Oblivion Where to Buy Lockpicks: Best Vendors & Tips

Introduction

If you’ve ever stood before a stubborn chest or a locked gate in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and asked, “oblivion where to buy lockpicks?”, you’re not alone. Lockpicks are one of those small but crucial items that keep your exploration flowing. Whether you’re a stealthy thief, a curious adventurer, or a completionist hunting every secret, knowing the best lockpick vendors, lockpick locations, and strategies to stock up matters. This guide explains exactly where to buy lockpicks in Oblivion, how shop inventories and shops in Cyrodiil work, and practical tips to keep your lockpicking skill sharp—without breaking immersion or the bank.

Why finding lockpicks matters

Lockpicks are more than a convenience: they are the key to locked houses, treasure chests, and quest-critical doors. In Oblivion, running out of lockpicks can grind a heist or dungeon crawl to a halt. Beyond simply knowing where to buy lockpicks, understanding how and where merchants restock, which lockpick vendors are reliable, and alternative methods (like looting, pickpocketing, or the occasional spell) will make you a far more resilient adventurer.

Top places to buy lockpicks in Oblivion

Multiple vendor types sell lockpicks across Cyrodiil. Here are the most dependable options and tips for each one.

• General goods merchants – These are the most common and widely distributed vendors who often stock lockpicks. Visit towns and cities and check general stores early and often; their inventories are usually reliable for basic lockpicks.
• Fences and Thieves Guild contacts – If you’ve joined the Thieves Guild (or allied groups), you can access fences or specialized vendors who often carry more lockpicks and related tools. These vendors are ideal for thieves who regularly need bulk supplies.
• Khajiit caravans – Traveling Khajiit caravans are a frequent source of unique or additional lockpicks and sundry goods. They move between cities, and their inventories vary—but they’re a great chance to buy if you catch one passing through.
• Imperial City and major markets – Bigger hubs like the Imperial City tend to have merchants with larger inventories. If you’re near major markets or the waterfront district, you’ll have a higher chance of finding multiple vendors selling lockpicks.
• Blacksmiths and fencing shops – Some blacksmiths or specialist fencing shops carry small quantities of lockpicks. They’re less predictable but worth checking if you’re in a smaller town with limited shops.

How shop inventories and levels affect buying lockpicks

One key mechanic to remember: many vendors’ inventories scale with your character level. This affects both item diversity and quantity. That means a single vendor you checked at level 5 might have a different stock at level 15. Keep these points in mind:

• Inventory scaling: As you level, merchants can carry more items and sometimes sell higher-quality or greater quantities of lockpicks.
• Gold limits: Vendors have a cap on the amount of gold they hold, which affects how much you can sell to them and sometimes what they choose to keep. Selling them extra gear can rotate their stock and create opportunities to buy back items later.
• Restocking: Many merchants restock their inventory after a set period or after certain triggers (like you advancing in the main quest or leaving and returning to the cell). If a merchant is out of lockpicks, try waiting or resting in-game, or return later.

Alternative ways to get lockpicks besides buying

Buying is the easiest route, but there are several effective alternatives:

• Loot: Dungeons, bandit camps, and guard houses often have lockpicks in chests or on dead opponents. Prioritize looting in areas with high lock difficulty for better chances.
• Pickpocketing: If your pickpocket skill is decent, you can steal lockpicks from NPCs. This is stealthy and can be quite lucrative if you focus on merchants or guards who carry supplies.
• Quests and rewards: Some quests reward you with lockpicks or items that you can trade for them. Keep an eye on quest loot and reward tables.
• Spells and alternative unlocking: If you have access to an Open spell or a companion with useful magic, you can bypass locks entirely without using lockpicks. This avoids wear on your supplies but requires the right build or party setup.

Practical tips for maintaining a steady supply

Smart habits prevent the frustrating scenario of being stuck without picks deep in a dungeon. Use these tips to manage your stock:

• Stock up in big cities: Always buy a bulk of lockpicks when in major hubs like the Imperial City or Bruma where merchant counts are high.
• Rotate vendors: If one vendor runs out, sell them something cheap to change their gold/purchase calculations, then check again after restocking.
• Use a fence or guild contacts: When available, join or use contacts who specialize in thievery and fencing; they frequently have better supplies for a thief build.
• Carry backups: Store extra lockpicks in a safe chest in your home or a companion’s inventory. That helps if you plan extended dungeon runs far from merchants.
• Pair with training: Improving your lockpicking skill makes every pick use more efficient and reduces failed breakages (where applicable), stretching your inventory farther.

Best practices for improving lockpicking skill

Fortifying your lockpicking skill reduces reliance on sheer quantity of lockpicks. Here are actionable ways to level the skill and complement where to buy lockpicks in Oblivion:

• Practice on easier locks: Repeatedly pick easier household locks to gain experience before tackling higher-level chests. This increases your level naturally.
• Use trainers: Some NPCs can train you in lockpicking for a fee. Paying for training can be more time-efficient than grinding, especially if you have the gold.
• Invest in attributes and gear: Certain gear and enchantments can boost agility or lockpicking success. Equip those before attempting difficult locks.
• Learn methods and patience: Lockpicking is part mechanical, part rhythm; learning the feel of the lock and applying small, targeted movements reduces breakage and wasted picks.

PC mods and console options (if you play on PC)

If you’re playing Oblivion on PC and want to streamline how you find and buy lockpicks, mods and console commands are options. Mods can add vendors, change merchant inventories, or provide crafting for lockpicks. Console commands can add lockpicks directly but will change game balance and immersion. Use these carefully and back up saves.

• Mods: Look for quality-of-life mods that expand merchant inventories or add traveling merchants focused on thieve’s gear. Read mod descriptions and compatibility notes.
• Console commands: The console lets you add items, but it’s a blunt instrument. If you choose this route, use it sparingly to avoid breaking challenges the game designers intended.

Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them

Even seasoned players sometimes fall into patterns that waste lockpicks or leave them stranded. Avoid these common errors:

• Underbuying: Don’t leave a major city without a comfortable reserve of lockpicks. You never know when you’ll need a dozen in a row.
• Ignoring alternative sources: Loot and pickpocketing are free ways to get more picks—use them.
• Overreliance on vendors: Relying solely on buying makes you vulnerable. Mix buying with looting, pickpocketing, and training.
• Not saving: Before attempting high-risk locks or dungeons, save. That small habit prevents costly losses of picks and progress.

FAQ: Oblivion where to buy lockpicks — 5 common questions

Conclusion

Knowing “oblivion where to buy lockpicks” is only the start. Use a layered approach: buy from general goods merchants and Thieves Guild contacts, check Khajiit caravans, loot and pickpocket where sensible, and improve your lockpicking skill with practice and training. Keep a healthy reserve in safes or homes, and remember that merchant inventories in shops in Cyrodiil change with level—so check back often. With these strategies you’ll rarely be stranded without lockpicks and can focus on the fun part: exploring every locked chest and hidden room Oblivion has to offer.

Happy thieving—and may your picks last long enough to uncover every secret.