Mod Review: Random Oblivion

[Caydr]

For TESIV: Oblivion players, this is the one mod that I would say above all others is a must-have.

For people like myself, whose idea of an adventure game is something along the lines of Sierra's classic Quest For Glory series, this mod changes the game into something truly exciting and fun to play.

What the mod does is it basically eliminates the entire enemy-leveling system. It doesn't just change the level caps around or make it so that low-level creatures will be present at high levels, it goes the extra mile and make it so that high-level creatures will be present at low levels!

Last night I had finally made enough cash from low-level questing to get fully outfitted with enough gear that I thought it'd be safe to venture into the outside world. So, I left the safe confines of the Imperial City on my way to Bruma, to sell my stolen goods (of which I had a lot, since I'm also using the fixed max carrying capacity mod). At first, I thought maybe one of the other 3 dozen or so mods had overwritten Random Oblivion's changes. I ran into some deer and a low level wolf before arriving at Vilverin, a low-level dungeon that was my first when I'd originally played the game. I decided to skip it for the time being, since I was close to my max loot capacity anyway.

Onward to the mountains! Before reaching the snow barrier, I had already noticed some subtle changes - I ran into several Imps, which I don't recall running into before being more like level 8 before. Then, as I at the top of a large ridge, I looked down to see a black bear! I knew the mod was working right now, since those things were pretty nasty to a low-level character like me. Thinking better of trying to get a shot off with my rusty iron bow, I continued on my way.

Following the path I was on, I was soon more than half way to Bruma when the scale of this mod's changes became apparent. I ran into an old dungeon I remember raiding - not much to see in there, but it was where I found my ever-useful life seeing gauntlets. I knew the odds were against it, since the loot is generally randomized, but these were freaking life-seeing gauntlets, they saved my arse a dozen times on my previous play-through. I decided to approach. Cautiously I drew nearer until I suddenly stopped; wasn't this place guarded before? By one of those freaky trolls? I quickly turned back, but it was too late. I heard the thumping footsteps behind me and I knew I was in too deep. A troll would mean certain death.

I unsheathed my stolen cutlass, hoping it wasn't a troll but rather a goblin or something. It wasn't a troll.

It was a freaking minotaur!!! I ran as fast as my low-level legs could carry me, bunny hopping the whole way, getting hopelessly lost as I ran in whatever direction seemed appropriate at the time. Soon I was at Dragon Claw Rock, far east of Bruma. I soon realized, this was another of the locations that I found guarded. A pack of timber wolves was now on my tail. Soon they were joined by not one but three badassed grizzly bears.

Quicksaving every time I evaded certain death, I soon found myself within seeing distance of Bruma! Two guards stood at the gate. My saviors! I just hoped that word hadn't reached them about the old lady I mugged on the way here. (she had it coming)

They fought bravely, and died quickly. Quickly looting their corpses in between dodging a variety of lethal blows, I hit the city gates and could breathe normally again.

Yes, this is the mod that makes the game how it should be. Every trip outside city walls is an adventure. http://www.tessource.net/files/cache/2212.html

[Optimus Prime]

hehe funny story :D
but i prefere OOO because with random oblivion, the game will become easier with time.
At level 1 the chance of a minotaur is the same as with lvl 100. I never tried random oblivion, so correct me if i m wrong, but i think it works like that and i need a game which becomes harder or at least equal with the time, so that you are forced to get better equipement.

btw if you need a good arena mod - try mine: http://www.tessource.net/files/cache/2506.html

it lets you choose 6 fights instead of 3 with some special fights and allies on your side. It also makes it harder to become grand master with a low level char and improves the AI of the arena combatants.

[Zoombie]

I've never used one of these 'no more level scaling mods' but it does sound like it adds some more spice and adventure into the game. I think I'll try it.

[Neddie]

This reminds me of a D&D adventure where the random encounter table ran a party of seven level 3 characters against two CR 11 monsters.

After the third player died, the others broke into two groups and ran.