To pick locks in Starfield, follow these steps:
- Ensure you have at least one Digipick (digital lockpick) in your inventory, as you need it to attempt lockpicking
- Interact with the locked object to open the lockpicking minigame, which displays concentric rings representing the lock layers and a set of keys on the right side
- Each ring has missing sections (slots), and your goal is to fill all these slots by correctly placing keys. Keys have pins (tabs) that must align perfectly with the slots on the rings
- Select a key and rotate it to see if its pins fit into the slots on a ring. When a key fits, the ring's slots will highlight (sometimes turning blue if you have the Security skill)
- Slot the key into place by pressing the designated button (e.g., "F" on PC or "A" on controller)
- Repeat this process for all rings, starting from the outer ring and moving inward once all slots on the outer ring are filled
- Some keys may fit multiple rings, and not all keys provided are necessary; some are decoys, especially in higher-level locks
- Locks come in four difficulty levels: Novice (no Security skill needed), Advanced (Security rank 1), Expert (rank 2), and Master (rank 3). Higher-level locks have more rings and keys, making them more complex
- You consume one Digipick per lockpicking attempt, and undoing a move or restarting also costs Digipicks, so plan carefully and consider quicksaving before difficult locks
Tips to make lockpicking easier:
- Upgrade your Security skill to gain auto-attempts and to see visual hints like ring highlights when keys fit
- Start by identifying keys that only fit one ring to reduce complexity
- Try to place all keys for a ring in the correct positions before locking them in to avoid wasting Digipicks
- Begin with the ring that has the most slots and work your way through logically
By mastering these mechanics and strategies, you can efficiently pick locks and access valuable loot in Starfield
