Among the various crafting materials in The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, Ectoplasm is one of the rarest. This substance, drawn from undead spirits, is vital for numerous quests, yet its locations in the game are not readily apparent. To collect Ectoplasm for your tasks or crafting, you’ll need to either speak with specific vendors or defeat certain unique enemies.
When used as a crafting ingredient, Ectoplasm can produce four distinct effects: Shock Damage, Dispel, Fortify Magicka, and Damage Health. However, its most notable application is within the Fighters Guild for the “Drunk and Disorderly” quest, where you’ll need to gather five pieces, making it essential to collect a significant amount.
Shops That Sell Ectoplasm in Oblivion Remastered
Rely on Luck for the Right Item
Unfortunately, none of the shops stock Ectoplasm as a regular item. However, you can find it in various locations. For instance, there’s one piece of Ectoplasm located in All Things Alchemical, a shop in Skingrad. This store is next to the Colovian Traders and Hammer and Tongs, but you’ll have to steal it, potentially putting you at risk of getting caught.
While other alchemical vendors might carry Ectoplasm, whether it appears in their inventory is up to chance. Ectoplasm can sometimes be available for purchase in alchemy shops, but it’s not consistent. On different days, as you interact with these vendors, you might be fortunate enough to find it at a good price.
Best Places to Find Ghosts & Ectoplasm
Defeat the Undead to Obtain the Crafting Material
Given the scarcity of Ectoplasm in stores, one of the easiest ways to collect it is by defeating ghostly enemies. Ghosts and undead beings come in various forms, but only specific Ethereal Undead will drop Ectoplasm when defeated. The following table outlines quests where you can encounter these types of enemies:
|
Quest |
Location |
Where to Start |
|---|---|---|
|
“The Ghost Ship of Anvil” |
Anvil |
Benirus Manor |
|
“Where Spirits Have Lease” |
Anvil |
Serpent’s Wake |
|
“The Forlorn Watchman” |
Mouth of the Panther |
Near the wreck of the Emma May ship |
One significant change in Oblivion Remastered compared to the original game is that a piece of Ectoplasm previously found near Meridia’s Shrine is no longer available, making it more challenging to locate this crafting ingredient.
Ghosts, Wraiths, Spectral Sailors, and Sanctified Dead drop Ectoplasm, with standard undead having a one in three chance of transforming into one of these types. Many Ethereal Undead can be found in underground areas, particularly within major cities. When visiting a Great Chapel, check the undercrofts where you can frequently find Ethereal Undead:
- Anvil
- Bravil
- Bruma
- Leyawiin
- Skingrad
Most undercroft areas are locked, so you may need to pick a lock or use a key to access them. Ethereal Undead are resistant to standard weapon attacks, as well as silence spells, Frost, and Poison damage, making them challenging adversaries. Using fire magic is a good strategy to take them down, after which you can collect Ectoplasm from the remnants they leave behind.
If you prefer not to break into chapel catacombs, consider exploring locations like Sancre Tor or Rielle, where Ethereal Undead spawn consistently. Regardless of how you encounter them, defeating Ethereal Undead in The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered will ensure you can obtain Ectoplasm for your quests or crafting.
