The Elder Scrolls series is a poster child of Bethesda studio. There are five main installments and the MMORPG The Elder Scrolls Online, which still gets updates. One of the mainline titles is Oblivion, the fourth installment in the long-standing series, and has been kept alive on life support by modders.
When released it was as buggy as any other Bethesda game, but things have since changed thanks to the relentless efforts of the community. In this list, we explore some of the most popular and useful mods for Oblivion.
20. Beautiful People
As the name says, Beautiful People enhances the appearance of characters throughout the game. Citizens, NPCs, and even companions receive visual upgrades, making them look more diverse and aesthetically pleasing. This gives another Immersive experience in a Cyrodiil populated by attractive characters that feel more alive.
19. Kvatch Rebuilt
This mod adds new content and quests to the once-devastated city of Kvatch. You will be able to explore the city’s reconstruction efforts, participate in unique quests that shape its future, and interact with new citizens who call Kvatch home. You will get to experience the city’s recovery firsthand and play a role in its destiny. Kvatch Rebuilt breathes new life into a familiar location, offering a chance to see the city rebuild and contribute to its future.
18. Utility Mods (Oblivion Script Extender (OBSE), Blockhead, Oblivion mod manager)
These are several mods that are the foundation for a smooth modded experience.
- Oblivion Script Extender (OBSE): OBSE is a powerful engine for mods. It allows modders to create more complex features and functionality that wouldn’t be possible with the base game. It’s the foundation for many advanced mods.
- Blockhead: This in-game tool helps manage various aspects of mods. It allows you to activate or deactivate specific features within a mod, fine-tune settings, and troubleshoot any problems that might appear.
- Oblivion Mod Manager: Installing and managing mods can get complicated. Oblivion mod managers simplify the process. They allow you to browse mods, download them with a click, and handle installation and uninstallation in a user-friendly way.
17. Better Dungeons
Better Dungeons redesigns dungeons with new layouts, featuring traps, puzzles, and challenging encounters that test your combat skills and problem-solving abilities. There will be no more predictable corridors and tunnels filled with the same enemies. Each entry will give you a fresh adventure.
16. Companion Mods (Companion Vilja)
Adventuring alone can get lonely. Companion mods introduce new companions like Vilja who offer unique personalities, storylines, and commentary throughout your journey. Find a loyal friend to share the road, offering support, conversation, and a fresh perspective on your adventures.
15. Immersion Mods (Voices For Female Dremora, Ascension – Immersive Vanilla Overhaul)
When it comes to immersion mods you will want to add any you find as they add more details to the world. One of the mods adds voice acting for specific creatures like Female Dremora, making the world feel more alive. Another tweaks various aspects of the vanilla game for a more realistic feel.
14. Universal Silent Voice
Universal Silent Voice fixes audio bugs and ensures characters speak their lines properly. If you have found some audio glitches, this mode will fix it. You will no more struggle to follow the story due to audio glitches that can break your immersion.
13. Unique Landscapes Compilation & Weather
This compilation combines various mods to create unique landscapes with diverse features and realistic weather patterns. If you opt for this mod, you will be able to explore rolling hills, experience unpredictable snowstorms, or go through dense fog in swampy regions. Simply put, the world becomes more visually stunning and geographically diverse.
12. Balanced NPC Level Cap & Balanced Creature Stats
These mods give a more balanced experience by adjusting NPC and creature-level scaling. When you add this mod to Oblivion, you can expect a challenge that grows with your character, which will prevent late-game encounters from becoming trivial.
11. Alternative Start Arrive By Ship
Alternative Start allows you to choose a starting location and roleplay your character’s arrival in the world. You can start your adventure as a shipwrecked sailor on the coast, a prisoner escaping from jail, or a weary traveler arriving in a bustling city. Dive right into the heart of the adventure without having to repeat the same opening sequence.
10. Improved Trees And Flora
Improved Trees and Flora 2 adds a variety of trees and plants which creates a denser and more visually stunning natural environment. Instead of just landscapes, this one brings forests, flora, hidden groves, and more. All of these you will be able to explore, giving you a new world outside the cities.
9. Deadly Reflex
Deadly Reflex introduces new combat moves and animations for you and your enemies. This is a complete overhaul of swordplay with dodges, parries, and critical hits, making combat feel more smoother and exciting. Enemies will come at you with new attack patterns, requiring you to learn and adapt your tactics for a more challenging experience.
8. Midas Magic Spells of Aurum
Midas Magic Spells offers a vast collection of new spells, significantly expanding your magical arsenal. From powerful offensive options like fiery meteors to clever utility spells like invisibility. This mod adds plenty to the game and lets you play with new spells, both offensive and defensive.
7. Natural Environments
Natural Environments enhance weather effects, making rain feel heavier, storms more dramatic, and sunshine more vibrant. Water visuals are also improved with this mode, with realistic reflections and ripples. There are also buzzing insects, which adds fun to the game, while some spacial and ambient sounds bring the world to life, creating a vivid atmosphere.
6. Better Cities
Just like Better Dungeons, Better Cities expands existing locations with a significant population boost. When you add this mode you will get the bustling streets filled with new NPCs, additional buildings offering shops and services, and even new quests to discover within the city walls.
5. Unofficial Oblivion Patch (UOP)
UOP fixes hundreds of glitches that cause crashes, broken quests, and wonky gameplay. It will stop unexpected shutdowns during quests or combat. It also ensures weapon damage works right and spells have intended effects. It fixes missing items, textures, and dialogue for a complete experience. Moreover, UOP corrects typos in descriptions for clear quest goals. This fan-made patch smooths Oblivion’s gameplay for a bug-free adventure.
4. Immersive Weapons
When you spend hours in the game, Oblivion weapons might feel a tad bland. Immersive Weapons adds a variety of new lore-friendly armaments to your arsenal. From war hammers to elegant elven blades, the mod expands your options for combat. These weapons are not just visually impressive, but fit seamlessly into the world of Cyrodiil, offering new experience for veteran players.
3. Qarl’s Texture Pack II
The age of Oblivion’s graphics isn’t getting any younger? Qarl’s Texture Pack II is your answer! This mod upgrades textures throughout the game, replacing blurry visuals with sharper, higher-resolution versions. Buildings, landscapes, objects, everything gains more detail, making Cyrodiil look crisp and fresh. If you opt for this mod, you will get a visually enhanced Oblivion that better reflects the world’s richness.
2. DarNified UI
Oblivion’s clunky menus can be annoying. Nevertheless, DarNified UI is the solution! Designed for PC players, this mod overhauls the user interface. With this mod, menus become user-friendly with clearer information layout, easier navigation, and customizable fonts. This one ends hours of squinting at tiny text or struggling with awkward menus that slow down your gameplay. Enjoy a more streamlined and visually appealing experience as you explore Cyrodiil.
1. Oblivion Character Overhaul
When you get tired of all those rough-looking faces in Oblivion then you need to get the Oblivion Character Overhaul mod. This mod revamps player characters and NPCs! What you can expect are sharper features, improved textures, and details like wrinkles or scars. While it gives fantastic benefits, it avoids overly drastic changes, keeping the characters recognizable. The final result is a more visually appealing Cyrodiil filled with inhabitants who look less like potato people.
These are just 20 out of many other Oblivion mods. These mods improve the overall experience throughout your eponymous adventure. No matter how good these are, don’t forget that Oblivion was released all the way back in 2006.