Elder Scrolls 4 Oblivion Remastered The Ultimate Heist Complete Guide

Character Skills

• Sneak: Aim for 50+ (75+ is better) to stay hidden. Higher perks make it easier.
• Security: You’ll need to pick some tough locks, so get this to at least Adept.
• Acrobatics: Helps with jumping and moving through tricky spots.
• Illusion: Spells like Invisibility or Chameleon (or potions) make stealth a breeze.
• Marksman: You’ll need to nail a precise shot with the Arrow of Extrication.

Equipment

• Lockpicks: Bring at least 10. Hard locks can eat through them if you’re rusty.
• Bow and Arrows: Grab any bow for the Arrow of Extrication; pack extra arrows for practice.
• Potions/Scrolls:
  • Stock up on Invisibility potions (5 or more), plus some for health and magicka.
  • Chameleon or Night-Eye potions or gear help with sneaking and seeing in the dark.
• Light Armor or Clothes: Go for stuff like Black Hand Robes or enchanted gear to move quietly.
• Nocturnal’s Skeleton Key: If you did Nocturnal’s quest, this lockpick never breaks.

Inventory

• Clear space for the Boots of Springheel Jak and other quest items.
• Save in a new slot before you start.

Optional

• Do the quest at night in-game for fewer guards wandering around.
• If your Sneak is low, grind it by sneaking in busy spots like the Imperial City.

Quest Walkthrough: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Speak to the Gray Fox

• Location: Ganredhel’s house in Cheydinhal.
• Objective: Get the quest and gear from the Gray Fox.
• Details:
  • The Gray Fox lays out the plan: steal an Elder Scroll from the Imperial Palace. He hands over:
    • Boots of Springheel Jak (boosts Acrobatics by 50—use them for jumps if you need to).
    • Arrow of Extrication (you’ll need this later).
  • He tells you to activate the Glass of Time in the Palace Arboretum to get started.
• Tip: Only equip the Boots when you need them to keep them in one piece.

Step 2: Activate the Glass of Time

• Location: Imperial Palace, Arboretum District (southeast corner).
• Objective: Flip the switch on the Glass of Time to unlock the Old Way.
• Details:
  • Head to the Arboretum in the Imperial City.
  • Find the Sewer Entrance (a grate marked on your map).
  • Go into the sewer, find the Glass of Time (big glowing crystal), and activate it.
• Tips:
  • The sewers have weak enemies like rats. Clear them if they’re in your way.
  • No guards here, so you don’t need to sneak yet.
  • Save once you’ve activated it.

Step 3: Infiltrate the Imperial Palace

• Location: Imperial Palace, Palace District.
• Objective: Sneak into the Palace to get to the Elder Scroll.
• Details:
  • Walk or fast-travel to the Palace District.
  • Enter the Imperial Palace through the main door.
  • Start sneaking right away to dodge the guards.
  • Make your way to the Elder Council Chambers (follow the quest marker).
  • Key Part: You need a key to get in:
    • Option 1: Swipe the Imperial Palace Key off a guard (needs good Sneak or Invisibility).
    • Option 2: Pick the Hard lock on the door (save first; it’s tricky).
  • Get into the Elder Council Chambers.
• Tips:
  • Invisibility or Chameleon makes guards way easier to avoid. Stick to shadows.
  • Guards follow set paths—wait for them to turn before moving.
  • Save often. If you get spotted, reload or leg it to reset the guards.
  • Getting caught can mess up the Thieves Guild’s “no killing” rule.

Step 4: Access the Old Way

• Location: Elder Council Chambers.
• Objective: Find the secret entrance to the Old Way, an Ayleid ruin.
• Details:
  • In the Chambers, find the central pillar (big column in the middle).
  • Activate it to open a hidden door to the Old Way.
  • Head into the Old Way, a creepy dungeon with Ayleid vibes.
• Tips:
  • There might be a guard or two in the Chambers—sneak or go invisible.
  • Save before entering the Old Way; it’s a rough place.

Step 5: Navigate the Old Way

• Location: Old Way (Ayleid ruin).
• Objective: Get to the Hall of Epochs for the Arrow of Extrication part.
• Details:
  • The Old Way is a maze with:
    • Enemies: Undead like skeletons and wraiths, plus traps like pressure plates and blades.
    • Puzzles: Ayleid stuff like push blocks and rotating walls.
  • Path:
    1. Move through the first room, dealing with undead or sneaking by.
    2. Watch for pressure plates—stepping on them sets off traps like arrows.
    3. In the next area, find a push block (usually high on a wall, glowing a bit).
       • Hit it to open a door or move a wall.
    4. Keep going through straightforward paths, dodging traps (use Night-Eye to see better).
    5. Reach the Hall of Epochs, a big room with a locked gate.
  • Key Part: You’ll need the Arrow of Extrication to open the gate, but you need the right spot to shoot from.
• Tips:
  • Sneak past enemies to save health and gear.
  • Use Restore Health potions if traps or enemies hit you.
  • Save before traps or puzzles—screw-ups can hurt.
  • If you’re low level (under 15), the enemies might be brutal. Level up first if needed.

Step 6: Use the Arrow of Extrication

• Location: Hall of Epochs, Old Way.
• Objective: Shoot the Arrow of Extrication into a keyhole to unlock the gate.
• Details:
  • In the Hall of Epochs, spot a statue with a glowing keyhole (high on the far wall).
  • Find the shooting platform (a ledge across from the keyhole).
  • Equip your 弓 and the Arrow of Extrication (you only get one, so don’t mess up).
  • Line up your shot and fire at the keyhole. If it hits, the gate opens.
  • If you miss, grab the arrow from the floor near the statue and try again.
  • Go through the gate.
• Tips:
  • Save before you shoot. Missing sucks.
  • High Marksman skill helps, or use aim assist if you’re on console.
  • Practice shooting elsewhere if you’re not sure about arrow drop.
  • The keyhole’s tiny—take your time.

Step 7: Steal the Elder Scroll

• Location: Imperial Library, reached through the Old Way.
• Objective: Grab the Elder Scroll from the Library.
• Details:
  • After the gate, follow the path to a secret entrance into the Imperial Library.
  • Sneak past Blind Moth Priests (monks guarding the scrolls).
  • Find the Elder Scroll (glowing on a pedestal or table, marked by the quest).
  • Pick it up—no locks or traps, just grab it.
• Tips:
  • The priests are blind but hear noise or feel you bump them. Sneak slowly and steer clear.
  • Invisibility or Chameleon lets you skip the hassle.
  • Save before entering the Library in case you get caught.

Step 8: Escape the Imperial Palace

• Location: Imperial Library to Palace exit.
• Objective: Get out without getting nabbed.
• Details:
  • After grabbing the Elder Scroll, a secret passage opens (look for a hidden door or lever).
  • Follow it to the Palace Sewers or another exit path.
  • Move through the sewers (watch for rats or minor enemies) until you hit an outside grate.
  • Exit to the Imperial City.
• Tips:
  • Guards might be on edge—sneak or go invisible to avoid them.
  • Use the Boots of Springheel Jak for jumps in the sewers if your Acrobatics is weak.
  • Save after leaving the Library to avoid redoing the stealth part.

Step 9: Deliver the Elder Scroll

• Location: Gray Fox’s spot (Ganredhel’s house, Cheydinhal).
• Objective: Give the Elder Scroll to the Gray Fox.
• Details:
  • Fast-travel to Cheydinhal and head to Ganredhel’s house.
  • Talk to the Gray Fox and hand over the Elder Scroll.
  • He spills his real identity and hooks you up with:
    • Guildmaster Rank in the Thieves Guild.
    • Gray Cowl of Nocturnal (awesome stealth gear).
  • The quest wraps up, and you get access to the Thieves Guild hideout in the Imperial City Waterfront.
• Tips:
  • The Gray Cowl gives a huge Sneak boost (+25) and a cool bounty trick (bounty goes to the “Gray Fox,” not you).
  • Save after finishing to lock in your progress.

Additional Tips and Troubleshooting

• Save All the Time: This quest is long and brutal. Save at every big step (after the Glass of Time, before the Old Way, before the arrow shot).
• Stealth is Everything: Getting spotted by guards or priests can tank the quest. Focus on Sneak and Invisibility.
• No Killing: Taking out guards, priests, or enemies breaks Thieves Guild rules and can lock you out. Stick to non-lethal moves (sneak, paralyze, or bolt).
• Arrow of Extrication Glitch: If the arrow doesn’t work, reload and retry. Make sure you’re aiming right at the keyhole.
• Low-Level Problems: Below level 10, the Old Way’s enemies can wreck you. Level up or bring good gear/potions.
• Inventory Space: The Elder Scroll doesn’t weigh anything, but make room for the Gray Cowl reward.

Rewards

• Gray Cowl of Nocturnal: +25 Sneak, +10 Detect Life, +50 Fortify Sneak (gives you a “Gray Fox” alias for bounties).
• Guildmaster Rank: Unlocks the Thieves Guild hideout, better fences, and guild perks.
• Boots of Springheel Jak: Keep them if you don’t use them in the escape (your call).
• Story Payoff: The quest spills the Gray Fox’s secrets and wraps up the Thieves Guild arc.