Persuasion Minigame in Oblivion Explained
The Persuasion minigame in Oblivion allows players to influence NPCs during conversations. It uses a simple mechanic where players must balance three options: Admire, Intimidate, and Coerce. Each choice affects the NPC’s disposition towards the player. Success depends on the NPC’s personality and the player’s skills. Players can gain advantages by improving their Speech skill and using the right dialogue options.

Mastering Persuasion in Oblivion: A Guide for Young Gamers
Hey, fellow gamers! If you’ve dived into the iconic world of Oblivion, you might have stumbled upon the quirky persuasion minigame. At first glance, it seems pretty bizarre—who would think to “admire” or “coerce” every NPC just to get some info? But if you learn to navigate this minigame, it can totally enhance your gaming experience. Let’s break it down!
What’s the Deal with Persuasion?
Persuasion is key if you want to get some juicy details from the non-playable characters (NPCs) in Oblivion. Some of them won’t spill the tea unless they like you enough! It all kicks off when you press the persuasion button during a convo, showing a face icon or arrows in the remastered version.
How to Ace the Persuasion Minigame
Think of the persuasion minigame as a unique puzzle. Here’s how it works:
- Facial Expressions: Each NPC gives you clues with their facial expressions. Serious poker faces tell you what they like or hate.
- Click Strategy:
- Selecting liked topics earns you disposal points while disliked ones deduct them.
- You need to click each of the four topics—admire, joke, boast, and coerce—just once. Yup, even the ones they dislike, so don’t lag!
- Timed Challenge: The clock’s ticking! You lose points the longer you take.
- Goal: Finish with more points than you started.
Tips & Tricks for Success
- Initial Check: Right when you start, look at how the NPC reacts to each topic. Gather that intel before you jump in!
- Strategic Clicking: If a loved topic has a small wedge, snag it first. If there’s a hated one positioned favorably, click that last.
- Optimizing Turns: Count how many turns it’ll take to get your favorite topic in play and plan accordingly.

Changes in Oblivion Remastered
The remastered version makes things a bit easier with color coding. Each topic now shows red (hate), orange (dislike), yellow (like), and green (love), so you don’t have to solely rely on facial expressions. Plus, each topic’s influence is easier to read, thanks to the concentric bars!
Level Up Your Persuasion Skills
Just like leveling up in any RPG, you gain experience in Speechcraft every time you use persuasion. Here’s what unlocking those levels can do for you:
- Novice (0): No perks.
- Apprentice (25): Slower disposition decreases.
- Journeyman (50): A free rotation when persuading.
- Expert (75): Lower costs for bribes.
- Master (100): No decrease in disposition while persuading!
Final Thoughts
So there you have it, a simple guide to becoming a persuasion pro in Oblivion. Whether you’re cozying up to a merchant or probing an NPC for secrets, mastering this minigame will seriously enhance your adventures. Now get out there, flex those persuasion skills, and explore the magical world of Tamriel!
Game Information Box
Name: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Retail Price: $19.99 (varies by retailer)
Release Date: March 20, 2006
Where to Buy: Steam, GOG, Xbox Marketplace, PlayStation Store
The game mentioned in the Persuasion minigame in Oblivion is “The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.” If you have thoughts or detailed experiences about this unique minigame, feel free to leave a comment!
