Picking the Lock
Each time you pick a lock in "Fallout 3," you enter into a mini-game where you must find the "sweet spot" using a bobby pin, and turn the lock using a screwdriver. Rotate the pin using the control stick and apply torque with the action button. The degree with which the lock turns indicates how close you are to the sweet spot. If the lock turns only slightly, you are far away from the sweet spot, but if it turns almost all the way, you are close. The lockpicking mini-game is essentially a game of hot and cold, so if the lock barely budges, move to the opposite side of the lock to try again.
Saving your Bobby Pins
If you apply torque three times without finding the sweet spot, your bobby pin will break. You will have another chance to unlock it, but you will lose that bobby pin. Bobby pins are not easy to come by, so exit the lockpicking game after two attempts to save your bobby pin. When you try to pick the lock again, the sweet spot will have moved. If your character has a high enough strength and luck, he can use the force lock option to bypass the mini-game altogether; however if you fail this option, the lock will be jammed forever.
Perception and Luck
The lockpick ability is related to perception and luck, so boosting these traits will increase your chance to pick the lock. As your character levels, these traits will raise on their own; however, you can also use consumable items such as Mentats to temporarily boost these traits. Apparel items such as Lucky Shades will also boost these traits when worn. Some consumables, such as alcohol, have a negative impact on your perception. Do not give your character a consumable item that will lower these traits before using the lockpick ability.
Boosting Lockpick
The lockpick skill can also be increased by leveling up or using special items. Each time you gain a new level, you have a certain amount of points to put into different skills. With a lockpick skill of 100, every lock in the game can be picked. The lockpick skill can also be increased by reading the Tumblers Today magazine. If you take the "Tag!" ability when you level and choose lockpick, the ability will increase by 15 points. Likewise, the "Thief" ability will give you a permanent five points to lockpick.