Oblivion Molag Bal Quest Guide — Walkthrough & Rewards
Introduction
If you play The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and enjoy Daedric intrigue, the oblivion molag bal quest is one of the darker, most memorable Daedric experiences in the game. This guide gives a clear, engaging walkthrough that respects the game’s tone while focusing on practical tips you can use right away. Whether you want the unique artifact, walk a morally gray path, or simply understand the choices and consequences, you’ll find step-by-step instructions, build advice, and answers to common questions.
What is the Molag Bal Quest? — Overview
The Molag Bal quest is a Daedric questline in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion tied to the Daedric Prince Molag Bal, lord of domination and enslavement. Like other Daedric quests, it starts when you discover and activate a Daedric shrine or meet an NPC related to a Daedra. The main reward is the Mace of Molag Bal, a powerful Daedric weapon favored by players who like raw damage and unique effects.
Key elements in this section:
- Type: Daedric quest (Daedric Prince: Molag Bal)
- Main reward: Mace of Molag Bal (Daedric artifact)
- Theme: Domination, moral choice, dark bargains
- Related terms: Daedric shrine, Daedra, The Elder Scrolls IV
How to Start the Oblivion Molag Bal Quest
Starting the oblivion molag bal quest is straightforward but can require either exploration or luck. Here’s how to trigger it, plus a few tips to make sure you don’t miss it.
- Find a Daedric shrine: Daedric shrines are scattered throughout Cyrodiil. When you activate the Molag Bal shrine, you may receive the quest offer. Shrines are often found outside towns, in ruins, or near Daedra-infested locations.
- Speak to related NPCs: Occasionally NPC rumors or side dialogues can point you to a shrine or location tied to Molag Bal. Always read NPC dialogue and journal updates carefully.
- Check your journal: After activation, the quest appears in your quest journal under Daedric quests. Keep an eye on objectives and travel markers.
Tip: Save before activating a Daedric shrine. Daedric quests often involve choices with moral or gameplay consequences; a quick save lets you experiment without permanent commitment.
Step-by-Step Walkthrough: Completing the Quest
The following walkthrough gives a general path you’ll follow in the Molag Bal quest. Exact locations and enemy names can vary depending on build and playstyle, so this walkthrough focuses on tasks and strategy rather than rigid coordinates.
1. Accept the Request
When you interact with the Molag Bal shrine or related NPC, you’ll be given an instruction that typically involves retrieving an item, punishing an enemy, or delivering a servant. Accepting will add an objective to your journal.
2. Travel to the Target Location
- Follow the journal marker. The location may be a ruin, cave, or an NPC’s house.
- Prepare for combat: Molag Bal quests often include powerful enemies or traps. Bring healing potions, restoration spells, and resist-magic gear if possible.
3. Overcome Enemies and Obstacles
Expect a mix of Daedra, cultists, or human enemies. Use crowd control, summons, or a stealth approach depending on your character build.
- Melee players: Use block and bash mechanics, enchant your weapon with Fire or Shock for extra damage.
- Mages: Crowd control spells, Bound weapons, and summoned atronachs work well.
- Stealth characters: Sneak attacks and traps can clear rooms quickly. Be mindful that some quest steps require you to be seen or to speak to an NPC.
4. Face the Moral Choice
Molag Bal’s quests often offer a dark bargain. You may be asked to return an item, kill or spare a target, or sacrifice something valuable. Consider the consequences: refusing can sometimes close off the reward but may preserve your character’s reputation or alignment.
Common choices include:
- Deliver the artifact to Molag Bal or keep it for yourself
- Obey an explicit command that harms an NPC or break that command
- Accept a powerful reward at the cost of becoming more entangled in Molag Bal’s schemes
5. Claim the Mace of Molag Bal
If you follow through with the quest objective, you’ll typically receive the Mace of Molag Bal as a reward. This mace is a Daedric artifact with a strong enchantment that can include stagger, soul-related effects, or bonus damage. It’s a favorite for players who like heavy-hitting one-handed weapons combined with Daedric aesthetics.
Rewards, Effects, and Build Choices
Understanding the reward helps you decide how to approach the oblivion molag bal quest. Below is how to evaluate the mace and plan your build.
The Mace of Molag Bal — Why It’s Useful
- High base damage: As a Daedric weapon, it has one of the higher base damages in the game for its class.
- Unique enchantment: The mace often has effects that can stun or drain life/soul-based mechanics, making it strong in both PvE and lore-based builds.
- Roleplay value: If you’re playing a character aligned with darker forces, the mace fits perfectly into a Molag Bal worshipper or anti-hero narrative.
Best Builds to Use the Mace
- Heavy-hitter warrior: Maximize Strength/Endurance (or the Oblivion equivalents like Blade/Heavy Armor skills) and use the mace with high attack speed enchantments.
- Paladin-ish anti-hero: Combine restoration spells for self-healing with the mace’s damage. The contrast makes an interesting roleplay concept.
- Hybrid battlemage: Use Conjuration or Destruction to control crowds, then finish with the mace when enemies are staggered.
Tips, Tricks, and Common Pitfalls
These targeted tips will help you complete the oblivion molag bal quest quickly and avoid common mistakes.
- Always save before major choices: Daedric bargains can have permanent consequences. A manual save lets you test both outcomes.
- Bring soul traps: If you want to enchant the Mace of Molag Bal or capture souls after battles, carry filled soul gems or a soul trap spell.
- Watch for traps and ambushes: Daedric locations often contain hidden pressure plates or summoned reinforcements.
- Use followers carefully: If you bring a companion, they can take aggro and help with damage, but sometimes companions can accidentally steal a key item or trigger dialogue in a way that changes the quest.
- Check vendors and blacksmiths: If the mace doesn’t meet your damage expectations, upgrade your Smithing and improve the weapon where applicable, or use high-level enchantments.
Roleplaying and Lore: Molag Bal in Oblivion
Molag Bal is a Daedric Prince associated with domination, enslavement, and the desecration of mortal wills. The oblivion molag bal quest fits that theme: expect tests of moral fiber and offers that manipulate your character. If you’re into roleplaying, consider these approaches:
- The Devoted Cultist: Accept Molag Bal’s demands and use the mace openly. This path suits a character who seeks power at any cost.
- The Reluctant Opportunist: Complete the quest for the artifact but resist deeper bargains. This is ideal for players who want the item without full devotion.
- The Opponent: Refuse Molag Bal’s offers and thwart his plans. This can be satisfying for players who prefer heroism over dark power, even if it means sacrificing the Daedric reward.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: How do I find Molag Bal’s shrine to start the quest?
A: The Molag Bal shrine can be discovered while exploring Daedric sites or by following clues from NPCs. Shrines are not always marked on fast-travel maps, so look for lone statues, strange altars, or ruined sites outside of major cities. Activating the shrine or interacting with certain NPCs near its location will trigger the quest.
Q2: Can I keep the Mace of Molag Bal if I refuse Molag Bal’s request?
A: Outcomes can vary based on the specific choice you make during the quest. In many Daedric quests you can keep the artifact if you follow Molag Bal’s instructions. If you refuse, you may lose the immediate reward but gain a different outcome or roleplay satisfaction. Always save before making a decision to test the consequences.
Q3: Is the Mace of Molag Bal better than other Daedric weapons?
A: The Mace of Molag Bal is a strong weapon with a unique enchantment that favors stagger and life-drain style effects. “Better” depends on build: a two-handed Mehrunes Dagon weapon might have higher raw damage, but the Molag Bal mace’s special properties make it valuable for one-handed builds and thematic characters.
Q4: Will completing the Molag Bal quest affect other quests or factions?
A: Typically, Daedric quests are self-contained and won’t block major faction storylines, but they can affect your personal reputation and roleplay choices. Some NPCs might react differently if your character is widely known for dark bargains. Always check your journal and saves when juggling multiple storylines.
Q5: Any quick strategies to survive Molag Bal encounters?
A: Yes. Keep a balanced setup: healing potions, resist-magic gear, and companion support. Use summons or crowd control to handle groups, and focus on target priority in boss fights. If you’re low level, sneak or use ranged spells to soften enemies before closing in for melee.
Conclusion
The oblivion molag bal quest is a compact but memorable Daedric experience in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Whether you want the Mace of Molag Bal, enjoy morally complex choices, or simply want a challenging encounter, this quest delivers on atmosphere and gameplay. Remember to save often, plan your build, and decide whether you want power, principle, or a bit of both. Good luck — and beware the bargains of the Daedric princes.

