You can get more lockpicks in Oblivion through several reliable methods:
- Buy from Shady Sam : He is a merchant located outside the Imperial City walls near the Chestnut Handy Stables. Shady Sam sells up to 30 lockpicks daily at about 3-6 gold each, and his stock refreshes regularly, making him the easiest early-game source for lockpicks
- Join the Thieves Guild : Once you join, you gain access to fences like Ongar the Word-Weary in Bruma who sell large quantities of lockpicks (up to 100 in stock). Their inventory restocks after a few days, allowing you to buy lockpicks repeatedly
- Loot from enemies and dungeons : Goblin caves, bandit hideouts, and other dungeons often contain lockpicks in chests or on the bodies of enemies. Exploring these areas can yield a good supply without spending gold
- Complete the Nocturnal Daedric Shrine quest : This quest rewards you with the Skeleton Key, an unbreakable lockpick that also boosts your Security skill by 40, effectively eliminating the need to buy or find more lockpicks
In summary, the best approach is to buy from Shady Sam early on, loot dungeons for extras, then join the Thieves Guild for a steady supply, and eventually obtain the Skeleton Key for unlimited use
