How To Lockpick In Elder Scrolls Online

Alright, so you wanna be a master thief in Elder Scrolls Online, huh? Good choice! Forget honorable combat (for now!), let's talk about the real money maker: lockpicking. Don't worry, it's not as hard as it looks, even if those pins are really stubborn sometimes.

The Basics: Your Lockpick & the Lock

First things first: you'll need lockpicks. These bad boys are your bread and butter. You can buy them from vendors (the shady ones, usually!) or, better yet, find them lying around. Seriously, they're everywhere. Check dressers, desks, even barrels! You'll amass a huge pile before you know it.

Now, about the locks themselves. Each lock has a difficulty level: trivial, easy, medium, hard, and master. Obviously, trivial is a cakewalk, and master... well, let's just say you'll need some serious skill (or luck!). The difficulty determines how many pins you have to set and how tricky they are to handle.

Getting Your Fingers Dirty: The Lockpicking Minigame

Okay, here comes the fun part. When you interact with a locked container, the lockpicking minigame pops up. You'll see the lock, your trusty lockpick, and those pesky pins. Your goal? Rotate your lockpick until you find the "sweet spot" for each pin and then click to set it. Simple, right?

But wait! There's a catch (of course, there's a catch!). If you hold the pin for too long without finding that sweet spot, your lockpick will break. Poof! Gone. And breaking too many lockpicks will... well, it'll get you nowhere.

So, how do you find that sweet spot? Listen very carefully. You'll hear a subtle change in sound – a slight click or a change in pitch. You'll also feel a slight vibration in your controller (if you're using one). That's your cue!

Tips & Tricks for Budding Thieves

Alright, let's level up your lockpicking game with some handy tips:

• Start slow. Don't rush! Especially when you're learning. Take your time to feel out the sweet spot. Rushing usually leads to broken lockpicks and frustration.


• Listen closely. Headphones can be a lifesaver! The audio cues are subtle, but they're there. Turn up the volume and concentrate. Can you hear the tiny click of success (or the shattering sound of failure!)?


• Watch for visual cues. The pin will slightly jiggle or wiggle when you're close to the sweet spot. Every little helps, right?


• Invest in skills. The Thieves Guild skill line is amazing for lockpicking. "Treasure Hunter" is particularly useful, as it increases the chance of finding higher-quality items in chests. Plus, you get a cooler title. Just saying.


• Don't be afraid to back out. If you're struggling with a lock, especially a hard one, don't waste all your lockpicks. You can back out and try again later. Maybe with a few more levels under your belt, or a better lockpick.


• Practice makes perfect. The more you lockpick, the better you'll get. Seek out those chests and containers! You'll be cracking master locks in no time... or at least failing with slightly more style.

What About Forced Locks? (A Risky Move)

Okay, so you're impatient, huh? Understandable. You can try to force a lock, but be warned: it's risky. Forcing a lock breaks it permanently. So, if you fail, the container is locked forever. Forever is a long time.

Forcing a lock also has a chance of alerting nearby guards. And nobody wants that! Unless you're into high-stakes chases, I'd recommend sticking to the traditional lockpicking method. But hey, it's your adventure. Live dangerously (or not!).

Final Thoughts: Embrace the Thief Within!

So there you have it! Lockpicking in ESO, demystified. It takes practice, patience, and a whole lot of lockpicks, but trust me, it's worth it. The loot you'll find, the secrets you'll uncover... it's all part of the fun. Now get out there and become the greatest thief Tamriel has ever seen! Just don't blame me if you get caught. 😉