Whether you’re a loot-obsessed kleptomaniac or just someone who needs to open every last locked door and chest in an RPG, lockpicking in Wartales is a skill you’re going to want to master early on. The game doesn’t throw you much help when it comes to cracking open containers, but once you understand how it works, the whole system becomes intuitive—and even kind of satisfying. Here’s your full breakdown on how to pick locks like a pro.
Step 1: Get Yourself Some Lockpicks
Before you can even think about picking a lock, you’ll need lockpicks. These can be found at various merchants, although not every vendor carries them. The more reliable method? Craft them in your camp with a Tinkerer. Assign a companion the Tinkerer profession and use one iron ore ingot per lockpick. It’s a cheap investment that lets you break into all kinds of valuable loot containers.
Step 2: Assign a Thief
To pick locks, you’ll need a designated thief in your party. This is a profession you assign to a companion, and it grants bonus dexterity. That companion will automatically take charge of all stealing and lockpicking attempts. Whether you dedicate a single character to a life of crime or rotate the job among those not pursuing a main profession, make sure someone’s got the role when it’s time to get sneaky.
Now, here’s a key detail: while the Thief profession reduces suspicion gained when stealing, it doesn’t make the actual lockpicking mini-game any easier. Lockpicking is all about sound, not stats.
Step 3: Crank the Volume and Learn the Mini-Game
Here’s where most players get stuck—but this is also where it gets fun. The lockpicking mini-game is a sound-based challenge. Every lock has an invisible “pie slice” shape inside, and your job is to rotate the lockpick until it aligns with that sweet spot. Once you’re close, push the lockpick in by clicking.
As you push, listen carefully. If the pick slams against the side of the invisible shape, you’ll hear a dull metallic click. That’s your sign you’ve hit a wall. The goal is to rotate slowly and find the area where you hear nothing as you press—this means you’re pressing into the correct zone. Once inside the shape, press a little at a time. Go too far or too fast, and your lockpick will snap. Timing and patience are key.
The best trick? Turn your game audio all the way up. It makes identifying that silent sweet spot much easier. Watch for changes in sound, particularly the moment where there’s no clicking at all. That’s where the invisible wedge begins.
Step 4: Handle Tumblers with Care
Locks in Wartales can have between one and three tumblers. You’ll need to repeat the audio search and press sequence for each tumbler in a single lock. When you solve one tumbler, the next one will randomize—it could even reset to the exact same location as the first. Don’t let it throw you off.
Stay calm, go slow, and keep using your ears to guide you through. Every tumbler is its own puzzle, and once you get the rhythm, you’ll start nailing them one after another.
Bonus Tip: How to Steal Without Getting Caught
Here’s a lesser-known (and possibly temporary) exploit you can use to your advantage: when you loot unlocked containers that belong to others, the contents are marked as stolen, and you gain suspicion based on the value of what you take. But if the container is locked and you pick it open? For some reason, the items inside are not marked as stolen—even if there are people around.
This means you can freely grab high-value loot from locked containers without triggering the suspicion system. It’s unclear if this is a bug or an intentional design, and it may get patched later on. But as of early access, it’s a safe and effective way to grab loot without worrying about the consequences.
Suspicion rises rapidly with valuable items, so avoiding the tag altogether by lockpicking first can save you from being hunted down by sheriffs. It’s one more reason to prioritize the Thief profession and keep a few lockpicks on you at all times.
Final Thoughts
Lockpicking in Wartales may seem mysterious at first, but it quickly becomes second nature once you get the hang of the sound cues. With just a handful of iron ingots, a thief in your crew, and a good set of ears, you’ll be cracking chests like a true RPG bandit in no time.
Stay stealthy, keep those lockpicks from snapping, and may every chest you unlock be loaded with valuable treasures.
If this guide helped you master the art of picking locks, share it with fellow adventurers—and keep your eyes out for more guides soon!
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