Why Is Lockpicking So Hard in Kingdom Come: Deliverance?

Kingdom Come: Deliverance is known for its commitment to realism, and that philosophy is felt in every swing of a sword, every meal eaten, and — most notoriously — every lock picked. The game’s lockpicking mechanic, in particular, has become one of the most divisive features among players.

For many, it’s a serious immersion tool. For others, it’s an immersion-breaking, rage-inducing hurdle that turns a simple chest into a frustrating mini-battle. So, why exactly is lockpicking in Kingdom Come: Deliverance so hard? And what can players do to overcome it?

The Philosophy Behind the Frustration: Realism First

At its core, Kingdom Come: Deliverance is not your typical fantasy RPG. There’s no magic, no dragons, and no unrealistic mechanics. Warhorse Studios crafted a game deeply rooted in historical realism — and that includes how skills like lockpicking are handled.

Instead of the familiar “turn the pin until it clicks” approach seen in games like Skyrim or Fallout, Kingdom Come introduces a dynamic, physics-based system that simulates the act of physically rotating a lockpick inside a medieval mechanism.

The intention was noble: immerse players in the complexity and risk of breaking into a lock during the 15th century. But that realism comes at the cost of accessibility, especially for beginners.

How Lockpicking Works in the Game

Before diving into why it’s hard, it’s important to understand how the lockpicking system works.

The Basic Mechanic:

• You must use your mouse or right analog stick to find the sweet spot inside the lock.
• Once the correct position is found, you rotate the lock while keeping the sweet spot steady.
• The sweet spot moves in a circular motion, and the more you rotate, the harder it becomes to hold it in place.
• If the pick slips too far off the sweet spot, the attempt fails — and the pick can break.

On console, this means manipulating both thumbsticks simultaneously, and on PC, it’s a tricky dance between mouse control and key presses.

Complexity Increases With Difficulty:

• Easy locks have a larger sweet spot and move slower.
• Hard locks have a tiny sweet spot and require precise, steady movements under pressure.

Why Is It So Hard?

1. The Controls Are Inherently Awkward

Especially on consoles, the need to coordinate both thumbsticks (one to rotate the lock, the other to stabilize the pick) is unintuitive. Even PC users find the mouse movement overly sensitive and the feedback lacking.

The result? A lot of failed attempts, broken lockpicks, and the sense that you’re fighting the controls more than the game.

2. No Initial Skill = Brutal Difficulty

When you first start the game, your character has zero lockpicking skill, which drastically affects the size and stability of the sweet spot. The game gives you:

• No auto-assist
• A tiny chance of success
• Very little feedback on what you’re doing wrong

This leads to a steep learning curve where beginners feel punished for trying — especially if they haven’t yet invested in lockpicking or obtained enough lockpicks to practice freely.

3. Lack of Visual Feedback

Compared to other games, Kingdom Come gives players minimal visual feedback during lockpicking. There’s no color shift, vibration, or click sound when you get close. You’re left to interpret subtle visual movements, which can be difficult in the heat of gameplay.

4. No Auto-Save Before Attempting

To make things worse, failing a lockpick attempt:

• Consumes lockpicks (which are scarce early on)
• Can alert nearby guards or NPCs
• May cost you valuable loot if you can’t retry

Since the game doesn’t auto-save before each attempt, every failure feels risky — not just inconvenient.

What Makes It Easier Over Time?

Despite its notorious difficulty, lockpicking becomes significantly easier once you commit to it.

1. Leveling the Lockpicking Skill

As you use the skill, your character gains experience. Leveling up provides:

• Bigger sweet spots
• Slower rotation, making it easier to maintain control
• Access to perks that further reduce difficulty (like “Luck of the Drunk”)

Tip: Focus on picking easy locks in low-risk areas like abandoned buildings to build XP.

2. Perks That Help

Some early perks that dramatically improve success rates include:

• Deft Grip: Reduces the chance of breaking picks.
• Silent Fiddler: Makes lockpicking quieter, reducing the risk of getting caught.
• Lasting Lockpicks: Increases durability of your tools.

Perks make the mechanic feel much more forgiving, especially at higher difficulty levels.

3. Practicing With Miller Peshek

Early in the game, you meet Miller Peshek, who offers a lockpicking tutorial and gives you access to practice locks. This is invaluable for getting a feel for the mechanic without real consequences.

Tips to Make Lockpicking Easier

If you’re still struggling, try the following:

• Use a mouse (if on PC) — precision is easier than with analog sticks.
• Turn sensitivity down in the settings for more control.
• Save before each attempt so you can reload if you fail.
• Stock up on lockpicks from traders or by looting bandits.
• Don’t attempt hard locks early — focus on leveling the skill first.
• Drink Saviour Schnapps and retry without penalty if needed.
• Practice during the day when lighting is better, and ensure you have enough torches for visibility.

Should Warhorse Studios Have Made It Easier?

This is subjective. Some players believe the mechanic perfectly fits the game’s ethos of realism and immersion. Others argue that its steep learning curve and controller awkwardness make it more frustrating than immersive.

In response to community feedback, Warhorse did release patches that made lockpicking slightly easier on console — particularly on lower difficulties — but it still remains one of the hardest mechanics for new players.

Final Thoughts: A Flawed but Thematic System

So, why is lockpicking so hard in Kingdom Come: Deliverance?

Because it was meant to be. It’s a mechanic that aligns with the game’s commitment to realism, challenge, and player progression. While it’s undeniably difficult and often frustrating, it’s also deeply rewarding once mastered.

If you’re willing to invest the time to learn and level the skill, lockpicking evolves from a chore to a powerful tool that unlocks alternate paths, hidden loot, and satisfying stealth options.

Just don’t expect it to be easy — after all, Henry isn’t a natural-born thief. You’ll have to earn that title one broken lockpick at a time.