i have never spent a point on lockpicking, and at the most, it takes ~10 picks to get a master lock.

start in the middle, lightly tick the right stick, then pick a direction and go every hour marker and tick it till you see it move, then remember the spot with the markers around the outside of the lock, and fine tune. not to be snobby, but it's pretty simple once you have a system.

I pick Expert locks all the time, and my lockpicking is around 30 or so.

It's all about finding the sweet spot.

Thanks allfor the tips.

I have wasted many picks trying expert and master and I am around level 30 ..... using PS# sicks takes skill

If you use the skeleton key after obtaining it via the quest line will your lock pick skill still increase whilst using it ?

What helps me lockpick (besides my uncanny ability to predict sweet spots) is wearing equipment. The Thieves Guild Bracers makes Lockpicking 15% easier and I also picked up a Necklace of Lockpicking which makes it 20% easier. So overall it is 35% easier for me to pick locks. And remember to check Alchemy shops because sometimes they sell Lockpicking potions, which really helps with Lockpicking.


EDIT: I just dug up this old video. From when I started on Fallout 3 to today on Skyrim, this Lockpicking Guide has never failed me. Skyrim added a few small tweaks to the system, but it still works for me.

For some reason, I cant seem to make a proper link in this new interface, so here is the bare URL:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuiPRLw_jC4

I doubt I could do it with a gamepad, but certainly have no problems at novice level picking master locks with the keyboard, you soon learn there is an art to tapping the rotate key to test the lock, on master I can get two errors before breaking the pick, and it's insanely easy to get your hands on lockpicks if your an explorer type.

It's the same principle on console, you just use the anolog sticks to do it. It's quite easy in my opinion.

Well almost every aspect of lockpicking has been covered save for one. I generally brake 1-3 picks on a master lock, I attribute this ability to my using lock picking fortified equipment that I put on every time I encounter a lock that must be picked. I have a ring, amulet and bracers that add up to a plus 65% to lock picking. Therefore I have dumped absolutely no perks into lockpicking. This method makes novice to expert locks laughable and master locks managable.

Reduced broken picks still doesn't make up for crummy loot in a master locked chest though, boohoo!

With a Xbox controller (with FFeedback) it's very easy and the lockpick skill seems to affect only the chances of broken lockpicks. Defeating a master lock at low levels nets 2 instant skill level increases.

So are you telling me some of you AVOID master locks? Lol, that's a good one. I broke every single lock novice-master that came across my path from the lowest level. I never move the dagger thing, just the lockpick with my mouse and then tap A-D with a soft touch. Simple as that.

I guess I'm just good at this. Usually never break more than 6 picks at a Master lock, but sometimes I do.

As others have said, be very light on the movement keys while probing. If the pick jiggles, back off. Try another spot. If it doesn't, then be ready to back off if/when it starts to jiggle. Then you fine tune.

Master locks are about the same for me at Picking lvl 6 as they are at lvl 76. Probably because I never put any perks in it - a waste for me. I always end up accumulating lockpicks.

Wasting picks on an expert/master lock will still increase your skill level... at a decent clip, even at higher levels.

I've never maxed lockpicking, but both of my 40+ characters that I've retired had 70+ in lockpicking just from picking itself.

Lockpicking is easy. It's ridiculous that there are even perks for it.

Yup. You can basically use the skeleton key to level lockpicking all the way to 100 and then give it back to complete the quest. Or you can keep it forever if you want but in my opinion the ability to turn invisible at will for 2 minutes a day is more usefull.

lol master locks are even easier then novice locks XD
lockpick lvl 20 my first master lock unlocked with the usage of 2 lockpicks.

its easy, just as some told u already, a soft touch to the left or right will do the trick, u can even listen to the sound to know where u want your lockpick to be. (no sound means 8/10 times u found the sweet spot)
and also remember novice lock = like unlock in a range of 5mm. master lock = range of 0.5mm. meaning if u fail dont move it to much away fom the position where u started.

I've found that lockpicking is easier when I have a Candlelight spell going, but maybe it's just superstition.

Doesnt the angle of the lock pick change each time you try it?

definately.

hard as heck and buy stock in a blacksmith who makes lockpicks and get really friendly with the thieves guild cause you're gonna need them.

possible spoiler alert: fallout and ES use the same lockpicking model... remember, barely turn it and adjust in tiny increments. test all the way around the lock for movement in tiny jumps first one direction and then the other so you know which way to adjust. I can pick master locks from the start, it's just sometimes a lot more aggro and picks than the loots are worth at lower levels.

I found the lock picking in Oblivion better. For some reason it made sense. You could see when you where almost there. With this system I don't get it. I tried to hear if the picks are in position but they always break.

Considering that the only way lockpicking gets any easier is with perks yes. A Master lock is the same difficulty whether your skill is 15 or 90.

Not true, if you 'feather' the left/right action and don't go for broke (no lockpick breaking pun intended) it is easier and you can get 4-5 tries before a break even on a Master lock. When I am picking high level locks I do exploratory taps to the left at different places, once I get it to turn a little I know where the over all region of the solution resides.

Not necessarily, if you keep your finger on the 'turn' button it will pop you out of the lockpick screen, then it resets. If the pick breaks and you stay in the screen the solution remains the same.

Took me quite a bit of time to get the discipline to release the 'turn' button quickly once the lockpick broke.