The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Unique & Daedric Artifacts

Find unique and powerful Daedric Artifacts like Mehrunes Razor in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, completing quests for potent gear and enchantments.

Unique & Daedric Artifacts

Cyrodiil is home to many unique and powerful items, including legendary Daedric Artifacts. These items often have powerful, unique enchantments and are acquired through specific quests, particularly the Daedric Shrine quests. Seeking out these artifacts is a rewarding endeavor, often yielding some of the most potent gear in the game. Examples include Mehrunes Razor, the Mace of Molag Bal, and the Ring of Khajiit. This section will guide you on how to initiate and progress through these quests to claim these legendary rewards.

Unique & Daedric Artifacts - The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion screenshot
Unique & Daedric Artifacts

Obtaining Daedric Artifacts: The Shrine Quests

The vast majority of Daedric Artifacts are obtained by completing quests for the Daedric Princes. These quests are typically initiated by reaching a certain level and then encountering a shrine dedicated to a specific Daedric Prince. The game will often notify you when you are near a shrine, or you might stumble upon them during your travels.

General Mechanics of Daedric Shrine Quests:

  • Level Requirement: Most Daedric quests have a minimum character level requirement before they can be initiated. This ensures you are adequately prepared for the challenges ahead.
  • Finding Shrines: Daedric shrines are scattered throughout Cyrodiil, often in remote or hidden locations. They are usually marked on your map once discovered. Traveling through different regions and exploring off the beaten path is key to finding them.
  • Initiation: Upon reaching a shrine, you will often find an NPC or a specific item that triggers the quest. Sometimes, simply being in the vicinity of the shrine at the right time of day or night can also initiate the quest.
  • Quest Progression: Each quest is unique and involves a specific task given by the Daedric Prince or their followers. These tasks can range from retrieving an item, performing a ritual, or even committing a morally ambiguous act.
  • Rewards: Upon successful completion of the quest, the Daedric Prince will bestow upon you a powerful artifact. The nature of the artifact is often tied to the Prince's domain and personality.
  • Failing Quests: Be aware that some Daedric quests can be failed if you make certain choices or fail to complete objectives within a given timeframe. This can result in not receiving the artifact.

Notable Daedric Artifacts and Their Quests

Below is a selection of some of the most sought-after Daedric Artifacts, along with information on how to acquire them. the exact quest triggers and steps can sometimes vary slightly based on your character's level and choices.

1. Mehrunes' Razor (Dagger)

Associated Daedric Prince: Mehrunes Dagon, Prince of Destruction, Revolution, and Ambition.

Quest Name: Mehrunes' Razor

Initiation: This quest can be initiated once you reach Level 20. You will receive a letter from a courier asking you to visit the shrine of Mehrunes Dagon. The shrine is located in the mountainous region north of Cheydinhal.

Quest Steps:

  1. Travel to the Shrine of Mehrunes Dagon.
  2. Speak with the statue of Mehrunes Dagon. He will tell you that the Razor was stolen by a cultist named Silvanus.
  3. Travel to the city of Sedor, located in the northwestern part of the map, south of Bruma.
  4. Enter Sedor and confront Silvanus. He will be guarded by several cultists.
  5. Defeat Silvanus and his followers.
  6. Retrieve Mehrunes' Razor from Silvanus's body.

Mehrunes' Razor Stats:

  • Damage: 8
  • Speed: 13
  • Weight: 5
  • Enchantment: 5% chance to instantly kill any target.

Strategy Tip: The cultists in Sedor can be tough. Consider using area-of-effect spells or poisons to deal with groups. Silvanus himself is not particularly strong, but he is surrounded.

2. Mace of Molag Bal (Mace)

Associated Daedric Prince: Molag Bal, Prince of Domination, Enslavement, and Corruption.

Quest Name: The Collector

Initiation: This quest can be initiated at Level 17. You will receive a journal entry about a collector named Arriana Valna who is seeking Daedric artifacts. You can find her in the city of Morthal, in the northern part of Skyrim.

Quest Steps:

  1. Travel to Morthal and find Arriana Valna.
  2. She will ask you to retrieve the Mace of Molag Bal from her father's tomb.
  3. Go to the tomb of Arriana's father, located in the northern part of Morthal.
  4. Navigate through the tomb, defeating undead enemies.
  5. At the end of the tomb, you will find the Mace of Molag Bal.
  6. Return the Mace to Arriana Valna.

Mace of Molag Bal Stats:

  • Damage: 12
  • Speed: 1.30
  • Weight: 18
  • Enchantment: Drains 20 points of Magicka and 20 points of Health on target.

Strategy Tip: The tomb is filled with various undead. Bring Daedric resistance or use spells that are effective against them. The Mace of Molag Bal is excellent for draining enemy resources while bolstering your own.

3. Ring of Khajiit (Ring)

Associated Daedric Prince: Azura, Goddess of Dusk and Dawn, Magic, and Prophecy.

Quest Name: The Azura's Star

Initiation: This quest can be initiated at any level after you've spoken to at least three different people about Azura. You can also find Azura's Shrine in the mountains east of Balmora, in Morrowind.

Quest Steps:

  1. Travel to Azura's Shrine.
  2. Speak to the statue of Azura. She will ask you to retrieve her artifact, Azura's Star, from a necromancer named Vayel.
  3. Travel to the cave of Vayel, located in the northern part of Skyrim.
  4. Defeat Vayel and his minions.
  5. Retrieve Azura's Star.
  6. Return Azura's Star to the shrine.

Ring of Khajiit Stats:

  • Weight: 0.5
  • Enchantment: Increases Agility by 25 points and grants 50% Chameleon.

Strategy Tip: The cave of Vayel is filled with powerful undead and mages. The Ring of Khajiit is invaluable for stealth builds, allowing you to become virtually invisible.

4. Spell Breaker (Shield)

Associated Daedric Prince: Peryite, the Taskmaster, Prince of Pestilence and Lowest Orders.

Quest Name: The Rite of Ascension

Initiation: This quest can be initiated at Level 10. You will receive a journal entry about a plague that has broken out in the village of Silverfish. The shrine of Peryite is located in the western part of the map, south of the Imperial City.

Quest Steps:

  1. Travel to the shrine of Peryite.
  2. Speak to the statue of Peryite. He will tell you that the plague is a test of your worthiness.
  3. You will need to find a cure for the plague. This involves collecting rare ingredients and performing a ritual.
  4. Once the plague is cured, return to the shrine.
  5. Peryite will reward you with Spell Breaker.

Spell Breaker Stats:

  • Armor: 20
  • Weight: 12
  • Enchantment: Absorbs 50% of incoming spell damage.

Strategy Tip: This quest involves a bit of a fetch quest for ingredients and a small puzzle element. The shield is incredibly useful against mages and spellcasting enemies.

5. Sanguine Rose (Mace)

Associated Daedric Prince: Sanguine, Prince of Revelry, Debauchery, and Passion.

Quest Name: A Night to Remember

Initiation: This quest can be initiated at Level 14. You will receive a journal entry about a party being thrown by a nobleman named Duke Janus Hassildor. The shrine of Sanguine is located in the northern part of the map, west of Skingrad.

Quest Steps:

  1. Travel to the shrine of Sanguine.
  2. Speak to the statue of Sanguine. He will tell you that you need to help him host a party.
  3. You will need to gather various items for the party, including food, drink, and entertainment.
  4. Once the party is ready, speak to Sanguine.
  5. He will reward you with the Sanguine Rose.

Sanguine Rose Stats:

  • Damage: 10
  • Speed: 1.30
  • Weight: 12
  • Enchantment: Summons a powerful Daedra to fight for you once per day.

Strategy Tip: The party involves a series of mini-quests to gather supplies. The Sanguine Rose is a fantastic tool for turning the tide of battle by summoning a powerful ally.

Important Considerations for Daedric Quests:

  • Choices Matter: Some Daedric quests have multiple outcomes based on your choices. For example, with the Daedric Prince of Clavicus Vile, your decision regarding his dog, Barbas, will determine which artifact you receive.
  • Missable Artifacts: If you fail a quest or make a choice that angers the Daedric Prince, you may permanently miss out on obtaining their artifact. Always read quest objectives carefully and consider the consequences of your actions.
  • Level Scaling: While most Daedric artifacts have fixed stats, some enemies within the quests may scale with your level. Ensure you are prepared for challenging encounters.
  • Exploration is Key: Many Daedric shrines are not on the main quest path. Dedicate time to exploring the wilderness of Cyrodiil to find these hidden locations and their powerful rewards.