In The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, the fiery portals to the Deadlands are both a constant threat and a source of endless loot. For many players, the quest “Allies for Bruma” demands the closure of a specific number of Oblivion Gates, and finding that elusive final gate can become an exercise in frustration when it seems like all gates have been sealed. Whether you are gunning for the achievement, aiding Jauffre’s cause, or simply seeking to purge Cyrodiil of Daedric incursions, tracking down the last gate requires patience and a systematic approach. This guide will walk you through the mechanics of Oblivion Gates, explain how to locate every single one, and provide troubleshooting steps when the game appears to be holding out on you.
Oblivion Gates are not randomly generated forever; each has a fixed location in the world, and they do not respawn once closed. However, the way the game presents them can be misleading, with some gates tied to main quest progression and others appearing only under specific conditions. By the end of this article, you will have all the tools needed to finally tick off that last gate and earn the gratitude of the Blades.
Understanding Oblivion Gates in Cyrodiil
Before you can hunt down the final gate, it helps to understand the types and behavior of Oblivion Gates. In total, there are 90 possible Oblivion Gate locations across Cyrodiil. However, not all 90 can appear in a single playthrough. The game dynamically selects a subset of these locations to spawn gates, and the maximum number of possible gates you can ever see in one game is 60, distributed in different stages of the main quest.
Oblivion Gates appear in three main waves. The first set of up to 25 gates materializes after you complete the Dagon Shrine quest and return the Mysterium Xarxes. The second wave, up to 25 more, spawns when you retrieve the Great Sigil Stone during the Defense of Bruma quest. A third set of up to 10 fixed gates appears at specific points in the main quest, such as the Great Gate at Bruma. Because of this, the exact number of gates you can close varies, and you may never see some gate locations in a particular save file. This is the primary reason players struggle to find the “last” gate: they may have already closed all the gates that spawned for them, especially if they are playing with mods or have not progressed far enough in the main story to trigger later waves.
The Allies for Bruma Quest and Gate Requirements
The most common reason for seeking a final Oblivion Gate is the quest “Allies for Bruma.” In this quest, you must help each of the other cities of Cyrodiil by closing the Oblivion Gate outside their walls. Successfully closing a city’s gate persuades their Count or Countess to send aid to Bruma. To complete the quest and secure the maximum number of allies, you need to close gates at every major city: Kvatch, Anvil, Bravil, Cheydinhal, Chorrol, Leyawiin, and Skingrad. Note that Kvatch already has its gate closed early in the game, so you need to petition its count in the refugee camp. That leaves six city gates to close, plus one additional gate for the optional achievement “Oblivion Walker” if you are after that.
If Jauffre tells you that you still need to close more gates, but you have visited every city and found no glowing red portal nearby, it is time for a more thorough search. The city gates are always located close to the city walls, usually along the main road leading to the gate. Use your in-game map: active Oblivion Gates are marked with a red, spiked icon. If you have closed a gate, the icon remains but turns gray. A gray icon means you have already sealed that particular gate. For the quest to complete, you need six city gates closed, and each city only has one gate that counts toward the total. If all six city icons are gray, return to Jauffre and he should acknowledge your success. If not, a bug may have occurred (see troubleshooting below).
Tracking and Locating Oblivion Gates
To systematically find every Oblivion Gate in your world, start with your quest log. Open your journal and look under Completed Quests or Active Quests for any references to Oblivion Gates. The game often adds journal entries when you discover a gate, even if you do not have a dedicated quest for it. Pay attention to map markers: any undiscovered gate that has spawned will still show as a red icon on your compass when you get close. Expanding your revealed map by traveling to each city and exploring the wilderness is the best way to uncover hidden gates.
If you are on PC, you can use the console to check gate status. First, ensure you are not in a gate’s interior cell. Open the console with the tilde key (~) and type save test 1 to create a named save, then enter tmm 1,1,1 to reveal all map markers. This command will display every location on your map, including Oblivion Gates. Gates that have spawned but remain open will appear as red map icons; closed gates will be gray. Look for any red icons in the wilderness or near cities. If you see only gray icons everywhere, you may have indeed closed all the gates that are possible in this playthrough. To keep the game fair, you can reload the previous save without the marker reveal if you prefer not to cheat.
Console-less players on consoles must rely on thorough exploration. Use a horse or fast travel to systematically visit each region. Cyrodiil is divided into regions like the Gold Coast, Nibenay Basin, and Jerall Mountains. Walk along the main roads and pay attention to the sky: Oblivion Gates emit a distinctive red haze and lightning on the horizon, making them visible from a great distance. Also listen for the ominous rift sound effect that plays when you are near an open gate. Some gates are tucked away in valleys or behind hills, so use your local map frequently by pressing the map key.
A Systematic Approach to Finding the Last Gate
If you are certain that a gate exists but you cannot locate it, follow these steps methodically:
1. Verify Main Quest Progression
Make sure you have advanced the main quest to the point that you have unlocked the full set of gates. If you have not yet completed “Dagon Shrine,” you will only see a limited number of gates. Finish that quest and return the Mysterium Xarxes to trigger the first major wave. Later, after “Defense of Bruma,” the second wave appears. If you are hunting for the last gate before these milestones, you may simply need to progress the story.
2. Check Every City Gate
Visit all seven major city gates: Kvatch, Anvil, Bravil, Cheydinhal, Chorrol, Leyawiin, and Skingrad. Approach the city from the main road and circle the outer walls. A city gate is usually very close, often directly outside a gatehouse or along the road leading away. If you have cleared it, the map icon will be gray. If the icon is missing altogether, you may have a mod conflict or a very rare bug where the gate never spawned.
3. Scan the Wilderness
Random wilderness gates can be anywhere. They frequently appear along roads near bridges, crossroads, and landmarks like Ayleid ruins or forts. Pay special attention to the areas west of Cheydinhal, the swamps near Leyawiin, and the Jerall Mountains. The game tends to cluster gates around roads rather than deep wilderness. Ride along every major road, stopping often to rotate the camera and scan the horizon. The red sky effect is unmistakable.
4. Use Detect Life or Night Eye
If you are exploring at night, use spells like Night Eye to improve visibility. Detect Life can also highlight the Daedra that often gather around a gate’s entrance, making it easier to spot from a distance. Sometimes the portal stone is obscured by trees, but the glow and enemies around it give it away.
5. Consult an External Map
If all else fails, refer to an interactive map online like the UESP Oblivion Gate map. These maps show all 90 possible gate locations. You can compare the locations with your in-game map to see which ones might not have spawned or which you might have missed. Keep in mind that not every location will have a gate in your specific game; you only need to worry about the ones that actually spawned.
Common Pitfalls and Solutions
Even with a systematic search, a few situations can make you think a gate is missing when it is not. Here are the most frequent issues:
Gates that appear closed but still count as open: Sometimes the visual effect of the gate can linger after you remove the Sigil Stone. If the map icon is gray, the gate is truly closed, even if the orange sky persists for a moment. Fast travel away and back to force the area to reload.
Gates blocking quest NPCs: In the Allies for Bruma quest, if an NPC like a Count refuses to commit troops despite a closed gate, try speaking to them again. You may need to have closed the specific gate that spawns for their city, and in some cases, you may need to wait a day or two in-game for the dialogue to update.
Mod conflicts: If you use mods that alter the landscape, cities, or Oblivion Gates, they can interfere with gate spawning. The Unofficial Oblivion Patch fixes many such issues. Consider installing it and then reloading an earlier save to see if a gate reappears.
You are playing after the main quest: If you have already completed the main quest by defeating Mehrunes Dagon, all Oblivion Gates in the overworld are automatically closed. You cannot open or close more gates after that point. If you need the achievement or quest completion, you must reload a save from before the final battle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Oblivion Gates are there in total?
There are 90 possible gate locations, but only a maximum of 60 can spawn in a single game, depending on main quest progression. Typically, a player will see between 40 and 60 gates.
Do Oblivion Gates respawn after being closed?
No, once you close an Oblivion Gate by removing its Sigil Stone, it remains closed permanently. The icon on your map turns gray, and the gate will never reopen.
What is the easiest way to find the last gate for the Allies for Bruma quest?
Make sure you have closed the gate outside each of the six cities that need aid: Anvil, Bravil, Cheydinhal, Chorrol, Leyawiin, and Skingrad. Then return to Jauffre. If he still says you need more, check your map for any red (open) gate icons near those cities. If all are gray, the quest may be bugged; try waiting 24 hours or speaking to the counts again.
Can I use the console to find Oblivion Gates?
Yes, on PC, you can use tmm 1,1,1 to reveal all map markers and see which gates have spawned. This will show red for open gates and gray for closed ones. Be sure to save first so you can restore your original map state if desired.
What if I closed all gates but Jauffre still won’t give me the quest completion?
This is a known bug. Try fast traveling to each city and speaking directly to the Count or Countess. Some require a specific dialogue option to trigger the aid. You can also try closing a generic wilderness gate, as sometimes the quest counter gets confused. Waiting or resting for 24 hours in-game sometimes resets the quest.
Are there any Oblivion Gates that are impossible to find without help?
Most gates are near roads or cities and are easy to spot due to their red sky and sound. A few are tucked into cliffs or behind heavy foliage. Using the map trick or an external map is the most reliable way to locate every possible gate. However, patience and a thorough sweep of each region on horseback will usually reveal them.
With these techniques, you should be able to locate and seal that last troublesome Oblivion Gate, securing the full might of Cyrodiil for the Battle of Bruma or simply adding one more closed portal to your tally of heroic deeds. Remember that Oblivion Gates are finite, and once you have passed the main quest climax, they are gone forever, so enjoy the challenge and the rich rewards they offer while you can.
