To lockpick in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, follow these key steps:
- Enter the lockpicking interface and use your lockpicks to push the tumblers (pins) inside the lock upwards.
- Observe the tumblers as they move; they will rise and then fall back down at varying speeds. Your goal is to set each tumbler when it is at the very top of its movement.
- The best time to lock a tumbler is when it moves up slowly, as this gives you more time to press the button (usually the spacebar or left-click) to hold the tumbler in place without breaking your lockpick. Avoid trying to lock the tumbler when it moves fast, as mistiming will break your lockpick.
- Listen for a distinct higher-pitched "click-cleek" sound when pushing the tumbler up; this audio cue indicates the correct timing to lock it in place.
- Repeat this process for all the tumblers in the lock. Patience and timing are crucial to avoid breaking lockpicks.
- As you practice and level up your Security skill, lockpicking becomes easier because the timing window widens.
In summary, the technique is to tap the tumbler until it moves slowly upward, then press the lock button exactly as it reaches the top to set it. If mistimed, the tumbler falls and you risk breaking a lockpick, so patience is key
. Additional tips:
- Some players find it easier to focus on the sound cues rather than visuals.
- You can level your Security skill by repeatedly practicing lockpicking.
- There are in-game exploits and items like the Skeleton Key that can make lockpicking easier, but mastering the timing is the core skill
This method works consistently in Oblivion and is simpler than lockpicking systems in some other games.
