC. The game detects that you did not obtain the artifacts through legitimate gameplay.
Q8: What is the best order to complete the Daedric quests?
There is no “best” order, but it’s generally recommended to do the quests with irreversible choices early on so you can reload if necessary. “Waking Nightmare” and “A Daedra’s Best Friend” are good ones to prioritize.
Q9: Can I get the Oblivion Walker achievement on any difficulty setting?
Yes, the Oblivion Walker achievement can be obtained on any difficulty setting. The difficulty setting does not affect the achievement requirements.
Q10: Does the Ebony Blade need to be fully powered up for Oblivion Walker?
No, the Ebony Blade does not need to be fully powered up to count towards the Oblivion Walker achievement. Simply obtaining the blade is sufficient.
Q11: What happens if I miss a Daedric Artifact?
If you miss a Daedric Artifact, you will need to reload an earlier save or start a new game to obtain the Oblivion Walker achievement. There is no way to retroactively acquire the artifact once you’ve locked yourself out of it.
Q12: Are there any Daedric Artifacts that are particularly easy to miss?
Yes, the Skull of Corruption (by letting Erandur destroy it) and the Masque of Clavicus Vile (by taking the Rueful Axe) are the easiest to miss due to the choices presented in their respective quests. You can visit the GamesLearningSociety.org for more info.
Q13: Does it matter if I am a Vampire or Werewolf for the Oblivion Walker achievement?
No, your status as a Vampire or Werewolf does not affect your ability to obtain the Oblivion Walker achievement.
Q14: Can I get the Oblivion Walker achievement on multiple characters and then have it unlock?
No, the Oblivion Walker achievement requires you to collect all 15 Daedric Artifacts on a single character and a single playthrough.
Q15: Is there a list of all the Daedric Artifacts required for the Oblivion Walker achievement?
Yes, a complete list includes:
- Azura’s Star/Black Star
- Black Bow of Fate
- Dawnbreaker
- Ebony Blade
- Ebony Mail
- Mace of Molag Bal
- Masque of Clavicus Vile
- Mehrunes’ Razor
- Oghma Infinium
- Ring of Namira
- Rueful Axe (DOES NOT COUNT)
- Sanguine Rose
- Savior’s Hide/Ring of Hircine
- Skull of Corruption
- Spellbreaker
- Volendrung
- Wabbajack
Final Thoughts: Embrace the Daedric Path
Earning the Oblivion Walker achievement is a testament to your dedication and strategic thinking in Skyrim. It requires careful planning, a willingness to make difficult choices, and perhaps a bit of ruthlessness. By understanding the requirements, avoiding the pitfalls, and following the tips outlined in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to claiming this coveted achievement. Good luck, Dragonborn!