The recent remastering of Oblivion has brought a significant change that has caught the attention of the gaming community, especially among speedrunning enthusiasts. The well-known YouTuber Bacon_ has discovered that the controversial Khajiiti drug, Skooma, can now be stacked up to 22 times, instead of the eight in the original version. This modification results in a spectacular temporary increase in speed and strength, which can elevate a character’s attributes to unexpected levels.
Bug? Feature? Blessing for speedrunners
The use of Skooma in Oblivion, a substance that momentarily increases speed and strength at the cost of a permanent reduction in intelligence, has generated great cultural appeal in the Elder Scrolls series. With the new limit of 22 doses, players can achieve speed statistics that would reach 1,320 points, a surprising number considering that the attribute cap in the game is 100.
This change allows for faster and more efficient strategies in speedrunning, as players can cover huge distances in a short amount of time. Bacon_ demonstrated this speed by traveling from the Imperial City to Skingrad Castle in under a minute, comparing his journey to that of Saitama from One Punch Man.
The physics of the game, now implemented with Unreal Engine 5, also influences how Skooma behaves, providing more controlled handling compared to the absurd jumps of the original version. This change could be an intentional decision by the developers to align the use of Skooma with the new physical dynamics of the remaster.
Ultimately, although the increase in the Skooma limit may focus on gameplay and strategy, it also reflects the ongoing evolution of gaming culture, where every detail matters to the most dedicated players.
