Master the Art of Enchanting Weapons, Armor, and Gear for Maximum Power
Enchanting in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered transforms basic gear into powerful magical artifacts. Whether you’re sneaking through shadows or swinging a Daedric hammer, understanding enchanting mechanics gives you a definitive edge.
How Enchanting Works in Oblivion Remastered
There are two main methods of enchanting:
1. Enchanting at Altars Using Soul Gems
This is the traditional method and offers full control.
Where to Enchant:
- Frostcrag Spire (east of Bruma): Fastest access. Requires Magetallow Candles from Aurelinwae (Mystic Emporium, Imperial City) for 3,000 gold.
- Arcane University: Join the Mages Guild and get recommendations from all 7 guild halls (Anvil, Bruma, Chorrol, Cheydinhal, Leyawiin, Skingrad, Bravil), then speak to Raminus Polus.
Enchanting Steps:
- Select gear (armor, weapons, jewelry).
- Choose a filled Soul Gem.
- Select the effect(s) (must know the spell).
- Adjust Magnitude, Area, Duration sliders.
- Review cost: Charge used, Uses before recharge, Gold cost.
- Name and confirm.
Max-Tip: Only weapons can hold multiple enchantments at once via altars. Armor/jewelry can hold only one effect.
2. Using Sigil Stones (No Magic Skills Required)
A powerful and beginner-friendly method.
How to Get:
- Close Oblivion Gates.
- Save before grabbing the Sigil Stone at the top tower to “save-scum” for desired effect.
Tiers:
| Tier | Level Range | Example Effects |
|---|---|---|
| Descendant | 1–4 | Fire Damage 5pts / Resist Cold 15% |
| Subjacent | 5–8 | Shock Damage 10pts / Fortify Strength |
| Latent | 9–12 | Frost Damage 15pts / Resist Fire 25% |
| Ascendant | 13–16 | Disintegrate Armor / Fortify Magicka |
| Transcendent | 17+ | Chameleon 25% / Absorb Health |
To Use:
- In inventory, click the Sigil Stone.
- Select weapon or armor.
- Name and confirm.
Sigil Stones can apply exclusive effects like Resist Magic, Spell Absorption, or Chameleon, which are unavailable at altars.
Soul Gems: Sizes, Refill Mechanics, and Usage
| Soul Gem | Max Soul Capacity | Recharge Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petty | Petty Soul | ~150 pts | Basic, very limited |
| Lesser | Lesser Soul | ~400 pts | Moderate enemies |
| Common | Common Soul | ~800 pts | Common for general use |
| Greater | Greater Soul | ~1,200 pts | High-end gear |
| Grand / Black | Grand or NPC Soul | ~1,600 pts | Highest possible |
| Azura’s Star | Reusable Grand | ~1,600 pts | Infinite use; complete Azura’s Daedric Quest |
Where to Get Soul Gems
- Vendors: General Stores & Mage Guild vendors.
- Loot: Dungeons, ruins, and especially trap doors in places like Ceyatatar Gorihame (north of The Gold Road). Re-loot after 72 in-game hours.
- Black Soul Gems: Found or created via necromancer altars every 8 days (during Mages Guild questline).
Read More: Oblivion Lockpicking Guide: Master Every Lock Easily
How to Fill Soul Gems
Soul Trap Spell:
- Buy from vendors (e.g., Druja in Skingrad, Warlock’s Luck).
- Requires Mysticism Level 25+ (Apprentice).
- Cast just before killing a creature. The purple glow = active trap.
Combat Tip:
- Bind Soul Trap to hotkey.
- Use weapons enchanted with Soul Trap for seamless soul harvesting.
How to Recharge Weapons
3 Methods to Recharge
- Use a filled Soul Gem from inventory.
- Pay a Mage (1 gold per charge point):
Recharge NPCs:
| NPC | Location |
|---|---|
| Aurelinwae | Imperial City – Mystic Emporium |
| Martina Floria | Arcane University |
| Marc Gulitte | Anvil Mages Guild |
| Ita Rienus | Bravil Mages Guild |
| Volanaro | Bruma Mages Guild |
| Uurwen | Cheydinhal Mages Guild |
| Contumeliorus Florius | Chorrol Mages Guild |
| Agata | Leyawiin Mages Guild |
| Vigge the Cautious | Skingrad Mages Guild |
Use Varla Stones (instant full recharge of all enchanted items):
- Rare (only 59 in game), found in Ayleid ruins.
- Best used in emergencies or when multiple weapons are empty.
Best Weapons to Enchant (with Ideal Effects)
| Weapon | Base DMG | Weight | Suggested Enchantments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akaviri Katana | 14 | 20 | Fire Damage + Soul Trap |
| Akaviri Dai-Katana | 16 | 24 | Disintegrate Armor + Paralyze |
| Daedric Bow | 21 | 22 | Frost/Fire/Shock + Soul Trap |
| Daedric Warhammer | 28 | 93 | Drain Fatigue + Drain Health |
| Daedric Claymore | 26 | 62 | Triple Elemental + Soul Trap |
| Daedric Shortsword | 21 | 22 | Drain Speed + Disintegrate Armor |
| Daedric War Axe | 22 | 40 | Drain Fatigue + Drain Armor |
| Daedric Battleaxe | 26 | 76 | Fire + Drain Health + Soul Trap |
Best Armor Enchantments
| Effect | Where to Get | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Chameleon (25%) | Sigil Stone only | Partial invisibility (stack for 100%) |
| Fortify Magicka | Altar or Sigil | Bigger spell pool |
| Resist Magic | Sigil Stone only | Mitigates spell damage |
| Feather | Altar or Sigil | Boost carry weight |
| Spell Absorption | Sigil Stone only | Converts enemy spells into Magicka |
Pro Tips
- Use Greater Souls on weapons with expensive multi-effect enchantments.
- Don’t waste Grand Souls on single-effect items like Feather or Light.
- Always carry a backup Soul Trap weapon to keep recharging your gear.
- If using enchanted bows, enchant arrows separately for a double effect.
Read More: Oblivion Remastered Fatal Error: How to Fix Crashes (2025)
Final Thoughts
Enchanting in Oblivion Remastered is the difference between average builds and legendary characters. From unlocking hidden altars to managing soul economy, mastering this system rewards deep knowledge and experimentation.
With this guide, you now have everything from loot farming tricks to enchanting UI mastery to become the most powerful mage-warrior in Cyrodiil.
