Looking to slip into Tamriel’s locked treasures in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered but running low on lockpicks? Whether you’re a stealthy thief or just tired of broken picks, knowing where to stock up is essential. From the elusive Shady Sam lurking outside the Imperial City walls to the exclusive fences of the Thieves Guild, here’s where to buy lockpicks-no matter if you’re playing on PC, PlayStation, or Xbox.
A lockpick gives you a chance to open a lock on a chest or door via successful completion of an instance of the lockpicking minigame. The lockpicking system can be tricky; if you make mistakes, it’s easy to burn through several lockpicks on a single lock (unless you have the Skeleton Key). As such, you might need a ton of lockpicks.
Here’s where to buy lockpicks in Oblivion Remastered.
Where to buy lockpicks in Oblivion Remastered
In Oblivion Remastered, the most reliable way to buy lockpicks is from Shady Sam, a merchant located just outside the Imperial City walls near the Elven Gardens district. He sells lockpicks for 6 gold each and stocks up to 30 daily, with his inventory refreshing every day. Another option is to join the Thieves Guild, which grants access to fences who sell lockpicks in larger quantities, often at better prices. For example, Ongar the World-Weary in Bruma is a notable fence who regularly stocks lockpicks. Additionally, Armand Christophe at the Imperial Waterfront sells lockpicks for 5 gold each before you join the guild. While you can also find lockpicks by looting chests and enemies, purchasing from these vendors ensures a steady supply throughout your journey.
Although lockpicks aren’t sold by your usual town merchants, there are several locations where you can buy lockpicks. Below, we highlight some of the easiest places to buy lockpicks in Oblivion Remastered.
The easiest way to buy lockpicks is to hit up Shady Sam, the merchant. One lockpick costs 6 gold and you can buy up to 30 lockpicks each day. You can find Shady Sam northwest of the Imperial City. He is located outside the city walls, just outside where the Elven Gardens district is.
One limited way you can buy lockpicks is by starting the quest to join the Thieves Guild and talking to Armand Christophe at the Imperial City Waterfront. He’ll sell you lockpicks for 5 gold each. It’s a good deal, but you need to activate the quest to talk to him and he leaves once you progress the quest. See our guide on how to join the Thieves Guild for more details.
Once you join the Thieves Guild, you can buy lockpicks from fences, the term for characters who buy stolen property.
The first fence you unlock, Ongar the World-Weary, will also sell you lockpicks for 6 gold each. He is located in Bruma and lives on the southwest side of town. If he’s not home, you can wait until the morning until he returns.
Where is the best place to buy lockpicks in Oblivion Remastered on PC and consoles
The best place to buy lockpicks early in Oblivion Remastered on both PC and consoles is from Shady Sam, a merchant located outside the Imperial City walls near the Chestnut Handy Stables. He sells lockpicks in batches of 30 for 6 gold each, and his inventory refreshes regularly, making him a reliable source throughout the game’s early stages.
For players who join the Thieves Guild, an even better option becomes available: fences associated with the guild sell large quantities of lockpicks at a lower price. These fences are located in major cities such as Bruma, Leyawiin, Bravil, Anvil, and the Imperial City. They restock their supply regularly, allowing you to buy up to 100 lockpicks at a time, which is ideal for maintaining a steady stockpile.
In summary:
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Early game: Shady Sam outside Imperial City (30 lockpicks, refreshes daily)
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Mid to late game (Thieves Guild members): Fences in major cities (up to 100 lockpicks, cheaper prices, restock regularly)
This makes Shady Sam the go-to vendor for newcomers, while Thieves Guild fences provide the best long-term supply on all platforms.
Is Shady Sam the most reliable vendor for lockpicks on PC and consoles
Shady Sam is one of the most reliable vendors for lockpicks in Oblivion Remastered on both PC and consoles, especially in the early game. He consistently stocks 30 lockpicks, and his inventory refreshes daily, making him a dependable source when you need to replenish your supply quickly. His location outside the Imperial City walls is always the same, and he is available day or night, which adds to his convenience.
However, while Shady Sam is excellent for bulk purchases early on, he is not the absolute best overall vendor. Once you join the Thieves Guild, the guild’s fences become the superior option. These fences offer larger quantities (up to 100 lockpicks at a time), often at better prices, and their inventories also refresh regularly. Additionally, some merchants like Jensine in the Imperial City Market District are considered more versatile because they offer competitive prices, reliable stock, and can buy your loot, though their lockpick stock may be smaller than Shady Sam’s.
In summary:
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Shady Sam: Most reliable early-game vendor for lockpicks, always has stock, easy to access.
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Thieves Guild Fences: Best long-term option for bulk purchases and price after joining the guild.
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Other Merchants: Useful for convenience and selling loot, but may not always have lockpicks in stock.
For most players, Shady Sam is the go-to source until Thieves Guild fences become available.
