Oblivion Remastered players complaining about auto-scaling should try out these 3 balance mods
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One of the most debated topics surrounding the original Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was its infamous level scaling system, which adjusted enemy difficulty and loot quality based on the player’s level. This meant that even after spending countless hours leveling up and progressing through the game, low-level creatures like wolves would gradually be replaced by tougher foes such as mountain lions or trolls.
While the system helped keep the game challenging, no matter where or when you explored, for some players, it made leveling up feel pointless. The criticism around Oblivion's auto-scaling faded somewhat when Skyrim launched with a more balanced approach, but now with the Oblivion Remastered bringing both newcomers and veterans back, the community is once again voicing frustration over just how aggressive the level scaling is.
Luckily, a few workarounds are here to help
Since Oblivion Remastered doesn't change the original level scaling system, Reddit threads (see above) are popping up where both new and longtime players unite in their dislike of the auto-scaling. Fortunately, there are mods to fix it.
Balanced NPC Level Cap
Available on the popular modding site NexusMods, the first is the Balanced NPC Level Cap mod, which adds consistent level caps to over 1,400 NPCs from the base game and all DLCs. Users can choose between Simple and Diverse modes: Simple sets all NPCs to their level at player level 30 for a consistent late-game challenge, while Diverse assigns varied caps based on NPC type and location for a more dynamic experience.
Simple Creature Level Cap
The same creator also offers an equivalent mod for creatures called Simple Creature Level Cap, which by default caps enemy levels at their level when the player is 25. The creator explains this level was chosen because loot scaling tops out around player level 20-25, so it makes sense that enemies shouldn't keep getting harder if the rewards for defeating them don't improve.
Balanced Unleveled Rewards
Lastly, auto-scaling also affects quest rewards, meaning completing certain quests at low levels can result in weaker items compared to doing them later. For this, there’s the Balanced Unleveled Rewards mod, which fixes all leveled items and spells at a single level. The mod offers a dynamic experience by not setting all items to their maximum level. Instead, some items are fixed at lower levels based on when they appear, how easy they are to obtain, and their balance relative to other loot.
More details and installation guides are available on each mod's page, so be sure to read them thoroughly, especially if this is your first time adding mods to the game.
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