Skeleton Key Oblivion: Your Ultimate Guide To Unbreakable Picks And Skill Boosts
Are you tired of breaking lockpicks in the sprawling lands of Cyrodiil? Does the thought of picking a very hard lock fill you with dread? You're not alone, you know. Many players find the lockpicking mini-game in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion a bit tricky. It can be a real pain, especially when you are trying to get into some important places. So, imagine a tool that could make all that trouble just disappear.
Well, there is a special item in the game that can help you out a lot. It is called the Skeleton Key. This item is pretty famous among players. It is a reward that makes things much easier for those who get it. This key is not just for opening doors, either. It has some other cool effects that can help your character grow. Basically, it changes how you approach locked items.
This guide will tell you everything about the Skeleton Key in Oblivion. We will talk about where you find it, what it does, and some interesting things that happen when you use it. We will also cover how it affects your skills and some common questions players have. So, let's get into what makes this item so special for your game time.
Table of Contents
- What is the Skeleton Key in Oblivion?
- How to Get the Skeleton Key
- The Skeleton Key's Special Abilities
- Skeleton Key and Your Security Skill
- Giving the Skeleton Key to Martin
- Common Questions About the Skeleton Key
- Final Thoughts on the Skeleton Key
What is the Skeleton Key in Oblivion?
The Skeleton Key is a truly unique item in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. It is not just any old key, you know. This key is a powerful artifact. It comes from a Daedric Prince. Specifically, it is a reward for completing Nocturnal's Daedric shrine quest. This makes it a very sought-after item. Players often look for it to make their game experience smoother. It's pretty much a big deal for anyone who struggles with locks.
What makes it so special? Well, it has a couple of key features. First, it acts as an unbreakable lockpick. That means you never run out of picks. You can try to open any lock as many times as you need. Second, it gives a permanent boost to your security skill. This boost is quite substantial. It really helps your character become better at opening things. So, it is more than just a tool; it is also a skill enhancer.
Many players, especially those on PC or Xbox 360, have talked about this item. GameFAQs message boards, for instance, have many discussions about it. People ask about its effects. They also wonder about how it works with their skill progression. It is a topic that comes up a lot. This shows just how important the Skeleton Key is to many people who play the game.
How to Get the Skeleton Key
Getting the Skeleton Key involves a specific quest. You need to complete Nocturnal's Daedric shrine quest. This quest is called "Nocturnal." It is a fun little adventure. You will need to travel a bit to find the shrine. But the reward is definitely worth the effort. So, make sure you are ready for a small trip.
Finding Nocturnal's Shrine
To find Nocturnal's shrine, you need to head out of Leyawiin. Go from the east side of the city. Then, just follow the road. You will eventually see a shrine marker appear on your compass. That is how you know you are getting close. You can find the shrine by exploring on your own, or you can get a marker for it. Sometimes, people just stumble upon it. Other times, they actively look for it. It is usually pretty easy to spot once you are in the right area.
You might ask, "Where exactly do you find the Skeleton Key?" Well, it is given to you right at the end of this quest. Once you complete the tasks Nocturnal asks of you, the key becomes yours. It is a very direct reward. There is no hidden chest or anything like that. It is just handed over to you. That is how you get your hands on this useful item.
Quest Requirements
There is one main requirement to begin this quest. You must be level 10 to start it. If your character is not level 10 yet, you will need to gain some more experience. Just keep playing the game, doing other quests, and fighting enemies. You will reach level 10 pretty quickly. Once you hit that level, you can then approach Nocturnal's shrine and begin her quest. It is a simple requirement, but an important one. So, make sure you are ready for it.
The Skeleton Key's Special Abilities
The Skeleton Key has two really important abilities. These abilities make it a must-have for many players. First, and perhaps most famously, it acts as an unbreakable lockpick. This means it never breaks, no matter how many times you fail to pick a lock. You can try over and over again. This is a huge help, especially for those very difficult locks. It saves you money on buying new picks. It also saves you the frustration of running out of them in the middle of a dungeon. You know, that's pretty convenient.
Second, it gives a permanent boost to your security skill. This is a big deal for character progression. When you have the Skeleton Key in your possession, your security skill effectively goes up by 40 points. This boost is always active as long as you have the key. It means you are much better at lockpicking. You can open locks that would normally be too hard for your current skill level. This is a very powerful effect. It really changes how you think about security in the game. Basically, it makes you a master lockpicker almost instantly.
This dual function makes the Skeleton Key incredibly useful. It is not just a tool; it is a skill enhancer. Players on PC and Xbox 360 often talk about how much this key changes their game. It allows them to access areas they might otherwise struggle with. It also makes exploring much more rewarding. So, it is definitely an item worth getting. It makes your life in Cyrodiil a lot easier, to be honest.
Skeleton Key and Your Security Skill
The way the Skeleton Key interacts with your security skill is quite interesting. It is a topic that has led to many discussions among players. People often wonder if it affects how their skill progresses. This is a valid question, as it gives such a large, permanent boost. So, let's look at how it all works.
The Security Skill Boost
As mentioned, the Skeleton Key permanently increases your security level by 40 points. This means if your base security skill is, say, 20, with the key, it acts like 60. This is a massive jump. It allows you to pick much harder locks right away. You do not need to spend hours practicing. You just get the key, and your skill goes up. It is a really quick way to become better at lockpicking. That, is pretty neat.
This boost is active as long as you have the key in your inventory. You do not even need to equip it. Just possessing it gives you the benefit. This is a very powerful passive effect. It means you can use other items in your equipped slots. But you still get the lockpicking bonus. It is a very generous effect, you know. It makes the key even more valuable for your character's abilities.
Potential Skill Progress Concerns
Some players have wondered if the Skeleton Key stops their security skill progress. This is a common concern. For instance, a GameFAQs message board topic titled "skeleton key stop my security skill progress ?!" discusses this very point. The worry is that because you get such a big boost, your actual skill might not go up as fast. Or, it might not go up at all. This is a valid question, especially if security is one of your major skills. You want your character to keep getting better, right?
The key does not stop your skill progress. Your base security skill can still increase through normal gameplay. This means picking locks, even with the Skeleton Key, will still give you experience. Your skill will still go up over time. The 40-point boost is simply added on top of your current base skill. So, you get the best of both worlds. You get the instant help from the key. And you can still train your skill further. It is a really good system, actually.
Glitches and the Unofficial Oblivion Patch
There was a known glitch related to the Skeleton Key. Due to this glitch, if you lost the item, you would still keep the 40 security skill boost. This was a pretty powerful bug. It meant you could get the key, benefit from its boost, and then lose it. But still keep the skill increase. This was a big advantage for some players. It allowed them to free up an item slot. But they kept the skill bonus. It was a bit of an exploit, you know.
However, this glitch was fixed. The Unofficial Oblivion Patch addresses this issue. If you have this patch installed, the glitch does not happen. You will lose the 40-point security boost if you lose the Skeleton Key. This patch is very popular among PC players. It fixes many bugs and improves the game experience. So, if you are playing on PC with the patch, be aware of this. The key's benefits are tied to its presence in your inventory. This makes sense, more or less.
For players on Xbox 360, this patch is not available. So, the glitch might still be present for them. This means console players might still experience the permanent skill boost even after losing the key. It is an interesting difference between the platforms. You know, console players might have a slight advantage here, in a way. This is something to keep in mind, depending on how you play.
Giving the Skeleton Key to Martin
There is a point in the main questline where you might be asked to give an item to Martin. This is part of a bigger story moment. Some players have wondered if they should give the Skeleton Key to him. This is a big decision, you know. The Skeleton Key is a very valuable item. Losing it could be a problem for some players. So, let's talk about what happens if you do this.
Losing the Key to Martin
Yes, you can give the Skeleton Key to Martin. This happens if you equip the Skeleton Key and then give that to Martin as part of his request for a Daedric artifact. If you do this, you will lose the item. It will be gone from your inventory. This is a permanent loss in most cases. So, you need to think carefully before doing it. It is a choice that has consequences. You know, like most choices in this game.
Many players on Xbox 360, for example, have asked about this. A GameFAQs message board topic titled "can you get the skeleton key back if you've given it to martin??" shows this concern. People want to know if they can recover it. The simple answer is usually no. Once you hand it over for that quest, it is typically gone for good. This is why it is such a talked-about topic. You really have to weigh your options. It's almost a sacrifice.
Can You Get It Back?
Generally, no, you cannot get the Skeleton Key back if you give it to Martin for the main quest. This is a one-time exchange. The game intends for you to part with a Daedric artifact. The Skeleton Key counts as one. So, if you choose to give him that particular item, it is considered used for the quest. This means you will not see it again in your game. It is a pretty final decision. You know, like a true sacrifice.
This is why players often save before making such a choice. They want to make sure they are okay with losing the key. Or, they might choose to give Martin a different Daedric artifact. There are many other such items in the game. So, you do not have to give up your precious Skeleton Key. It is a matter of personal choice. But once it is gone, it is gone. That is just how it works, apparently.
There was also a question on GameFAQs, "will i lose my skeleton key if i pay the fine?". This refers to getting arrested. If you pay a fine or go to jail, you typically lose stolen items. But the Skeleton Key is not a stolen item when you get it. It is a quest reward. So, paying a fine should not make you lose it. It is safe from the guards, you know. That is a good thing to know for your peace of mind.
Common Questions About the Skeleton Key
Players often have specific questions about the Skeleton Key. These questions usually come up because the item is so unique. It also has some interesting interactions with game mechanics. So, let's answer some of the common things people ask. These are things you might wonder about, too.
1. How do I get the Skeleton Key in Oblivion?
You get the Skeleton Key by completing Nocturnal's Daedric shrine quest. This quest requires your character to be at least level 10. You find her shrine east of Leyawiin. Just follow the road, and a marker will appear on your compass. It is a pretty straightforward quest. So, just head to the shrine when you are ready.
2. What does the Skeleton Key do?
The Skeleton Key has two main effects. First, it acts as an unbreakable lockpick. This means it never breaks, no matter how many times you try to open a lock. Second, it gives a permanent 40-point boost to your security skill. This boost is active as long as you possess the key. It makes lockpicking much easier. It is a very helpful tool, you know.
3. Can I lose the Skeleton Key permanently?
Yes, you can lose the Skeleton Key permanently. The most common way is by giving it to Martin as part of the main questline. If you give him the Skeleton Key as a Daedric artifact, it will be gone from your inventory for good. Also, if you are playing on PC with the Unofficial Oblivion Patch, losing the item means losing its skill boost. So, you have to be careful with it, apparently.
Final Thoughts on the Skeleton Key
The Skeleton Key in Oblivion is a truly powerful and useful item. It takes away the frustration of lockpicking. It also gives a significant boost to your security skill. This makes it a favorite for many players. Getting it involves a fun quest for Nocturnal. It is a pretty simple process, actually. You just need to reach level 10 and find her shrine. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion has many such interesting items.
Whether you are a new player or someone returning to Cyrodiil, getting the Skeleton Key can really change your game. It makes exploring much more enjoyable. You do not have to worry about breaking picks anymore. And your character gets a nice skill improvement. It is a good item to have in your collection. You know, it makes life in the game a little bit easier.
Consider adding the Skeleton Key to your list of goals in Oblivion. It is a reward that keeps giving. It helps you open all those tricky chests and doors. It also helps your character grow. So, go out there and find Nocturnal's shrine. Get that key. See how much it helps you in your adventures. Learn more about the world of Oblivion on our site, and check out this page for more helpful game tips.
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