Crack Every Lock in Oblivion Remastered Like a Pro: This Lightning-Fast Technique Will Make You a Master Thief in Minutes
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered has rekindled the magic of Tamriel, inviting both new adventurers and seasoned heroes to explore the vibrant landscapes of Cyrodiil with enhanced visuals and refined mechanics. Among the many skills players can hone, lockpicking stands out as a cornerstone for those drawn to the shadowy arts of thievery or the thrill of uncovering hidden treasures. Whether you’re sneaking into a noble’s manor or cracking open a dungeon chest, the lockpicking minigame can be a daunting hurdle—until now. This article unveils the fastest, most reliable method to pick any lock in Oblivion Remastered, from Very Easy to Very Hard, transforming you into a master thief in mere minutes. We’ll also explore tips to stockpile lockpicks, alternative approaches, and the ultimate shortcut that eliminates the minigame entirely.
The Lockpicking Minigame: A Test of Timing
At its core, lockpicking in Oblivion Remastered is a timing-based minigame that demands precision. When you approach a locked door or chest with a lockpick in your inventory, you enter a side-view of the lock, revealing one to five tumblers (pins) based on the lock’s difficulty. The objective is to push each tumbler to the top of its chamber and set it in place by pressing the appropriate button (A on Xbox, X on PlayStation, Space on PC) at the exact moment it pauses briefly at the top. Mistime the action, and your lockpick breaks, with some or all tumblers resetting depending on your Security skill level.
Each tumbler moves at one of three speeds—fast, medium, or slow—on each push, and the slow speed is your key to success. Fast-moving tumblers drop too quickly to set accurately, while slow-moving ones linger at the top, offering a wider window for success. This mechanic, unchanged from the 2006 original, can feel unforgiving compared to the more intuitive lockpicking systems in later Bethesda titles like Skyrim. However, with the right technique, you can crack any lock with ease, regardless of your character’s skill level.
The Fastest Lockpicking Technique
The most efficient way to pick any lock in Oblivion Remastered hinges on exploiting the slow tumbler speed. Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide to mastering this technique:
Start the Minigame: Interact with a locked object while carrying at least one lockpick. Observe the lock’s difficulty, as harder locks feature more tumblers and faster movements.
Choose a Tumbler: Use the left stick (console) or mouse (PC) to position the lockpick under a tumbler in the “down” position.
Test the Speed: Gently push the tumbler upward by flicking the stick or mouse. Watch how quickly it rises and falls. If it moves rapidly and drops immediately, let it reset to its resting position. Repeat this process to cycle through the tumbler’s speeds.
Identify the Slow Speed: Keep pushing the tumbler until it rises and falls slowly, almost pausing at the top. This slow speed often follows a fast drop, so stay alert after a quick movement.
Set the Tumbler: As the tumbler reaches the top during a slow rise, press the set button. If timed correctly, the tumbler will lock in place and turn gray. If you miss the window, the lockpick breaks, and you’ll need to try again.
Advanced “Bouncing” Trick: Once you find a slow-moving tumbler, you can maintain its speed by lightly tapping the tumbler upward before it fully resets. This “bouncing” technique keeps the tumbler in a slow state, allowing you to control the timing and set it after a few bounces. Think of it like juggling—keep the tumbler in motion until you’re ready to lock it in.
Repeat for All Tumblers: Move to the next tumbler and repeat the process until all are set. The lock will then open, granting access to the loot or area beyond.
This method is universally effective, working on any lock difficulty even with a low Security skill. With practice, you can pick a Very Hard lock with five tumblers in under 30 seconds, breaking minimal lockpicks. The key is patience—rushing leads to broken picks and frustration.
Pro Tips for Lockpicking Success
To elevate your lockpicking game, consider these additional strategies:
Save Before You Pick: Always make a manual save before attempting a lock, especially on Medium or harder difficulties. If you break too many lockpicks, reload and try again. This “save-scumming” approach ensures you never run out of picks during critical moments.
Boost Your Security Skill: The Security skill, governed by the Stealth discipline, determines how many tumblers remain set after a failed attempt. At Novice level, all tumblers reset; at Expert or Master, most stay in place. Level up Security by picking locks, reading skill books like Proper Lock Design, or training with NPCs such as J’baana in the Imperial City Prison. A lesser-known trick is to repeatedly attempt already-set tumblers to gain skill points without breaking lockpicks, though this can be time-consuming.
Listen for Audio Cues (Optional): Some players find success by listening to the tumbler’s sound. A slow-moving tumbler produces a distinct, high-pitched “click-cleek” compared to the rapid click of a fast tumbler. However, background music or ambient noise can make this unreliable, so rely primarily on visual cues unless playing in a quiet environment.
Use Auto-Attempt Judiciously: The “Auto-Attempt” feature (R on PC, X on Xbox, Square on PS5) lets the game try to open the lock based on your Security skill and luck. While convenient, it’s inefficient for low-skill characters, often breaking multiple lockpicks. Use it only for Very Easy locks or when you have the Skeleton Key.
Never Run Out of Lockpicks
Running out of lockpicks can halt your thieving spree, but Oblivion Remastered offers several ways to keep your inventory stocked:
Buy from Shady Sam: Located outside the Imperial City’s walls near the Elven Gardens District, Shady Sam sells 30 lockpicks daily for 6 gold each. Fast-travel to Chestnut Handy Stables, walk northeast along the wall, and look for him in the shadows. His stock refreshes every 24 in-game hours, making him a reliable early-game source.
Join the Thieves Guild: Progressing through the Thieves Guild questline unlocks access to fences, who sell large quantities of lockpicks (up to 100 per restock). To join, commit a minor crime like pickpocketing, serve jail time, and seek out Armand Christophe at the Imperial City Waterfront. Alternatively, read wanted posters and ask beggars for information about the Gray Fox.
Loot Dungeons: Bandits, goblins, and containers in dungeons like forts and ruins have a 10% chance of yielding lockpicks. Explore places like Vilverin or Fort Ash for a steady supply.
Dark Brotherhood Merchants: If you join the Dark Brotherhood by killing an innocent NPC, their merchants sell lockpicks, though in smaller quantities than Thieves Guild fences.
The Ultimate Shortcut: The Skeleton Key
For players who find the lockpicking minigame too challenging or time-consuming, the Skeleton Key is a game-changing artifact. This unbreakable lockpick, obtained through the “Nocturnal” Daedric quest, eliminates the risk of running out of lockpicks and simplifies the process. Here’s how to get it:
Reach Level 10: The quest becomes available at this level.
Locate the Nocturnal Shrine: Find the shrine north of Leyawiin, marked on your map.
Begin the Quest: Interact with the shrine to learn that two Argonians, Weebam-Na and Bejeen, have stolen the Eye of Nocturnal.
Eavesdrop in Leyawiin: Sneak into Weebam-Na’s house and hide to overhear their conversation, revealing the Eye’s location in Tidewater Cave.
Retrieve the Eye: Travel to the cave, clear out any enemies, and recover the Eye.
Return to Nocturnal: Deliver the Eye to the shrine to receive the Skeleton Key.
The Skeleton Key not only never breaks but also boosts your Security skill by 40 points, making manual lockpicking easier and auto-attempts far more successful. With the Key, you can spam Auto-Attempt on any lock, bypassing the minigame entirely. This approach is perfect for players who prioritize efficiency over challenge, though some argue it diminishes the satisfaction of mastering the mechanic.
Alternative Approach: Alteration Magic
For mage characters, Alteration spells offer a lockpicking alternative. Spells like “Open Easy Lock” or “Open Average Lock” can instantly unlock doors and chests, with higher-level spells requiring a Journeyman or Expert Alteration skill. Purchase these spells from Mages Guild vendors or select the Tower birthsign for a once-per-day Open spell. While effective, Alteration requires significant skill investment and cannot open Very Hard locks without custom spells crafted at the Arcane University. Additionally, casting takes in-game time, making the minigame faster in situations requiring stealth.
Why This Technique Matters
Mastering the fast lockpicking technique opens up new possibilities in Oblivion Remastered. From plundering the riches of the Imperial City’s nobles to accessing hidden shortcuts in Daedric shrines, the ability to crack any lock quickly empowers you to shape your adventure. Whether you’re a stealthy archer, a cunning rogue, or a mage dabbling in thievery, this method ensures you’re never locked out of the game’s secrets. For Thieves Guild aspirants, it’s a critical skill to impress the Gray Fox and climb the ranks.
Final Thoughts
The lockpicking minigame in Oblivion Remastered may seem daunting at first, but with the right technique, it becomes a rewarding challenge. By focusing on slow tumbler speeds and using the bouncing trick, you can pick any lock in seconds, saving lockpicks and time. Combine this with strategic saving, Security skill leveling, and a steady supply of lockpicks from Shady Sam or the Thieves Guild, and you’ll be unstoppable. For those seeking the path of least resistance, the Skeleton Key offers a near-effortless solution. Whichever approach you choose, you’re now equipped to unlock every door and chest in Cyrodiil, cementing your legacy as Tamriel’s greatest thief.
