You can buy lockpicks in Oblivion primarily from the following sources:
- Shady Sam : He is the easiest and earliest merchant to buy lockpicks from. Shady Sam is located outside the Imperial City walls near the stables, between the Talos Plaza District and Elven Gardens gates. He sells up to 30 lockpicks daily at 6 gold each, and his stock refreshes every day, making him a reliable source throughout the game if you are not part of any faction
- Thieves Guild Fences : Once you join the Thieves Guild, you gain access to fences who sell large quantities of lockpicks, typically up to 100 at a time. These fences are scattered in various locations, such as Ongar the World-Weary in Bruma. Lockpicks from fences are generally cheaper and more plentiful than from Shady Sam
- Dark Brotherhood Merchants : If you join the Dark Brotherhood, you can also buy lockpicks from their merchants, though their stock is usually smaller compared to the Thieves Guild fences
If you are not a member of any faction, Shady Sam remains your best option for purchasing lockpicks. Additionally, you can find lockpicks by looting bandits, goblins, and chests in dungeons and caves, which can supplement your supply without spending gold
. In summary, for buying lockpicks:
- Early game and non-faction players: Buy from Shady Sam outside Imperial City.
- After joining Thieves Guild: Buy from fences for larger stock and cheaper prices.
- After joining Dark Brotherhood: Buy from their merchants as an alternative.
This ensures a steady supply of lockpicks for your lockpicking needs in Oblivion.
