Whether you’re sneaking through castles or looting forgotten ruins, lockpicking in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is a vital skill for any adventurer. But let’s be honest—Oblivion’s lockpicking mini-game can be confusing at first. This full guide breaks it all down, from how it works to how to make it easier, plus the best tools and tips to master it fast.
How Lockpicking Works in Oblivion
In Oblivion, lockpicking uses a unique mini-game based on tumblers. When you try to pick a lock, you’ll see a set of pins (tumblers) that need to be raised and set.
Here’s the breakdown:
- Use the mouse or analog stick to push a pin upward.
- Each pin bounces slightly before falling. You must click to set the pin while it’s at its highest bounce.
- If you fail, one or more set pins may reset—and you can break your lockpick.
The number of tumblers depends on the lock level:
- Very Easy: 1 pin
- Easy: 2 pins
- Average: 3 pins
- Hard: 4 pins
- Very Hard: 5 pins
How to Get Lockpicks
You’ll need a steady supply of lockpicks to train and succeed:
- Thieves Guild: Once you join, fences like Ongar the World-Weary sell lockpicks. Here’s how to join the Thieves Guild in Oblivion.
- Shady Sam: An NPC located just outside the Imperial City, west of the Wawnet Inn. He sells lockpicks regardless of your guild status.
- Loot: You’ll occasionally find lockpicks in crates, on enemies, or in quest rewards.
Lockpicking Tips and Strategies
1. Learn the Rhythm
Each tumbler has a specific bounce. The trick is to click right after the bounce reaches its peak. If you wait too long, the pin will fall. Practice on Very Easy locks first to get the timing down.
2. Use Auto-Attempt (With Caution)
You can press the “Auto-Attempt” button to let the game try to pick the lock for you based on your Security skill. This can work for easier locks, but it becomes unreliable for harder locks and can break all your picks if overused.
3. Use Security-Boosting Gear
Certain rings, amulets, and armor can boost your Security skill, which:
- Makes lockpicking easier
- Increases your chance with Auto-Attempt
You can also enchant your own gear at the Arcane University. Not there yet? Here’s how to join the Mages Guild.
Want to enchant gear like a pro? Use our guide on how to enchant weapons and armor.
4. Level Up Your Security Skill
To make lockpicking more forgiving, raise your Security skill through:
- Repeated practice
- Skill books
- Trainers (like Jorundr in Bruma or Luciana Galena in Bravil)
Need to level even faster? Read our guide on how to level up fast in Oblivion.
5. Use the Skeleton Key
If you want to skip the struggle, the Skeleton Key is a Daedric Artifact from Nocturnal’s Shrine:
- Location: Northeast of Leyawiin
- Requirement: Level 10+
- Reward: Unbreakable lockpick + Fortify Security 40
This makes lockpicking nearly trivial. Learn more in our Daedric Artifact guide.
Final Lockpicking Advice
- Always carry at least 30 lockpicks if you’re not using the Skeleton Key.
- Quick save before attempting hard locks—it can save you from wasting picks.
- Don’t rush. Observing tumbler timing is better than spamming clicks.
Lockpicking is a skill that pays off with access to better loot, secret rooms, and sneaky solutions. Master it, and Cyrodiil’s doors are yours to open.
Ready to master more sneaky skills? Check out our guide on how to persuade NPCs in Oblivion or learn how to sell items for profit once you’ve looted all those locked chests.