The Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion presents players with a vast world filled with locked chests, hidden passages, and securely guarded treasure rooms. To successfully navigate these challenges, keeping a steady supply of lockpicks in your inventory is absolutely vital for any adventurer. While exploring Cyrodiil might yield a few tools from fallen enemies or random containers, relying entirely on luck can slow down your progress significantly.
Sourcing Tools from the Thieves Guild Fences
For players willing to step outside the bounds of the law, joining the local criminal underworld offers the most reliable supply of burglary tools. The guild features specialized merchants known as fences who carry large quantities of these items specifically for their associates. Your first contact, Armand Christophe, can supply you with tools directly in the Imperial City Waterfront district once you pass the initial initiation phase.
As you rise through the ranks, additional fences like Dar Jee in Leyawiin and Luciana Galena in Bravil become accessible. These specialized vendors restock their inventories regularly, ensuring that you never run dry before a major heist. Utilizing these shady connections allows you to focus on your stealth attributes without worrying about running out of equipment during critical infiltration missions.
Tracking Down Shady Wandering Traders
If you prefer to avoid the formal responsibilities of joining a guild, independent black market dealers roam the outer edges of civilization. One of the most famous standalone merchants is Shady Sam, who sets up camp just outside the northern walls of the Imperial City. He remains stationary throughout the night and offers a dependable selection of lockpicks alongside various poisons and illicit substances.
Finding these hidden vendors requires a bit of patience, but their lack of faction requirements makes them excellent options for early-game players. They charge slightly higher prices than guild alternatives due to the risk associated with their illegal trade network. However, the convenience of purchasing supplies without completing prerequisite questlines makes them worth the extra gold coins.
Utilizing Specialized Goblin Dungeons and Campgrounds
Players who wish to conserve their gold entirely can look toward specific enemy encampments scattered across the wilderness. Certain goblin tribes and bandit factions carry a higher density of security tools within their treasure chests and storage barrels. Cleansing these camps regularly provides a steady stream of resources while helping you level up your combat skills naturally.
Targeting specific dungeons near Skingrad or Chorrol will yield excellent results for thorough explorers who check every single corner. While this approach takes more physical effort than visiting a traditional store, it guarantees that your wealth continues to grow rather than diminish. Combining aggressive exploration with merchant visits creates the perfect resource loop for sustainable character progression throughout your journey.
