Bethesda sure do love their lock-picking mini-games, and Starfield may be the most complex one to date.
Digipicks are the latest or should I say the futuristic variant of lock-picking tools that we will be using in Starfield to gain access to locked areas.
Whether it’s doors containers or computers, digipicks are the way around those locks.
Unlike previous lock-picking mini-games, this one actually requires some extra thought and planning. The game also has a security skill line that you need to level up to improve your lock picking, this allows you to lock pick more advanced locks.
You will not be able to lock pick a Master lock right off the bat, which is good because you will need the practice and understanding of how this mini-game works to be able to successfully lock pick a master lock.
The game provides a tutorial on the mini-game’s mechanics, but the player must figure out many aspects independently. Frankly, if you’re not attentive, it can become both tiresome and intricate.
The digipick mini-game is based on a series of rings. The amount of rings depends on how advanced the lock is. Every ring contains multiple slots that necessitate the insertion of a key. To remove a ring you need to have slotted a key into every slot.
This removes the ring and you move on to the next ring.
On the right-hand side of the mini-game screen will be a series of keys that are available to you. These come in different alignments and with different amounts of keys on each of them.
Leveling up security to level 2 adds a bonus, when clicking on any one of those keys on the right side will highlight a ring on the left side.
This is also where some thinking comes in. It doesn’t mean because this key will unlock this ring or a portion of it, it’s the key for that ring. Once a key has been used it can’t be used again in the same mini-game.
To successfully navigate the mini-game, thoroughly examine the slots on each ring and the keys at your disposal. The complexity of the lock determines the number of keys needed to unlock a ring.
When aligning keys, ensure their proper positioning, as attempting to insert a misaligned key will result in its use without success.
As you can see in the video above. Even though we managed to pick each ring, the lock picking still failed due to which keys we used.
It’s important to take a look at each key and at each ring, then from there plan your picking one key at a time. This way by the time you get to the last ring you have the proper keys left.
You need to plan on which key or keys to use for which ring. Adjusting to this mini-game will require some time, and it’s likely to become frustrating. Especially when it’s a more advanced lock.
Here you can see by using the right keys for the appropriate ring, we managed to pick this lock.
Thinking about forgoing lock picking entirely is acceptable, however, there is some amazing loot locked away that you can only get by local picking.
You can get more digipicks in a variety of ways. Looting them from the environment, or off of dead bodies. Alternatively, you can buy them from some merchants.