Master the Malacath quest in Oblivion Remastered with this expert guide to securing Volendrung and avoiding common pitfalls.
Introduction & Quest Overview
Among the many Daedric quests in Oblivion Remastered, the task for Malacath, the Daedric Prince of the spurned and ostracized, stands out as particularly rewarding. While the narrative of liberating enslaved ogres is compelling, the primary draw for most players is the formidable reward: the Warhammer Volendrung. This artifact is a powerhouse for warrior builds, making the quest a essential milestone. This guide will walk you through each step efficiently while highlighting strategic tips to avoid failure.
Preparing for the Quest
Your journey begins at the Malacath Shrine, but you cannot start it empty-handed. The Daedric Prince demands an offering of Troll Fat. You have two main avenues to acquire it. The direct method involves hunting Trolls in the wilderness; they are commonly found in mountainous regions and near caves. Loot their corpses thoroughly. For players who prefer commerce or are lower level, numerous alchemy vendors in the Imperial City market district often sell Troll Fat.
Critical Level Gate: An easily missed requirement is that you must be at least Level 10 before the shrine will accept your offering and initiate the quest. This is a non-negotiable prerequisite. If you’re below this level, focus on other activities until you hit the threshold. Once you have the Troll Fat and meet the level requirement, present it at the shrine to formally begin “The Cursed Tribe.”
Confronting Lord Drad
The quest log will direct you to free ogres held by Lord Drad. His estate is located southeast of the shrine, in the heart of the Great Forest. Upon arrival, enter the main hall. Lord Drad is typically found on the ground floor. Engaging him in conversation is key. To progress, you must select the dialogue option “I admire your efforts”. This feigned admiration is the only response that will coax him into revealing the ogres’ location: they are imprisoned in Bleak Mine.
Do Not Leave Empty-Handed: Before you depart for the mine, a vital item is within the estate. The key to Bleak Mine is not on Lord Drad’s person. Instead, search the dining area on the ground floor. It is often resting on a wooden table or a sideboard. Securing this key is mandatory, as the mine door is otherwise impassable. Failing to pick it up will necessitate a return trip.
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The Bleak Mine Raid
Travel to Bleak Mine and use the key to enter. Inside, you’ll be confronted by several hostile guards loyal to the Drads. Your objective is twofold: eliminate the guards and search each one thoroughly. They carry the cage keys needed to release the ogres. Prioritize dispatching them quickly but carefully.
The Most Important Rule: You must not kill any ogres yourself. This is the most common point of failure. If you land the killing blow on an ogre, the quest fails immediately and irrevocably. However, if a guard kills an ogre during the chaotic combat, the quest does not fail. This distinction is crucial.
Advanced Combat Strategy: To mitigate risk, use area-control spells like Turn Undead (which works on humanoids) or Paralyze to incapacitate guards. Alternatively, use a bow or stealth to pick off guards from a distance, drawing them away from the ogre cages. Once the guards are dead, loot all cage keys, then systematically unlock each cage to free the ogres.
Quest Completion & Advanced Strategies
Once freed, the ogres will take matters into their own hands. You will witness them forcing Lord and Lady Drad to work in their fields—a fitting poetic justice. Your role is now complete. Return directly to the Malacath Shrine.
Upon your return, Malacath will acknowledge your service. Your reward, the legendary Warhammer Volendrung, will be added to your inventory. This weapon has a massive health absorption enchantment, making it a top-tier choice for melee combat throughout the mid and late game.
Optimization Tips: For a seamless run, consider these pro tips: 1) Save your game before entering Bleak Mine as a safety net. 2) If you have a high Sneak skill, sneak into the mine and pickpocket the cage keys from guards to avoid combat altogether. 3) The Oghma Infinium, a powerful Daedric artifact that boosts skills, can be obtained through another quest to strengthen your character for challenges like this.
That concludes everything you need to successfully complete the Malacath quest in Oblivion Remastered and claim your powerful prize.
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No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » Oblivion Remastered walkthrough: How to complete Malacath quest Master the Malacath quest in Oblivion Remastered with this expert guide to securing Volendrung and avoiding common pitfalls.