PC Lock Picking Obsolete Fix

ROCKGENERATION

ROCKGENERATION

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It would be nice for lock picking to be incentivized somehow. I think currently basically no one utilizes them and it's just more convenient to bust open containers. It would be nice if you were rewarded with higher quantity or higher quality loot when pick locking storages, or penalized for busting them open. Either way, I think it's a nice simple first step towards making them relevant in utilizing.

Any other ideas The Pimps could easily implement to give it a boost?

 
Lockpicking minigame is awful.  It's one thing if it's in a game where you're not opening locked chests very often.  But in this game, you can often open multiple locked containers in a single POI/quest.  Having to do a minigame hundreds of times in a single playthrough would be a nightmare.  I get that the breaking of lockpicks is annoying in this game, especially when you can sometimes break 20+ on a single lock.  But a minigame isn't the answer.

 
FranticDan said:
minigame is waaaaay better, if you know what you're doing, otherwise it's a struggle. Undead Legacy in A20 does it perfectly
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That might be the best mini-game take on lock picking, but it's still a mini-game that doesn’t appeal to everyone.  For me the faux "agency" of a mini-game does not provide a better experience, just a different form of tedium.  Others mileage obviously varies.

As this thread—and many others—show, it's "horses for courses".

 
I'd rather lockpicking not be a mini-game. I haven't found a game or mod yet that does a reasonable job of simulating lock picking. I get a laugh every time I open a combination lock with picks in game. I chuckle that we cannot pick an exposed door lock -- but even more so that we can't do any loiding on some doors or use an under-door tool. No J-Tool for double doors without a mullion.

The only problem with the current approach is that lockpicks break. I've never broken a pick in real life. Better would be that we assemble a kit of different kinds of picks and tools. With the right tool and some practice it is just a matter of time assuming there's a vulnerability exposed.

I much prefer it just takes time. I can take a drink of water while my character does lock stuff.

 
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By the way, if anyone wants to play with real thieves' tool in a lab, come visit. Or, I might even be willing to travel to a TFP gathering and bring the tools, though I can't travel with doors, obviously. We'd have to make due with what's around.

 
IMO, a skill based minigame would be an improvement. And I don't pick locks..

Currently I have two options, 1) stare at a timer until the lock opens 2) stare at a timer until the lock opens.

One of them costs an inventory slot, requires annoyingly random interaction, costs a random amount of resources and comes with a risk of an unpredictable failure (ran out).

The other one .. well, doesn't. And can also open doors.

At least a minigame could offer an actual alternative, maybe even be a viable choice at times.

 
Riamus said:
I get that the breaking of lockpicks is annoying in this game, especially when you can sometimes break 20+ on a single lock.  But a minigame isn't the answer.
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The annoying part is not that the picks break, but that you have to wait. If the picks would break immediately instead of having to wait 10 seconds it would be much more bearable. A mini-game at least gives you something to do.

There are mods that give you a choice. You can pick the lock in auto mode or try it in a mini game.

 
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It should be a tool that has multiple tiers.  lock pick set, pick gun and crowbar(or some other tool)  They would have durability that is repaired with a repair kit.  

Pick set should do 10-20% 'damage' to a lock + bonuses from lock picking skill.  it should have the lowest durability.

Pick Gun 30-50% 'damage' to a lock + bonuses from lock picking skill.

Crowbar 50-100% 'damage' to a lock + bonuses from lock picking skill.

Shaped charges should fully open locks with 1 charge.  they should be more expensive to make, and buy.

It should be faster than busting open the item with a maxed out pick-axe at any level.

 
this is a good thread...got me thinking...what if you had an option to use a crowbar for the quick open...but the loot is not as good...AND...still have a mini game lock picking for the people who enjoy it? might be the simpler solution.

I like @Javabean867 's ideas too...well thought out

 
HammerDano said:
what if you had an option to use a crowbar for the quick open...but the loot is not as good
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I kinda hate the idea of a box changing content depending on how you open it - even the current loot stage system is a bit much on the arbitrary side. I could live with some form of realism, like breaking glass containers, spoiling meds and foods by more violent opening methods; you need to do a @%$# poor job of opening a box if you manage to turn a steel club into a baseball bat in the process - and Harvard might want a word with you :)

But hoping to find glass shards and a Sniper Rifle (wet) in a box is a little too realistic for this game, I'm afraid. It'd just be a loot stage reduction at this point.

 
As RipClaw said, it's mainly the waiting while watching the timer. As for more violent methods reducing loot, only if lock picking is also changed. Wait forever to see IF picks break, or get less with a crowbar? Neither option is appealing. Especially if you break all your picks and then you need to break in.

 
The Fallout minigame isn't too bad either.
Possible very unpopulair tweak: Lockpick is silent, busting open a vault very noisy to build up heat for screamers faster.

 
theFlu said:
I kinda hate the idea of a box changing content depending on how you open it - even the current loot stage system is a bit much on the arbitrary side. I could live with some form of realism, like breaking glass containers, spoiling meds and foods by more violent opening methods; you need to do a @%$# poor job of opening a box if you manage to turn a steel club into a baseball bat in the process - and Harvard might want a word with you :)

But hoping to find glass shards and a Sniper Rifle (wet) in a box is a little too realistic for this game, I'm afraid. It'd just be a loot stage reduction at this point.
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well yeah...if it worked that way...it would be weird. Not illogical to think of it tho...video game logic can be pretty...inventive. lol

I was thinking more along the lines of: It is same item but if you go for the smash and grab, it will be faster, but, you are going to need to repair it...if you go stealthy with the lock pick that same item is in great shape and maybe you find an extra goody or two of some kind (like a med pack or food) that would have been smashed if you went the other route. 

 
Dead Smarty said:
Possible very unpopulair tweak: Lockpick is silent, busting open a vault very noisy to build up heat for screamers faster.
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This is not a tweak. It is already a given. If you open the lock with the pickaxe or the auger, the heat in the chunk increases. This also applies when the explosive charge is used.
 

 
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