Encumbrance ( Oblivion ) Encumbrance is the term given to the amount of weight a character ( namely , the player ' s character ) is carrying . In the user interface , weight is represented by the symbol . The total weight that a player can carry is governed by the Strength attribute . Mechanics . A character ' s Encumbrance limit is equal to five times their Strength attribute . Characters are free to carry any amount of weight up to weight limit without penalty , although they will walk / run slower when carrying a lot at once . Any amount beyond the weight limit , however , results in the character becoming " Over - Encumbered . " In Oblivion , when over - encumbered , the character is instantly rooted to the spot until the necessary amount of weight is removed . Raising carrying limit . The easiest immediate solution to becoming over encumbered is to simply drop something heavy . Another , more agreeable permanent solution is to raise the character ' s Strength score when leveling up . Unlike Health , a character ' s carry limit does not automatically increase with level . As a temporary fix , using a Feather spell , a Potion of Feather , or any method of raising one ' s Strength , will increase one ' s carry limit . As Feather spells frequently last a very long time , it is entirely possible to re - cast the spell every time it wears out , or to cast a permanent Feather enchantment on an item . However , enchanting items with Fortify Strength instead appears to provide much better benefits , since the increased Strength provides the character with greatly improved carry weight and significantly increases melee damage . Strength spells are also much more effective ; a point of Fortify Strength allows one to carry 5 times more extra loot than a single point of Feather . Reducing Encumbrance . As Heavy Armor and Light Armor skills increase , the impact of the armor ' s weight upon one ' s total encumbrance is noticeably reduced . However , this weight modification only applies to armor of that type that is actually being worn . There are some monsters ( such as Zombies and Wraiths ) with attacks that can either directly or indirectly lower a character ' s strength score , thus temporarily lowering the carrying limit of their victim . This is usually a minor concern for " pure " melee characters , but a dire threat to almost every other character archetype . It is advisable for a player to plan ahead for such a possibility , either by preparing spells and items to counter the problem or by scouting for such foes cautiously and ensuring that one has ' spare ' carrying capacity available in an emergency . The Burden spell is the opposite of Feather , increasing a character ' s encumbrance . Characters can cast Dispel or drink potions with the same effects to remove this effect . Also , characters skills in Alchemy can create effective poison with Burden effects , in order to restrict a target ' s movement . Related ingredients . Unless an ingredient has one of the encumbrance - related effects ( discussed above ) as its first effect , the ingredient must be combined with related ingredients via Alchemy to make a potion or poison with that effect . Feather . Feather temporarily increases the maximum encumbrance of the target . Burden . Burden temporarily increases the weight carried by the target . Fortify Strength . Fortify Strength temporarily increases the maximum encumbrance of the target .