The Elder Scrolls Meets Fallout in the Most Glorious, Annoying Way Possible: Behold, Adoring Fan Bobbleheads!
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
A clever modder has transformed Oblivion's notorious Adoring Fan into collectible bobbleheads scattered across Cyrodiil, each granting unique perks and turning an iconic nuisance into a surprisingly rewarding treasure hunt.
Right, so imagine this: you're wandering through the lush, slightly chaotic landscapes of Cyrodiil in your shiny new (or maybe just heavily modded) Oblivion Remastered playthrough. You're minding your own business, maybe plonking down a new settlement with that wild Fallout-inspired mod, when *BAM*. You stumble upon... a tiny, plastic, ridiculously cheerful Adoring Fan. And then another. And another. Sounds like a fever dream, doesn't it? Well, buckle up, mate, because it's real, and it’s gloriously, hilariously, and perhaps maddeningly, an actual mod.
This isn't some glitch in the Matrix, nor is it a corporate-mandated "synergy event." This is the pure, unadulterated genius (or madness, depending on your tolerance for constant adulation) of the modding community. Specifically, a digital wizard by the name of TheJaceWindu has conjured up 'Bobbleheads of Cyrodiil' – a mod that sprinkles collectible Adoring Fan skill bobbleheads across the entirety of Oblivion's sprawling world. My first thought? "Bloody hell, someone actually did it!" My second? "Why didn't Bethesda think of this for actual merch?"
You know how in Fallout, you're always on the hunt for those iconic Vault Boy bobbleheads, each one boosting a S.P.E.C.I.A.L. stat or skill? Well, TheJaceWindu clearly had that same gleam in their eye, but instead of Vault Boy, they thought, "What if... the most annoying NPC in all of Tamriel got his own line of collectible figurines?" And fair dinkum, they ran with it. There are 15 of these little blighters out there, each "lovingly sculpted" (their words, and frankly, I can't argue) in the unmistakable image of the Arena's most persistent admirer. They're not just random statues either; much like their Fallout cousins, each Adoring Fan bobblehead is posed and dressed to represent a specific skill. I reckon the heavy armour one, with him striking a triumphant pose in Imperial Legion gear, has got to be a personal favourite. Or maybe the Speechcraft one, poised as if ready to unleash an endless torrent of 'By Azura, by Azura, by Azura!' – you know the drill.
Now, these aren't just for show, though sticking them on your digital mantelpiece (perhaps in that settlement you're building) is definitely an option. Each Adoring Fan bobblehead, once collected, grants a unique, permanent passive perk tied to a specific skill. We're talking everything from Heavy Armour to Speechcraft, Sneak to Alchemy. Imagine just casually strolling through a dungeon, picking up a tiny fan, and suddenly you're permanently better at sneaking, or brewing potions. It’s like finding a magical artefact that whispers compliments in your ear while also subtly boosting your combat prowess.
But here's the real kicker, the grand prize for the obsessive collectors out there: snag all 15 of these digital mini-mes, and you unlock the "Collector's Perk." What does this magnificent feat of Adoring Fan accumulation net you? A juicy bonus of +20 Luck and +100 Feather. Because, as TheJaceWindu wisely points out, "nothing says 'I’ve earned it' like hauling around a backpack full of tiny fans." And yes, they weigh nothing, so you can indeed use them to decorate your homes or even spruce up your local Fighters Guild. The permanent perk means you don't even have to carry them around, which is probably for the best; I can only imagine the sheer auditory chaos of 15 tiny Adoring Fans perpetually murmuring praise in your inventory.
It raises a good question, doesn't it? Why Adoring Fan bobbleheads? Why him? He’s the character everyone loves to hate, the personification of 'too much enthusiasm.' He follows you everywhere, he's virtually useless in a fight, and his voice... oh, his voice! And yet, he's iconic. He's a meme, a legend, a rite of passage for every new Oblivion player. Modders, being the clever, curious folk they are, often find beauty (or at least hilarious potential) in the bizarre corners of our favourite games. This isn't just a mod; it's a testament to the lasting, albeit complicated, legacy of a character who simply wanted to be your biggest fan. It turns his annoyance into a treasure hunt, transforming a mild irritation into a delightful, rewarding, and deeply meta-level collectathon.
Is this mod going to be for those gritty, hardcore, role-playing-as-a-stoic-hero playthroughs? Probably not, mate. (Though, to be fair, I've never managed a truly "gritty" Oblivion playthrough myself; something always descends into chaos and cheese wheels.) But for a wacky, experimental, or just plain fun run where you embrace the absurdity of Cyrodiil? This mod sounds absolutely perfect. It leans into the inherent weirdness of Bethesda RPGs, the delightful jank, and turns it up to 11. It's the kind of mod that makes you chuckle, then immediately open your mod manager.
This whole thing got me thinking: why *haven't* Bethesda officially leaned into the Adoring Fan bobblehead market? I mean, they've got badges, plushies... but no bobbleheads? It feels like a massive missed opportunity. Perhaps they're worried about Vault Boy staging a walkout, demanding more royalties for being the OG bobblehead icon. Or maybe they just haven't realized the sheer, unbridled joy (and potential sales) that would come from a tiny, bobble-headed Adoring Fan perched on your desk, silently judging your life choices. It's a prime example of how the community often spots these brilliant, left-field opportunities that even the creators overlook. Modders are truly the digital alchemists, taking existing elements and transmuting them into something entirely new and often, unexpectedly brilliant.
Now, for the practical wizards among you: to get this particular brand of adoration into your game, you'll need a few bits and bobs. Make sure you've got UE4SS, TesSyncMapInjector, and NL-Tag Remover sorted first. A small price to pay, perhaps, for such a unique spin on a classic.
Ultimately, 'Bobbleheads of Cyrodiil' isn't just another mod; it's a wonderfully irreverent homage to one of gaming's most polarizing figures. It's a reminder that sometimes, the best content comes not from grand corporate plans, but from a curious modder wondering, "What if...?" And honestly, as a digital wizard who often finds himself asking the very same question, I can't help but be genuinely enthusiastic about it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I hear the faint sound of "By Azura!" echoing from my desktop... I should probably go check if I missed one.
Tags: Oblivion, Modding, Bethesda, RPG, Community
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun