To level up Sneak fast in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, here are the most effective methods based on gameplay mechanics and exploits:
Fast Sneak Leveling Methods
- Sneak Walk in Circles Near an Enemy or Horse
Find a stationary enemy or your horse, remove armor to avoid noise, then crouch and walk in a tight circle close enough to be detected but not caught. This grants sneak experience continuously as you move undetected. You can even tape your controller or use auto-move to keep walking in circles for hours to reach level 100 Sneak
- Repeated Pickpocketing Exploit
Give an NPC 100 gold, then pickpocket it back repeatedly without them becoming hostile. Each pickpocket attempt grants Sneak experience very quickly. This method can level Sneak from low levels to 100 in minutes if done continuously
- Sneak Near Non-Aggressive NPCs or Enemies
Sneak around NPCs that don’t move much or are non-aggressive, such as guards on patrol or NPCs in inns. The Imperial City Arena’s antechamber and places like The Grey Mare Inn in Chorrol are good spots. Walking undetected near them grants Sneak XP naturally
- Use Auto-Move and Positioning
Use the sneak button and auto-move to walk into corners or crates near enemies who say things like “Who’s there?” but can’t detect you. This causes constant sneak XP gain as you move undetected but close enough to be noticed
Tips to Maximize Sneak XP Gain
- Remove heavy armor or boots to reduce noise and detection chance. Barefoot is best until Journeyman rank
- Sneak attacks and moving undetected both grant Sneak XP, so attacking from sneak also helps level faster
- Use Invisibility or Chameleon spells to reduce detection chance and increase sneak effectiveness
- Avoid running while sneaking; walking or crouch-walking is best until you reach Expert mastery
Summary of Sneak Mastery Benefits
Mastery Level| Benefit
---|---
Novice (0-24)| Extra damage when hitting undetected
Apprentice (25-49)| Deadlier sneak attacks
Journeyman (50-74)| Make less noise when sneaking
Expert (75-99)| Harder to detect in bright environments
Master (100)| Sneak attacks ignore opponent's armor
Using the above methods, you can quickly and efficiently level your Sneak skill to 100 in Oblivion, enabling powerful stealth gameplay and high-damage sneak attacks
