I have played a large variety of character, from heavy warriors, light warriors, rogues, assassins and mages, and I have noted that during all these there are some skill trees that I just never use.

Lockpicking. I swear I have never had to leave a chest locked in this game. Doesn't matter if my character is a low level warrior and it's a Master lock. I can always get it unlocked. And the perks to add treasure ... again I have never needed money in this game. By level 10 I'm the richest person in all of Skyrim.

Speech. Again, don't need more money. What few speech checks I have failed had other options anyway (entering Mages College for example).

Most other skill trees were used by one character or another.

So what skill trees do you never use and what should be done about it? Honestly I could play Skyrim without Lockpicking or Speech in the game, but I don't want them removed (heaven forbid they've removed enough already). What I'd like to see is some reason added to the game to use/need the perks in these skill trees.

For example, you can't make any armor in the game without spending perks, why not make it so that certain locks can't be picked without them. Having played TES since Arena I am all too familiar with the "You lack the skill" message for tougher locks. Somehow I lived through it. Just about anything is better than having just useless skill trees.

I have never invested in Lockpick or Alchemy before.

I did invest in lockpicking at one point... just till I got unbreakable. Then started ignoring lockpicks, I still pick locks like crazy though as is on any character. (it's a skill I picked up looting tombs and stuff... for knowledge!)

Speech not really, it's one of those that I'll legendary skill it a few times since it levels quickly as you buy/sell items.. use the points elsewhere.

Pick pocket I ignore, unless doing a thief playthrough and then I will perk it out for the fishing quests.

Lockpick on all of My charactres and Pickpocket on non Thieves.

Lockpick.

I like the Lockpicking tree. There's alot of difficult locks in Skyrim, and I like being able to open them easily and maximise my loot with the Lockpicking perks. Just take a look at the Science skill in Fallout: NV, now THAT was useless.

Most useless skill tree? Probably Speech. And it hurts me to say that because I love being able to pass speech checks.

Enchanting: Iv'e messed about with it when trying to make a character with hand to hand as a secondary weapon, but i got bored with it & have never used it.

Lockpicking: Never invested perks into it, as locks aren't challenging enough. And there is enough loot around to not even need to lockpick chests. Only useful if you RP i'd guess.

Lockpicking, I don't even bother picking locks on chests or doors unless it is quest essential and usually those ones are very low level and easy to pick.

Lockpicking, pickpocket, and speech. But I think my next character is going to be a pure thief, so then I can justify using them.

So what do you guys/gals think should be done to make Lockpicking actually useful?

Like you, Lockpicking and Speechcraft for me. I took lockpicking once and the perk that moves the pick "nearer to the sweet spot" really messed up my picking! Speechcraft is totally useless in this game where role play is non-existent with NPCs.

Another I never take, even on Thief characters, is Pickpocketing. That crosses the line of fun for me.

Other than those three, I usually have one character or another spending perks in most other skills.

Pickpocket

I did perk Pick-pocket on one thief character just because I thought it would be fun to take people's items, weapon, clothes while they are standing there. It was fun, but got old really fast and it is truly completely pointless.

The only time that I found when pick-pocket was important was

Locking picking is pointless to me. if you get far enough into the thieves guild quest line, you will acquire the skeleton key. which is basically unlimited lockpicks.

heavy armor is one i dont use as well. i only wear light armor.

I do like speech cause money is needed for housing.

So much depends on whether you play to win or play to play.

I love pickpocket because I do not OP my thief character. By pickpocketing equipped weapons and then dumping them elsewhere I can disarm half a fort. Now if I get noticed they are mostly unarmed and I can make my escape. Reverse pickpocketing is even more useful if you want to kill.

I like speechcraft too. but agree that it is an underutilized skill in the game. The only perks that I take are the persuade, bribe, and intimidate, since the rest are mercantile. Sure you can kill everything, but what if you don't want too? However, it would be great if you could talk your way out of more situations.

Lockpick is probably least useful for me, especially when it comes to perks. Getting the skill high enough saves on picks, but they are plentiful anyway.

Lockpicking and speech I do not invest in for there is no need to. To me they are useless although others may find them usefull. I also think alteration is a waste of time for by the time I remember to use it, the enemy is dead. Plus a sorceress / mage usually plans on not getting hit, if they can help it. My opinion.

Speechcraft.

Speech. Too easy to pass speech checks, you don't need the money, and no real consequence for failing them. Mass Effect this is not

Lockpicking. The hardest locks can be picked with a little patience and lockpicks are plentiful.

Stop picking on Lockpicking guys. x)

I for one love decorating my houses with Diamonds and shiny loot I find from locked chests.

The perks that allow you to find special treasure are really cool in my opinion.

Lockpicking and Light armor.