Should I Kill Everyone In The Dark Brotherhood in Oblivion?

When It Makes Sense

• Good fit: You want to continue the Dark Brotherhood questline. In Oblivion, purging the sanctuary is a required story step that advances the guild’s plot. Completing it unlocks later missions, raises your rank, and eventually grants rewards such as Shadowmere and unique gear tied to the faction.
• Good fit: You are roleplaying a pragmatic or ruthless assassin. If your character places loyalty to Sithis and the Brotherhood’s code above personal attachments, the purge fits the faction’s grim logic. Because the targets are quest-assigned, you generally avoid the normal murder-bounty penalties while inside the sanctuary.

When You Should Avoid It

• Warning sign: You have not finished other Dark Brotherhood contracts or used sanctuary services. Some members offer side quests, training, or spells. Removing them before you finish their tasks can lock away optional content for the rest of that playthrough.
• Warning sign: You are roleplaying a heroic or honorable character. The purge forces you to murder people who previously helped and trusted you. If that conflicts with the story you want to tell, it can sour the experience.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Quest progression and faction rewards. The purge opens the next chapter of the Dark Brotherhood. You earn gold, advance in rank, and keep moving toward late-game rewards such as Shadowmere and specialized equipment.
• Controlled mechanical risk. Because the kills are part of the assigned quest, you usually do not receive a bounty for eliminating the targeted sanctuary members, making it a clean way to clear out a large group of NPCs.

Cons

• Loss of sanctuary resources and side content. Certain members are vendors, trainers, or quest givers. Once they are dead, their services and side missions are gone unless you reload an earlier save.
• Roleplay and emotional cost. The purge is one of the darkest moments in the faction line. Players who grow attached to NPCs or prefer a noble path may find the betrayal unpleasant or out of character.

Decision Checklist

• Have I completed any side contracts, training sessions, or purchases from sanctuary members that I want to keep?
• Does this action fit my character’s moral alignment and the story I want to tell in this playthrough?
• Am I ready to advance the Dark Brotherhood plot, or would I rather pause the guild line and explore other factions?

Alternatives to Consider

If the purge feels too extreme, remember that you are never forced to join the Dark Brotherhood. A playthrough can skip the faction entirely and focus on the Arena, Fighters Guild, Mages Guild, Thieves Guild, or the main quest. If you have already joined but want to delay the betrayal, finish every side contract and buy every spell or item from sanctuary members first. You can also keep a separate save file before the purge so you can experience both outcomes. For characters who reject assassination, roleplay the choice by treating the Dark Brotherhood as an antagonist path and avoiding the recruitment trigger.

Final Recommendation

Kill the Dark Brotherhood sanctuary members in Oblivion if you intend to finish the guild’s story, collect its late-game rewards, and roleplay a loyal but ruthless assassin. Delay or avoid it if you prefer a heroic playthrough, still want services from sanctuary NPCs, or dislike the betrayal. Because this is a single-player game choice, the best answer is the one that matches your character and your enjoyment. Make a save beforehand so you can reverse the decision if needed.