When The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered launched on April 22, 2025, it captivated players with its breathtaking Unreal Engine 5 visuals, modernized gameplay, and the boundless freedom of Cyrodiil. For newcomers, the promise of exploring ancient ruins, joining guilds, and uncovering treasures was irresistible. But a surprising roadblock has driven many to rage quit: the game’s notoriously finicky lockpicking system. Unlike Skyrim’s intuitive lockpicking or Fallout’s bobby-pin simplicity, Oblivion’s Security skill demands precision, patience, and practice—qualities new players often lack when facing their first Very Hard lock. Social media is ablaze with complaints, from Reddit rants to viral clips of controllers flung in frustration. Yet, with the right approach, anyone can master lockpicking and unlock Cyrodiil’s riches. Here’s why the system is tripping up newcomers, how to conquer it, and why it’s worth sticking with Oblivion Remastered.

The lockpicking system in Oblivion Remastered is a holdover from the 2006 original, with minor tweaks for clarity but no fundamental changes. When you approach a locked chest, door, or gate, you enter a minigame governed by the Security skill, which starts at 5 for most characters (higher for races like Khajiit or with Stealth specialization). Locks range from Very Easy (1 tumbler) to Very Hard (5 tumblers), and each tumbler must be pushed up and locked in place with a pick before it falls. The catch? Timing is everything. Tumblers move at different speeds, and clicking too early or late breaks your pick, forcing you to start over. With only a few picks in your inventory early on, a single failed attempt can leave you empty-handed, unable to access loot or progress quests.

For new players, this system feels like a cruel puzzle. Unlike Skyrim, where you rotate a lockpick and feel for resistance, Oblivion’s minigame relies on visual and audio cues. Each tumbler makes a distinct “clunk” when it’s ready to lock, but the timing window is narrow—sometimes less than a half-second for Hard or Very Hard locks. At low Security levels (5-25), picks break frequently, and the game’s early quests, like “Breaking the Siege of Kvatch” or Thieves Guild missions, often require opening locks to proceed. Newcomers, expecting Skyrim’s forgiving mechanics, are caught off guard. One Reddit user described snapping their pick on a Hard lock in Vilverin, a starting dungeon, and quitting after running out of picks. Another posted a clip of failing a Very Hard chest in the Imperial City, captioning it, “Why is this harder than the final boss?”

The frustration is compounded by Oblivion Remastered’s design. The game encourages exploration, but many early dungeons—like Fort Ash or Sancre Tor—feature locked chests with valuable loot (enchanted weapons, gold, or quest items). Without lockpicking skills, players miss out, stunting their progression. The remaster’s hybrid leveling system, blending Oblivion’s skill-based XP with Skyrim’s smoother progression, makes Security harder to level naturally, as it only increases through successful tumbler locks or training. New players, unaware of this, often neglect Security, assuming they can brute-force locks or find keys. But keys are rare, and forcing locks (an option at higher Security) is unreliable early on. The result? A cycle of failure, broken picks, and rage quits, with some players abandoning the game before finishing the main quest.

Why is lockpicking so divisive? It’s a skill that rewards practice but punishes inexperience. At Security 5, tumblers fall fast, and your pick breaks 80% of the time on Hard locks. By Security 50, tumblers move slower, and you can lock three tumblers permanently, making Very Hard locks manageable. But reaching that level takes hours of grinding or gold for trainers. The remaster’s updated visuals—crisper tumbler animations and louder audio cues—help slightly, but the core mechanic remains unforgiving. Newcomers also face inventory issues: picks weigh 0.1 units, and carrying 10-20 eats up space when your carry weight is low (base 150-200 for most races). Add in the remaster’s 4 million players, many new to Oblivion, and it’s no surprise the system has sparked a backlash, with 6.4 million Google searches and trending hashtags like #OblivionLockpickingWoes.

But don’t toss your controller yet—lockpicking can be mastered with the right strategy. Here’s a comprehensive guide for newcomers to conquer the system and keep playing:

Choose a Lockpicking-Friendly Build
Pick a Khajiit or Bosmer for a +5 Security bonus, and select Stealth as your specialization for faster skill growth. The Thief birthsign (+10 Agility, Speed, Luck) boosts Agility, which governs Security, improving pick stability. Make Security a Major Skill for a starting value of 25 and quicker leveling. A custom class like “Shadowblade” with Security, Sneak, Marksman, Light Armor, Blade, Acrobatics, and Athletics synergizes well, letting you sneak into locked areas and escape trouble.
Stock Up on Lockpicks Early
Buy lockpicks from Shady Sam, a fence outside the Imperial City’s walls (near the stables, available at level 1). He sells 30 picks for 6 gold each—stock up with 20-30 (120-180 gold). Alternatively, loot picks from bandit camps like Vilverin or goblin caves like Derelict Mine. Sell spare loot to level Mercantile and afford more picks. Always carry at least 10 picks to avoid running dry mid-dungeon.
Master the Minigame’s Timing
Practice on Very Easy locks (1 tumbler) in the Imperial City’s Market District (shop doors at night) to learn the rhythm. Watch the tumbler: it rises and pauses briefly with a “clunk” sound. Click your mouse (or press the trigger on console) the instant it pauses. If it falls too fast, wait for the next cycle. For Hard or Very Hard locks, save before attempting, as each broken pick reduces your chances. At Security 25, you can lock one tumbler permanently, easing the process. Use headphones to hear the “clunk” clearly, especially on noisy Xbox or PS5 setups.
Level Security Efficiently
Each locked tumbler grants Security XP (0.5 per tumbler, 2.5 for a Very Hard lock). Practice on Easy locks in safe areas like the Imperial City’s Temple District (locked crates behind temples). Avoid auto-attempt, as it wastes picks and gives less XP. Train with Fathis Ules (Thieves Guild, Imperial City) for 5 skill points per level (costs ~500 gold per session). Join the Thieves Guild early to access Fathis and sell stolen goods for training funds. By Security 50, Hard locks become routine, and you’ll break fewer picks.
Use Spells or Items as Backup
If lockpicking fails, use Alteration spells like Open Easy Lock (25 Magicka) or Open Average Lock (75 Magicka), available from mages in the Arcane University or Chorrol Mages Guild. A Breton with the Mage birthsign (+50 Magicka) can cast these reliably. Alternatively, find the Skeleton Key, a Daedric artifact from Nocturnal’s quest (level 10+, started at her shrine near Skingrad). It grants a +40 Security boost and never breaks, making lockpicking trivial. Rush this quest if you’re struggling.
Manage Inventory and Fatigue
Keep your carry weight low by storing heavy loot (e.g., Iron Armor) in a safe chest, like the one in the Imperial City’s Waterfront shack. High Fatigue (governed by Agility) stabilizes picks, so drink Restore Fatigue potions (buy from alchemists) before lockpicking. Avoid sprinting (new in the remaster) to locked doors, as low Fatigue increases pick breaks.

This strategy transforms lockpicking from a rage-inducing chore to a rewarding skill. At level 5, a Khajiit with 30 Security (base 15 + 10 from Major Skill + 5 from race) can open Average locks with 2-3 picks, saving Hard locks for later. By level 10, with 50 Security and the Skeleton Key, you’ll breeze through Very Hard chests, looting enchanted gear like the Birthright of Astalon (Agility +5) in the Imperial City. The remaster’s smoother controls—tighter mouse response and vibration feedback on consoles—make timing easier once you practice.

The community’s outcry highlights Oblivion Remastered’s learning curve. With 216,784 peak Steam players and 4 million total, the game’s influx of newcomers, drawn by ray-traced visuals and Game Pass access, often overlooks Security. Veterans on Discord share tips, urging players to “git gud” or grab the Skeleton Key, but acknowledge the system’s steep curve. A recent hotfix improved tumbler visuals, but Bethesda’s promised mod support (coming soon for PC) could introduce Skyrim-style lockpicking mods, easing console players’ woes.

For newcomers, mastering lockpicking unlocks Oblivion’s full potential. Locked chests hold game-changers—enchanted rings, gold piles, or quest items like the Mysterium Xarxes. Thieves Guild and Dark Brotherhood quests rely on Security, rewarding stealthy players with unique gear like the Blade of Woe. Don’t let a few broken picks stop you. With practice, you’ll crack Cyrodiil’s secrets and join the 6.4 million fans buzzing about this remaster. So, stock up on picks, time those tumblers, and keep playing—your legend awaits.