Oblivion:Paralyze

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	Paralyze
School		Illusion
Type		Offensive (No enchanting)
Effect ID		PARA
Base Cost		475
Barter Factor		0
Availability (Click on any item for details)
Spells Custom Potions Built-In Potions Scrolls Staves Weapons

Paralyze for D seconds

Paralyze immobilizes the target for D seconds. The target becomes stiff and resistant to movement, and usually falls down (there are some exceptions, i.e., wraiths), so the target is out of action for a couple of additional seconds while they get back to their feet. The biggest drawback with Paralyze is its cost: it is the most expensive offensive spell effect in Oblivion. Therefore, Paralyze effects usually only last for a few seconds.

[edit] Notes

Paralyze has no magnitude, only a duration. Therefore, Weakness to Magic and Resist Magic effects change the duration of a Paralyze effect; casting a 100% Weakness to Magic spell causes the duration of a subsequent Paralyze effect to be doubled. Similarly, Spell Effectiveness decreases the Paralyze duration -- even 95% Spell Effectiveness will make the Paralyze effect last one second less.
Paralyzed targets are still aware of their surroundings, so sneak attacks against them are not automatic.
When you are paralyzed, the view will shift to third-person and you get to watch yourself fall down (and usually be attacked mercilessly by your opponent). You are still able to open your inventory and use any items within it, including drinking a Cure Paralysis potion, however you can't cast spells.
The Master level perk of several combat skills (Blade, Blunt, Hand to Hand, and Marksman) provides the ability to paralyze opponents; this paralysis is treated by the game just like other Paralyze effects.
Paralyze is one of the enchantments available for making a custom mage's staff (it is also found on random generic staves). However, it is not possible to make enchanted weapons with Paralyze at the Enchanting Altar.
If the paralysis effect wears off while the target is still falling, they still fall to the ground and have to pick themselves up before they resume fighting; thus, even a one second paralyze spell can be useful.
If an enemy is paralyzed while blocking, they may still sometimes block your attacks while paralyzed.
Underwater enemies will float to the water's surface when paralyzed.
Paralyzed NPCs or creatures can be moved by hitting them with area-effect destruction spells such as Weak Fireball or Shocking Burst. This means little in most situations, but it is possible to blast them over cliffs or into lava.
While most paralyzed NPCs can be pickpocketed, essential NPCs cannot be pickpocketed while paralyzed. Instead, they still talk even as they fall which can lead to humorous instances if you zoom in as they fall.