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Mastering Lockpicking in The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
The lockpicking mini-game in The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered presents quite a challenge, but there’s a straightforward method to bypass it entirely. Each Elder Scrolls installment has its own approach to lockpicking; most gamers today probably recognize the simplified method from Skyrim, where you spin the pick, twist the lock, and retry if you fail. In contrast, Oblivion’s lockpicking process can feel complex and punishing, often breaking your picks at the slightest miscalculation. As a longtime Oblivion enthusiast, I found it took some time to readjust when the remaster debuted. Luckily, you can automate the lockpicking experience in Oblivion, but you must acquire a special item linked to a side quest.
Starting Nocturnal’s Quest
To obtain the unbreakable lockpick, known as the Skeleton Key, you’ll need to undertake a quest for the Daedric Prince Nocturnal. You can initiate this quest, aptly titled "Nocturnal," once you reach level 10. To begin, head to her shrine located north of Leyawiin, which can be found along the main road, roughly parallel to the map’s label “County Leyawiin.” Asking local NPCs about Daedric shrines may help you locate it—some will even add it to your map.
Tip: If you’re close to Nocturnal’s Shrine but can’t spot it, check your compass for a marker indicating its location.
Fast travel to Leyawiin if needed, and speak with Nocturnal’s followers near the shrine. You’ll primarily want to engage with Mor gra-Gamorn. When you express interest in approaching the statue, she may be hesitant but will relent, realizing Nocturnal might have summoned you. After interacting with Nocturnal, she reveals that her Eye has been stolen by thieves and requests you retrieve it.
Retrieving the Unbreakable Lockpick
Nocturnal suspects that two Argonians in Leyawiin are responsible for the theft. Your next step is to gather information from the locals; city guards are particularly useful. While you can ask about the “Eye of Nocturnal,” it’s more effective to choose the “Leyawiin” dialogue option whenever it appears.
Eventually, you’ll learn that the thieves, Weebam-Na and Bejeen, have discussed a valuable jewel they stole. If they are tight-lipped, try your hand at the game’s persuasion mechanics to gain their trust.
Next, track down Bejeen and Weebam-Na, and find a good spot to eavesdrop on their conversation. The best location is to sneak into Weebam-Na’s house, marked on your map, and conceal yourself in a corner. Be careful; if they discover you, they will cease their discussion.
Locating the Eye of Nocturnal
Allow their conversation to unfold, and you’ll learn that they’ve hidden the Eye of Nocturnal in Tidewater Cave, located southeast of Leyawiin. This location will be marked on your map. Proceed to the cave to advance in the quest.
Although Tidewater Cave is relatively compact, beware of the Kalperklan Trolls that inhabit it. Like most trolls, they are vulnerable to fire—use spells or enchanted weapons to exploit this weakness. Feel free to explore the cavern as you may find loot in the southeastern and northeastern rooms.
Tip: Trolls are terrified of water and won’t follow you across it. Use this tactical advantage to take them down from a distance.
To find the Eye of Nocturnal, turn left upon entering the cave. Follow the hall straight until you reach another left turn. Continue until you see a water opening, dive in, and to your right, you’ll spot the Eye of Nocturnal glowing brightly beside a chest.
Once you retrieve the Eye, head back to Nocturnal’s Shrine, either on foot or via fast travel. As a reward, Nocturnal will gift you the Skeleton Key—a lockpick that can’t break and offers additional benefits.
Effects and Uses of the Skeleton Key
The Skeleton Key serves as an unbreakable lockpick, which theoretically saves you money on disposable picks. However, it has an even greater advantage: having the Skeleton Key means you can avoid the lockpicking mini-game altogether (unless you enjoy the challenge). On PC, pressing "R," "X" on Xbox, or "Square" on PS5 during a lockpicking attempt lets your character "auto-attempt" to open the lock. The game will assess your odds based on your Security skill and the lock’s difficulty, rolling for success.
When you auto-attempt, the lock will open if successful—if not, your lockpick won’t break, allowing you to keep trying without penalty. Thus, with the Skeleton Key, you can just keep auto-attempting until the lock clicks open, eliminating the need for manual lockpicking.
Note: Some story-critical locks in Oblivion require specific keys and cannot be picked, even with the Skeleton Key.
If manual lockpicking remains appealing, the Skeleton Key enhances your experience by boosting your Security skill by 40 points. A higher skill means that once you fail to set a tumbler, subsequent tumbler failures are less likely to cause everything to reset. This versatile item makes accessing doors or treasures in The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered much easier, maintaining an engaging experience.
This revised text captures the essence of the original while ensuring it remains unique and written in conversational American English.
