The Elder Scrolls 4 Oblivion Remastered Guide – Here’s How To Lockpick

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In many immersive, expansive role-playing games like the updated version of “The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion,” lockpicking is a common feature. Mastering this mini-game’s mechanics can yield valuable prizes. However, it can be frustrating and time-consuming when multiple lockpicks break without opening a lock. Despite their abundance, the repeated failures can be tiresome.

In this guide, you’ll find all the essential information required for unlocking locks within The Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion Remastered.

Lockpick Minigame Screen

To get started with picking locks, it’s essential that you have Lockpicks handy. You’ll often find these items as loot throughout your journeys in Cyrodiil. Since they are prone to breaking, it’s wise to carry a good number of them with you at all times. However, if you run out, you can always resort to save-scumming before attempting lockpicking in an emergency situation.

When you opt to pick a lock or chest, you’ll be given a detailed view of the lock mechanism and your tool (the lockpick) on the left side. By moving the lockpick horizontally, you can work on each tumbler pin one by one, starting from left to right. The objective is to adjust each pin with the lockpick so it stays in the uppermost part of the tumbler. At each try, a specific pin will rise and fall at different speeds, but these speed changes follow an unpredictable pattern like slow-fast-slow-repeat. Your aim is to ‘Set Tumbler’ when the pin reaches its maximum height, and it’s best to make that move when the pin is moving slowly, giving you more time to respond.

In simpler terms, repeatedly pressing the tumbler pin doesn’t affect the lockpick, so go ahead and do it instinctively. However, messing up the timing when setting the tumblers is what could potentially cause the lockpick to snap.

The level of difficulty in picking a lock depends on the number of pins you need to adjust – ranging from one (easiest) to five (hardest). Moreover, the frequency of rapid and slow pin movements within a specific lock is significant, which can vary based on the Lockpicking skill you possess.

Easy Lockpicking Every Time Tip

You can ‘fix’ or ‘maintain’ the pace at which the pin moves. If you find the pin moving too slowly, just tap it again to keep it moving at that specific speed until you need to activate ‘Set Tumbler’. As long as the pin doesn’t fall back completely, it will continue moving at this fixed rate.

Auto Attempt

After the thrill of manual picklocking has worn off, give Auto Attempt a shot. It’s a breeze with low-difficulty locks, and while higher-tier ones might consume a lot of lockpicks, they could also crack open the target, given that it’s all about luck. Having a solid Luck stat and decent Security skill is perfect for this approach. And hey, keep a good stock of lockpicks handy, or if you’ve got the Skeleton Key, you’re golden!

Security Skill

The outcome when you break a lockpick depends on your level of proficiency in the Security skill. Unfortunately, the game’s description for each rank’s effect isn’t accurate, but here’s what each level really does:

1. Novice (Rank 1): You can attempt to pick locks, but with limited success and a higher chance of breaking the lockpick.
2. Apprentice (Rank 2): Slightly improves your chances of successfully picking locks, but still carries a moderate risk of breaking the lockpick.
3. Journeyman (Rank 3): You have a reasonable chance of picking locks without breaking the lockpick, but it’s not guaranteed.
4. Expert (Rank 4): With this level, you can pick most locks with minimal risk of breaking the lockpick, but difficult or damaged locks may still break your tool.
5. Master (Rank 5): You can pick even the most complex and damaged locks with a very low chance of breaking the lockpick.

Novice

All previously picked tumblers will fall when you fail and break a lockpick.Apprentice 25

All but one previously picked tumbler will fall when you fail and break a lockpick.

Journeyman 50

All but two previously picked tumblers will fall when you fail and break a lockpick.

Expert 75

All but three previously picked tumblers will fall when you fail and break a lockpick.

Master 100

None of the previously picked tumblers will fall when you fail and break a lockpick.

That is everything there is to know about lockpicking in The Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion Remastered.

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2025-04-29 19:44