Ectoplasm in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion can be found primarily by defeating Ethereal Undead enemies such as ghosts and wraiths, who drop it as loot. Here are the key ways and locations to find ectoplasm:
- Ethereal Undead Enemies: Ghosts, wraiths, and other ethereal undead in dungeons and forts drop ectoplasm. You need a silver or enchanted weapon to damage them effectively
- Rielle Dungeon: One of the easiest and earliest guaranteed sources is the Rielle dungeon northwest of Bruma. It contains about 6 ghosts in the crypt area that drop ectoplasm. This location is accessible early and does not require a quest to enter
- Sanctified Dead in Chapel Undercrofts: Many city chapels have undercrofts with respawning Sanctified Dead (ethereal undead) that drop ectoplasm. Access may require lockpicking or completing the Pilgrimage quest from Knights of the Nine
- Other Dungeons with Ethereal Undead: Locations like Sancre Tor, Vahtacen, Wendir, Malada, and others have ethereal undead that drop ectoplasm, often tied to quests or requiring certain progress
- Alchemy Shops: Ectoplasm can sometimes be purchased from alchemy vendors such as "All Things Alchemical" in Skingrad and "The Main Ingredient" in Imperial City Market District, though availability is rare and random
- Static Samples: There are two guaranteed ectoplasm samples found on tables - one in "All Things Alchemical" in Skingrad and one at Meridia's Shrine (though the latter may no longer be present in some versions)
For quest purposes, such as the Fighters Guild quest "Drunk and Disorderly," you need 5 ectoplasm samples, which can be efficiently farmed from the ghosts in Rielle or other ethereal undead locations
. In summary, the best method to find ectoplasm is to hunt ethereal undead in dungeons like Rielle or chapel undercrofts, supplemented by occasional purchases from alchemy shops
