In The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, most containers and doors you encounter come with a lock. Using lockpicks to access your well-earned treasures is an essential part of the game, but maximizing the benefits of the Security skill can be a challenge, especially if you’re having difficulty with the lockpicking minigame or if you’re running low on lockpicks.
The good news is that finding lockpicks in Oblivion isn’t too difficult if you know where to search. For those who find the lockpicking minigame frustrating, there are ways to unlock containers and doors without using a lockpick. Before we get into those methods, let’s first discuss where you can find lockpicks early in the game.
How to Find More Lockpicks
Lockpicks are commonly found as loot in Oblivion. You can acquire them from defeated enemies, chests, and various lootable items. If you need a steady supply, consider visiting specific Thieves Guild merchants.
Once you join the Thieves Guild, you’ll gain access to vendors throughout Cyrodiil who deal in stolen goods. The first one you’ll encounter is Ongar the Word-Weary in Bruma. Ongar, along with other Thieves Guild vendors, has a substantial supply of lockpicks available for a low price. After buying all of their stock, wait a couple of days for it to refresh and then you can purchase more.
Alternatives to Lockpicking
If you’re not keen on spending your gold but need to pick locks, you have several options:
- Skeleton Key: This Daedric artifact is obtained through Nocturnal’s quest. The Skeleton Key acts as a lockpick that never breaks.
- Alteration Spells: The Alteration school offers spells that can unlock doors. Achieving expert proficiency (Level 75 in Alteration) allows you to cast the most powerful unlock spells.
How to Obtain the Skeleton Key
The Skeleton Key is a reward from the ‘Nocturnal’ questline. To start this quest, head to Nocturnal’s shrine, located north of Leyawiin. Be aware that you need to be at least Level 10 to initiate this quest. If you aren’t at that level yet, you can fast travel to the shrine and come back later.
To get detailed instructions on the quest, refer to our guide on the Nocturnal quest line. Once completed, you’ll possess the Skeleton Key for the remainder of your gameplay, making it an essential tool for unlocking difficult locks.
Using Alteration Spells for Lockpicking
If you prefer not to focus on the Security skill, mages can use Alteration as an alternative. This school of magic provides access to Open Lock spells. Acquired or crafted spells with higher magnitude values can unlock more complex containers and doors.
Here’s a summary of the effectiveness of these spells:
| Points Required | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|
| 7 Points | Novice (Very Easy) |
| 20 Points | Apprentice (Easy) |
| 40 Points | Journeyman (Average) |
| 80 Points | Expert (Hard) |
| 100 Points | Master (Very Hard) |
If you’re aiming to unlock Master locks, explore spellcrafting. The strongest unlock spell available typically caps at 75 points, so you’ll need to create your own spell to surpass that threshold.
With these strategies and resources, you can successfully access locked areas in Oblivion without the headache of constantly managing lockpicks!
