Combat is the core aspect of Oblivion Remastered, offering various playstyles to accommodate players, ranging from up-close melee combat to ranged archery and spell-casting. Strategy and equipment can be employed to counter most encounters, but a handful are exceptional; they are challenging. One such encounter is the Arena fight against the Three Argonian Prisoners, a fight repeatedly named as one of the most difficult (and perhaps unfair) in the game.
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What is Arena?
The Arena is a structured battle arena in the Imperial City where foes engage in deadly, gladiator-style combat to become famous, earn rewards, and rank. When you enter, players have two options:
- Bet on matches to earn gold with minimal risk
- Fight as a fighter and ascend through the Arena rankings by defeating increasingly difficult opponents
Fighting as a fighter is an exhilarating combat experience and well-deserved reward, but it involves some ghastly skill tests, too.
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Why is it Difficult to Beat the Three Argonian Prisoners?
When it comes to reaching the Gladiator rank, the player will have to battle a group of three Argonian Prisoners in a single Arena match. At first, these unarmed enemies don’t appear to be any kind of threat, but they soon will be.
- Outnumbered Three-to-One: Handling one enemy is easy, with good blocking and positioning. But when surrounded by three attackers, it is challenging to defend constantly. Every successful block depletes your Fatigue, making it more difficult to counter or dodge follow-up attacks.
- Disarm Mechanics: Two of the Argonians fight unarmed, but don’t let that fool you; they’re deceptively dangerous. Their bare-handed attacks have a chance to disarm you, knocking your weapon to the ground. Without your weapon, you’re forced to either retrieve it mid-fight (a risky move) or rely on unarmed or magical attacks, which may not suit your build.
- Stamina Drain and Attrition: Protracted blocking against several foes rapidly depletes Fatigue, leaving you vulnerable to knockdowns or whiffed attacks. The longer the fight lasts, the more vulnerable you become, especially if you are left weaponless or pinned.
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How to Beat Them?
The battle against the Three Argonian Prisoners in the Arena is notoriously dirty, but there are a couple of ways to approach it based on your style of play. If you want to give it to them in a fair fight or a clever environmental trick, both will win, given that you do it correctly. Below, you can view two guaranteed ways of beating this infamous Arena challenge.
Method 1
If you’re determined to win this battle with honour and skill, preparation and precision are essential. A head-on melee approach is riskier, but with the right tactics, it’s entirely possible to win cleanly.
Pre-Battle Preparation
Stock up on Fatigue and Health Potions. You’ll need these to survive extended exchanges and recover from blocking multiple attacks. Consider healing or fortification spells if your character is magically inclined. Equip your best melee weapon and resilient armour.
Combat Strategy
- Defeat the Unarmed Argonians First
Assault one of the two fighters who are in a hand-to-hand fight. They are the ones capable of disarming you, so take them out first.
Make use of hit-and-run manoeuvres, strike once or twice, and then withdraw in order to avoid getting boxed in.
- Repeat This with the Second Unarmed Warrior
When one is eliminated, attack the other with the same defensive approach. Maintaining your distance and managing your Fatigue is key here.
- Complete Off the Remaining Argonian
Your threat is significantly reduced since there is just one enemy left. The last attacker is hardly a threat when soloed, and you can complete the fight with ease.
- This method requires patience and precision. If you’re of a melee or hybrid build and enjoy traditional combat, this is your best path to victory.
Method 2
If you’re not winning fairly—or simply want to get this fight over with fast—this technique is a genius way to defeat the Argonian trio with minimal risk. It may take some practice to get down, but once you’ve got it, the fight becomes a lot easier.
As soon as the Gate Opens, Sprint Right
Run towards the brazier to the right of the Arena.
Climb to Higher Ground
- Jump onto the brazier, then make your way to the spikes that rise from the wall of the arena. These jut-outs are thin and trying to stay balanced on them is problematic, so take a bit to get into just the right spot.
- After successfully finding a balance, hold completely stock-still—motions run the risk of tipping and ending back in fight mode.
Utilise Ranged Attacks
- From these lofty heights, use bows, crossbows, or ranged magic to snipe the Argonians singly.
- As the foes pile up below you, their melee blows will not reach you, and they very rarely use ranged skills, so that you can chip away at their health without interference.
