Lockpicking can be found in most modern RPGs, though each game tends to have its own unique take on the mechanic. To pick locks in Starfield, players will need to use Digipicks; a special consumable item a little like a traditional lockpick. Players will also need to solve a puzzle, with more complex locks requiring a little more brainpower to pick.
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Players will learn how to pick locks in Starfield relatively early on in the main story while investigating the pirate base on Kreet. Impatient players might accidentally skip over the single-screen lockpicking tutorial though, while others may need a little more information than the tutorial provides.
How to Pick Locks in Starfield (Starfield Lockpicking Guide)
Locks in Starfield are made up of circular security layers, with more complex locks having more security layers. Each layer has gaps in it and players will need to use the keys provided by their Digipick to fill these gaps. Only after players have filled all of the gaps in the outermost layer will they be able to move on to the next, meaning that players will need to be smart about the order in which they use their keys. If they upgrade the Security skill, they'll be able to see which keys fit which layers, making the process a little easier.
With this in mind, the fastest way to pick a lock in Starfield is to cycle through all of the available keys using the shoulder buttons until finding one that fills all of the gaps in the outermost layer. It's worth trying to slot keys with more pins first as these may only fit in one specific position. Each key can be rotated using the analog stick or D-Pad, so players should do this until they're able to line up each of its pins with the gaps in the outermost security layer. With more complex locks, it's better to line up all of the keys needed to complete a layer before actually slotting them.
After positioning a key so that all of its pins are correctly lined up with gaps, players can press the A button to slot it and then move on to the next key. It's then just a case of repeating the process until every security layer has been unlocked. Certain keys will only work on certain layers, so players will need to be mindful of the order in which they use them. If a Digipick doesn't line up with the outermost layer, they should move on and come back to it later.
In order to be able to pick Advanced, Expert, or Master locks, players will need to unlock and upgrade the Security skill, which can be found in the Tech skill tree.
How to Get More Digipicks in Starfield
Digipicks can be found in a variety of locations, which bodes well given how important they are for picking locks in Starfield. Players can loot them from dead bodies or pickpocket them from living ones if they have the Theft skill unlocked. It's also possible to buy Digipicks from most general-purpose merchants by cycling to the misc section of their inventories. The standard price is 35 Credits, though players can get them for cheaper by unlocking and upgrading the Commerce skill.
How to Make Starfield Lockpicking Easier
There are a few things that players can do to make lockpicking easier in Starfield, one of which is to upgrade their Security skill. Doing so will cause the outer ring of a lock to turn blue if the currently selected Starfield Digipick key will fit into one of the available slots, allowing players to quickly cycle through all of their keys to figure out which one(s) they should be focussing on. It's also a good idea to place every key for a ring in the right position before actually slotting any of them.
Additionally, players can also use the Auto Slot function if they happen to have one banked, which will automatically place one key in a way that will still allow the puzzle to be solved. They can also undo a move or exit and start again to get a brand-new puzzle, though the latter will use up a Digipick and so should be seen as a last resort. Alternatively, PC players can use Starfield mods to make lockpicking easier, with Ixion XVII's Easy Digipick mod allowing players to skip the lockpicking mini-game entirely.
Starfield is available now for PC and Xbox Series X|S.
FAQs
The best way to get more Digipicks in Starfield is to explore. While a few merchants will sell them you'll get loads more by searching the random bases and installations you'll find on various planets and moons. You won't have to search long before you pick enough to keep you going for a while.
Where to find Digipicks in Starfield? ›
One particularly-reliable digipick vendor is found on Jemison in the Alpha Centauri system. Exit your ship from the New Atlantis spaceport and walk to the fountain square. To your left, you'll spot a store called Jemison Mercantile. Trade with the vendor, and navigate to the “Misc” submenu at the bottom.
Where can you get lockpicks in Starfield? ›
How to Find and Get More Lockpicks in Starfield
| Store Name | Location |
|---|
| Alpha Centauri System - Jemison, New Atlantis |
|---|
| Cheyenne System - Akila, Akila City |
| Shepherd's General Store | Shepherd's General Store can be found just left of the main entrance to the city, opposite the Hitching Post. |
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To pick a lock in Starfield, here's what to do:
Select between your keys on the right-hand side. Rotate your chosen key around the lock until all blocks fit in holes. Hit "F" (or "A" on controller) to slot the key. Repeat the process with other keys until all holes are filled.
How does digipicking work in Starfield? ›
Starfield Digipicks explained
To pick a lock you must fill all the holes in every ring, using the differently-shaped pins you can see on the right-hand side. You can cycle through them and then move them around on the circle until they line up with the gaps. The key (pun intended) is thinking ahead.
What is the code for Digipicks in Starfield? ›
player.
additem 0000000a 10' will grant 10 digipicks.
Where can I buy Digipicks Starfield Neon? ›
Akila sells Digipicks at Shepherd's General Store, and Newill's Goods carries them on Neon. Digipicks tend to always cost 35 Credits, so won't break your bank. Also, if you want to grind out buying Digipicks from one spot fast, you can find a place to rest or wait nearby for 24 hours to restock the shop's supply.
How do you spawn lockpicks? ›
Add code for lockpicks is " player. additem A amount ." Codes can be shortened by excluding the zeros. For example, to add 5 lockpicks, type player. additem a 5 .
How do you get lockpicks in entry point? ›
Lockpick Kit
The kit takes up 2x1 in the inventory and costs $50. It can be found in storage areas in Black Dusk.
Are some lockpicks impossible in Starfield? ›
There are not "impossible" but may be "bricking - prone" because an important key can fit on several places and only one is the proper one.
The other thing I wanted to show you is the SECURITY skill in the TECH tree. This skill allows you to hack higher difficulty locks. Rank 1 allows you to hack up to advanced locks with 2 auto attempts that can be banked. Rank 2 you can attempt to hack expert locks and 3 auto attempts can be banked.
How to enter the lock in Starfield? ›
Once you speak to Delgado, he'll open up the gate with the key he was able to gain, and you can head inside the depths of The Lock's sprawling underground prison.
How to get digipick Starfield? ›
Early in the game, you'll find Jemison Mercantile selling them in the New Atlantis spaceport. Once you approach the character, you can find Digipicks under 'Misc' items. Pickpocketing is another viable source of Digipicks.
Can you romance in Starfield? ›
In Starfield, you'll find many companions to journey with you as you explore the vast galaxy and undertake many adventures. Four of your companions, however, can develop feelings for you that you can choose to engage in romance with. You can only have one romantic relationship at a time.
Can you go to Earth in Starfield? ›
You can actually travel to Earth very early in the game, as we visited Earth ourselves during Starfield's second mission, The Old Neighbourhood. However, to get to Earth you need to have enough fuel for your ship. How much fuel you need depends on how far away you are from the 'Sol' star system.
How to upgrade Digipick Starfield? ›
If a Digipick doesn't line up with the outermost layer, they should move on and come back to it later. In order to be able to pick Advanced, Expert, or Master locks, players will need to unlock and upgrade the Security skill, which can be found in the Tech skill tree.
Where is New Atlantis Starfield? ›
New Atlantis is on the planet Jemison in the Alpha Centauri system. It's the closest system to the Sol system if you need a nearby reference point. The city is split into four different districts, and once you've discovered each one, you can fast-travel there directly from the star map, as well as the Lodge.
Where is the shop in Starfield? ›
Every Shop Vendor In Starfield
| Vendor | Location | Items Sold |
|---|
| General Store | Paradiso | Weapons, Armor, Resources, & Items |
| HopeTech Showroom | Hopetown | Ships & Ship Parts |
| Infirmary | Akila City | Aid |
| Jane's Goods | Cydonia | Gear, Resources, & Misc. |
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