The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, released on April 22, 2025, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, reintroduces players to the sprawling, immersive world of Cyrodiil with Unreal Engine 5 visuals and refined mechanics. As you emerge from the Imperial City sewers to thwart the Mythic Dawn and close the Oblivion Gates, the game’s vast open world tempts you to explore every corner. While gold and basic gear are plentiful, a handful of legendary secret items—unique weapons, armor, and accessories—can give you a massive edge early in your adventure. These hidden treasures, tucked away in dungeons, ruins, and obscure locations, are accessible right after the tutorial and can transform your playthrough. Here’s a guide to the top legendary secret items to find early in Oblivion Remastered, why they’re worth the hunt, and how to claim them before the Daedra overrun Tamriel.
1. Fin Gleam (Anvil Coast)
The Fin Gleam helmet, a light armor glass helm, is one of the most versatile early-game items, perfect for any build. Found just west of Anvil, this enchanted helmet grants Night-Eye, Detect Life (20 feet), and Water Breathing, making it a game-changer for exploration. Swim to a small island off Anvil’s coast, near a steep slope, and dive underwater to find it beside a skeleton. The remaster’s enhanced underwater visuals make spotting it easier, but a Water Breathing potion or Argonian race helps if your Athletics skill is low. Fin Gleam’s enchantments let you scout enemies, navigate dark dungeons like Vilverin, and plunder underwater treasures without surfacing, saving you from costly spells or potions. Its light armor defense (equivalent to steel) suits thieves and mages, though warriors might swap it later. Grab it immediately after exiting the sewers by fast-traveling to Anvil or taking a scenic ride, as its utility scales well into mid-game.
2. Akaviri Katana (Cloud Ruler Temple)
The Akaviri Katana is a reliable early-game weapon gifted to you upon joining the Blades, accessible after delivering the Amulet of Kings to Jauffre at Weynon Priory in the main quest. Speak to Jauffre, select the “Assistance” dialogue, and he’ll unlock the Cloud Ruler Temple armory, where you can claim this one-handed blade. With damage comparable to a steel longsword but faster swings, it’s ideal for melee builds, especially if paired with a shield or spell. The remaster’s combat tweaks enhance its fluid animations, making it a stylish choice for warriors or spellswords. You also gain access to other armory gear, like Blades armor, and a free horse from Prior Maborel, speeding up exploration. Claim it before progressing to Kvatch, as the armory remains available unless you advance too far and trigger the Mythic Dawn’s attack on Weynon Priory. This katana carries you through early quests like “Breaking the Siege of Kvatch” with ease.
3. Jauffre’s Chest Loot (Weynon Priory)
Not an item itself but a treasure trove, Jauffre’s Chest at Weynon Priory is a safe storage container filled with early-game gear. After delivering the Amulet of Kings, ask Jauffre for “Assistance,” and he’ll unlock this chest, containing potions, a steel weapon (like a mace or dagger), and light armor pieces. More importantly, you can use it to store items permanently, as it never resets, unlike random containers. The chest’s contents vary slightly based on your level but provide a solid boost for any class—mages get Restore Magicka potions, warriors find health potions, and thieves grab lockpicks. The remaster fixes a bug where the chest could lock after the Mythic Dawn attack, but you’ll lose access if you bring Martin back to Weynon Priory post-Kvatch. Grab and store items here immediately after the tutorial to kickstart your inventory and secure a safe stash for future loot.
4. Mortar & Pestle (Imperial City Sewers)
Alchemy is a powerful skill in Oblivion Remastered, and the Mortar & Pestle is essential for crafting potions. You can find one for free during the tutorial in the Imperial City sewers. In the natural caves section, after fighting goblins, locate a goblin sitting at a table and grab the Mortar & Pestle nearby. A brief tutorial pops up, teaching you how to combine ingredients like Cairn Bolete (found in caves) for health potions. This item lets you craft Weak Healing Potions or Restore Fatigue brews early, saving gold and boosting survivability in fights against bandits or rats. Unlike other gear, it has no weight, so keep it in your inventory. If you miss it, merchants sell them, but grabbing it for free sets you up for Alchemy leveling, which scales well with quests like “Fingers of the Mountain.” Pair it with ingredients from Lake Rumare’s shores to experiment early.
5. Chillrend (Chorrol)
Chillrend, a one-handed glass sword, is a legendary weapon you can acquire early via the “Sins of the Father” quest in Chorrol, ideal for melee or hybrid builds. Visit Chorrol’s castle and speak to Laythe Wavrick to start the quest, which involves retrieving the Honorblade of Chorrol from a thief’s descendants. At level 1–4, Chillrend’s base damage rivals a steel longsword, but its Frost Damage enchantment (5–10 points) and Weakness to Frost effect stack for high DPS against enemies like wolves or undead. Completing the quest lets you keep Chillrend, though you can also earn the Escutcheon of Chorrol shield by returning the Honorblade. The remaster’s visuals make Chillrend’s icy glow pop, and its unscaled nature (if grabbed early) makes it a powerhouse. Head to Chorrol right after the sewers, as the quest is accessible at level 1, but bring a few lockpicks for a sneaky approach.
6. Hollowed-Out Tree Stump (Imperial City)
The Hollowed-Out Tree Stump in the Imperial City’s Market District is a secret storage spot, perfect for offloading loot without buying a house. From the sewer exit, head to the Market District, find Rindir’s Staffs, and look for an alleyway opposite the Office of Imperial Commerce. In a hidden garden, the stump acts as a permanent, non-resetting container for weapons, armor, or stolen goods. Unlike Jauffre’s Chest, it remains accessible throughout the game, even after major quest events. This is crucial early on, as encumbrance limits fast travel and movement. Use it to stash items before selling to Thieves Guild fences or saving for later, especially if you’re hoarding potions or dungeon loot from places like Sercen. The remaster preserves this quirky feature, making it a must-find for inventory management.
Why These Items Are Game-Changers
These six secret items—Fin Gleam, Akaviri Katana, Jauffre’s Chest loot, Mortar & Pestle, Chillrend, and the Hollowed-Out Tree Stump—are legendary for their accessibility and impact in Oblivion Remastered’s early game. Unlike Daedric Artifacts, which often require level 10+ or specific offerings, these are available immediately after the tutorial, regardless of your build. Fin Gleam’s enchantments make exploration safer and more rewarding, letting you plunder underwater chests or spot enemies in caves like Greenmead. The Akaviri Katana and Chillrend provide melee prowess for warriors or spellswords, with Chillrend’s Frost effects shredding low-level foes in places like the Kvatch Oblivion Gate. The Mortar & Pestle unlocks Alchemy’s potential, saving gold and boosting survivability, while Jauffre’s Chest and the Tree Stump solve inventory woes, letting you hoard loot without buying the 2,000-gold Imperial City shack.
The remaster’s tweaks enhance these items’ appeal. Updated visuals make Fin Gleam’s glass sheen and Chillrend’s icy aura stand out, while the streamlined leveling system ensures your character benefits from early gear without over-scaling enemies. The game’s radiant AI and bug-prone quests, like “Sins of the Father,” make grabbing these items early a safeguard against glitches (e.g., save before Chorrol’s castle). Unlike random loot, these items have fixed locations, as noted in community guides, ensuring reliability. They also synergize with guild quests—Fin Gleam aids Thieves Guild stealth, Chillrend powers Fighters Guild contracts, and the Mortar & Pestle supports Mages Guild alchemy tasks—making them versatile for any playstyle.
How to Maximize Your Hunt
To snag these items efficiently, follow a strategic path. Exit the sewers and save manually, as the remaster’s autosave can be unreliable. Head to Weynon Priory to deliver the Amulet, grabbing the Akaviri Katana and Jauffre’s Chest loot. Fast-travel to Anvil (or ride Maborel’s free horse) to dive for Fin Gleam, using a Restore Fatigue potion to swim longer. Next, visit Chorrol for Chillrend, saving before dialogue choices to avoid quest bugs. Return to the Imperial City to locate the Tree Stump, stashing excess gear. If you missed the Mortar & Pestle, backtrack to the sewers via the gate or buy one from Skingrad’s All Things Alchemical. Avoid advancing the main quest past Kvatch until you’ve claimed these, as Oblivion Gates spawn tougher enemies that scale with your level.
Tips for success include checking your stats menu for diseases like Porphyric Hemophilia after fighting vampires in dungeons, as untreated diseases weaken you. Use the local map (zoom in fully) to navigate tight spaces like the Tree Stump’s alley. If lockpicking for Chillrend’s quest, carry extra lockpicks (found in Jauffre’s Chest or bought from Shady Sam near the Imperial City). For combat, pair Chillrend with Fin Gleam’s Detect Life to ambush enemies, and craft health potions with the Mortar & Pestle to survive fights in Sercen or Vilverin. Save before diving or entering new areas, as the remaster retains bugs like stuck NPCs or misplaced items.
Why Early Acquisition Matters
Grabbing these items early sets you up for success in Oblivion Remastered’s challenging world. The game’s level-scaling, though tweaked, means enemies like Dremora grow stronger as you level, making early power-ups critical. Fin Gleam and Chillrend give you an edge in starter quests like “The Gravefinder’s Repose,” while the Akaviri Katana and Jauffre’s loot ease fights in the Kvatch Oblivion Gate, where you’ll earn a Sigil Stone for enchanting. The Tree Stump and Jauffre’s Chest free up inventory for looting dungeons like Sercen, a one-room bandit hideout north of the Imperial City packed with boss-level chests. The Mortar & Pestle lets you craft potions to counter low health or fatigue, crucial on Adept difficulty where enemies deal equal damage. These items also boost your Fame through quests, unlocking better NPC dialogue and guild perks.
For role-playing, these items add flavor. Fin Gleam’s underwater prowess suits an Argonian treasure hunter, while Chillrend fits a noble Chorrol warrior. The Akaviri Katana ties you to the Blades’ lore, enhancing immersion during main quest moments like meeting Martin. The remaster’s vibrant Cyrodiil—sun-dappled forests, shimmering lakes—makes hunting these items a visual treat, especially with new environmental details like distant Skyrim peaks. Unlike Daedric Artifacts, which demand higher levels or sacrifices, these require only curiosity and a bit of travel, rewarding players who explore off the beaten path, as community posts on X emphasize.
Conclusion
The legendary secret items in Oblivion Remastered—Fin Gleam, Akaviri Katana, Jauffre’s Chest loot, Mortar & Pestle, Chillrend, and the Hollowed-Out Tree Stump—are your ticket to mastering Cyrodiil’s early challenges. Accessible right after the tutorial, these treasures offer combat power, exploration utility, and inventory freedom, making them essential for warriors, mages, and thieves alike. The remaster’s polished visuals and tweaked mechanics amplify their impact, letting you carve through bandits, plunder dungeons, and unravel Tamriel’s mysteries with confidence. Whether you’re sneaking through Sercen, battling Daedra at Kvatch, or diving into Lake Rumare, these items ensure you’re ready for anything. So, save your game, grab a horse, and hunt these hidden gems—you’ll understand why Oblivion Remastered players can’t stop raving about them in 2025.
