I read that followers don't need lockpicks or key to open doors. Is that true or am I missing something?

I was on the quest, Revealing the Unseen, in the Muzulft and I asked my follower, Aranea Ienith, to open a lock and she said, "No." So I couldn't open the Master lock myself and broke all my lockpicks. Now I have to go back to town and buy some. Annoying as it took me all this time to acquire the 30 lockpicks.

Thoughts?

Did you try and give her any lock picks?

Lockpicks are ridiculously easy to find. You have to give your follower some to open those chests.

I don't think all followers do it, though some certainly do of course - you have to give them the lockpicks first in any case.

I did give her a lockpick and she still said, "No, can't do that." Not sure what's up. Maybe she's just one of those followers that can't do it. Oh well.

Why did you only have 30 lock picks I nearly always have 99+ and why didn't you save before attempting to pick the lock ?.

Bad planning I guess.

I picked up some lockpicks here and there and purchased a few and generally have been ok. This is the first time I've had trouble with locks. I don't put any points into lockpicking since that's not what my character is about.

Also I try not to save a lot, because I feel it really interrupts the experience. I generally save at the start of some big event, say at the beginning of a mine. I haven't had any problems. But I did go back to a save this time and try it again. I still wasn't able to open it, and my follower still said, "No". Any thoughts on that?

Get some more picks

You don't have to give them any picks. The follower will open most chests as long as they are within their reach. They won't open any doors.

Umm, thanks. I was also planning on getting some Fortify Lockpicking potions. And maybe a different follower for backup. We'll see.

The only time I even break my locks is when I absolutely have to do so, the experience mechanic for lockpicking is a lot more broken than people say Destruction is and Destruction is a very capable weapon if you use it correctly. Also you only had thirty lock picks? Those things are easy to find and easier to obtain once you are part of the thieve's guild.

Aw, I looked at this thread to see if anyone had posted that. I was 1 minute late. I actually didn't learn this until a few days ago. I knew that Lydia (and all housecarls) have 0 morality rating so they will commit any crime for you, but I was puzzled as to why Lydia wouldn't break into a house for me. It took me all this time to even try it. I wouldn't normally since I would prefer the experience.

Not all followers can open high level locks, either. I'm pretty sure Marcurio has opened master level locks for me, other followers seem to say no when the lock is expert level or higher.

This! I thought that might be the case but most everything I read said they would. Thanks!

If it is consequential to a quest line there are some locks they wont pick and also some baulk at master chests.

Thanks!