How To Lockpicking in Oblivion Remastered PC: Tips, Tricks, and Secrets

Are you ready to master the art of lockpicking in Oblivion Remastered PC? This guide will show you everything you need to know about breaking into locked chests and doors across Cyrodiil. Lockpicking in Oblivion offers a unique challenge compared to other Elder Scrolls games.

The remastered version brings this classic mechanic to life with improved visuals while keeping the original engaging gameplay.

Whether you are a master thief or just starting your journey, this comprehensive guide will help you click open even the most stubborn locks. Get ready to discover the secrets that lie behind Oblivion’s many locked doors and chests!

Key Takeaways: Mastering Lockpicking in Oblivion Remastered

• The lockpicking minigame in Oblivion Remastered uses a tumbler system that requires precise timing to succeed
• Your Security skill level directly affects your lockpicking abilities and determines which locks you can attempt
• The Skeleton Key is the ultimate lockpicking tool in the game that never breaks
• Alteration magic offers an alternative to traditional lockpicking with Open Lock spells
• Each lock has a difficulty rating that corresponds to your required skill level
• Auto-attempt lockpicking becomes available at higher Security skill levels
• Patience and timing are more important than having many lockpicks
• The Sweet Spot in each tumbler gets larger as your Security skill improves
• Sound cues provide valuable feedback during the lockpicking process
• Disposition with certain NPCs can be improved by unlocking things for them
• Fast reflexes help with the precise timing needed for harder locks
• The Thieves Guild questline provides excellent lockpicking practice and rewards
• Lockpicks can be purchased from merchants or found throughout the game world
• Nighteye effects can help you spot locks in dark areas
• The Apprentice Tower quest rewards you with the Skeleton Key
• Security training is available from specific NPCs across Cyrodiil
• Saving before lockpicking is always a good practice to avoid losing lockpicks
• Higher difficulty locks have more tumblers that need to be set properly
• The Security skill falls under the Stealth category of skills
• Breaking a lockpick doesn’t damage the lock itself

These key points will help you develop your lockpicking skills in Oblivion Remastered and ensure you can access all the secret areas and valuable loot throughout the game!

Understanding the Basics of Lockpicking in Oblivion Remastered

Lockpicking in Oblivion Remastered PC works differently than in other Elder Scrolls games. The system uses tumblers that you need to push up at the right moment. Each lock contains several tumblers, and you must set each one correctly to open the lock.

Your success depends on your Security skill level and your personal timing. The Security skill makes lockpicking easier by giving you a larger window to set each tumbler. At higher levels, you can attempt to auto-pick easier locks.

The game displays locks from a side view. You see your lockpick and the tumblers inside the lock. When you press the action button, the lockpick pushes a tumbler upward. The tumbler will bounce a few times, and you need to press the button again at the exact moment when the tumbler reaches its highest point.

If you time it correctly, the tumbler stays in place. If you miss, the tumbler falls back down, and you might break your lockpick. Each broken lockpick teaches you something about the timing, so don’t get discouraged when you fail.

The Remastered version keeps this classic mechanic intact while improving the visuals and responsiveness. This makes the experience more enjoyable while maintaining the original challenge that fans love.

The Lockpicking Minigame Mechanics Explained

The lockpicking minigame in Oblivion Remastered shows you a close-up view of the lock mechanism. You see several tumblers that you need to manipulate. The number of tumblers varies based on the lock difficulty – easier locks have fewer tumblers, while master locks might have five or more.

When you start the minigame, you use your lockpick to push each tumbler up by pressing the action button. Each tumbler moves at a different speed and has a sweet spot at its highest point. You need to press the button again exactly when the tumbler reaches this sweet spot.

The timing is crucial. If you press too early or too late, the tumbler falls, and your lockpick might break. The game provides visual and audio cues to help you. Listen for the subtle click sound that indicates when a tumbler is about to reach its sweet spot.

Your Security skill determines the size of this sweet spot. With a low skill, the sweet spot is tiny, making timing very difficult. As your skill improves, the sweet spot gets larger, giving you more room for error.

The remastered version maintains this challenging system while improving the visual feedback. The tumbler movements appear smoother, making it easier to see and time your attempts correctly.

Improving Your Security Skill for Better Lockpicking

Your Security skill directly affects your lockpicking abilities in Oblivion Remastered. This skill determines which locks you can attempt and how easy the lockpicking process becomes. Improving this skill should be a priority for any character who relies on accessing locked areas.

The Security skill increases through use. Every time you successfully pick a lock, you gain experience toward the next skill level. The more difficult the lock, the more experience you earn. For faster improvement, focus on picking locks that match your current skill level – challenging enough to be worth experience but not so difficult that you waste lockpicks.

You can also find skill books throughout Cyrodiil that instantly boost your Security skill. Look for books with titles like “Advances in Lockpicking” and “The Wolf and the Pirate.” Reading these books gives you a permanent skill point increase.

For those with gold to spare, training offers another path to improvement. Several NPCs can train your Security skill for a price. Look for S’Krivva in Bravil or Mandil at the Faregyl Inn.

The Skeleton Key, obtained through the Nocturnal Daedric quest, is the ultimate tool for improving your skill. Since it never breaks, you can practice on any lock without worrying about running out of lockpicks.

Remember that Security is a major skill for the Stealth specialization. Choosing this as a major skill during character creation gives you a head start.

Essential Tools for Successful Lockpicking

In Oblivion Remastered, having the right tools makes all the difference in your lockpicking adventures. The basic lockpick is your standard tool, available from merchants throughout Cyrodiil. These lockpicks can break, so carrying multiple picks is essential for any serious thief.

The quality of your lockpicks doesn’t vary – all standard picks function identically. What matters is how many you carry. Merchants like Ongar the World-Weary in Bruma and members of the Thieves Guild sell lockpicks. The price typically ranges from 10 to 25 gold each, depending on the merchant’s disposition toward you.

The ultimate lockpicking tool is the Skeleton Key, a Daedric artifact obtained by completing Nocturnal’s quest. This special lockpick never breaks, making it invaluable for characters who frequently deal with locked doors and chests. Finding this artifact should be a priority for any character focused on stealth and thievery.

For those who prefer magical solutions, Open Lock spells from the Alteration school offer an alternative approach. These spells instantly open locks up to a specific difficulty level, bypassing the minigame entirely. The spell’s effectiveness depends on its level – from Open Very Easy Lock to Open Very Hard Lock.

The Weatherward Circlet, found during the Thieves Guild questline, provides a +10 boost to your Security skill while worn. This enchanted item gives you an edge when tackling particularly challenging locks.

Don’t forget about potions of luck and Security that temporarily boost your abilities when facing difficult locks.

Tips and Tricks for Mastering Difficult Locks

Mastering difficult locks in Oblivion Remastered requires both skill and strategy. When facing a challenging lock, start by saving your game. This simple step protects you from losing valuable lockpicks if you encounter a particularly tricky lock.

Pay close attention to the rhythm of each tumbler. Every tumbler in a lock moves at its own pace. Some move quickly, while others rise slowly. Spend a moment watching each tumbler’s movement before attempting to set it. This observation helps you anticipate the perfect timing.

The game provides visual and audio cues to help you succeed. Look for the slight pause at the top of a tumbler’s movement, and listen for the subtle sound that indicates the sweet spot. These cues become clearer with practice.

For master-level locks, try the “tap and watch” technique. Tap the action button very lightly to make the tumbler rise just a bit. This allows you to see its movement pattern without risking your lockpick. This technique saves countless lockpicks when dealing with the hardest locks.

If you keep breaking lockpicks on the same tumbler, try skipping to the next one and coming back later. Sometimes a fresh perspective helps you nail the timing.

Patience wins the day with difficult locks. Rushing leads to broken lockpicks and frustration. Take your time with each tumbler, and don’t let failed attempts discourage you.

Remember that your character’s Luck attribute slightly influences lockpicking success. A higher Luck stat provides a small buffer for timing errors.

Using Magic and Spells as Lockpicking Alternatives

The world of Oblivion Remastered offers magical alternatives for those who find the lockpicking minigame challenging or tedious. The Alteration school of magic provides Open Lock spells that can bypass the entire lockpicking process.

These spells come in various strengths, from Open Very Easy Lock to Open Very Hard Lock. The spell level determines which locks you can magically open. Higher-level spells require more magicka but can open more difficult locks. Even a character with minimal magical ability can learn and use basic opening spells.

You can purchase these spells from various mages across Cyrodiil. The Arcane University in the Imperial City offers the complete range once you gain access. The cost increases with the spell’s power, but the convenience often justifies the price.

The Mages Guild questline helps you gain access to more powerful magic, including advanced lock opening spells. Progressing through this faction’s quests unlocks spell merchants who sell the highest-level opening spells.

For characters with limited magicka pools, enchanted items with Open Lock effects provide an excellent alternative. These items use charges rather than your magicka, making them valuable for characters who don’t focus on magic skills.

Remember that some locks in the game are magically sealed and cannot be opened with spells. These special locks require either the conventional lockpicking approach or finding a specific key.

Scrolls of Open Lock offer one-time magical opening for those without the necessary spell knowledge. These consumable items can be found as loot or purchased from merchants specializing in scrolls.

Best Perks and Abilities for Lockpicking Specialists

In Oblivion Remastered, your character can develop specific perks and abilities that make lockpicking considerably easier. The most valuable perk comes at Security skill level 50, when you gain the ability to auto-attempt locks of Average difficulty or lower. This feature saves time by letting you bypass the minigame for simpler locks.

At Security skill level 75, this auto-attempt ability extends to Hard locks. At level 100, your character becomes a master locksmith who can auto-attempt Very Hard locks. This progression makes investing in the Security skill worthwhile for any character who frequently encounters locked objects.

The Armorer skill complements Security by allowing you to repair lockpicks in the field. Though lockpicks cannot be repaired individually, having high Armorer skill helps you maintain other tools that support your lockpicking adventures.

The Stealth skill pairs naturally with lockpicking, as many locked containers are found in areas where you’ll want to remain undetected. Improving both skills creates a truly effective thief character who can access locked treasures without alerting guards or owners.

The Speechcraft skill helps you improve dispositions with merchants who sell lockpicks. Higher dispositions lead to better prices, allowing you to stock up on lockpicks more affordably.

The Thieves Guild faction provides several benefits for lockpicking specialists. As you advance in rank, you gain access to fences who sell unlimited lockpicks. The guild also offers quests that test and improve your lockpicking abilities.

The Sign of The Shadow birthsign grants powers that help you remain undetected while picking locks in occupied areas.

Common Lockpicking Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

New players in Oblivion Remastered often make several common mistakes when picking locks. Understanding and avoiding these pitfalls will save you countless lockpicks and frustration.

The most frequent error is rushing the process. Many players get impatient and attempt to set tumblers without properly observing their movement patterns. Take time to watch each tumbler bounce a few times before attempting to set it. This patience pays off with fewer broken lockpicks.

Another common mistake is forgetting to save before attempting difficult locks. Always save your game before tackling challenging locks, especially when your lockpick supply is limited. This simple habit prevents the loss of rare or expensive lockpicks.

Many players ignore the sound cues that help indicate when to press the button. The game provides subtle audio feedback that signals the perfect moment to set each tumbler. Playing with sound on significantly improves your lockpicking success rate.

Some players make the error of attempting locks beyond their skill level. The game clearly indicates the lock difficulty, and trying to pick locks labeled as “too hard” wastes lockpicks. Focus on locks appropriate for your current Security skill level.

A technical mistake is button mashing when trying to set tumblers. Pressing the button repeatedly reduces your precision and almost guarantees failure. Instead, make deliberate, well-timed single presses.

Many new thieves overlook the auto-attempt feature once it becomes available. Remember to use this time-saving option for locks below your skill threshold after reaching Security level 50.

Finally, some players neglect to optimize their view. Adjust your camera angle to clearly see the tumbler movements, making timing much easier.

Valuable Loot Worth Lockpicking For

Oblivion Remastered hides some of its most valuable treasures behind locked doors and inside secured chests. Knowing which locks are worth your time and lockpicks helps you maximize your profits.

The Thieves Guild fences offer excellent rewards for stolen goods, making locked display cases in noble houses prime targets. The Imperial City Palace District contains numerous wealthy homes with locked cabinets full of valuable silver and jeweled items. The risk matches the reward in these high-security locations.

Ayleid Ruins throughout Cyrodiil contain locked chests with ancient treasures and valuable Welkynd Stones. These glowing crystals fetch high prices from collectors and mages. The more remote the ruin, the more likely you’ll find untouched locked chests.

Many guild halls keep their valuable items in locked chests. The Mages Guild in particular often stores rare alchemical ingredients and soul gems in secured containers. These magical components sell for high prices or prove useful for enchanting.

Bandit caves frequently contain locked chests with accumulated loot. These locations offer the advantage of allowing guilt-free looting, as taking from bandits isn’t considered stealing. The locked chests in these caves often contain compiled wealth from multiple robberies.

The Arcane University contains several locked cabinets with rare books and scrolls. These academic treasures require good lockpicking skills to access but provide unique magic items not found elsewhere.

For players seeking specific unique items, the locked display case in Riverview in Cheydinhal guards the valuable Weatherward Circlet, which boosts Security skill by 10 points.

Remember that some locked containers reset after several game days, allowing you to return and find new treasures.

Modifying Your Lockpicking Experience with Additional Mods

The Oblivion Remastered PC version opens up possibilities for customizing your lockpicking experience through additional mods. These modifications can either enhance the existing system or completely transform it to match your preferences.

For players who enjoy the original lockpicking minigame but want more challenge, the Difficulty Adjuster mod increases the precision required to set tumblers while providing more experience for success. This mod creates a more rewarding risk-reward balance for dedicated thieves.

Those who prefer a more realistic approach might enjoy the Realistic Lockpicking mod. This modification removes the auto-attempt feature and adjusts the visual feedback to create a more immersive experience. The increased difficulty feels surprisingly satisfying once you adapt to it.

Players who find the original system too challenging can install the Lockpicking Overhaul mod. This user-friendly modification adds visual indicators that clearly show the sweet spot for each tumbler, making the process more accessible without removing the core gameplay.

The Alternate Start mod family often provides options to begin your game as an experienced thief with enhanced Security skills and a supply of lockpicks. This option lets you focus on lockpicking from the beginning of your adventure.

For a complete transformation, the Skyrim-Style Lockpicking mod replaces the tumbler system with the rotating lock mechanism familiar to Skyrim players. This option works well for those who prefer the more recent Elder Scrolls lockpicking approach.

Remember that installing mods requires following proper load order guidelines. The Mod Organizer 2 or Wrye Bash tools help manage these modifications to ensure they work correctly together.

Always back up your save files before installing lockpicking mods, as changes to this system can sometimes affect existing saved games.

The Evolution of Lockpicking from Oblivion to Skyrim

The lockpicking system in Oblivion Remastered represents a fascinating middle point in the evolution of this mechanic throughout the Elder Scrolls series. Understanding this evolution helps appreciate what makes Oblivion’s approach unique.

In Morrowind, the predecessor to Oblivion, lockpicking was entirely chance-based. Your Security skill determined the probability of success, with no player skill involved. You simply activated the lock and let the game calculate if you succeeded.

Oblivion introduced the tumbler system that brought player skill into the equation. This hybrid approach required both character skill (the Security attribute) and player skill (timing the button press). The system created a satisfying balance that made improving your character’s abilities meaningful while still requiring personal mastery.

Skyrim later moved to a completely different system inspired by real lockpicking. The rotating pick and tension wrench mechanism relies almost entirely on player skill, with the character’s Lockpicking skill merely reducing pick breakage. The contrast between systems highlights Oblivion’s unique approach to blending character and player abilities.

The Fallout series, Bethesda’s other major franchise, adopted variations of both systems. Fallout 3 and New Vegas used a version of the Oblivion tumbler system, while Fallout 4 embraced the Skyrim rotation mechanism.

Interestingly, Elder Scrolls Online returned to a timing-based minigame somewhat reminiscent of Oblivion’s system, showing the lasting influence of this mechanic.

Oblivion Remastered preserves the original tumbler system rather than updating to Skyrim’s approach, recognizing that many players consider the Oblivion lockpicking minigame a defining and beloved feature of the game’s identity.

This preservation allows new players to experience this classic mechanic while enjoying the visual and performance improvements of the remastered edition.

What Security skill level do I need to pick Very Hard locks?

You need a Security skill of 75 or higher to manually attempt Very Hard locks. At Security skill 100, you can auto-attempt these locks.

Where can I find the Skeleton Key in Oblivion Remastered?

The Skeleton Key is obtained by completing Nocturnal’s Daedric quest “The Gray Fox and the Howl’s End.” The quest begins at the Shrine of Nocturnal after level 10.

Do lockpicks weigh anything in inventory?

No, lockpicks have zero weight in Oblivion, so you can carry as many as you want without affecting your encumbrance.

Can guards catch me picking locks?

Yes, attempting to pick locks in view of guards or NPCs counts as a crime. You’ll gain a bounty if spotted.

How do I improve my Security skill quickly?

Focus on picking locks that match your current skill level. Join the Thieves Guild for quests that involve lockpicking. Read skill books like “Advances in Lockpicking.”

What happens if I break too many lockpicks?

Nothing beyond losing the lockpicks. The lock remains undamaged and can be attempted again with new lockpicks.

Can I enchant items to help with lockpicking?

Yes, you can enchant items with Fortify Security effects to temporarily boost your lockpicking abilities.

Is there a way to open locks without picking them or using magic?

Yes, if you can find the corresponding key. Many locks in the game have keys hidden somewhere in the game world.

Does the Luck attribute affect lockpicking?

Yes, the Luck attribute provides a small bonus to all skills, including Security, making lockpicking slightly easier.

Can I pick locks underwater in Oblivion?

No, unlike in some other games, Oblivion does not allow lockpicking while swimming underwater.