How to get black soul gems in Oblivion Remastered

How to Get Black Soul Gems in Oblivion Remastered: A Complete Guide

In The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, Black Soul Gems are among the most powerful and rare items in the game. They are essential for trapping the souls of sentient NPCs, making them invaluable for high-level enchantments and powerful necromantic rituals. While standard soul gems can capture the souls of beasts and monsters, only Black Soul Gems can hold human souls—making them critical tools for players focused on advanced magic or dark arts.

This guide provides a detailed, step-by-step explanation of how to acquire Black Soul Gems in Oblivion Remastered, as well as tips for using them effectively.

🧿 What Are Black Soul Gems?
Black Soul Gems are a rare form of soul gem used to trap the souls of humanoid NPCs—Imperials, Nords, Elves, and other sentient races. These are not just stronger versions of Grand Soul Gems; they are uniquely capable of storing human souls, which are always categorized as "Grand Souls" in the game.

They are most commonly used for:

High-end enchantments on weapons and armor.

Recharge fuel for magical items.

Necromantic quests and dark arts, especially for Mages Guild or Necromancer factions.

🔍 Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Black Soul Gems
1. Find Grand Soul Gems
To create Black Soul Gems, you'll need to start with empty Grand Soul Gems. These are found in:

Mages Guild halls, particularly in Chorrol or Arcane University.

Looted containers in dungeons and necromancer lairs.

Merchants, such as Calindil at the Mystic Emporium in the Imperial City.

💡 Tip: Ensure the Grand Soul Gems you obtain are empty. Filled ones cannot be transformed into Black Soul Gems.

2. Locate a Necromancer Altar
Next, you'll need access to a special altar that can convert Grand Soul Gems into Black Soul Gems.

Look for these altars at:

Dark Fissure (northeast of Skingrad)

Fort Istirus (southeast of Anvil)

Wendelbek (north of Bravil)

Other necromancer hideouts and caves

These altars are distinguishable by a sinister-looking structure with a blue flame and pedestal.

3. Wait for the Right Time: The Shade of the Revenant
You can’t convert gems at any time—you must wait for a specific lunar event called the Shade of the Revenant, which occurs on certain days of the in-game calendar. During this time, a magical purple light will shine down onto the necromancer altar.

This happens once every 8 in-game days, typically at midnight.

Wait near the altar until you see the purple beam of light.

Use the “Wait” function (T key on PC) to fast-forward time if needed.

⏳ Timing is everything. Without the Shade of the Revenant, the altar remains inactive.

4. Transform the Soul Gem
When the purple beam appears:

Place the empty Grand Soul Gem on the altar’s pedestal.

Wait a moment; the transformation is automatic.

Retrieve the now-converted Black Soul Gem.

Repeat this process with multiple Grand Soul Gems if you wish to create a batch.

🧠 Pro Tips for Efficient Farming
Use multiple altars: Visit different necromancer sites to convert more gems during a single Shade of the Revenant event.

Set a calendar reminder in-game or in your notes to track when the next alignment will occur.

Combine with stealth: Many of these altars are guarded. Come prepared to fight or sneak past necromancers.

Soul trap strategy: Use the spell Soul Trap or enchanted weapons to fill the Black Soul Gems with human souls.

⚠️ Ethical Considerations in Gameplay
While the game offers players the ability to trap human souls, it comes with moral ambiguity, especially for characters aligned with the Mages Guild or who roleplay virtuous personas. Black Soul Gems are often associated with necromancy and forbidden arts in Tamriel's lore.

If you're trying to maintain a "good" character, consider whether using these items aligns with your narrative.

🧪 What to Do With Black Soul Gems
Once filled, Black Soul Gems are among the most potent resources in the game. Here’s how you can use them:

Recharge magical weapons: Extend the durability of enchanted items.

Enchant high-tier armor and weapons: Create custom items with maximum power.

Complete necromancer or Daedric quests: Some quests specifically require filled Black Soul Gems.

✅ Final Thoughts
Black Soul Gems in Oblivion Remastered unlock a deeper, darker side of the game’s magic system. Whether you're an ambitious enchanter, a power-hungry necromancer, or a curious adventurer, learning how to obtain and use these rare items gives you a major edge.

By mastering the cycle of the Shade of the Revenant and preparing your Grand Soul Gems ahead of time, you’ll be well on your way to tapping into one of Oblivion’s most powerful magical mechanics.