# Two weeks to..... Oblivion

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-weeks-to-oblivion/347180>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [March 5, 2006, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-weeks-to-oblivion/347180 "2006-03-05T21:40:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 20

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**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\
**Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-weeks-to-oblivion/347180/381 "2006-04-04T19:37:42Z")

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> [@SenorBeef](#):
>
> I’ve sold thousands of items. I’ve clicked the confirm button hundreds of times. How many times have I accidentally sold something? Maybe twice, if at all. Solution? Reload the autosave to when you got in the shop.
> 
> So… in order to prevent me from making a mistake that’s easily correctible, it forces me to make my bartering experience take 3x as long, and involve lots of tedious, pointless mouse clicking. Terrible design. They should have, at least, added a shift-click command or something that sells without confirmation.

Or hotkey (as I prefer issuing commands with a keyboard over a mouse). The ability to sell multiple items in a group would be nice, also.

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**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\
**Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-weeks-to-oblivion/347180/382 "2006-04-04T19:59:01Z")

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I admit it’s kinda nice after you’ve sold a few things, and see your Mercantile go up, to have a chance to adjust your haggling level.

On the other hand, since your Mercantile score goes up _per item_ rather than by total value, you get the best bang for your buck (skill-wise) that way.

So… theoretically if you were to, I dunno, run around the Imperial City and harvest every damn mushroom and flower you could find, and end up with a hundred mushroom bits and dozens of water lilies and stuff, and… oh, sell them all one at a time back to the merchant… well, that hypothetical Wood Elf agent… er … hypothetical, wholly imaginary character might gain quite a bit of Mercantile in one go.

In theory. 😃

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**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\
**Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-weeks-to-oblivion/347180/383 "2006-04-04T21:10:51Z")

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What theory. That describes my first few levels of _Morrowind_. If it ain’t nailed down, pick it up. Sell it, one at a time.

Guess I’m getting impatient in my old age. I don’t think I could ever go back and play _Daggerfall_ again as a linguist. That was a tough one.

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**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\
**Post date:** [April 5, 2006, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-weeks-to-oblivion/347180/384 "2006-04-05T16:01:26Z")

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I’ve finished the Order of the Virtuous Blood quest and have become a member of this (mini) faction. Now, every time I kill a vampire, I can return the dust for 250 gold.

Does anyone know if I can rise in levels in this faction? It doesn’t seem as if there are other quests from the Imperial City group, but maybe there are other groups in the outlying cities?

Second, those Knightwits of the Thorn around Cheyindal…whatta buncha maroons! I’m stealthy and prefer to kill things from far away long before they see me (especially as I just hit a new level grouping of monsters). So what do these heavily-armored, clanking, clinking, silent as a Quiet Riot concert nitwits do? Charge everything AND get in the way of my arrows. Idiots! I really do want to return these morons alive, but they are making it difficult.

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**Author:** ![Johnny\_Angel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d26b3c/32.png) [@Johnny\_Angel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Angel)\
**Post date:** [April 5, 2006, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-weeks-to-oblivion/347180/385 "2006-04-05T17:46:11Z")

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I don’t know about using marksmanship, but I found that I got off a lot more sneak attacks when I had a tank (the Orc Knight) that the enemies concentrated on while I slipped up behind them.

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**Author:** ![wonderlust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonderlust/32/7237_2.png) [@wonderlust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonderlust)\
**Post date:** [April 5, 2006, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-weeks-to-oblivion/347180/386 "2006-04-05T18:03:56Z")

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The ultimate [Tweak Guide for Oblivion](http://www.tweakguides.com/Oblivion_1.html) is up today. It’s not just tweaks for geeks but includes comprehensive information about all the settings, hints, and tips (including recommended mods). The author has put up several other really valuable guides.

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**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\
**Post date:** [April 5, 2006, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-weeks-to-oblivion/347180/387 "2006-04-05T19:09:04Z")

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I find that unchecking mods in the data files screen doesn’t actually deactivate the mod. What the hell is the point of that screen, then?

Does moving/deleting the mod files remove their effect? Is there some other way?

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**Author:** ![DeadlyAccurate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@DeadlyAccurate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadlyAccurate)\
**Post date:** [April 5, 2006, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-weeks-to-oblivion/347180/388 "2006-04-05T20:25:09Z")

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It’s always deactivated it for me. What mod are you trying to deactivate? Deleting the mod should also work.

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**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\
**Post date:** [April 5, 2006, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-weeks-to-oblivion/347180/389 "2006-04-05T20:39:22Z")

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It appears that some deactivated, and some didn’t. The “no obsolete monsters” mod didn’t deactivate - I still see obsolete monsters, and the turn lights off mod is still in effect.

However, when I turned off deadlier sneaking, for example, it went back to normal.

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**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\
**Post date:** [April 6, 2006, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-weeks-to-oblivion/347180/390 "2006-04-06T04:51:31Z")

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Can I ask some questions about gameplay?

I know they have horses, but you can’t fight from horseback. How does this play out? Do you have to dismount to fight? Can you gallop off to escape danger? If you can quick travel from point to point, why do you need the horse? Are there any mods out there to allow mounted combat?

As you can see, I am keen to learn more about the horses in the game.

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**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\
**Post date:** [April 6, 2006, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-weeks-to-oblivion/347180/391 "2006-04-06T04:53:31Z")

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> [@madmonk28](#):
>
> Can I ask some questions about gameplay?
> 
> I know they have horses, but you can’t fight from horseback. How does this play out? Do you have to dismount to fight? Can you gallop off to escape danger? If you can quick travel from point to point, why do you need the horse? Are there any mods out there to allow mounted combat?
> 
> As you can see, I am keen to learn more about the horses in the game.

Yes (dismount to fight). Yes (gallop to escape danger… yet some baddies will follow you). And while you can quick travel you will miss a lot of random dungeons if you don’t ride or walk down the path.

I don’t know of any mods for mounted combat, but some will probably come soon.

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**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\
**Post date:** [April 6, 2006, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-weeks-to-oblivion/347180/392 "2006-04-06T04:57:44Z")

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> [@madmonk28](#):
>
> I know they have horses, but you can’t fight from horseback. How does this play out? Do you have to dismount to fight? Can you gallop off to escape danger? If you can quick travel from point to point, why do you need the horse? Are there any mods out there to allow mounted combat?

Yes, you dismount to fight, and your horse will actually help you fight.

Yes, you can just keep on gallopin’ if you want.

As for the quick travel, it’s kind of a shame that it doesn’t really matter if you have the horse or not, however you can’t quick travel to a location you haven’t yet visited (aside from the cities), so this is where the horse can be helpful.

Don’t know about mods to allow mounted combat. I feel like you should at least be able to use your bow & arrow on horseback!

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**Author:** ![Mbossa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@Mbossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mbossa)\
**Post date:** [April 6, 2006, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-weeks-to-oblivion/347180/393 "2006-04-06T05:05:54Z")

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Horses aren’t as useful as I was hoping, mainly because you have to dismount to fight. You do have more of a chance of escaping enemies on horseback than on foot (obviously because horses are faster), but there are still some enemies that can catch up to a horse.

Quick travel only works when the destination is either a major town or a landmark you’ve been to before. Horses are a fast way to get to a destination that someone just put on your map, and to explore the wilderness in general. But the required dismount for combat, combined with the fact that riding a horse doesn’t increase any skills (running increases Athletics), makes them a bit disappointing.

On preview, two people got in before me. Too bad, I’m posting anyway 😛

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**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\
**Post date:** [April 6, 2006, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-weeks-to-oblivion/347180/394 "2006-04-06T05:30:13Z")

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> [@Rigamarole](#):
>
> As for the quick travel, it’s kind of a shame that it doesn’t really matter if you have the horse or not,

What do you mean? The travel time calculation takes your horse into account - what else are you looking for?

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**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\
**Post date:** [April 6, 2006, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-weeks-to-oblivion/347180/395 "2006-04-06T11:27:46Z")

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At the risk of sounding like I have a fetish, can I ask one more horse question?

Can you have more than one horse, so you can ride one and use the other as a pack animal?

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**Author:** ![cckerberos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@cckerberos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cckerberos)\
**Post date:** [April 6, 2006, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-weeks-to-oblivion/347180/396 "2006-04-06T11:44:03Z")

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> [@madmonk28](#):
>
> At the risk of sounding like I have a fetish, can I ask one more horse question?
> 
> Can you have more than one horse, so you can ride one and use the other as a pack animal?

No. There is a [saddlebags mod](http://www.elderscrolls.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=316729&hl=saddlebag) out there, though.

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**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\
**Post date:** [April 6, 2006, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-weeks-to-oblivion/347180/397 "2006-04-06T11:45:15Z")

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Speaking of mods and such, does anybody know anything, at all, about a mod/patch/act of God designed to fix the Clavicus Vile quest bug for the 360?

Pretty please?

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**Author:** ![cckerberos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@cckerberos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cckerberos)\
**Post date:** [April 6, 2006, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-weeks-to-oblivion/347180/398 "2006-04-06T12:14:37Z")

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> [@FinnAgain](#):
>
> Speaking of mods and such, does anybody know anything, at all, about a mod/patch/act of God designed to fix the Clavicus Vile quest bug for the 360?
> 
> Pretty please?

Nope. There does seem to be a [work around](http://www.elderscrolls.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=335690&hl=Clavicus) available if you have a savegame from before the quest, though.

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**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\
**Post date:** [April 6, 2006, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-weeks-to-oblivion/347180/399 "2006-04-06T12:18:07Z")

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> [@cckerberos](#):
>
> Nope. There does seem to be a [work around](http://www.elderscrolls.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=335690&hl=Clavicus) available if you have a savegame from before the quest, though.

Thank you very much for that, but, unfortunately, I don’t have any save games that are quite that early.

Blarg… I just hope that Bethesda patches that bastid.

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**Author:** ![cckerberos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@cckerberos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cckerberos)\
**Post date:** [April 6, 2006, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-weeks-to-oblivion/347180/400 "2006-04-06T14:08:12Z")

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Having played Oblivion, is anyone else worried about the future of the Fallout franchise? I quite enjoyed Oblivion (and Morrowind before it), but nothing in either game showed me that Bethesda is ready to do a true Fallout 3.

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