Managing Encounters with Will-O’-The-Wisps: A Guide

In Oblivion Remastered, you’ll encounter many challenging foes, but will-o-the-wisps can be particularly annoying if you’re not prepared to face them. These floating orbs of light boast impressive damage resistances and have several powerful abilities, making them tough to defeat. Your class and equipment can significantly impact how you deal with them. While they aren’t the most frequent enemies, knowing how to handle will-o-the-wisps is crucial to avoid setbacks in your progress.

What’s especially daunting about will-o-the-wisps is their relentless pursuit. The first time I ran into one, it chased me all the way from Bravil to Leyawiin, and I only managed to escape because a nearby traveler drew its attention. Getting too close allows them to sap your Magicka and health simultaneously while they heal themselves, making them even tougher to eliminate. Thankfully, once you learn effective strategies, these wisps become far less intimidating.

How to Defeat Will-O-The-Wisps

Only Magic Damage and Silver Weapons Can Harm Them

Regular weapons won’t harm will-o-the-wisps. If you’re a mage, you’ll have an easier time, as magic attacks can damage them. However, keep your distance while casting since they can drain your Magicka if you get too close, which is especially tough if you didn’t choose The Lord Birthsign. A good tactic is to keep moving while casting spells. If you have Reflect Spell available or potions, you can turn their draining power against them.

If you’re playing a stealth archer, you can fight will-o-the-wisps, but you need the right gear. Silver arrows can damage them, so it’s wise to use any you have saved for this kind of encounter. Enchanted weapons also deal magic damage, making them effective. The glowing nature of will-o-the-wisps makes them easy to spot from afar, allowing you to engage them on your terms.

Melee fighters will face the greatest challenges against these foes since you need to get close enough for them to drain your resources. A Reflect Spell potion could be a good choice, but since will-o-the-wisps drop the ingredients for it, you might not have access to it. Just like archers, you’ll need to rely on silver or enchanted items. Opt for weapons with a fast attack rate, as you’ll need to inflict damage quicker than they can heal from draining your energy.

Rewards for Defeating Will-O-The-Wisps

Will-O-The-Wisps Drop Glow Dust

Defeating will-o-the-wisps will yield Glow Dust, a valuable item for potion-making. You can use it in alchemy to create effects like Restore Speed, Light, Reflect Spell, or Damage Health. The Reflect Spell effect is relatively rare, and Glow Dust is one of the few ingredients that allow you to craft potions for it. If you’re interested in potion brewing, consider unlocking the Frostcrag Spire player home for access to an Altar of Alchemy. Even if potion-making isn’t your focus, Glow Dust has a value of 40 and looks nice, so it’s worth collecting.

One of the best rewards for defeating will-o-the-wisps in Oblivion Remastered is simply that you won’t have to worry about them constantly draining your life and Magicka. While they can be tricky to kill initially, once you know how to attack effectively, they become a lot less of a threat. Remember, now you’ve got the tools to either defeat them or run away if necessary.