Penitus Oculatus Armor is the dark, high-collared light armor worn by the Emperor’s personal security service. Statistically it is an early-game set: the 23-point cuirass sits level with Imperial Light Armor and Studded gear, and the four pieces weigh just 9 units in total. What it lacks in protection it makes up for in style – it’s one of the sharpest-looking uniforms in Skyrim, and agents who wear it usually mean business.
How to get it
You can’t craft this set and it isn’t a normal shop item, so it comes from the agents themselves or from their headquarters. The Penitus Oculatus Outpost in Dragon Bridge is the obvious place to look; it’s run by Commander Maro, and the agents stationed there wear the full outfit.
Most players get it during the Dark Brotherhood questline. The outpost is the scene of Breaching Security, and later, during Death Incarnate, agents storm the Brotherhood’s sanctuary and try to burn it down – plenty of armored bodies to search afterwards. If you take the opposite route and complete Destroy the Dark Brotherhood, you fight alongside them instead. Killing agents outside quests is, of course, a crime.
Is it worth wearing?
Honestly, not for protection. A total armor rating of 46 is on the low side even for the first hours of the game, and by the time the Dark Brotherhood sends you to the agents you can probably wear Glass or at least Elven armor. There are no enchantments either. Tempering uses Leather for the helmet, bracers and boots and a Steel Ingot for the cuirass, so it can be improved, but it won’t catch up with real mid-game gear.
The appeal is cosmetic. If you want to play a loyal Imperial spy, a detective or simply someone who dresses like they work for the throne, this is the look. Pair it with Light Armor perks such as Agile Defender and Custom Fit to squeeze out a bit more value.
Good to know
- Weight is very low: the helmet, bracers and boots weigh 1 each.
- The helmet only occupies the hair slot, so it can be worn together with a circlet – or even a dragon priest mask.
- The cuirass tempers with a Steel Ingot, unlike the other pieces.
- Agents are allied with the Imperial Legion, so be careful who sees you looting.
Set pieces
| Piece | Slot | Armor | Weight | Value | ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penitus Oculatus Helmet | Head | 11 | 1 | 35 | 000D3EAA |
| Penitus Oculatus Armor | Body | 23 | 6 | 75 | 000D3EA0 |
| Penitus Oculatus Bracers | Hands | 6 | 1 | 15 | 000D3EAB |
| Penitus Oculatus Boots | Feet | 6 | 1 | 15 | 000D3EA7 |
Full set totals
- Penitus Oculatus Armor – helmet, cuirass, gauntlets and boots: 46 armor, 9 weight, 140 gold.
Crafting and upgrades
This set can’t be forged by the player – you have to find, buy or earn the pieces.
Improve (temper) the pieces at a workbench with Leather or Steel Ingot.
Stats from the Skyrim game files (Skyrim.esm and the official add-ons): base armor rating, weight and value before Smithing improvements and perks. The ID is the item’s form ID for the console.