Dread Zombie kill causes CTD

[EvenstarGW]

Ok, I've looked for the answer to this one several times, but can't find it. Almost anytime I kill a dread zombie by normal means, the game instantly crashes to desktop. I suppose it has something to do with the havok taking over, missing limbs, a skeleton problem or something like that, because if I use the console to kill them, they slump to the floor without issue but I hate having to cheat in that way. Anyone know a fix?

Just confirmed it while playing gates to aesgaard 2. There were 2 dread zombies attacking me. One was missing an arm. I used the console to kill it, no problems. Then I kill the second one with my sword. It was a complete one, no missing limbs. No issue. I then went back to the one with the missing arm, resurrected it and killed it with my sword, CTD.

[gregathit]

Is the dread zombie a default oblivion one or a mod added on? If mod add which mod did he come from?

[EvenstarGW]

Nope, it's vanilla, from a leveled list. I checked with Tes4Edit as well and there's no mods that touch it either.

[gregathit]

What does your load order look like? It could be a ragdoll deal but being a vanilla mesh that seems rather strange.

[EvenstarGW]

00 Oblivion.esm
01 GTAesgaard_2.esm
02 All Natural Base.esm [Version 1.3]
03 Cobl Main.esm [Version 1.72]
04 StaticAlchemyMod.esm
05 CM Partners.esm
06 Azazhael.esm
07 Lovers with PK.esm
08 Beautiful People 2ch-Ed.esm
09 x117race.esm
0A Armamentarium.esm [Version 1.35]
0B Artifacts.esm [Version 1.1]
0C TamagoClub.esm
0D HiyokoClub.esm
0E BreakUndies.esm
0F Kvatch Rebuilt.esm
10 Qarls_Harvest.esm
** Beautiful_Women_DB_Addon.esp
** Beautiful_Women_SI.esp
** Beautiful_Women_Vampires.esp
** Beautiful_Women_Vampires_50.esp
** Beautiful_Women_NotSoNice_Bonus.esp
** Handsome_Gents_Addon.esp
** Handsome_Gents_SI.esp
** Handsome_Gents_Vampires.esp
** Handsome_Gents_Vampires_50.esp
** Handsome_Gents_Bonus.esp
11 Unofficial Oblivion Patch.esp [Version 3.2.6]
12 DLCShiveringIsles.esp
13 Unofficial Shivering Isles Patch.esp [Version 1.4.0]
14 Oblivion Vwalk UOS.esp
15 DLCShiveringIsles Vwalk UOS.esp
16 DLCShiveringIsles Vwalk DG_DS UOS.esp
** Beautiful_Women_NiceOnly.esp
** Beautiful_Women_NiceOnly Vwalk UOS.esp
** Beautiful_Women_DB_Addon Vwalk UOS.esp
** Beautiful_Women_SI Vwalk UOS.esp
** Beautiful_Women_Vampires Vwalk UOS.esp
** Beautiful_Women_Vampires_50 Vwalk UOS.esp
** Beautiful_Women_NotSoNice_Bonus Vwalk UOS.esp
** Handsome_Gents_DB_Addon.esp
17 Cobl Races TNR.esp [Version 1.53]
18 Cobl Races TNR SI.esp [Version 1.53]
19 Atmospheric Loading Screens - Random Quotes.esp
1A All Natural.esp [Version 1.3]
1B All Natural - SI.esp [Version 1.3]
1C Enhanced Water v2.0 HDMI.esp
1D Storms & Sound.esp
1E Rainbows.esp
1F All Natural - Real Lights.esp [Version 1.3]
20 WindowLightingSystem.esp
21 1em_GiveAGift.esp [Version 1.2]
22 AliveWaters.esp
23 AliveWaters - Koi Addon.esp
24 Ayleid Loot EXtension.esp
25 Book Jackets Oblivion.esp
26 Books of Console v1.esp
27 ChaseCameraMod.esp
28 VanityCameraSmoother.esp
++ Item interchange - Extraction.esp [Version 0.76]
29 P1DanywhereSittable.esp
2A RAEVWD Cities.esp [Version 1.9]
2B RAEVWD New Sheoth.esp [Version 1.6.1]
2C RealitySpectre'sBetterPotions.esp
2D Redecoration.esp
++ VA_BetterGold.esp
2E Get Wet.esp
2F Streamline 3.1.esp
30 DLCHorseArmor.esp
31 Compatibility Patch - DLCHorseArmor.esp [Version 1.0.0]
32 Landmarks.esp
33 Improved Hotkeys.esp [Version 1.1]
34 DLCHorseArmor - Unofficial Patch.esp [Version 1.0.5]
35 DLCOrrery.esp
36 DLCOrrery - Unofficial Patch.esp [Version 1.0.3]
37 DLCVileLair.esp
38 DLCVileLair - Unofficial Patch.esp [Version 1.0.5]
39 DLCMehrunesRazor.esp
3A DLCMehrunesRazor - Unofficial Patch.esp [Version 1.0.4]
3B DLCMehrunesRazor Vwalk UOP.esp
3C DLCSpellTomes.esp
++ DLCSpellTomes - Unofficial Patch.esp [Version 1.0.1]
3D Book Jackets DLC.esp
** GrimbotsSpellTomes.esp
3E EVE_StockEquipmentReplacer.esp
3F FarmAnimalsofCyrodiil.esp [Version 1.4]
++ ArmamentariumLL.esp [Version 1.35]
++ ArmamentariumLLMagic.esp [Version 1.35]
++ ArmamentariumLLArmaVendor.esp [Version 1.35]
40 ArmamentariumArtifacts.esp [Version 1.35]
41 Armamentium female.esp
42 Artifacts.esp [Version 1.1]
++ Artifacts - ArmaCompleteAddon.esp [Version 1.0]
43 ArtifactsFemaleArmor.esp
++ VA_FemmeDaedricHelmet.esp
44 XSPipeMod.esp [Version 1.2]
45 DLCThievesDen.esp
46 DLCThievesDen - Unofficial Patch.esp [Version 1.0.5]
47 DLCThievesDen - Unofficial Patch - SSSB.esp [Version 1.0.4]
** DLCThievesDen Vwalk UOP.esp
48 Cobl Glue.esp [Version 1.72]
49 Cobl Si.esp [Version 1.63]
++ Cobl Tweaks.esp [Version 1.44]
4A Harvest[Containers].esp
4B Kvatch Rebuilt.esp
4C Kvatch Rebuilt Weather Patch.esp
4D ElsweyrAnequina.esp
4E fg109EscortMission.esp
4F DID3_DoubleTrouble.esp
50 DLCBattlehornCastle.esp
51 DLCBattlehornCastle - Unofficial Patch.esp [Version 1.0.4]
52 DLCFrostcrag.esp
53 DLCFrostcrag - Unofficial Patch.esp [Version 1.0.4]
++ DLCFrostcrag_MysticEmporiumPatch.esp
54 DLCFrostcrag Vwalk.esp
55 Knights.esp
56 Knights - Unofficial Patch.esp [Version 1.0.9]
57 EVE_KnightsoftheNine.esp
58 BravilSeaDomes.esp
59 Qarls_Harvest.esp
5A Salmo the Baker, Cobl.esp [Version 3.08]
5B MrSiikasBats.esp [Version 1.1]
5C Harvest [Flora].esp [Version 3.0.0]
++ Harvest [Flora] - Shivering Isles.esp [Version 3.0.0]
++ Harvest [Flora] - DLCVileLair.esp [Version 3.0.0]
5D Harvest [Flora] - DLCFrostcrag.esp [Version 3.0.0]
++ Real Lava v1.2.esp
5E Broom.esp
5F Apachii_Wigs_MaleFemale.esp
60 Leviathan Soulgems.esp
61 Madhs working training dolls.esp
62 P1DkeyChain.esp [Version 5.00]
63 TamagoBreak.esp
64 TamagoNews.esp
65 TamagoShop.esp
66 TamagoTopic.esp
67 TamagoConfide.esp
68 LoversTamagoClub.esp
69 LoversEncounter.esp
6A HTBHiyokoGenerator.esp
6B HiyokoGenerator.esp
6C LoversAphrodisia.esp
6D LoversAdultPlayPlusforSSP.esp
6E LoversVoiceSSPplus.esp
6F LoversBackup2.esp
70 LoversJoburg.esp
71 LoversBed.esp
72 LoversPayBandit.esp
73 LoversFSE.esp
74 LoversDRader.esp
75 LoversSpermSplashEx.esp
76 LoversEscapeRapeVPlayer.esp
77 LoversContraception.esp
78 Lovers with PK.esp [Version 90]
++ ScriptIcon_Replacer.esp
79 Enhanced Vegetation [125%].esp
++ Short Grass V3.esp
7A Toggleable Quantity Prompt.esp [Version 3.1.1]
7B Basic Primary Needs.esp [Version 5.4]
7C Active_Inventory_Spell_1.2.esp
7D TeachSpell.esp
7E SetBody.esp
7F QuickEquipSwap.esp
80 SupremeMagicka.esp [Version 0.90]
81 SM_ShiveringIsles.esp [Version 0.86]
++ SM_DLCSpellTome.esp [Version 0.80]
++ SM_COBL.esp [Version 0.86]
82 SM_EnchantStaff.esp [Version 0.80]
++ SM_Scrolls.esp [Version 0.84]
++ SM_SigilStone.esp [Version 0.83]
83 EnchantmentRestore.esp
++ EnchantmentRestore_Wells.esp
84 Unholy Darkness.esp
85 Better Hand to Hand LITE.esp
86 Dawnspire.esp
87 GTAesgaard.esp [Version 1.3]
88 GTAesgaard_2.esp
89 Gates To Aesgaard 2 Delayer.esp [Version 1.0]
8A The Lost Spires.esp
8B BrotherhoodRenewed.esp [Version 1.1.1]
8C NaRae Pose - 02.esp
8D Goma Pose 14.esp
8E tkLeBlancSet.esp
8F FormID Finder4.esp
90 Smarter Mercantile Leveling - Multi.esp
91 RealisticLeveling.esp
92 Display Stats.esp [Version 2.0.1]
93 HUD Status Bars.esp [Version 5.3]
94 Oblivion Collectible Cards.esp
95 77_Umpa_Animation.esp
96 MadCompanionshipSpells.esp [Version 2.5]
97 MCS extension.esp
98 CM Partners.esp
99 shinyEmotions.esp
++ Item interchange - Placement.esp [Version 0.76]
9A Tabaxi Race 2.0.esp [Version 2.0]
9B Cool Hair & Eyelashes.esp
++ ElsweyrAnequina - Races HGEC-Robert.esp [Version 1.2]
++ Cool Hair & Eyelashes for Cobl.esp
9C ahtata dremora.esp
9D Vampire Race Reloaded.esp
9E ElvenRacePack.esp
9F CM Partners Vwalk.esp
A0 Azazhael.esp
A1 Dairânath Avari - male Companion 2.3.esp
A2 CompanionFergus.esp [Version 2.0]
A3 Reaper's Esmeralda's Desert Manor.esp
A4 Tales from Elsweyr Anequina.esp
A5 Trade and Commerce.esp
A6 Mafreseli.esp
A7 HTBAranmathi.esp
A8 HighcrossHouse.esp
A9 Cheydinhal House Altered.esp
AA HTBBrumaHouseAltered.esp
AB HTBBravilHouseAltered.esp
AC HTBArborWatchAltered.esp
AD HTBImperialShackAltered.esp
AE HTBSkingradManor.esp
AF HTBLeyawiinManor.esp
B0 HTBDreamExperience.esp
B1 HTBSleepyHollow.esp
B2 HTBNeoSGOutfitsRedone.esp
B3 HTBArmory.esp
B4 CM companions HTB characters merged.esp
B5 CM HTB Creatures.esp
B6 HTBHorses.esp
B7 HTBGPWarriorSkinRecolor.esp
B8 HTBCassandraBU.esp
B9 HTBMondSteinHGECManicure.esp
BA HTBYYFrostbite.esp
BB HTBCBCeremonialKnight.esp
BC HTBTeTeVeleritteRecolor.esp
BD 1em_Vilja.esp [Version 3.1]
BE 375_LoversDisableX117_1_0.esp
++ x117 Merged SKSRENs Hair Modules.esp
BF Cobl Races.esp [Version 1.52]
C0 ahtata Ork.esp
++ AMB.esp
++ EVE_KhajiitFix.esp
C1 Cobl Silent Equip Misc.esp [Version 01]
++ HTBTorchReplacer.esp
** All Natural - Indoor Weather Filter For Mods.esp [Version 1.3]
C2 Bashed Patch, 0.esp
C3 All armor and SE armor playable.esp
C4 LoversMB2.esp
C5 LoversIdleAnimsPriority.esp
C6 LoversAnimObjectsPriority.esp

I can't remember installing anything that messes with physics or ragdolls. Also hardly anything that touches vanilla creatures, no big overhauls or anything. I checked the "no left arm" and "no right arm" boxes on the zombies and they were all correct. Running out of ideas. Maybe it has to do with the shader, since it only seems to happen with dread zombies. But then I don't know why some do die correctly and others don't.

[Symon]

I have seen this and aren't too sure what causes it. I do think I know what mitigates it though. Try this:-

As soon as you enter a cell that contains them, save your game. (Normal save recommended). Then load from that save. You can even save and load on sight of such a zombie if you forget. Note that having a crash and then loading from a save and killing the same zombie that caused the crash will often be fine. It seems to be entering the cell that produces the issue. Loading into the cell will be fine.

One day, I'll dig into what is actually happening, but since I worked out how to get round the issue, haven't had the time.

[Guest Donkey]

i have never seen this or heard anything about this before. Since your not using lovers creatures.

what is this mod ??

B5 CM HTB Creatures.esp

What does it add ?? Also since your using bashatch did you use any options about ragdolls if so try disabling it. rebash again.

in don't see anything wrong with your load order. So it got to be something else causing it.

If it is a shader problem try deleting oblivion.ini in your my games\oblivion directory and let it reinitialize your videodrivers.

And see if that solves it.

[EvenstarGW]

Thanks for the replies.

I'll try the save/load solution and see if that works. Although I try to keep the loading to a minimum, as I'm trying to cut down on my caffeine consumption, if you get what I mean

CM HTB Creatures is just my merged plugin that contains all CM partners of the creature variant (no zombies in there). All of those HTB esps are my own edits/merges/creations.

I don't see any ragdolls options under bashed patch. Must admit I haven't looked at updating bash for a while, using version 291.

Also, I'd rather not delete the ini. I can't for the life of me remember what kind of tweaks I made to it, as well as mods that add their stuff to it. Although I can just keep a backup and see if it helps at all.

[Guest Donkey]

If you delete the ini or rename it and let oblivion create a new one, and that solves it, then you at least know that some changes you made to it has caused the ctd..

if it is the ini causing it i doubt anyone one here will be able to help anyways.

[Symon]

I'd be very surprised if it was the ini file.

Still, if you want to try it, back up your current ini first. Assuming I'm not rendered surprised (grin) you can then put it back with no loss.

[gregathit]

You might take a look at GTA2 as there is something that tickles a memory of a dread bug that was discovered in that mod.

Unfortunately this maybe a wild goose chase as it was quite some time ago that I played through and uninstalled GTA2.

Was it in a certain location that you encounter the dread zombie and crash or is it anywhere you encounter them?

I noticed you are also running COBL....I never could get that damn thing to work right and play nice with all the other mods I ran no matter how much editing in the CS and TES4edit I did!!! Hats off to you for that anyway as there are some nice features that it adds.

[EvenstarGW]

It's not any specific one, I've had it before on mages guild quests and in random dungeons. On my girlfriend's pc it's the same thing (also pretty much the same mod list).

Never had any problems getting COBL to run, I've had it for ages. Not using too many of its features though. None of the eat/sleep/exhaustion etc. I got it at some point because a house mod needed it, can't remember which. I liked the cosmetics resource and the TNR, although that was a pain in the ass to keep working when I installed MBP recently. Hope it's not a part of the problem, because over time it's become a requirement for many of the mods I made/edited.

The only big bug I found in gta2 so far was that it really had to load first. By the time I got around to playing it I had forgotten that part and switched load orders several times. Result was a lot of missing landscape. Am halfway through it now, and my intelligence has been damaged down to 0 (annoying enchantments on enemy weapons) but apart from that it seems ok.

[EvenstarGW]

One more interesting point. Apparently it only happens when I deliver the killing blow myself. Last night I found another dread zombie in Nerastarel's house in skingrad. I tried the save/load trick, but crashed upon killing it once again. Then I decided to go back through the teleporter (brotherhood renewed) to the imperial DB sanctuary. I gave it a few good hits and then let the dark guardians finish it off. After a seemingly endless battle, the dread zombie died, taking one of the guardians with it. No crash. Apparently NPC's/creatures can kill them with no problems.

[gregathit]

I wonder if it has something to do with a disease mechanic. As you you know they tend to give out disease as they battle you.

Couple of experiments you could try are using a cheat arrow to sneak kill one from a good distance away with it unaware of you and see if that triggers a crash or use a custom cheat spell to sneak kill them.

I found a post that said he was experiencing crashes fighting dreads but was able to get rid of them by cheat raising his magic - I wonder if he meant intelligence - which you said had been damaged down to zero......perhaps that also could be a factor as a neg number (as they fight you) could be doing something.

Likely none of the above.....but maybe it will spark something for you or someone else reading this.