Players in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion run out of lockpicks all the time. The Security skill depends on them, and the lockpicking minigame breaks them fast. Many players search for a steady place to buy more, so this guide covers every seller in Cyrodiil, plus a few faster backup methods.
The main goal is simple. Show where Shady Sam, Ongar the World-Weary, Fathis Ules, and other NPCs sell lockpicks. Search engines also read the names of these entities to understand the topic, so including them helps both players and SEO.
Main Places To Buy Lockpicks In Oblivion
Here is how to find the most reliable vendors.
Shady Sam
Shady Sam waits outside the Imperial City on the northeast wall. He comes out at night and sells lockpicks, poisons, and a few tools. He is the easiest seller for new players because he stands alone and avoids guards. His stock refreshes after a few in-game days. Players with low Security often visit him many times.
Ongar the World-Weary
Ongar is a Thieves Guild fence in Bruma. Armand Christophe invites you into the Thieves Guild before you can trade with Ongar. He keeps more lockpicks than normal merchants and buys stolen items too. You only need to find him in Olav’s Tap and Tack and raise his mood to get better prices.
Fathis Ules
Fathis Ules works as a high level fence at the Imperial Waterfront. He unlocks later in the Thieves Guild questline. He sells bigger batches of lockpicks than Ongar, which helps for long dungeon trips. Many players use him once they advance in the guild.
General Merchants
A few general goods stores in the Imperial City Market District and other cities carry one or two lockpicks. The supply is small. Players sometimes check them for a quick emergency refill, but vendors like Shady Sam and guild fences stay better options.
How Lockpick Availability Works
Merchant stock refreshes every three in-game days. So if Shady Sam sells out, wait a little while and buy again. The amount of lockpicks a vendor carries does not scale with your level, but enemies at higher levels sometimes drop more tools.
Your Security skill changes how fast you break lockpicks. A low skill means more broken tools. A higher skill means fewer breaks and fewer trips to vendors.
Fast Alternatives To Buying Lockpicks
Here are backup ways to fill your inventory without shopping.
Loot Bandits And Dungeons
Bandits, thieves, marauders, and necromancers often carry a few lockpicks. You can check:
- Ayleid ruins
- Forts
- Caves
- Roadside bandit camps
- Locked containers inside dungeons
This works well because you gather both gear and gold while exploring.
Pickpocket NPC Thieves
Some NPCs keep lockpicks in their pockets. You can pickpocket them with Sneak skill. Guards can catch you, and the bounty system triggers if they see you. It works best in dark areas or when NPCs sleep.
Join The Thieves Guild Early
Joining the Thieves Guild gives you access to fences and more lockpicks. Armand Christophe starts the guild on the Imperial City Waterfront. Once you join, you can buy more tools from Ongar and later from Fathis Ules.
Skeleton Key Option
The Skeleton Key comes from the Nocturnal shrine quest. It acts like an unbreakable lockpick and adds a Security bonus. Players use it when they want to open every chest in Cyrodiil without worrying about stock. The only drawback is that it can slow natural Security leveling because the bonus makes the game think you are skilled already.
Helpful Lockpicking Tips
You can make your lockpicks last longer with a few tricks.
- Listen for the click when a tumbler stays up longer
- Tap each tumbler and watch its movement
- Save the game before hard locks
- Use Auto Attempt only on very easy locks
- Practice on simple doors in towns to get better timing
Conclusion
Players who need lockpicks in Oblivion can use Shady Sam, Ongar, and Fathis Ules to restock. These NPCs give steady supply across Cyrodiil. The Skeleton Key helps in the long run, but buying lockpicks stays useful for early players.
If you have your own lockpick tricks or vendor tips, feel free to share them and help other players find their way through Cyrodiil.