In The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, soul gems are essential tools for mages, warriors, and adventurers alike. They allow you to trap the souls of creatures and use them to enchant weapons or recharge magical items. Understanding how to fill these gems effectively can greatly enhance your gameplay experience. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you master the art of soul trapping.
Soul gems come in various sizes, each capable of holding souls of corresponding strength:
- Petty Soul Gem: Holds the weakest souls.
- Lesser Soul Gem: Suitable for slightly stronger creatures.
- Common Soul Gem: For average-strength souls.
- Greater Soul Gem: Holds powerful souls.
- Grand Soul Gem: Contains the most potent souls.
- Black Soul Gem: Unique in that it can trap the souls of humanoid NPCs.
- Azura’s Star: A reusable grand soul gem obtained through a specific quest.
Each gem has a specific capacity, and using a larger gem for a smaller soul can be wasteful. Conversely, attempting to trap a large soul in a small gem will fail.
Acquiring Soul Gems
You can find soul gems throughout Cyrodiil:
- Merchants: Many alchemists and magic vendors sell empty soul gems.
- Loot: Defeated necromancers, mages, and certain creatures may carry them.
- Locations: Specific places, like the Chorrol Mages Guild Hall and the Arcane University, have soul gems in display cases. Be cautious, as taking them may be considered theft.
The Soul Trap Spell
To fill a soul gem, you must first cast the Soul Trap spell on a creature and then defeat it before the spell’s effect wears off. Here’s how:
- Obtain the Spell: Purchase Soul Trap from magic vendors or find scrolls that contain the spell.
- Cast the Spell: Target the creature with Soul Trap. A visual effect will indicate the spell is active.
- Defeat the Creature: Kill the creature before the spell’s duration ends. If successful, and if you have an appropriate empty soul gem, the soul will be trapped.
Tips:
- Weaken the creature before casting Soul Trap to ensure you can defeat it quickly.
- Ensure you have an empty soul gem of the correct size in your inventory.
- The soul will automatically fill the smallest suitable gem available.
Using Enchanted Weapons
An alternative to casting Soul Trap is using weapons enchanted with the soul-trapping effect:
- Umbra: A powerful sword that automatically casts Soul Trap on strike.
- Custom Enchantments: Once you’ve joined the Mages Guild and gained access to the Arcane University, you can enchant weapons with Soul Trap.
Using such weapons streamlines the process, as each hit applies the effect, allowing you to focus on combat.
Black Soul Gems and Azura’s Star
- Black Soul Gems: Required to trap humanoid souls. Create them by placing a Grand Soul Gem in a special altar and casting Soul Trap during specific lunar phases.
- Azura’s Star: A reusable grand soul gem obtained by completing Azura’s quest. Unlike regular soul gems, it doesn’t disappear after use, making it invaluable for frequent enchantments.
Practical Applications
Filled soul gems have two primary uses:
- Recharging Enchanted Items: Over time, enchanted weapons lose their charge. Use a filled soul gem to restore their power.
- Enchanting Equipment: At the Arcane University, you can use filled soul gems to add magical effects to weapons and armor.
Note: Once used for enchanting or recharging, standard soul gems are consumed. Azura’s Star is an exception, as it remains intact after use.
Efficient Soul Trapping Strategies
- Match Soul Sizes: Always aim to trap souls in appropriately sized gems to avoid waste.
- Carry a Variety: Keep different sizes of empty soul gems in your inventory to accommodate various creatures.
- Use Summoned Creatures: Summon creatures, cast Soul Trap on them, and defeat them to fill gems without seeking out enemies.
- Plan Ahead: Before entering dungeons or combat zones, ensure you have the necessary soul gems and tools ready.
By mastering these techniques, you’ll enhance your magical arsenal, maintain your enchanted gear, and become a formidable force in the world of Oblivion. Happy soul trapping!
