Introduction: The Top Defensive Hood for Mages in Oblivion Remaster
If you're building a mage or battlemage in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remaster, defense is just as important as offensive spell power. Whether you're slinging fireballs or summoning daedric allies, staying alive in long battles means picking the right gear. This guide walks you through how to get one of the best hoods for magic users in the game, offering solid armor, spell absorption, and melee damage reflection.
In this walkthrough, we’ll explore the Sundercliff Watch dungeon—an essential stop if you're looking to max out your magic defense. This hood not only enhances survivability against physical attacks but also makes ranged enemies like archers far less threatening. We'll break down the route, combat tips, item locations, and how to make the most out of this dungeon run.
Let’s get you the gear your mage deserves.
Getting to Sundercliff Watch: Preparation and Location
To begin your quest for the best mage hood in Oblivion Remaster, head to Sundercliff Watch, located at the far eastern edge of the game map. This area is pretty isolated, so it’s a good idea to fast-travel as close as possible, then make your way on foot. The dungeon is long and loot-heavy, so empty your inventory beforehand if you're planning to carry out valuable items.
Before entering, ensure your character is leveled appropriately. The original wiki suggests loot scaling stops at level 20, but tests show loot quality remains the same even up to level 30, so don’t worry about overshooting the level cap. Bring strong offensive spells, healing magic, and maybe a summoning spell or companion, as the enemies inside can be overwhelming.
Entering the Dungeon: Suncliff Arch and The Password Puzzle
Upon entering Suncliff Arch, the dungeon immediately sets the tone—tight corridors, frequent ambushes, and hidden loot. Very early on, you’ll be blocked by a locked door requiring a password. The solution? A diary found near the door. Inside, you’ll see the word “chime”, which opens the way forward.
From there, fight through enemies and navigate toward the village area within the dungeon. If you're using a summoner or support-heavy build, now is the time to start relying on your summons. The number of enemies ramps up significantly at this point, and spacing between fights becomes shorter.
Deeper Into the Dungeon: Commune, Quarters, and Loot Strategy
From the village area, push forward into the Commune zone. Expect tighter hallways and more enemy clusters. If you’ve brought stealth or illusion magic, this section is a great place to test out crowd control spells. Your objective is to reach Drothan's Quarters, which contain critical quest items and lore elements—including Drothan’s journal.
Don’t skip this part. Drothan’s journal offers key insights and helps you understand the layout ahead. Nearby, you’ll also find the path leading to the Commander’s Quarters. There’s a small detour upstairs where you’ll collect one of the bezel items needed later to advance. Once you’ve secured the journal and bezel, head back to the village and continue toward the Forge area.
The Forge and Sliff Mines: Navigating the Maze
The next section, the Forge, is notoriously confusing. Though it might look like you're in the same area, parts of the zone are actually layered vertically. Your goal is to loop around to the lower section where the forge tent sits. Be ready for a maze-like structure with tight camera angles—keep an eye on your minimap and watch for a left turn after a near-complete loop.
After reaching the Forge, you can fight the Forge Master, who may drop valuable loot like the Mage Bang Gauntlets and a high-tier amulet. If you’re a pure mage, his drops may not always be game-changing, but they’re worth collecting.
From here, head into the Sliff Mines, a linear but enemy-heavy section. Keep pushing forward until you reach the next major door, usually located at the northern end after crossing two bridges. Make sure to pick off enemies strategically—many will appear in clusters or behind chokepoints.
Skill Grinding Opportunities and Acrobatics Shortcuts
While making your way through the mines and deeper tunnels, don’t ignore opportunities to train your character’s skills. This area is rich in tight spaces, corners, and layered walkways—perfect for grinding Sneak, Acrobatics, and even Blade or Destruction, depending on your playstyle. Repeated jump spamming will naturally level Acrobatics, which becomes essential soon.
If you’ve been increasing your Acrobatics stat, you’ll notice the layout begins to offer shortcuts. For example, you'll encounter areas where you can either jump over barriers or take alternative ground paths that loop back to higher elevations. These aren't just gimmicks—they help you avoid dense clusters of enemies or backtracking.
This section of the dungeon rewards players who’ve been methodical with their build progression. Whether you’re a stealth mage or a battlemage using bound weapons, this is a solid space to refine your toolkit.
The Master's Tent and Loot Collection
Continue forward until you reach the Master’s Tent, a key destination where a significant fight awaits. Defeat the enemy inside to claim the second bezel item. Looting here can be extensive, and you’ll also spot unique magic items depending on your level and progression.
Before exiting the area, look just past the tent entrance. You’ll notice a ramp leading upward, which serves as a shortcut back to the village. Pull a nearby rock switch to activate this fast return path.
Once back in the village, your next task is to insert the bezels into a door mechanism. This opens a large cavern with a magical barrier, and it marks the final arc of the dungeon. Here, two factions are fighting: vampire adventurers and soldiers from the Deathrani army. You can use their conflict to your advantage—sneak through, loot quietly, or join the chaos for fast skill gains.
The Final Gauntlet: Navigating the Nefarivum
From the battle-heavy cavern, continue through a series of narrow walkways and elevated platforms leading into the Nefarivum, the final segment of the dungeon. At this point, expect tougher enemies, mostly from both vampire and military factions. If you're using stealth, this is the last major area where sneak attacks can really shine. Avoid jumping down unless necessary—stay high and loop around the platforms to stay on the main path.
At one point, you’ll face an obstacle wall. If your Acrobatics is high, you can jump over it directly. If not, look for a gap to the side, drop down, and use the adjacent cave to loop around and regain elevation. This is one of the most confusing parts of the dungeon, so use your map frequently to stay oriented.
Soon, you’ll spot a bright crystal landmark—this marks the entry to the final chamber. Be cautious here: the area is filled with corpses and traps, and the final boss has reflect damage capabilities, which can punish aggressive melee users.
Final Battle and Hood Acquisition
When you enter the boss chamber, be prepared for a tough fight. The enemy here is powerful and reflects melee damage, so ranged spells or summoned allies are a safer bet. Defeat him to loot the much-awaited prize: the Spellturn Hood (unofficial name based on its properties).
Item Stats:
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+12 Shield Armor Rating
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+10% Reflect Damage
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+10% Resist Normal Weapons
These effects stack incredibly well for a mage or battlemage. The reflect damage softens melee attacks before they even hit your armor, while the resist normal weapons is crucial against archers, your primary threat. The added shield armor bonus is just the cherry on top, boosting your overall defense in battles that demand survivability.
Also available nearby is Mun’s Dagger, a secondary loot item worth taking along, especially if you dabble in short blade weapons.
Once looted, exit the chamber and follow the linear path out. You’ll eventually reach a submerged doorway that leads to the surface—watch your breath meter, but it's a straightforward escape route.
Conclusion: Why This Hood Is a Must-Have for Mages
If you’re serious about building a strong magic-based character in Oblivion Remaster, acquiring this hood from Sundercliff Watch is a game-changer. It provides solid protection, magic synergy, and specifically counters your biggest weakness—archers and melee-focused enemies. With bonuses to shield, reflect damage, and resistance to normal weapons, it gives mages the durability they often lack.
This dungeon run is also a great chance to build up your skills, gather high-value loot, and enjoy a dense and engaging piece of level design. Whether you’re running a classic mage, hybrid battlemage, or stealth sorcerer, this hood is one of the most balanced defensive headpieces available.
Don't skip this one. It’s easily one of the best gear upgrades you can get without needing to rely on mods or exploits.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Where is the best mage hood in Oblivion Remaster?
A: The best mage hood can be found in Sundercliff Watch, located on the far eastern edge of the game map. It’s part of a multi-stage dungeon filled with valuable loot and strong enemies.
Q2: What are the stats of the mage hood from Sundercliff Watch?
A: The hood grants +12 Shield Armor, +10% Reflect Damage, and +10% Resist Normal Weapons, making it a top-tier defensive option for magic-based characters.
Q3: What level should I be to attempt Sundercliff Watch?
A: The dungeon is recommended for characters at level 20 or above. While loot scaling appears to cap at level 20, testing shows that item stats remain consistent even at level 30.
Q4: Is the dungeon solo-friendly for mages?
A: Yes, but it’s best tackled with strong spells, summons, and a well-managed inventory. Be ready for crowded fights and traps, especially toward the final chambers.
Q5: Can I access shortcuts in the dungeon without high Acrobatics?
A: Some shortcuts do require moderate to high Acrobatics. However, alternative routes exist for low-Acrobatics builds—just expect more backtracking.
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