To lockpick in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, follow these key steps and tips:
- Have lockpicks in your inventory : You need at least one lockpick to attempt picking a lock
- Understand the lockpicking mechanic : You control a tumbler that moves up and down. Your goal is to "lock" each tumbler at its highest point by pressing the action button (X on consoles or left-click on PC) at the right moment
- Watch the speed of the tumbler : The tumbler moves up at varying speeds. Only attempt to lock it when it moves up slowly. If it moves up fast and you try to lock it, your lockpick will break and any previously locked tumblers will reset
- Technique :
- Tap the tumbler repeatedly to get a feel for its movement.
- Wait patiently for the slow rise of the tumbler.
- When it slowly reaches the top, press the button once to lock it in place.
- Repeat this for all tumblers until the lock opens
- Sound cues : Experienced players listen for a distinct "click-cleek" sound with a higher pitch to know when to lock the tumbler. This can help if you have a good ear
- Security skill helps : The higher your Security skill, the easier it is to pick locks because the tumbler moves slower and you get some leniency (such as tumblers not falling immediately when you fail)
- Optional exploits :
- You can spam the action button on the last tumbler to quickly level your Security skill without breaking lockpicks (likely a bug)
* Using the Skeleton Key item or increasing your Security skill via spells or console commands can make lockpicking trivial
In summary, the core of lockpicking in Oblivion is patience and timing: wait for the tumbler to rise slowly, then press the button at the top to lock it in place without breaking your lockpick
. With practice, this becomes straightforward even on difficult locks.
