This mod exchanges the lockpicking minigame with real-time lockpicking. It integrates (almost) seamlessly into Oblivion, including animations, sounds and easy configuration.

This new versions (1.1 and 1.2) should resolve any problems with DR 5.0. If not, please notify me.

The mod requires OBSE v 16. A non-OBSE version can be found here. 7z files can be opened using 7zip.

From the readme:

====================================
Zumbs Lockpicking Mod - OBSE version
====================================
Version: 1.2

By Zumbs and Tekuromoto

August 4th 2009

1. Introduction
2. Requirements
3. Installation and uninstallation
4. Upgrading from non-OBSE version
5. Playing the mod
6. Compatibility
7. Version history
8. Legal crap
9. Thanks

===============
1. INTRODUCTION
===============

Have you ever wondered why time magically seemed to stop when you started lockpicking? Even if it took you 500 tries? Or why a falling tumbler could break your steel lockpick? Or what happended to all those broken pieces in the lock? I did, and that's why I made this mod.

This mod gives you the option of getting rid of the lockpicking minigame and replace it with realtime lockpicking. The mod adds three new equipable lockpicks. When one of these lockpicks is equiped, you can attempt to pick a lock by pointing the lockpick towards a locked item and leftclicking. Beware that someone may see you and report your crime! A more detailed description of how to use the mod can be found in section 5 below. Please take your time to read it.

===============
2. REQUIREMENTS
===============

* OBSE version 16 or later. Newest version can be found here: http://obse.silverlock.org/

* TES4: Oblivion version 1.2.0416. It should work with older versions, but I haven't tried it out.

==================================
3. INSTALLATION AND UNINSTALLATION
==================================

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a: Installation
--------------

The mod should contain the following files:

\menus\lockpick_menu.xml
ZumbsLockpickingMod - Hide Difficulty Addon.esp
ZumbsLockpickingMod - OBSE - readme.txt
ZumbsLockpickingMod - OBSE.bsa
ZumbsLockpickingMod - OBSE.esp
ZumbsLockpickingModOBSE.ini

There are a few options, so you should copy the files to a temporary location, and open the folder "Data" in folder where you installed Oblivion (probably "C:\Games\Oblivion\Data").

If you wish to disable the minigame, just copy all files into your "Data" folder. If you prefer to keep the minigame as an option, remove "\menus\lockpick_menu.xml" first.

Then launch Oblivion. In the launcher, press the button "Data Files". Scroll down the list until you find "ZumbsLockpickingMod - OBSE.esp" and make sure the box is checked.

If you wish to hide the difficulty of a lock, also make sure that "ZumbsLockpickingMod - Hide Difficulty Addon.esp" is checked.

-----------------------------
b: Upgrading from version 1.0
-----------------------------

IMPORTANT: The new ini includes new settings. If you wish to use these settings, you should overwrite the old ini and copy your settings into it. If you use OOO, please check out section 6 for total compatibility.

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c: Upgrading from version 1.1
-----------------------------

If you have tweeked the ini, you should not overwrite it. Also, the new ini changes the default setting from 3rd person lockpicking to 1st person lockpicking. Otherwise just copy all the files to your Oblivion/Data folder.

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d: Uninstallation
----------------

To uninstall the mod, remove all lockpicks from your inventory (except for vanilla Oblivion lockpicks). Wait three days (or whatever your respawn time is). Uncheck "ZumbsLockpickingMod - OBSE.esp" in the launcher and delete the files mentioned above.

===================================
4. UPGRADING FROM NON-OBSE VERSIONS
===================================

There shouldn't be any problems in upgrading from non-OBSE versions, although you will loose your (equipable) lockpicks and experience (you'll keep your skill level).

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5. PLAYING THE MOD
==================

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a: Lockpicking
--------------

When the mod is loaded for the first time, it will convert the vanilla lockpicks in your inventory to the best possible equipable lockpick. To upgrade to a better lockpick open your inventory and find the vanilla lockpicks. Leftclick them. If you have enough lockpicks for the a better set of picks, a new set of picks will be added to your inventory (the quality of the lockpicks depend on the number of lockpicks in your inventory, see section 5d).

To pick a lock using lockpicks, first equip one of the lockpicks. They can be found under "Weapons" in your inventory. Turn towards a lock and leftclick. If you are successful the lock will be opened. If not you'll have to try again. If you wish to try to open a lock without lockpicks, you'll have to use the lesser power "Bare Hands Lockpicking".

Your chance for success are given by:

0.5 * Security + 2d25 + Bonuses Locks difficulty

Security is modified for luck and bonuses depend on the quality of your lockpicks and skill perks (see later subsections).

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b: Experience
-------------

Using OBSE, this mod now uses Oblivions skill system to handle experience and skill progession.

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c: Skill Perks
--------------

Each skill Perk add 5 to the roll mentioned above (section 5a). Note that the skill text haven't been changed due to compatibility.

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d: Quality of Lockpicks
-----------------------

NameBonusCost in
vanilla lockpicks
Bare Hands -50-
Bent Steel Wire -101
Lockpicks 0 100
Quality Lockpicks+10 300
Skeleton Key +20-

How much do the different types of lockpicks help? The table below notes the chance of successfully picking the most difficult lock of the given difficulty level (assuming Luck is 50) with different lockpicks.

Security Very Easy Easy Average Hard Very Hard Key Needed
5
Bare Hands: 0 % 0 % 0 % 0 %0 %0 %
Bent Steel Wire:89.4 % 52 %2.4 % 0 %0 %0 %
Lockpicks:99.8 % 83.2 % 19.2 % 0 %0 %0 %
Quality Lockpicks: 100 % 98.4 % 52 %0 %0 %0 %
Skeleton Key:100 % 100 % 83.2 % 0 %0 %0 %

25
Bare Hands: 12.5 % 0 % 0 % 0 %0 %0 %
Bent Steel Wire:100 % 91.2 % 30.4 % 0 %0 %0 %
Lockpicks:100 % 100 % 66.4 % 0 %0 %0 %
Quality Lockpicks: 100 % 100 % 91.2 % 0 %0 %0 %
Skeleton Key:100 % 100 % 100 % 7.2 % 0 %0 %

50
Bare Hands: 66.4 % 21.8 % 0 % 0 %0 %0 %
Bent Steel Wire:100 % 100 % 85.4 % 0 %0 %0 %
Lockpicks:100 % 100 % 99 %3.36 %0 %0 %
Quality Lockpicks: 100 % 100 % 100 % 21.8 %0 %0 %
Skeleton Key:100 % 100 % 100 % 55.8 %4.48 %3.36 %

75
Bare Hands: 99.5 % 80.8 % 16.8 % 0 %0 %0 %
Bent Steel Wire:100 % 100 % 100 % 16.8 %0 %0 %
Lockpicks:100 % 100 % 100 % 48 % 2.4 % 1.6 %
Quality Lockpicks: 100 % 100 % 100 % 80.8 %19.2 %16.8 %
Skeleton Key:100 % 100 % 100 % 97.6 %52 % 48 %

100
Bare Hands: 100 % 100 % 72.6 % 0 %0 %0 %
Bent Steel Wire:100 % 100 % 100 % 72.6 %12.5 %10.6 %
Lockpicks:100 % 100 % 100 % 94.2 %40.5 %37 %
Quality Lockpicks: 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 % 75.5 %72.6 %
Skeleton Key:100 % 100 % 100 % 100 % 95.5 %94.2 %

Note that the distribution is calculated using the most difficult version of each lock, so even at 25 with bent steel wire, you'll have a decent chance of opening the easiest "Hard" locks. Lock difficulties and levels are given below:

Lock level Lock difficulty Alteration skill to open
Very Easy 1 - 7 Novice
Easy8 - 20 Apprentice (25)
Average 21 - 40 Journeyman (50)
Hard 41 - 80 Expert (75)
Very Hard81 - 99 Master (100)
Need key 100 -

------------
e: Criticals
------------

When you try to pick something there is a small chance that you make a critical success or failure. The probability for each is about 1:100. On critical failure you fail opening the lock, and may damage your lockpicks. On critical success you succeed in picking the lock and get more experience.

---------------
f. Skeleton key
---------------

In vanilla Oblivion, the Skeleton key makes the Security Skill obsolete. Therefore the bonus in security is removed, and by clicking it, you can get an equipable Skeleton Key.

Note, that until you try to equip the vanilla skeleton key, you'll still have the vanilla bonus.

--------------------
g. Advanced Settings
--------------------

This mod is highly configurable, allowing users to change a number of settings, such as difficulty of lockpicking, quality and price of lockpicks, as well as whether or not to allow picking of key-only locks. The settings can be edited in ZumbsLockpickingModOBSE.ini. To apply the changes in an existing game, open the console (the ~ key just below your Esc button) and type:

startquest ZumbsLockpickerVariables

or

bat Data\ZumbsLockpickingModOBSE.ini

and hit return. The default settings mimic Oblivions default settings.

================
6. COMPATIBILITY
================

This mod primarily adds new stuff. It does, however, edit three things: it edits the visuals of scripted spell effect (to remove them) and adds a script to vanilla Lockpicks and the skeleton key. If a mod changes these, you'll have to ensure that they load before this mod, or this mod will not work proberbly. So this mod should be compatible with most other mods.

Oscuro's Oblivion Overhaul: This mod is fully compatible with OOO. For best results load after OOO and turn off LAPs Security Rebalance. This can be done by opening the console and typing:

Set LapMinLock to 0

and hit enter. To enable OOO traps, you should set the ini setting EnableActivateContainer to 1.

Shadow's Merged Value Fixes: This mod edits the lockpicks, and should load before this mod.

Companion mods: Some companions may report you if they see you pick locks.

Deadly Reflex 5.0: The previous version (1.0) did not include a 1st person animation, which caused a CTD when used with DR5.0. This issue should be resolved with this version.

==================
7. Version history
==================

v 1.0: Initial release (June 18th 2008)

v 1.1: Released on December 25th 2008
Following changes:
* Bugfix: Fixed bug where lock difficulty would be set to 0 during Barehanded Lockpicking
* Bugfix: Various typo's
* Bugfix: 1st person animation now included (should resolve problems with DR5.0)
* Bugfix: Fixed bug where 1st person animation could cause CTDs
* New feature: Compatibility with OOO traps
* New feature: Lockpicks have a number of uses that decrease every time lockpicking fails (must be enabled in the .ini)
* New feature: Configurable chance for critical success/failure
* New feature: Critical failure may demote your lockpicks, so that a set of Quality Lockpicks are turned into a Lockpick
* Tweek: Increased chance to make a critical success/failure (approximately 1:100 for each)

v1.2: Released on August 4th 2009
Following changes:
* Bugfix: Fixed bug where you could not disable experience for impossible locks or failed attempts
* Compatibility: Removed EnableControl 4 spam
* Usability: Changed messages when faced with lock that are to difficult for the character for clarity

=============
8. LEGAL CRAP
=============

You are free to use, distribute and edit this mod. If you upload it to another site, I ask that you kindly notify me. If you edit and upload it, please notify me as well. You are free to use all scripts in this mod for other mods. If you wish to meshes and textures for "Bent Steel Wire", you should ask the maker, Grumblepunk.

=========
9. THANKS
=========

- Bethsoft for making Oblivion and publicising the Construction set
- The community for the many questions and answers at the forums and wiki, in particular Haama for the proff-of-concept mod, "MW Lockpicking", showing that it could be done, and scruggs for "Lock Bash 99.9" showing that this type of mod can be made to be highly compatible with other mods, as well as his "Scruggsy Lockpicking BETA" which helped pointing me in the right direction.
- The OBSE team
- Tekuromoto for getting me back into modding
- Grumblepunk for kindly letting me use his Lockpick meshes for "Bent Steel Wire"
- ElminsterAU for the very useful tes4view-utility