How to Lockpick in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered

In The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, you’ll come across numerous locked doors and chests filled with valuable items like gear, gold, and hidden secrets. At first glance, these barriers might appear challenging, but fear not! The game provides several methods to overcome them – from the classic technique of lockpicking to magical workarounds.

This guide offers a comprehensive exploration of every lockpicking method found within The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, suitable for both those who enjoy traditional mechanics and those who favor innovative strategies.

How To Open Locks Using Lockpicks in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered

In The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, lockpicking is an immersive mini-game that demands precision and timing. When you try to open a lock, you’re given a side view of the mechanism with your pick inserted on one side and tiny metal pins (known as tumblers) on the other.

The number of tumblers adjusts according to the level of complexity of the lock, ranging from a single tumbler in simpler designs to as many as five in advanced models.

To manipulate a tumbler lock, simply move your pick back and forth horizontally until it’s in the correct position. Afterward, give it an upward push. At the appropriate time, apply some force to secure it in place.

What Happens if the Lockpick Breaks?

The success or failure of a lockpick attempt hinges on timing – if you push too soon or too late, the pins inside the lock won’t align correctly, potentially causing the pick to snap.

The true difficulty lies in adjusting the tumblers due to their movement. As you raise one, it ascends swiftly initially but slows down as it nears the top. The secret is to be patient until it’s moving at its most sluggish—exactly when it has reached the apex of its motion—before making your move to adjust it.

Attempting to pick the lock prematurely might make the tumbler retract suddenly, risking damage to your lockpick. What’s more concerning is that an unsuccessful try could cause the already aligned tumblers to fall back, requiring you to restart the minigame of picking the lock.

How To Be Good at Lockpicking?

Some individuals utilize audio signals, noticing a faint click once a tumbler is ready to be adjusted. This technique can prove beneficial, particularly with headphones, however, it necessitates having an acute sense of hearing. On the other hand, some players opt for visual observation, waiting for the ideal instant when the pins in the lock almost come to a halt at its peak.

In the game “The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered”, it’s strongly advised that you utilize headphones during lockpicking to increase your chances of successfully picking the lock, rather than accidentally breaking it.

Furthermore, your character’s Security skill level significantly impacts the situation – a higher skill reduces the number of locks that reset when you fail, thus making the task less demanding and more lenient.

How to Pick Locks Using Keyboard and Mouse on PC

To successfully pick locks in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, you’ll want to keep both your ears and eyes alert. Listen for the distinct ‘click’ of a tumbler falling into place as you skillfully press the appropriate keys on your keyboard or mouse to input the correct commands at just the right moment.

Initially, move your mouse horizontally (left or right) to place the lockpick beneath the chosen tumbler. Subsequently, push the lockpick by moving your mouse vertically (upward) and lifting it at the same time.

After you’ve noticed the distinctive sound of the tumbler clicking into place, simply press the left mouse button or the spacebar to confirm and lock it in position.

Or even simpler: When you hear the tumbler click, just press the left mouse button or spacebar to lock it securely.

Simplifying locks can often only need one correctly aligned tumbler to open. But as the lock becomes more intricate, you might have to adjust each tumbler individually until the entire locking mechanism is disengaged.

How to Pick Locks Using PlayStation/Xbox Controller

If you’re using either a PlayStation or an Xbox gamepad, the general steps are comparable, though you’ll be employing distinct controls instead.

To choose the desired tumbler, simply move your left joystick (LS) either left or right. Once selected, gently lift the lockpick by pushing the joystick upward.

Hear the distinct click as a signal, then either press ‘X’ (on PlayStation) or ‘A’ (on Xbox) to secure the tumbler correctly. Repeat this process for all required tumblers, and you will have successfully picked the lock.

How To Open Locks Without Lockpicks in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered

There are numerous methods available for unlocking doors beyond just using lock picks or engaging in a lock-picking mini-game. Yet, before relying heavily on traditional lock-picking techniques, it’s essential to gather these items first:

1. Lock bypass tools
2. Keys (if you have them)
3. Passwords or combinations (if known)
4. Distraction or persuasion techniques (for NPC guards or owners)
5. Forceful entry (as a last resort, when all else fails)

1. Using Console Commands

Cracking open locks is a breeze with Console Commands. Although it wasn’t designed by the developers, players on PC versions of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered can simply skip locks this way—simply press the tilde key (~), select the locked item, type ‘unlock’, and hit Enter to unlock it.

Important notice: If you’re aiming to earn game achievements, it’s best to avoid using this lock-picking technique as it will disable your ability to achieve those awards.

2. Using Skeleton Key

If you’re seeking an effortless method to conquer lockpicking in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, the “Skeleton Key” is your top choice. This indestructible lockpick is earned upon completing Nocturnal’s quest and significantly simplifies the process of unlocking doors.

So long as a standard lockpick is included in your items, you can skip the mini-game entirely by continuously pressing the “Auto Attempt” button until the lock is opened. Because the Skeleton Key doesn’t break, you can repeatedly use this method without any repercussions.

Without the Skeleton Key, using the “Auto Attempt” feature can be less dependable, particularly at the start of the game when your Security skill is weak. Trying to force open locks that are more challenging than a “Very Easy” one without the proper skill will often result in failure.

However, it’s important to note that the situation alters significantly when you possess the Skeleton Key. In such a case, forcing locks can be a feasible and usually the quickest method, regardless of the difficulty level.

3. Using Lockpicking Spells

If you’d prefer to avoid lockpicking altogether, Oblivion Remastered provides a magical workaround – the ‘Open’ spell. Early on in the game, you can get hold of this handy spell without spending a dime by venturing to a unique location close to the Imperial City.

From the Lake Rumare bridge, head towards the direction of north-east until you come across an enigmatic stone landmark. Activating this landmark will bestow upon you the enhanced Warden Key ability.

Opening the power of the Open charm hinges on your proficiency in Alteration – the greater your skill, the tougher locks you can unlock. What’s great about this method is that you can continuously recast the spell as often as you have enough magical energy, making it a trustworthy substitute for lockpicks.

Instead of replicating the Skeleton Key’s ease, it serves as an excellent alternative for characters and players who lean towards magical abilities rather than manually picking locks with keys.

2025-04-24 09:51