If you’re looking for one of the most iconic and powerful swords in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Umbra is calling your name. This legendary weapon isn’t just sleek and deadly—it also comes with one of the most infamous moral choices in the game. Here’s everything you need to know about where to find Umbra, how to defeat its wielder, and whether you should keep it or turn it in.
What is Umbra in Oblivion?
Umbra is a unique one-handed sword that carries the Soul Trap enchantment, meaning it automatically traps souls into your soul gems when you kill enemies—perfect for enchanting or recharging gear.
- Base Damage: 11 (can be boosted with your Blade skill)
- Enchantment: Soul Trap for 120 seconds
- Weight: 0 (due to a special game flag!)
It’s also one of the coolest-looking weapons in the game, with its jagged black blade and eerie aura.
Where to Find Umbra in Oblivion
Umbra is held by a fierce warrior named… Umbra (yes, really), located in Vindasel, an Ayleid ruin just southwest of the Imperial City.
Step-by-Step Location:
- Open your map and look just south-southwest of the Imperial City.
- You’ll find Vindasel right along the road—super easy to get to.
- Head inside, and you’ll find Umbra deeper within the ruin.
Tip: You don’t need to start any quest to fight Umbra—you can just walk into Vindasel and go for it.
How to Beat Umbra
Umbra (the character) is level 50, wears Umbra’s Ebony Armor, and hits like a truck. This is one of the toughest fights in the game, especially if you’re low level. Here’s how to take her down:
Pro Tips for the Fight:
- Use Poison: Lacing your weapon or arrows with poison is one of the best ways to whittle her down.
- Summon Help: Bring in some friends with Conjuration. Join the Mages Guild early to access better spells.
- Sneak Attack: If your Sneak is high, a sneak power attack can chunk her health early.
- Paralyze + Damage: Combining paralysis and elemental damage can lock her down long enough to finish the job.
Once she’s defeated, loot her for the Umbra sword and Umbra’s Ebony Armor—both excellent gear options.
Should You Keep Umbra or Give it to Clavicus Vile?
If you later start the Clavicus Vile Daedric Quest, he’ll ask you to retrieve the Umbra sword and return it to him. But here’s the kicker: you don’t have to give it to him.
Your Two Choices:
- Return Umbra: You’ll get Masque of Clavicus Vile (+10 Speechcraft, +5 Personality, +5 Mercantile).
- Keep Umbra: You’ll get to hold onto one of the best swords in the game—permanently.
Fun fact: Clavicus even says “Keep the sword” if you refuse him. So it’s not even that evil.
Is Umbra Worth It in Oblivion?
Absolutely. It’s a strong, zero-weight weapon that lasts forever and auto-traps souls. Whether you’re a melee fighter or just need it for quick soul farming, Umbra is an S-tier weapon—especially if you combine it with Azura’s Star.
Speaking of which, here’s how to cure vampirism in case you’re using Umbra on undead all night and forget the sun exists.
Final Tips
- Umbra can be enchanted further with exploits, but even without mods, it’s OP.
- Be careful—you can accidentally trigger the Clavicus Vile quest later and lose the sword if you’re not paying attention.
- You can use Umbra throughout the entire game—yes, it’s that good.