Missable Daedric Artifacts in Skyrim: A Completionist’s Guide
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Navigating the treacherous and morally ambiguous quests for Daedric artifacts in Skyrim can be a daunting task, especially for those aiming for the elusive Oblivion Walker achievement/trophy. A single wrong decision can lock you out of an artifact and force a replay or a painful reload. So, which artifacts are particularly prone to being missed?
The most notably missable Daedric Artifacts are:
- Masque of Clavicus Vile: This is missed if you choose to obtain the Rueful Axe instead during the quest “A Daedra’s Best Friend.”
- Mehrunes’ Razor: It is generally available if you complete “The Pieces of the Past” and kill Silus Vesuius.
- Ring of Namira: Missed if you decide to kill the Namira cultists during “The Taste of Death” quest.
- Skull of Corruption: Missed if you decide to let Erandur live during the quest “Waking Nightmare” and destroy the Skull.
Diving Deeper: Understanding the Missable Artifacts
Let’s dissect why these particular artifacts are missable and how to secure them for your collection.
The Masque of Clavicus Vile: A Tale of Two Rewards
The quest “A Daedra’s Best Friend” presents you with a pivotal choice. Clavicus Vile wants you to retrieve the Rueful Axe for him, but ultimately, you have the option to keep it or return it. Choosing to return the axe earns you the Masque of Clavicus Vile, a powerful helm. However, if you keep the Rueful Axe, you miss out on the Masque. Critically, the Rueful Axe does NOT count toward the Oblivion Walker achievement, making the Masque the only viable option for completionists.
Mehrunes’ Razor: A Moral Quandary
The “Pieces of the Past” quest involves rebuilding Mehrunes’ Razor, a fearsome dagger. Once you reforge the dagger, you’re faced with a choice: kill Silus Vesuius at the behest of Mehrunes Dagon, or spare him. Killing Silus is the necessary step to claim Mehrunes’ Razor. Sparing Silus means foregoing the artifact entirely.
The Ring of Namira: Cannibalism’s Price
“The Taste of Death” explores the darker side of Skyrim, involving a cult dedicated to the Daedric Prince Namira, who revels in cannibalism. To acquire the Ring of Namira, you must join the cult and participate in their gruesome feasts. Killing the cultists will, understandably, lock you out of obtaining the ring. This quest is not for the faint of heart, but it’s necessary for the Oblivion Walker.
The Skull of Corruption: A Nightmare Scenario
“Waking Nightmare” tasks you with ending the nightmares plaguing Dawnstar. The quest culminates in a decision about the Skull of Corruption, a staff empowered by dreams. Vaermina wants you to claim the Skull, while Erandur, a former priest, wants to destroy it. To obtain the Skull, you must betray Erandur and claim it for yourself. Allowing Erandur to destroy the Skull means you’ll miss the artifact.
The Oblivion Walker Achievement: It’s All About the Collection
The Oblivion Walker achievement/trophy requires you to collect a specific number of Daedric artifacts within a single playthrough. The precise number can sometimes be confusing due to various in-game choices and conflicting information. What’s important is to secure at least 13 distinct Daedric artifacts in the same playthrough, as the game sometimes offers multiple ways to satisfy the requirement. The Skeleton Key does not count towards the achievement and obtaining both Savior’s Hide and Ring of Hircine during the quest “Ill Met By Moonlight” only count as one artifact.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do I need to have all 15 Daedric Artifacts at once to get the Oblivion Walker achievement?
No. The requirement is to acquire at least 13 distinct Daedric artifacts throughout your playthrough. You don’t need to possess them all simultaneously. As long as you’ve obtained at least 13, even if you’ve sold or discarded some, the achievement should unlock.
2. Does the Skeleton Key count as a Daedric artifact for the Oblivion Walker achievement?
No, the Skeleton Key does not count. While it is technically a Daedric artifact associated with Nocturnal, the game doesn’t recognize it as such for the achievement.
3. Do both the Savior’s Hide and the Ring of Hircine count as separate Daedric artifacts?
No. During the “Ill Met By Moonlight” quest, you can either obtain the Savior’s Hide or the Ring of Hircine. Even if you manage to glitch the game to get both, they only count as one artifact toward the achievement.
4. Can I still get the Oblivion Walker achievement if I missed one of the “missable” artifacts?
Yes, you can still get the Oblivion Walker achievement even if you miss one of the four mentioned, but it requires more diligent collection. The “missable” designation simply highlights artifacts that players frequently overlook or accidentally forfeit due to quest choices. There are more than the required 13 artifacts in total, so it is possible to miss some and still obtain the achievement.
5. Does the Rueful Axe count towards the Oblivion Walker achievement?
Absolutely not. The Rueful Axe does not count as a Daedric artifact. Choosing it over the Masque of Clavicus Vile will permanently prevent you from acquiring one of the necessary artifacts.
6. What happens if I kill Erandur in “Waking Nightmare”?
If you kill Erandur during “Waking Nightmare,” you will still obtain the Skull of Corruption, fulfilling the requirement for that artifact. However, you miss out on having him as a follower, who can be quite useful.
7. Is the Ebony Blade a Daedric artifact? Does it count?
Yes, the Ebony Blade is a Daedric artifact. It is the artifact of Mephala. The Ebony Blade does count towards the Oblivion Walker achievement.
8. Can you list all the Daedric Artifacts needed for the achievement in Skyrim?
Here is a list of all the Daedric Artifacts that count towards Oblivion Walker:
- Azura’s Star/Black Star
- Ebony Blade
- Boethiah’s Calling (Ebony Mail)
- Dawnbreaker
- Mehrunes’ Razor
- Masque of Clavicus Vile
- Molag Bal’s Mace
- Namira’s Ring
- Oghma Infinium
- Sanguine Rose
- Savior’s Hide/Ring of Hircine
- Skull of Corruption
- Volendrung
- Wabbajack
9. Are there any glitches or exploits that can help me get the Oblivion Walker achievement easier?
While some glitches and exploits existed in earlier versions of Skyrim, many have been patched. It’s generally recommended to avoid relying on glitches, as they can sometimes corrupt save files or prevent the achievement from unlocking properly.
10. What’s the recommended level to start pursuing Daedric quests?
Some Daedric quests have level requirements. For example, the “Boethiah’s Calling” quest doesn’t trigger until level 30. Others, like “A Daedra’s Best Friend,” can be started earlier. It’s generally a good idea to be at least level 20 before heavily pursuing Daedric quests to ensure you can handle the challenges and meet the level thresholds.
11. Is it worth getting the Skull of Corruption?
The Skull of Corruption has unique mechanics but it is not the most powerful weapon in the game. It is worth obtaining to obtain the Oblivion Walker achievement.
12. I accidentally completed a quest in a way that prevents me from getting a Daedric artifact. Am I doomed?
Not necessarily. If you have a save file from before the critical decision point in the quest, you can reload that save and make a different choice. This is why frequent saving is highly recommended when dealing with Daedric quests.
13. How do I know if I’ve already acquired a particular Daedric artifact?
The game doesn’t explicitly track which Daedric artifacts you’ve acquired for the achievement. It is recommended to keep a personal checklist or notes to track your progress. Alternatively, you can check your inventory or display cases to confirm whether you possess a particular artifact.
14. Where can I find more resources for the Oblivion Walker achievement and Daedric quests?
There are many online resources available, including the Elder Scrolls Wiki, various Skyrim forums, and YouTube guides. These resources can provide detailed walkthroughs, tips, and strategies for completing Daedric quests and obtaining the necessary artifacts.
15. What makes Skyrim so engaging for learning and strategic decision-making?
Skyrim, like many complex video games, provides a rich environment for learning and strategic decision-making. Players must manage resources, navigate complex social systems, and make choices with lasting consequences. For more on the educational aspects of gaming, check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.
The path to becoming an Oblivion Walker is fraught with peril and moral dilemmas. However, with careful planning, informed choices, and a bit of luck, you can amass your collection of Daedric artifacts and earn this prestigious achievement. Happy hunting, Dragonborn!