How to get lockpicks in Oblivion and master its very tricky lockpicking minigame

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In every Elder Scrolls game, including The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, stealing is a common element. However, to successfully steal from the residents of Cyrodiil, you’ll require lockpicks frequently because the lockpicking system in Oblivion can be quite challenging.

It’s fortunate that lockpicks can be found in abundance across the province. With a bit of knowledge about their hiding spots, you’ll seldom find yourself lacking picks. If funds are low, there are methods to acquire picks without spending anything at all. Here’s what you should know if you aim to gather plenty of lockpicks for your clandestine Elder Scrolls adventures.

How to Get Lockpicks in Oblivion

You can acquire lockpicks through two methods: purchasing or finding them as loot. To buy lockpicks, there are certain merchants who specialize in serving shady customers; I’ll provide more information about them later. These individuals would be delighted to sell you some lockpicks if you have enough gold. Regular vendors won’t carry lockpicks, though, so you’ll need to seek out the appropriate contacts.

If you prefer not to purchase lockpicks, you often can acquire them by raiding bandits and goblins during your travels between settlements. Dungeons and caves are excellent locations for finding lockpicks; they’re typically found in chests at the conclusion of a dungeon exploration or on the bodies of slain bandits. Bandit hideouts also often contain some lockpicks in their chests.

Where to buy lockpicks in Oblivion

In the early stages of the game, if you’re in need of lockpicks, there’s just one person who can assist you – a shady character named Shady Sam. He’s a merchant situated outside the Imperial City walls, and he specializes in questionable goods such as lockpicks. To locate him, head towards the northwestern part of the city walls. Between the entrances of Talos Plaza District and Elven Gardens District, you’ll find him waiting.

Sam, known for his shadowy ways, usually has 30 lockpicks on him. These refresh every day if you purchase the entire collection, which makes him an ideal spot to secure your lockpicks early in the world of Oblivion.

To find more lockpick vendors in Oblivion, consider joining either the Thieves’ Guild or the Dark Brotherhood. The Thieves’ Guild is a better choice because it doesn’t require expensive initiation rituals like murder – just plain and simple thievery. Moreover, the guild members often sell an abundance of lockpicks. While the Dark Brotherhood merchants don’t offer as much, they do have enough for burgeoning thieves to purchase.

1. To swiftly become part of the Thieves Guild, you can either be arrested for a peaceful crime such as stealing or pickpocketing, or scour the wanted posters in the Imperial City and seek information from beggars about the guild.

2. Alternatively, to gain entry into the Dark Brotherhood, you must commit an act of murder on an innocent NPC, then wait for a representative from the Dark Brotherhood to approach you.

How Lockpicking Works in Oblivion

In contrast to the lockpick system introduced by Bethesda in Fallout 3 and Skyrim, the mini-game for picking locks in Oblivion is distinct. After mastering it, the process becomes quite simple.

To unlock a safe or lock, you need to manipulate each tumbler with a lockpick. By moving your mouse upward, you gently move the lockpick to nudge the tumblers into position. When a tumbler reaches the top of its slot, click to secure it. Since they operate at different speeds and timing is crucial, it might take some practice to get the hang of it. If you make a mistake or apply too much force, your lockpick may snap and the already set tumblers will revert back to their initial positions.

When you gently prod the tumblers with a lockpick, they might rise gradually rather than quickly. It’s ideal to attempt setting them at this moment, as trying to click them while they’re moving too swiftly could potentially damage your lockpick. Moreover, always pay attention when lockpicking, as the tumblers move more slowly when they’re easiest to set and they will emit a distinct sound when you nudge them.

Mastering this intricate lock-picking system may initially seem challenging, but with practice, you’ll find yourself cracking locks that are far beyond your current abilities. As your proficiency in Security increases, tasks become more manageable, and even the toughest locks can be conquered once the timing is perfected.

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2025-04-23 00:17