oblivion best things to steal

The vast, rolling landscapes of Tamriel in *The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion* are filled with ancient ruins, bustling cities, and hidden secrets. For many players, the true joy of exploration is not just in slaying monsters or completing quests, but in the art of acquisition—specifically, the thrill of stealing. While any item can be pilfered, true connoisseurs of crime seek out those targets that offer the greatest reward, challenge, or sheer notoriety. This guide delves into the best things to steal in Cyrodiil, focusing on items that provide exceptional value, unique utility, or simply the bragging rights that come with a masterful heist.

Table of Contents

Principles of the Perfect Heist
Jewels of the Imperial City: The Ultimate Score
Arcane Artifacts: Stealing Power Itself
The Tools of the Trade: Unique and Powerful Equipment
Luxury for Profit: High-Value Commodities
The Art of Acquisition: A Thief's Legacy

Principles of the Perfect Heist

Before targeting specific items, understanding the mechanics of theft is crucial. The value of a stolen object is measured not only in its gold weight but in its application. A master thief considers an item's resale value, its unique properties, and the risk involved in obtaining it. Stealth, the Sneak skill, and the invaluable Chameleon enchantment are a thief's best friends. Furthermore, investing in the fences of the Thieves Guild is essential, as they are the only merchants who will buy stolen goods, with their available gold increasing as you rise in the guild's ranks. The perfect steal balances high reward with manageable risk, often requiring careful observation of patrol patterns and a keen eye for opportunity.

Jewels of the Imperial City: The Ultimate Score

The heart of the Empire holds its most glittering treasures. The Imperial City Palace itself is a prime target for the ambitious burglar. Within the Elder Council Chamber lies the Elder Council Amulet, a unique and exceedingly valuable necklace. While it serves a pivotal role in the main quest, a skilled thief can lift it long before its story significance, netting a massive profit. The nearby Temple District houses the Great Chapel of Zenithar. In the basement, a display case holds the Honored Dead Unction, a rare and expensive potion. More significantly, the houses of the wealthy in the Talos Plaza and Elven Gardens districts are filled with high-value gems, silverware, and enchanted rings scattered on shelves and in locked chests. These locations require precise timing to avoid guards and servants, but the consistent haul of valuable, low-weight items is unparalleled.

Arcane Artifacts: Stealing Power Itself

For those seeking more than mere coin, Cyrodiil's arcane repositories offer items of immense power. The Arcane University, though heavily guarded, is a treasure trove. Before gaining access as a member of the Mages Guild, a thief can infiltrate its courtyards and certain accessible rooms to find soul gems, pre-made spell scrolls, and potent potions on alchemy tables. The various Mages Guild halls across the provinces also contain valuable ingredients and soul gems in their shared quarters. A particularly notable target is the Frostcrag Spire add-on home. Once purchased, its basement reveals the Arch-Mage's Quarters, containing a full set of master-level alchemy and enchanting apparatus—the best in the game. While not "stolen" in the traditional sense after purchase, acquiring this superior gear feels like a heist against the very limits of mortal craft.

The Tools of the Trade: Unique and Powerful Equipment

Some stolen items directly enhance a thief's capabilities. The Gray Fox's Cowl, the legendary headpiece of the Thieves Guild leader, is the ultimate prize. It cannot be conventionally stolen, but obtaining it through the guild's questline is the culmination of a thief's career, erasing your bounty while worn and offering a powerful Chameleon effect. For more immediately accessible gear, the mansion of Umbacano in the Talos Plaza district holds the elegant and effective Elven armor set, displayed on mannequins. The castle of Leyawiin, specifically the bedroom of Count Marius Caro, contains a rare and powerful enchanted weapon, the Honorblade of Chorrol. These pieces of equipment provide significant combat or stealth advantages, making the risk of acquisition a strategic investment in future endeavors.

Luxury for Profit: High-Value Commodities

Not every legendary heist involves a unique artifact. Often, the most reliable income comes from systematically plundering high-value, low-weight commodities. Spell tomes, often found on mages' desks or in shops, can be worth hundreds of gold each and are easy to carry in bulk. Grand and Black soul gems, essential for enchanting, fetch a tremendous price from fences. Alchemy shops and guild halls are filled with rare ingredients like Vampire Dust, Harrada, and Void Salts, which can be either sold for high prices or used to craft invaluable potions. Specialized merchants, like the jewelry vendor in the Imperial City Market District, have display cases laden with expensive rings and amulets. A methodical sweep of such locations after hours can fill a thief's pockets with enough wealth to purchase property or train skills to mastery.

The Art of Acquisition: A Thief's Legacy

The best things to steal in Oblivion ultimately define a player's journey as a rogue. They represent a path of cunning over brute force, of shadow over light. From the glittering jewels of the nobility to the forbidden knowledge of the arcane, each successful theft weaves a story of its own. It is a testament to patience, skill, and an intimate knowledge of Cyrodiil's people and their possessions. Whether motivated by gold, power, or the sheer thrill of the act, seeking out these prime targets transforms the game from a heroic fantasy into a personal saga of ambition and artistry. The true treasure is not merely the item secured, but the flawless execution of the heist that made it yours, leaving no trace but a whisper in the dark and a legend growing in the guild halls.

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