In The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, the ability to wait is a key mechanic that lets players fast-forward time. Whether you’re waiting for NPCs to appear, shops to open, or your health and magicka to regenerate, knowing how to wait time in Elder Scrolls 4 Oblivion is essential for gameplay flow and immersion. This guide explains exactly how to wait in Oblivion across all platforms, why you might not be able to wait at certain times, and how waiting impacts your gameplay.
How to Wait in Elder Scrolls 4 Oblivion (PC)
To wait on PC:
- Press the T key to bring up the wait menu.
- Use your mouse or arrow keys to select how many hours you want to wait.
- Click OK or press Enter to confirm and begin waiting.
The in-game time will skip ahead, and you’ll see a loading bar as time advances. This is useful for waiting until morning, nightfall, or a specific event time.
How to Wait in Oblivion (Xbox)
If you’re playing Oblivion on an Xbox 360 or Xbox Series X|S via backward compatibility:
- Press the Back button (or View button on newer Xbox controllers).
- Use the left stick or D-pad to select the number of hours to wait.
- Press A to confirm and wait.
Waiting is a great way to pass time until stores open, NPCs move to their scheduled locations, or your magicka naturally regenerates.
How to Wait in Oblivion (PlayStation)
For PS3 players:
- Press the Select button to bring up the wait menu.
- Choose how many hours you’d like to pass using the directional buttons or left analog stick.
- Press X to confirm and start waiting.
Just like on other platforms, waiting can be done anywhere outdoors or in safe areas where no enemies are nearby.
Why Can’t I Wait?
There are several reasons you might not be able to wait in Oblivion:
- Enemies are nearby: You can’t wait if a hostile NPC or creature is close, even if you don’t see them.
- In combat: You must exit combat mode first by lowering your weapon and avoiding any aggression.
- Restricted areas: You can’t wait in some specific quest zones or areas that are considered unsafe.
If you’re getting a message that says “You cannot wait while enemies are nearby,” try moving to a different location or making sure your weapon is sheathed and you’re not in battle.
What Waiting Does in Oblivion
Waiting in Oblivion serves multiple purposes:
- Restores your magicka over time, especially useful if you’re a spellcaster and don’t want to use potions or rest in a bed.
- Skips time to align with NPC schedules for quests or interactions.
- Passes time for timed events or to reset shops and merchant inventories.
- Advances time for sneaking or traveling without triggering fast travel.
If you want to fully heal your character, use a bed or bedroll instead, as waiting doesn’t restore health unless you have regeneration abilities or mods installed.
Tips for Using the Wait Feature Wisely
- NPCs usually follow a daily schedule, so wait near them if you’re trying to catch them at a certain time (like at their home or workplace).
- Shops in Oblivion typically open at 8 AM, so waiting until then ensures you’ll have access to merchants.
- Use waiting to recharge enchanted weapons if you have the appropriate Soul Gems or perks that assist with it.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to wait in Elder Scrolls 4 Oblivion is a small but powerful tool for improving your experience. Whether you’re planning a midnight heist, waiting for a blacksmith to arrive, or just topping off your magicka pool, this feature helps keep your journey through Cyrodiil smooth and immersive. Now that you know how to wait time in Oblivion, you’re ready to better control your adventure’s pace and sync with the world around you.