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Mastering Custom Spells in Oblivion

Mastering Custom Spells in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered: A Comprehensive Guide

1. Corrections and Clarifications

In a prior guide on enchanting, there were inaccuracies regarding the order of spell effects and stacking calculations. Through console testing, it's confirmed that custom spell effects activate from top to bottom. Effects from the same spell cast do not interact with each other, meaning a weakness applied in the same cast won't boost subsequent effects. This changes how we design spells for maximum efficiency.

2. Accessing the Spellmaking Altar

To create custom spells, you need access to one of two altars:

  • Arcane University (Capital City): Unlocked after completing seven Mage Guild recommendation quests.
  • Frostcrag Spire (northern map): Activated using a Candelarum purchased from a magic shop in the capital's market district (expensive but accessible early).

3. Spell Creation Interface and Mechanics

  • Effect Selection: Only spells you know and can cast (based on skill levels) appear in the left menu. Add effects to the right to build your custom spell.
  • Key Settings:
    • Target Type: Touch (short-range, high accuracy), Target (projectile, medium range), or Self (instant self-effect).
    • Intensity: Determines damage value (for damage spells) or percentage (for weaknesses/boosts).
    • Range: Applies to area-of-effect spells, measured in feet (spherical radius).
    • Duration: Up to 120 seconds; for damage spells, longer durations mean multiple ticks of damage.
  • Cost and Limits: Higher intensity or multiple effects increase gold cost and magicka usage. Ensure your magic skill level matches the spell's complexity.

4. Must-Try Custom Spells

4.1 Damage Spells

  • Elemental Mix Spell: Combine Fire, Frost, and Shock damage (e.g., 30 points each) for versatile damage at lower magicka cost than single-element spells.
  • Weakness Chains:
    • Single Spell: Apply "Weakness to Shock" (100%) + "Weakness to Magic" (100%) in separate casts to stack effects exponentially.
    • Dual-Spell Combo: Create two different-named weakness spells (e.g., "Weakness I" and "Weakness II") to bypass the game's same-name ffect replacement rule, allowing stackable 200%+ weaknesses.
  • Stunlock with Paralysis: Add a 1-second paralysis to weakness spells to interrupt enemies and set up guaranteed follow-up attacks.

4.2 Utility and Support Spells

  • Max Armor Buff: Apply "Fortify Armor 85" (physical armor cap) + stat boosts (e.g., 100 Intelligence for magicka-heavy builds).
  • Cheat-Style Skills:
    • Instant Repair: 1-second "Fortify Armorer 100" to repair items without durability loss.
    • Weightless Looting: 1-second "Fortify Strength 100" to bypass carry weight limits during fast travel.
  • Mount Enhancements: "Fortify Speed 100" + "Light" spell for faster horses with night vision.

4.3 Exploit: Infinite Magicka Trick

Design a spell with "Fortify Magicka 100," "Fortify Intelligence 100," and "Absorb Magicka 100" (4-second duration). Pair it with a cursed ring that drains magicka. Spam the spell until magicka goes negative, then equip the ring to glitch your magicka pool into the thousands. Works best with the Atronach constellation for passive regen.

5. Core Calculations and Stacking Rules

5.1 Effect Order and Interaction

  • Execution Order: Effects process from top to bottom in the spell list.
  • Stacking Rules:
    • Same-Named Effects: Replaced, not stacked (e.g., casting "Weakness to Fire" twice overwrites the previous effect).
    • Different-Named Effects: Stackable (e.g., "Weakness A" and "Weakness B" both apply 100% fire weakness, totaling 200%).

5.2 Damage Formula

Damage Multiplier = (1 - Enemy Resistance) × (1 + Elemental Weakness Total) × (1 + Magic Weakness Total)

  • Example: With 100% Fire Weakness and 100% Magic Weakness, damage multiplies by (1) × (2) × (2) = 4x.
  • Advanced Combo: Use two different weakness spells to stack 200%+ weaknesses, leading to multipliers exceeding 10x in just a few casts.

6. Strategy for Master Difficulty

Create three spells: two unique weakness spells and one damage spell. Alternate casting the weaknesses to stack effects, then finish with the damage spell. Even a base 48-damage spell can秒杀 (instant-kill) most enemies after 3-4 stacks, thanks to the exponential multiplier.

With these insights, you can design spells that trivialize high-difficulty content or create quirky utilities to enhance immersion. Share your most OP spell designs in the comments!

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