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Elder Scrolls
Underwater

The oxygen meter in Oblivion.

The oxygen meter is a counter in The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall, The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim that determines the length of time that the character can safely stay underwater. When the timer runs out, the character will begin to rapidly lose health. In Morrowind and Oblivion, the counter is a visual indicator. In Daggerfall and Skyrim, there is no visual indication of how long can be spent underwater before begining to drown.

By game[]

Daggerfall[]

In Daggerfall, the duration the Agent can stay underwater without taking damage by drowning is determined by their Swimming skill. The water breathing spell prevents damage caused by drowning for its duration. [?]

Morrowind[]

In Morrowind, the oxygen meter will deplete from full to empty in 20 seconds, after which the Nerevarine will begin taking three points of damage every second until they either surface for air or lose all their remaining health and drown. Unlike Oblivion, and much like Skyrim, oxygen is a static timer of 20 seconds. The water breathing effect on enchantments, spells and potions prevents damage caused by drowning.

Oblivion[]

In Oblivion, the oxygen meter is proportionate to the character's Endurance. The minimum time one can spend underwater is four seconds with zero Endurance and the maximum is 34 seconds with 100 Endurance, with each point of Endurance providing an additional 0.3 seconds. Once oxygen is fully depleted, the Hero will rapidly lose health until they surface for air or lose all their remaining health and drown. The average oxygen duration of a newly created character ranges from 10 seconds for those with 30 Endurance to 23.5 seconds for those with 65 Endurance. The water breathing effect on enchantments, spells and potions prevents damage caused by drowning.

Skyrim[]

In Skyrim, the oxygen meter does not have a visual indicator, but the Dragonborn will begin to rapidly lose 20 health each second after 20 seconds underwater. Characters other than the Dragonborn cannot drown or take damage from being underwater for longer than 20 seconds. The Waterbreathing effect on enchantments, spells and potions prevents damage caused by drowning. Contrary to popular belief, stamina does not affect the time the Dragonborn can stay underwater.

Trivia[]

  • In Oblivion and Skyrim, Argonians have a natural ability to stay underwater indefinitely. In Morrowind they must cast their power to gain water breathing. In Daggerfall, they do not have inherent water breathing at all.

See also[]

Appearances[]

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