When you think of the rarest and most valuable items in Oblivion Remastered, you might picture powerful late-game weapons or armor earned through challenging quests. However, one valuable item often overlooked is something you receive right at the beginning of your journey: the wrist irons from the character creation sequence, right after waking up in an imperial prison.
That’s right—the wrist irons you might have carelessly sold to a merchant are among the game’s best items and don’t appear in any treasure chest. If you accidentally discarded them, don’t fret. There are two locations where you can easily find a new pair.
Why Are Wrist Irons Valuable?
Wrist irons not only weigh nothing, but they are also indestructible and uniquely allow you to wear something on your hands. For characters clad in heavy armor, this may seem insignificant. Yet, for mages, it’s a tremendous advantage. Wearing armor often reduces spell effectiveness, which is why many mages choose enchanted robes instead. Wrist irons are a fantastic option for unarmored characters, giving them an additional slot for enchantments without hindering their spell casting.
You can check your current spell effectiveness percentage on the magic page. This percentage indicates how well your spells will perform in combat.
Location #1: Deepscorn Hollow
The first and easiest place to find wrist irons is in Deepscorn Hollow, the home for assassin characters. To get there, travel to the southernmost tip of the Blackwoods region, just off a small island. Once you locate the island, dive into the water and search for a hollowed-out tree. Swim inside, and you’ll discover a passageway leading into the caverns of Deepscorn Hollow.
Upon entering the main atrium, turn left to find a doorway leading into Deepscorn Cloister. In front of you is a cattle cell, a small area where a few skeletons are chained to the wall. Look down near the skeletons, and you’ll find a pair of wrist irons.
Due to a recurring bug, the wrist irons may sometimes spawn in an area that’s hard to reach. If that happens, keep leaving and re-entering Deepscorn Cloister; the wrist irons should eventually appear in the right spot.
Location #2: Sundercliff Watch
The second reliable location for wrist irons is at Sundercliff Watch, the dungeon explored during the Daedric artifact quest, “Unearthing Mehrunes’ Razor.” Positioned near the border of Morrowind and adjacent to Lake Canulus, Sundercliff Watch is one of the largest dungeons in the game. Fortunately, you can find the wrist irons fairly early in your exploration, so you don’t need to dive too deep into the dungeon.
Prepare for a challenging fight. The Drothmeri soldiers here are well-armed and numerous, mainly consisting of dark elves, so be cautious and avoid fire damage equipment.
After you clear the main entryway, you’ll encounter an old wooden door that requires a password. Nearby, you’ll find a bag with a journal containing the password: “Chimer.” Once you open the door, proceed through the tunnels, defeat any enemies, and make your way to Sundercliff Village.
In the village area, which can be quite large and confusing, try to sneak around to avoid unnecessary battles. After you reach the central area with the Recruit Barracks, Canteen, and Soldier Lodgings, make your way to a small building labeled “Jail.”
Inside, you’ll find a holding cell with a Morag Tong assassin and a table with a note. On that table, you’ll also find two pairs of wrist irons ready for you to collect. Whether you continue with the goal of obtaining Mehrune’s Razor or just want the wrist irons is entirely up to you.
These are just two of the simplest ways to get wrist irons in Oblivion Remastered. There may be other hidden locations throughout Cyrodiil’s many dungeons, but these two are some of the most notable and accessible spots. Just be sure you hold onto them this time!
