browsed around the forums a bit, but all I found were posts about how "lockpicking is so simple, blah blah" but not a single explanation on how to do it, so I figured I'd ask, as I've broken 8 picks in a row and still don't have a clue as to what I'm actually doing ><

I have read that when the lock pick breaks off it would fling into the direction of where the position is to open the lock. I cannot confirm or deny this. Try it?

Also, lock picking gets easier with the skill level. At 100 will you regret that you have put perks into the skill. So make sure to pick more perks than just those to make it easier. Pick the one for extra loot if you like, though that may get too much after a while, too.

How can you reach over 1,000 posts on this forum and not know how to pick a lock?

The direction the pick breaks is where you need to put it to unlock. Further listen to the sounds and you can hear the sweet spot. That is all you need to know.

i would describe the way to do it for you, but this might be easier. I searched YouTube on your behalf and found a video from someone....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oll-W9cHcwg

youre moving the pick around looking for the 'sweet spot'. when you get closer to the sweet spot, the lock will turn a bit. the closer you get, the more it will turn. I use a system where i picture the lock like a clock. the first spot i try is always 12:00, then 10:00, then 2:00. if i still have no indication of where the sweet spot is, i'll try 11:00 and 1:00 etc. it just takes practise, and once you have the hang of it, it does become quite easy.

check this out: http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Lockpicking

I always start where the pick is when you begin, (noon) then go from there, I look at it like its a clock , it's easier to go back to where you broke a pick. Patience is the key.

Happy Picking

A better question would be, how can you reach 219 posts, and not realize that post count is irrelevant to what forum a person uses? about 95% of my posts have been on the community discussion boards, and if you had bothered to even check my post history before making such an asinine remark, you would also have noted that before yesterday, I haven't posted on gamesas forums in several months. I just loaded Skyrim up for the first time last night, so I'd appreciate keeping your smarmy, semi-[censored] remarks, to yourself.

To everyone else, Thank you for the tips ^^ Hopefully they'll help enough so I can figure this bit out

Using the sound is one of the key aspects. Move the pick around at roughly 15 degree angles, and very gently turn the pick. If you're paying attention and have a light touch, you can release pressure immediately when you hear the click of resistance. This way, you might get 10 or 15 tries out of a single pick, and when you do break it, you should know where the sweet spot is. Then you make minor (1-2 degree) changes in the angle, and keep going in the same direction. If you get to a point where it breaks or gets stuck earlier, you know you've gone too far, and you backtrack a tiny bit.

Usually I can get a master lock on on less than 5 picks, with about a 35 lockpick skill and no perks. The big key on tough locks is to disengage pressure instantly when you hear the sound of resistance.

It`s about patience, that`s all.

Just `feel` where the lockpick begins to shake. As soon as it does change direction- gently. Eventually and quite easily you`ll see where the pick moves smooth without trembling. If the lockpick breaks, REMEMBER where it was smooth and start at that point and work again from there until it stays smooth until `CLICK`.

It`s easy to open master Locks with less than 5-10 picks without any Perks at all when you get it and considering you can build up 70+ picks easy it`s not a problem losing a few.

Just have patience.

p.s. I wonder if it`s to do with Mouse control versus Gamepad? It`s probably harder if you use a gamepad because you can`t get that precision.

I've not experienced this "pick breaks off in the direction needed to pick." It always breaks off in the opposite direction of the pick's current position, even if I nearly unlock the chest.

yeah, me neither. it never flies off in the direction of where i discover the sweet spot to be. i thought it was just me...

I've only played on Xbox 360, though the controller vibration gets stronger, the farther from the sweet spot, which helps. When there's no vibration, I know I'm close.

Don't waste any perks to help with lockpicking, as you'll regret it later, once you get the hang of it. If needed, buy lockpicks when you see merchants carrying them, but it won't be long before you'll start collecting more than you use in loot.

Pretty easy on the 360 because I barely tap the stick and it vibrates if I'm in the wrong spot. If it doesnt vibrate I know I'm near the sweet spot.

Hmm. So it`s not a controller gamepad problem then.

I never realised that the sound of the lock and the direction of the broken pick had anything to do with it. I just do trial and error and eventually get the hang of it.

At least I know how to pick locks

Yeah, trial and error is the best way to go if you're not looking to understand the deeper mechanics. There are tons of lock picks around. I have well over 200 and I have bought any since I was level 5 (i'm at level 45 now). So, after a while, breaking picks is a nuisance and frustrating but you won't run out of them.

What I do generally, is start at 12 oclock and tap turn button. If you are anywhere near the sweet spot on lower lever locks the lock will turn the closer you are to the sweet spot the more it will turn. The harder the lock is to pick then the smaller the area of opportunity is. So, just try a spot and tap the button, rinse and repeat. The sound of the lock isn't quite as easy as it sounds. But that's the next step in developing a deeper understanding. And the pick breaks off rather quickly so you may have a tough time watching the direction that it flips out of screen, but that would be the next step. Once you have mastered any of this you'll have an easy time getting into any lock other than those that just downright require a key.

Good luck on your lock picking escapades.

join the Thieves Guild, practice on their chest's in the training room.

You can 'hear' when the lock picks in the right place, be very light with you're movements as well. I spent bout 10 minutes and 30-40 lock picks on a master lock when i first played, I was under level 10, and thought I'd be able to get it quite easily. I was wrong, but once I figured that one out, every one else since, on any character I chose is much easier. and drink Potions to make it easier when ur low levels.

Thank you, everyone, for the tips, once I got the hang of it, I was able to pick three locks in a row without breaking a single pick Much appreciated for setting me down the right path!

Watch an Alchestbreach clip, That guy is the Lockpick Master!

I doubt all the posts are in this forum, most of mne are Fallout.