In the revitalized world of Oblivion Remastered, players are rediscovering one of the most audacious exploits from the original 2006 release: systematically eliminating waves of Mythic Dawn assassins during the game’s opening tutorial. This tactic not only floods the screen with fallen foes but also grants rapid experience gains, setting the stage for an unconventional playthrough.
The Dawn of Chaos: Tutorial Bloodbath Explained
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion kicks off with players imprisoned in the Imperial City, tasked with escorting Emperor Uriel Septim VII through secret tunnels amid an assassination attempt. Mythic Dawn cultists, devotees of the Daedric Prince Mehrunes Dagon, spawn in unlimited numbers to thwart this escape. Rather than fleeing, savvy adventurers turn the tables, engaging in prolonged combat that piles corpses high outside the tutorial cell.
This method, popularized in ancient GameFAQs discussions from nearly two decades ago, treats the assassins as an infinite XP farm. Fighters respawn relentlessly, allowing characters to level skills like Blade, Block, and Armorer before the Emperor’s demise even registers in the narrative. In Remastered, enhanced graphics make the grotesque stack of bodies a visual spectacle, amplifying the absurdity.
Community Shenanigans and Meme-Worthy Moments
Recent Reddit threads showcase triumphant screenshots of these massacres, with one player boasting, “I killed the entirety of the Mythic Dawn cult,” accompanied by a mountain of slain enemies. Responses erupted in laughter: “Problem? Solution? Remove problem.” Another quipped, “Modern problems require modern solutions,” while a third joked it felt like “Oblivion after playing Doom Eternal”—pure, unbridled carnage.
YouTube creators have jumped in, with videos like “Crushing The Mythic Dawn Cult” detailing modded runs that balance enemy scaling for fairer fights, or challenge playthroughs where cultists themselves tackle the Arena questline. Shorts capture disobedient sacrifices, where ignoring quest prompts leads to cultist purges instead of compliance. These clips highlight how the exploit endures across playstyles.
- Key Community Highlights:
- Piles of 50+ bodies blocking prison doors.
- Threatening Imperial Guards for armor to enhance the slaughter.
- Comparisons to early 2000s sandbox mayhem.
- Mods removing auto-leveling for sustained challenge.
Mechanics Behind the Infinite Spawn
Oblivion’s engine scripts Mythic Dawn appearances tied to the Emperor’s escort event. As long as the sequence lingers—delayed by player inaction or combat—new assassins materialize. This creates a feedback loop: kill one, gain XP and loot; repeat indefinitely. Low-level gear from foes jumpstarts builds, often yielding enchanted daggers or robes suitable for mages.
In Remastered, optimizations haven’t patched this, preserving legacy exploits. Players report stacking over 100 kills, with bodies clipping through walls in physics-defying heaps. It’s not true eradication—the cult persists in the overworld—but it neuters the opening threat spectacularly.
| Exploit Phase | Benefits | Risks |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Engagement | Quick skill levels (Blade +10) | Emperor death timer |
| Mid-Grind (20+ kills) | Armor looting, gold | Performance lag from bodies |
| Endgame Pile | Max tutorial XP | Quest progression block |
Strategic Depth: Builds and Mods
Beyond memes, this grind optimizes stealth archers or destruction mages early. Conjure skeletons for safe Destruction training, as seen in cultist Arena runs. Mods like enemy cap balancers prevent post-level spikes, making late-game foes manageable. Pair with the Skeleton Key quest for universal lockpicking, unlocking deeper exploits.
One YouTuber role-played as a Mythic Dawn infiltrator, looting cult gear to fund shock spells pivotal for survival. This meta-layer adds replayability, turning a glitch into structured fun.
Impact on Main Quest and Lore
By decimating assassins pre-Empire fall, players preempt the central plot: Mythic Dawn’s role in opening Oblivion Gates. Videos trace the cult’s pursuit of the Amulet of Kings via riddles and tomes, underscoring their narrative weight. Wiping them here creates a power vacuum, though the story adapts via journal updates.
Purists decry it as cheese; speedrunners embrace it for segment times. It exemplifies Oblivion’s freedom, where “war crimes” feel authentic to Tamriel’s brutality.
Historical Context: From 2006 to Remaster
GameFAQs threads from 2006 hailed it as “fun” leveling, predating modern glitches. Remastered revives this for new gens, blending nostalgia with 2020s polish. Community persistence shows Bethesda’s design philosophy: emergent gameplay over rigid paths.
FAQs: Mastering the Cult Cull
Q: Does this break the game?
A: No, quests proceed post-grind; just exit the area.
Q: Best skills to level?
A: One-handed, heavy armor, restoration for sustainability.
Q: Mods recommended?
A: Auto-level removal and enemy balance for fairness.
Q: Infinite really?
A: Effectively yes, until event timeout.
Q: Remastered changes?
A: Better visuals, same mechanics.
Why This Exploit Endures
Oblivion’s sandbox soul thrives on such creativity. Stacking Mythic Dawn symbolizes player agency, turning scripted doom into triumphant defiance. As Remastered surges in popularity, expect more tales of tutorial tyranny.
References
- This Oblivion Remastered player killed the entirety of the Mythic Dawn cult — GamesRadar. 2024. https://www.gamesradar.com/games/the-elder-scrolls/this-oblivion-remastered-player-killed-the-entirety-of-the-mythic-dawn-cult-at-the-start-of-the-rpg-problem-solution-remove-problem/
- Its always a cult l taking down Mythic Dawn Oblivion Remastered PT4 — YouTube (RTGame reference). 2024.
- Crushing The Mythic Dawn Cult | Oblivion Remastered Ep5 — YouTube. 2024.
- Can a Mythic Dawn Cultist Beat Oblivion’s Arena Questline? — YouTube. 2024.
- What if You Killed All the Members of the Mythic Dawn — YouTube Shorts. 2024. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/XeHqLLNGrWw
- The Cult of The Mythic Dawn – Oblivion Remastered — Howdy Folks (YouTube). 2024.

