Am I the only one in saying that I prefer oblivions lockpick system than skyrims which was basically inherited from fallout 3? I haven't really used lockpicking on my previous chars but now I am using it and It seems to be much more like guess work than anything skilled. At least in oblivion you had some sense of progression when picking the lock. I suppose the way it is, is more realistic but I'd prefer the more detailed slightly less realistic version any day.

I like the lockpick system. I could never get it in oblivion which is one of the reasons I put it down soon after picking it up. Even after picking it back up I am still tempted to throw it at a wall if I don't have a good enough lockpick spell.

Seen as though i'm too dumb to come up with my own idea for a lockpicking system, i pick Oblivion's.

Having never played Fallout 3 nor Oblivion, I can't comment on the differences or similarities but I like this system. Lockpicks are easy enough to come by so you never really run out, but you are right, it is a LOT of guesswork, but that's what picking locks is... not that I know how, or ever have, or do regularly.... is it hot in here? It feels hot.

*runs away*

Do you mean the game? seems harsh to abandon the game because of one feature.

I thougth i'd add that in just in case someone had a better idea!

Haha, yeah that's my other gripe really, the sheer amount of lockpicks in the skyrim world, which I don't think is realistic and think the experience/immersion as a thief would be improved if lockpicks were a little harder to come by.

Both are good, but the needs to be more of a penalty if you constantly break lock picks.

And also, lockpicking shouldn't be the only way to open a container. It's been mentioned before but it would be nice to see different classes approach opening containers differently, for example a mage has his spells, a warrior can smash it open, and the sneak uses lockpicks.

And obviously the would be negative affects for each action, maybe the warrior is risking breaking the contents of the chest if he smashes to hard? lock picks break so you'd need a lot of them, and the spell could backfire on you? just a few ideas

Yes a penalty of some sort should be implemented, maybe the more attempts you have the harder it will be to pick as you damage some of the tumblers inside the lock? Until it gets to a point where it will need to be repaired, maybe have a high level on the smithing skill to fix it. Definitely would be a better idea of having a repercussion for your attempts.

I choose Oblivion. Skyrim's system is far too easy. There is no lock I cannot open without any perks. In Oblivion, it was more difficult.

I prefer auto-attempt in Oblivion

That is definitely one thing I do miss, although you need a lot of lockpicks for it to be a effective method of picking locks

I prefer Skyrim's system, because it's more realistic. Picks snap off, penalizing low level players, more frequently. While it's still possible to break into the lock, it takes much more work. With Oblivion's system, it gives itself away as how to pick the lock, which means any lock can be picked regardless of level. I've yet to break a single lock pick in Oblivion since I know the pattern. A little patience is all that's required.

Both systems could be improved, but at the same time, I don't want the system to turn out like it is in the Fallout games, which requires a specific level to pick the lock. Let me decide if going through 50 picks is worth grabbing two potions and a few gold.

I'd like to see Lockpicking be used more intuitively than just randomly thrown on things to boost a skill level. It makes no sense to me why some chests have locks, while others don't, being in the same area.

I'd like the skill to punish players who aren't true thieves. There's no reason for them to be breaking into boxes if they're just doing it to hoard stuff. Anything in a chest should be marked "stolen".

Tell me your secret of breaking oblivion locks PLEASE

Oblivion's system had it right. It was a good balance of player skill and character skill. In Morrowind, everything depends on your character. In Skyrim everything depends on you the player. Oblivion is a good in-between.

Honestly, I think both should be in thegame, and more, each different chest / lock should have their own mini game , because lets be honest here, a dwemer lock box would not have your typical twist lock, or tumbler lock, and ESPECIALLY the Falmer chests.

Through my RPG glasses I would say that both system svcks, the character skill values represent if I can pick a lock or not. The player's skill shouldnt count or compensate. And the amount of lockpicks is more important then skill level (at first), and as money gets obsolete at lvl 15+, no one has to invest in the lockpicking perk tree

But I like both minigames, the oblivion one is designed better imo

It's not a secret. Just pay attention to the speed and sound of the tumblers. The slower the tumbler, the easier it is to lock it into place. When the tumbler falls fast, the very next speed will be slow. Guaranteed.

The other part of it is timing, and this does require a little practice. Listen to the tumbler, and when it "clacks" as it's rising, that's when you press the "A" button.

Guaranteed to unlock Very Hard locks at level 1.

If you need practice, save your game prior to picking the lock. Then reload and try again. When you figure out the system, you'll probably change your vote to Skyrim's system.

It rewards failure. So no, I don't like it. And my mage shouldn't carry lockpicks (he doesn't). Not that it matters anyway, the loot is not worth it when you have the big chests at the end of every dungeon and they are so linear that you won't need an alternative route.

That would be a good idea, a little variety wouldn't hurt.

I preferred Morrowind's actually.

Why on earth should my personal Real Life skills have anything to do with opening a lock within a fantasy world my PC is in with his own set of skills? I mean my PC might have a 80 lock-pick skill, but I might have all thumbs in real life. I also preferred Morrowinds option of you just NOT being able to open a lock if you don't have the skill or quality lock-pick needed. THIS might actually give someone a reason to actually pick one of those otherwise completely worthless Lock-Picking perks. Every time my warrior in Skyrim with a 17 lock-pick skill opens a Master lock in 5 tries a little part of me dies inside. Oh Skyrim, so much of Role-playing immersion destroyed...

My reflexes were not fast enough for Oblivion's system, so I voted for Skyrim's. No where near as frustrating.

As far as I'm concerned, I'm the one who is playing the game, not my character. That's why I like Oblivion's system, which allows me do the lockpicking but while playing along my character's rules. No matter how good I am, if my character svcks then I won't be able to open the lock. Better than just spamming E and see when the thing opens. I do agree that Skyrim lockpicking is ridiculous, however.

Oblivion's tumbler system was, quite frankly stupid. I just opted for the dice roll everytime because the minigame was poorly designed. In that respect, Skyrim's is superior and more enjoyable (for me) whilst still retaining some semblance of challenge.

Same here,I couldn't pick locks in Oblivion to save my life.

Skyrims lockpicking is so much better in my opinion.

However I would like your lock picking skill and perks mean something like they do in Fallout.

If you don't have the required level you can't even make the attempt to pick the lock.