Mastering Lockpicking in Oblivion Remastered
Lockpicking is a skill you should perfect quickly in Oblivion Remastered. Being able to unlock doors and containers will grant you access to hidden treasures and areas that would otherwise be off-limits. The lockpicking minigame in this version is quite unique, and if you’re not familiar with how it operates, you’ll likely find yourself frustrated as you waste your limited lockpicks.
To help you out, let’s break down how to lockpick effectively in Oblivion Remastered and uncover where you can find additional lockpicks to keep your adventures rolling.
Understanding Lockpicking in Oblivion Remastered
The lockpicking minigame here differs significantly from what you might have experienced in Skyrim or Fallout. If you dive into it without preparation, you could quickly become upset while depleting your supply of lockpicks. Here’s a simple overview:
To start, you use the left stick to scroll through up to five tumblers. When you’re lined up with a pin, push the stick forward to nudge it upward into the lock. To secure it, you must hit the button (X or A, depending on your system) when the pin reaches the top of the tumbler. If you miss the right timing, you’ll break your lockpick and might even mess up the pins you’ve already set.
To get the hang of this challenge, remember that the pins move at different speeds once you tap them. The quicker a pin moves, the less time you’ll have to lock it in without breaking your pick. Instead of rushing, try tapping a pin a few times to see how fast it moves, and be prepared to set it in place if you notice it slowing down.
For practice, you can create a manual save before attempting to unlock a lock. If you break too many picks, just reload and give it another shot. Once you get the mechanics down, you’ll find you can pick locks of any difficulty, though having a higher Security skill will undoubtedly help.
Where to Find More Lockpicks in Oblivion Remastered
You can easily acquire lockpicks in Oblivion Remastered by looting defeated foes, particularly Goblins and Bandits, as well as searching through containers in their camps. Given that this is a Bethesda RPG, you’ll likely be collecting loot wherever you go, and since lockpicks have no weight, you can carry as many as you find.
While scavenging is a free way to stock up, it can be hit or miss. Fortunately, there are several merchants where you can buy lockpicks. Early in the game, you can purchase them from Shady Sam, who is located just outside the northwest side of the Imperial City. I’ve marked his location on the map, and you can get there by following the curved city walls.
Shady Sam has around 30 lockpicks available for sale, and he restocks daily. Each one will set you back 6 gold, but if your Mercantile skill is solid, you might be able to negotiate a better price, though don’t expect huge discounts!
As you progress, joining the Dark Brotherhood or the Thieves Guild will grant you access to more merchants selling lockpicks. The Thieves Guild, in particular, typically has a larger supply available, making it easier to keep your stock full.
By mastering lockpicking and knowing where to stock up on supplies, you’ll unlock a whole new level of exploration in Oblivion Remastered. Happy hunting!
