The Sneak skill in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is a game-changer for anyone looking to master stealth gameplay. Whether you’re slipping past guards, pickpocketing for gold, or landing devastating sneak attacks that deal up to 8x damage with a dagger or 3x with a bow, a high Sneak level makes Thieves Guild and Dark Brotherhood quests a breeze.
It’s the key to moving unseen through Cyrodiil, pulling off heists, and taking down enemies before they know you’re there.
Method 1: Sneak Near Rats in the Tutorial Sewers
This trick uses friendly rats in the tutorial sewers to rack up Sneak XP. It’s perfect if you’ve moved past the starting cell but are still in the tutorial.
Step by step guide
Keep going through the tutorial until you hit the sewer area with three running rats and a zombie. Kill the zombie and the last rat so you don’t get jumped. The two remaining rats won’t attack you.
Find a wall close to the two rats and crouch into sneak mode. Hit auto-move while facing the wall. You won’t look like you’re moving, but the game counts it, giving you Sneak XP because the rats are nearby.
Let the game run for a few hours (about 3–4 hours to hit high Sneak levels). Check your Sneak skill now and then. It takes about 3–4 hours to get to level 80–100 Sneak, depending on your starting skill.
Method 2: Pickpocket Exploit with the Goblin in the Natural Caverns
This hands-on method has you spamming pickpocket on a goblin in the tutorial’s Natural Caverns to gain Sneak XP fast. It’s quicker than waiting around but needs you to stay active.
Step by step guide
Move through the tutorial until you get to the Natural Caverns, where a lone goblin hangs out by a campfire.
Save your game before getting close to the goblin in case you get caught. Crouch and follow the goblin quietly until it stops at the campfire, where it’ll stay put. Take off armor (especially heavy boots) to avoid making noise.
Stand near the goblin, on its left side, and push up against a nearby cave wall. Stay in sneak mode and keep opening and closing the goblin’s inventory without taking or adding anything. Each try gives Sneak XP, and the goblin won’t care.
Hammer the pickpocket and exit buttons as fast as you can to pile up XP. Keep at it for about an hour to hit level 100 Sneak, depending on how quick you are.
Method 3: Pickpocket Exploit with the Highwayman Near Fort Ash
This method has you repeatedly pickpocketing a highwayman after paying him off. It’s great for players who’ve left the tutorial and can roam the overworld.
Step by step guide
Scrape together 100 gold by looting in the tutorial or selling stuff early on. Leave the tutorial and go to Fort Ash, east of Chorrol. You can fast-travel to Chorrol after the tutorial or walk from the sewer exit.
Meet the Khajiit highwayman near Fort Ash, who asks for 100 gold. Hand over the 100 gold to keep him friendly. Crouch into sneak mode and pickpocket the 100 gold back right away.
Open and close the pickpocket menu over and over without touching anything in his inventory. Each attempt boosts your Sneak XP. Mash the pickpocket and exit buttons as fast as possible to level up quicker.
Do this for about an hour to reach level 100 Sneak, depending on how fast you go.
Other Spots to Try
If you’re past the tutorial, here are some other places to use similar tricks:
- Imperial City Arena Bloodworks: Crouch in a corner and auto-move into a wall near NPCs training.
- Skooma Den in Bravil: Sneak and pickpocket the three NPCs with 0 Responsibility while they’re asleep, but steer clear of the woman who’ll report you.
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