We know that when picking a lock, you have the option to either play the minigame, or to have your success determined automatically. If you take the automatic route, your success is determined randomly, with your Security skill acting as a modifier.

My question is, will the difficulty of the lockpicking minigame be affected by your Security skill level, or will the Security skill only benefit your chance to succeed when opting for the automatic lockpick option?

So if I (the player, not the character) become really good at performing the minigame manually, will it make any difference if my Security skill rating is high?

I'll be playing as a Thief-Fighter hybrib, and I'm trying to figure out if I should use Security as one of my Majors. Since I'll probably want to play the minigame everytime anyway, I don't know if the Security skill is worthwhile for me.

Thanks for your help

I think it does effect how good you do, besides, you can change your character before you leave the opening part.

EDIT: Welcome to the forums number 1000!

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what?? how do you do a lockpick minigame, is this like a mod for the pc version, becuz i have Xbox and have never heard of it

Um... you know this is in the Oblivion thread right?

ohhh ya so then what is this minigame thing

This is the Minigame ;p
its about halfway through a minute or so after he enters the dungeon
(video on the top left)

The way I believe I heard it is security makes your lockpick move much faster so it's easier to save it from being smashed and complete the pick.

So yes, it is a good thing to major in, like most of oblivion it's all balanced between player skill and character skill.

Thanks for the info. I guess I'll probably be using Security as one of my Majors.

Anyone know if the Security skill governs anything besides lockpicking?

I think it's one of those skills like armorer where it doesn't have a wide span of options for it. But of course, Being able to pick a lock is a necessity for a stealth character, or even a character who isn't a stealth character. A good lock picker has a get out of a jail free card, an open market to steal goods during nightfall, and for many different quests probably a side option to avoid heavy conflict.

dont forget that secuirity lets you disarm traps!!!!!

Traps work differently in Oblivion, you can't disarm them, they're done indiana jones style, you can avoid them, or activate them in a way to benefit you though.

There might still be spell-effect-trapped chests and doors, though.

I think I recall in an interview that they're out, but I could be wrong.

I have not seen a single trapped chest in all the time I have been playing. Dont expect it either.