Most frustrating thing about the game is...LOCKPICKING

Wolfenbelle

I've played this game since pre-launch last year but have NEVER gotten the hang of lockpicking. I've watched video tutorials about how to lockpick in ESO and followed the instructions to the letter. I've listened for the sound, watched for the wiggle, used left mouse button, right mouse button. I can NOT get even simple chests to unlock.

If there's a secret to this damned activity, could someone please share it with me? Thanks. Grrrr...frustrating to the point of just not wanting to ever do it.

Nyghthowler

Use the mouse to place the pick over a tumbler and press the left mouse button. Hold the left button down until the tumbler starts to jiggle/make a clicking noise, then immediately release the button.
If you released in time the tumbler will stay down. If not, repeat the process until the tumbler stays down and move on to the next tumbler.

Rosveen

Wolfenbelle wrote: »

used left mouse button, right mouse button.

You mean left click and then right click to release? It doesn't work anymore, or at least didn't the last time this issue came up. You should hold left button and release when it wiggles.

If that's not the problem, then I don't know how to help you. There's nothing I can say that wasn't already covered by those tutorials you watched.

Bloodfang

It's simple -> when it stops moving down release your mouse button. If you didn't release fast enough, keep repeating it until you get it done.

NordJitsu

All you have do is line up the pick with a particular tumbler, then hold down the Left Mouse Button. When the tumbler wiggles or makes a sound, release the Left Mouse Button.

Even if you don't get a tumbler on the first try, just pay attention to where the stopping point of the tumbler is. I think there are only 3-4 options ranging from about 1/4 of the way down to all the way down.

It's actually extremely easy. I have like 70 lock picks but I rarely break them.

Wolfenbelle

Thank you for your replies everyone and your willingness to help. Sadly, it isn't extremely easy for everyone. Maybe for most players, but once in awhile I've seen other players on the forums talk about how hard it is for them. For me, it's been impossible literally from the time I first got out of the Coldharbour starter quest with my first character. I understand exactly what people say to do, and understand what videos show, but it just doesn't work for me. Ever. Not once. If it wasn't for the new Justice System, I would never do lockpicking.

RSram

Here's a video on Youtube which show's how to pick a lock:
Link to lockpick video

Wolfenbelle

RSram wrote: »

Here's a video on Youtube which show's how to pick a lock:
Link to lockpick video

Thanks for the link. I had watched that video before several time and did exactly what he said to do. Still could not get it to work for me.

Roechacca

Sometimes just releasing the left mouse button doesn't work . Try clinking the left mouse button quickly once the tumbler jiggles .

Syntse

Rosveen wrote: »

Wolfenbelle wrote: »

used left mouse button, right mouse button.

You mean left click and then right click to release? It doesn't work anymore, or at least didn't the last time this issue came up. You should hold left button and release when it wiggles.

Left then Right still works.

TheShadowScout

Holding left then releasing works fine for me, usually. Simple locks, advanced locks, master locks... opened all kinds. It takes a bit of experience knowing just when to let go I guess...

Gidorick

This is interesting. I have failed maybe once since I've been playing ESO (Beta). I find lockpicking extremely easy.... that's why I came up with this suggestion:

http://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/discussion/146487/advanced-lockpicking-concept-suggestion

@Wolfenbelle‌, as someone who has difficulty with lockpicks would you be interested in an Awl & Hammer as a lockbreaking tool? It was part of the above suggestion.

"The last tool in the lockpicking arsenal is the Awl and Hammer. Similar to the Skeleton Key, the Awl and Hammer is a tool that should have a limited number of uses (10 or so) and should be able to be bought from any two-bit merchant in thieves dens.

If a player chooses the Awl and Hammer they have a chance to bust open the lock without using a lockpick. Think of it as “The Poor-man’s Skeleton Key”..."

I think the lockbreaking Awl and Hammer would be a good candidate for the Crown Store, actually.

Knootewoot

My spouse is deaf, so she can't hear the sound. and even she has no trouble with master locks.

It's really not that difficult

-> hover over thumbler
-> press left mouse
(it goes down)
-> sound/wiggle = release left mouse button
-> else don't release.

frould

Don't worry they will make a tutorial soon.

Oliviander

Actually a friend of mine had the same problem !
What he had to do was to update his GraphicsCard Driver
and all problems were gone.

Razzak

Just practice. In time it will become so easy, you will grunt with frustration every time you will find anything but master locks.
I found out it helped me if I turned the sound off.

Ourorboros

I also had problems with locks when my video card was dying (other issues as well). I can't really hear the sound, but I watch the wiggles. It's just a matter of timing. Not sure why Left/Right technique doesn't work for some, but it works fine for me. I actually use a controller, and only Master locks give me issues-can take a few tries before I get them. Watch the wiggles, practice, practice, practice. FYI Kenarthi Roost has more chest in a small area than any other place that I've found, Great place to practice.

Harleyquincey

Rejoice! With 1.6 and the Legerdemaine skill line you will be able to train a perk that increases the chance of automatically picking a lock (which by default is fairly low) - so with that you should probably be able to pick those nasty locks at last!

Personally I didn't have issues with lockpicking but I knew someone who had immense troubles with them as well, hard to please everyone here I guess since if it's too easy you could as well remove it from the game. However, as I said, soon you should get a much higher chance finally

fromtesonlineb16_ESO

Wolfenbelle wrote: »

Thank you for your replies everyone and your willingness to help. Sadly, it isn't extremely easy for everyone. Maybe for most players, but once in awhile I've seen other players on the forums talk about how hard it is for them. For me, it's been impossible literally from the time I first got out of the Coldharbour starter quest with my first character. I understand exactly what people say to do, and understand what videos show, but it just doesn't work for me. Ever. Not once. If it wasn't for the new Justice System, I would never do lockpicking.

Tip for you.

Click and hold the left button on a tumbler and wait for the tumbler to hit the 'spot' and start 'trembling'. Don't fret over trying to time the release of the button perfectly, I fail 95%+ of the time, just focus on remembering where the tumbler is when your attempt fails.

KEEP THE LEFT BUTTON PRESSED, the tumbler will reset and you will still be using the pick. Keep your eyes focused on where the tumbler was when it kicked you off before and release the button when the tumbler is just about there.

Even when the pick breaks KEEP THE BUTTON PRESSED for when the next one activates .

It's tricky to get the timing right at first but it's just a matter of practice and soon you'll get the 'feel' of when to release the pick on the second pass. There are 5 positions that the tumblers can be set to unlock, these are 5 x 5 combination locks.

Even on Master level you can afford several second-attempts and you will be able to react in time to release the button on the first attempt on occasion, by luck if not skill.

Do keep trying, chests are fun and contain useful items from time to time and give a little XP which is always nice, especially early on to give kicks to skill line XP.

phairdon

Believe it or not, you get the feel for it. You can feel the pressure when picking locks with the mouse.

Rodario

TheShadowScout wrote: »

Holding left then releasing works fine for me, usually. Simple locks, advanced locks, master locks... opened all kinds. It takes a bit of experience knowing just when to let go I guess...

I have never even seen a master lock...

Rodario

Do you also experience lag problems/ability delays?

For a long time, the EU server was so riddled with lag during primetime that I couldn't pick any locks. The tumbler would shake on my end, but be in a different position on the server, so I had no chance.

Wolfsspinne

There are only 3 positions in which the tumbler can stop. (top, middle and bottom)

On simple chests you have enough time to push each tumbler all the way down,
remember where it started shaking and in a second go push it into that position.

Tandor

Wolfsspinne wrote: »

There are only 3 positions in which the tumbler can stop. (top, middle and bottom)

On simple chests you have enough time to push each tumbler all the way down,
remember where it started shaking and in a second go push it into that position.

Agreed. Knowing that there are only three positions is the key to lockpicking. Even with advanced locks there is time to test each line and see which position gives a little resistance so you can then redo that line and click at the right time.

MasterSpatula

Oddest thing. I've never failed a Master, Advanced, or Intermediate lock. But I've managed to run out the timer attempting Simples a several times.

Khaldar

Hang in there. I had trouble with it and totally ignore chests for a looong time. I ranted once or twice in guildchat. But then one day... it literally clicked for me. And ever since no chest has stood a chance. It is all about your reaction times. Like others have said... Hold the mouse button down and release immediately upon it shaking (you can't have a 500ms delay). It must be an immediate release.

Vegaroth

Maybe ZOS should put some practice chest in starting areas... so u can learn and get used to the lockpick system, some chest than u can open over and over.

fromtesonlineb16_ESO

Rodario wrote: »

TheShadowScout wrote: »

Holding left then releasing works fine for me, usually. Simple locks, advanced locks, master locks... opened all kinds. It takes a bit of experience knowing just when to let go I guess...

I have never even seen a master lock...

I haven't for a long time, come to think of it, maybe they became extinct. For that matter I haven't seen an 'impossible' one either, they used to be not uncommon especially when I ran my level 10s through all faction zones collecting Skyshards for skills.

fromtesonlineb16_ESO

Vegaroth wrote: »

Maybe ZOS should put some practice chest in starting areas... so u can learn and get used to the lockpick system, some chest than u can open over and over.

Hehe, they have .. they've announced a revamped Wailing Prison experience (likely I expect returning to the original one they had in beta till they nerfed it just before release) and they have said one of the things it will have is training on lockpicking.

fromtesonlineb16_ESO

Wolfsspinne wrote: »

There are only 3 positions in which the tumbler can stop. (top, middle and bottom)

Nah, there are 4, I'm sure.

cesmode

This is one of the easiest things in the game. I never break picks. Like everyone says, watch the tumblers, if they begin to shake, then stop pressing the mouse button. If you break a pick, then just remember next time approximately how long you need to push down the tumbler before it shakes.

I personally think lock picking is TOO easy in ESO compared to Skyrim, etc.