You've finally made it back to Cyrodiil. The 4K textures are crisp, the lighting is gorgeous, and the mudcrabs... well, they’re still annoying. But if you’re diving into a Conjuration build in Oblivion Remastered, you’ve probably noticed that the early-game scamps aren’t exactly world-beaters. They’re basically just target practice for marauders.
Finding the oblivion remastered strongest summons isn't just about having a big mana pool. It’s about knowing which monsters actually have the AI to hit a moving target and which ones just stand there spinning like a broken ceiling fan. Trust me, nothing is more frustrating than summoning a Master-level creature only for it to get stuck on a dungeon door while you're getting turned into a pincushion by skeleton archers.
Let's get into the nitty-gritty of what actually works in the 2026 remaster.
The Heavy Hitters: Ranking the Best Summons
Most players think the Dremora Lord is the end-all-beall. It’s not. While it looks cool and has that "intimidating demon" vibe, the actual DPS (damage per second) leaderboard in the remaster has some surprising entries.
1. The Xivilai
If you want raw, unadulterated chaos, the Xivilai is your best friend. Honestly, it’s arguably the undisputed champion of the base game's summons. Why? Because it’s not just a melee tank; it’s a spellcaster too. It comes equipped with a hefty fireball and a unique ability to absorb magicka.
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The best part? It summons its own Clannfear. You’re essentially getting a two-for-one deal. You summon the Xivilai, it summons a dinosaur, and suddenly the enemy is outnumbered and overwhelmed.
How to get it: You’ll need a Conjuration skill of 100. You can buy the spell from Borissean at the Arcane University once you’ve gained access.
2. Voracious Hunger (Shivering Isles)
If you have the Shivering Isles DLC included in the remaster, you need to head to the Isles immediately. The Voracious Hunger is basically a Clannfear on steroids. It is incredibly fast. It lunges across the room before the enemy can even draw a bow.
In the 2026 version, the "stagger" mechanics are still there, and the Hunger exploits them perfectly. It hits so fast that enemies often can’t even retaliate.
How to get it: Head to the city of Crucible and find a shop called Earil's Mysteries. Earil sells the spell, but you'll need to be at the Master level to cast it reliably.
3. The Storm Atronach
Sometimes you just need a wall. The Storm Atronach is that wall. It’s huge, it’s immune to paralysis—which is a godsend in high-level Oblivion gates—and it deals constant shock damage to anything nearby.
It’s a bit slow, sure. But in tight corridors? It’s a literal roadblock. Enemies can’t get past it to reach you, giving you all the time in the world to lob Destruction spells from the back.
How to get it: You can pick this up from Vigge the Cautious at the Skingrad Mages Guild.
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Why the Lich is Kinda Disappointing
Okay, let's address the elephant in the room. The Lich should be the best. It’s an undead king! It has high-level spells! But in practice, the Lich AI in the remaster can be a bit... finicky.
It loves to kite. It’ll back away from enemies, sometimes backing itself right into a corner or off a ledge. If you’re a tanky player who can hold aggro, the Lich provides great fire support. But if you’re a squishy mage looking for protection, the Lich will probably leave you out to dry while it looks for a better vantage point.
If you still want it for the "cool factor," you can find the spell at the Arcane University. Just don't expect it to save your life in a crowded room.
Pro Tip: Making Your Summons Actually Strong
Here is the secret sauce that most people forget: Summons are NPCs. That means they can be buffed. If you want your Clannfear to last until the end of the game, don't just summon it and walk away. Create a custom spell that hits "Target" with:
- Fortify Health
- Shield
- Fortify Strength
Hit your summon with that right after you cast it. You will see a Master-level Xivilai turn into a literal god that can solo entire rooms of Daedra.
Where to Buy the Goods: Locations Guide
Don't go wandering aimlessly. Here is exactly where the best spells are hiding:
- Chorrol Mages Guild: This is your home for the Clannfear and Daedroth. Athragar is the guy you’re looking for. The Daedroth is an Expert-level summon that punches way above its weight class.
- Bravil Mages Guild: Talk to Volonaro. He sells the Dremora Lord spell. Be careful, though—if you progress too far in the Mages Guild questline, Volonaro might... "go away" (no spoilers, but buy the spell early).
- Crucible (Shivering Isles): As mentioned, Earil's Mysteries is the gold mine. He has the Summon Replete Shambles spell, which is essentially a giant, buffed-up skeleton that hits like a freight train.
The remaster hasn't changed the core locations, but the mana costs have been slightly tweaked for better balance. Make sure you’re wearing some "Fortify Magicka" gear if you’re trying to cast these at lower levels.
The Strategy for 2026
The game has changed a little. The "Unreal Engine layer" in the remaster means physics are a bit more prominent. Large summons like the Frost Atronach can actually trip over small clutter now, which is hilarious but annoying.
Stick to the Xivilai for open areas and the Storm Atronach or Daedroth for dungeons. If you’re playing on the highest difficulty, the Gloom Wraith is also worth a look because of its massive health pool and ability to silence enemy casters.
To truly master Conjuration in Oblivion Remastered, you should head to the Arcane University immediately to start crafting custom "Summon + Buff" combo spells. This allows you to condense your summoning and your strengthening into one single cast, saving you precious seconds in the middle of a fight.
Go talk to Borissean at the Praxographical Center to get started. Just make sure you've got the gold—the best spells in Cyrodiil aren't cheap.