Chameleon ( Oblivion ) Chameleon is an effect from the school of Illusion . It allows the user to partially blend in with their surroundings until the spell expires . The Hero can still interact with anything for the duration of the effect , unlike with invisibility . Magnitude ranges from 1 – 100 % , with 100 % providing complete undetectability . Ingredients . Unless the ingredient has chameleon as its first effect , the ingredient must be combined with other related ingredients through alchemy to make a potion that has the chameleon effect . Enchanting . The maximum magnitude of chameleon that can be enchanted on a single item depends on the size of the soul used and the Illusion skill and Intelligence . 20 % is the maximum that can be enchanted on one item without any boosts . Up to 30 % can be achieved by using a Sigil Stone obtained from an Oblivion Gate . At high levels , rings can be found with chameleon enchantments of up to 30 % . Usefulness . Chameleon ' s spell effect decreases the chance that the user will be detected . Even with very high magnitudes , the user will easily be detected if not sneaking , so it is primarily useful to enhance sneaking beyond what the Hero ' s skill level provides . Getting a total chameleon effect of 100 % or greater will grant total invisibility , which works even when not sneaking ( with limited exceptions ; see below ) . 100 % Chameleon . A powerful exploit is to enchant several pieces of equipment to provide a cumulative 100 % chameleon effect . When equipped , this will make the Hero undetectable to nearly everything . Stealing or trespassing can be done almost with impunity . When attacked by an invisible foe , most NPCs will either run to the nearest guard or ignore it and stand still . On occasion , they will draw their weapons or move towards the attacker , but they won ' t attack . Likewise , attacking people in public will no longer draw attention from guards . However , attacking a guard will earn an automatic bounty . When in a Plane of Oblivion , Dremora soldiers can be pickpocket ed without being detected . Even if the Dremora " catches " the Hero , they will ignore them , and can be repeatedly pickpocketed for all of their items . 100 % Chameleon will not prevent the Hero from talking to characters normally , and characters who are scripted to walk up to the Hero and initiate conversation will still do so . However , they will remain unaware of the Hero both before and after the conversation ( for example , Highwaymen may still try to shake the Hero down on the road , but will not initiate combat afterward ) . There are some circumstances where the Hero can be detected . Although pickpocketing ability is greatly enhanced , failure is still possible . If a non - Dremora character catches the Hero pickpocketing , they will detect them despite chameleon , and the Hero will remain detected until they leave the area , remove the armor , wait a few hours , and replace it . Talking to the guards with an outstanding bounty will prompt them to attack , and they will also be able to see through the chameleon until the Hero hides , and removes and replaces the armor . When trespassing , some characters can still detect the Hero and request them to leave . After a time , the trespass will become a crime and a bounty will be added , followed by a guard initiating conversation to collect the fine . However , refusing to pay will not make the guard aggressive as he cannot see through the disguise and the Hero will be free to leave ( though the bounty will remain ) . Using this exploit is not the same as invisibility . Traps will still affect the Hero ; most notably , the fire shooting traps in a Plane of Oblivion will still track them and fire at them . However , since traps don ' t move , and can usually be avoided or disarmed , an observant Hero should have no difficulty defeating most challenges , and should be able to do so much more quickly than without the chameleon effect .