Hi all, anyone else experienced anything similar to this.

I have a level 10 rogue with skill level 70 in Locks and Traps (including two thieves daggers + thieves curirass (sp?))

Traps do not present a problem. I haven't set off a trap since the monastry, but locks are a total pain. I've never played a rogue before, always included a bard and the last one had a skill of 65-ish and was able to pick the locks on the AP gates with only a handful of dropped tumblers.

My rogue took 27 attempts last night (no really I counted) to open a cupboard door with just three tumblers. Everytime I clicked the next one the previous one dropped. I ALMOST gave up, but this is dumb I am having to use KNOCK KNOCK on anything over three tumblers to stand a chance of opening it.

Playing mod 4 (as I was with the Bard before) if that makes any difference.

HELP!!!!!!

Senses and Dexterity seemed to help my Bard in this department. But, knock-knock is most definitely his best friend.

That could be the key. I've concentrated on DEX and SPD but both are now maxed out so I will continue with STR and SEN and see what happens.

Even so, I can't imagine I would ever have the patience to try and pick a lock with more than 4 tumblers. I the Bard and I can't get it within a few minutes - I break out the Knock Picks.

My locks & traps specialist was a Gadgeteer, and I built up her Speed and Dexterity first, and she rarely had problems with locks. For most of the game, the only L&T bonus she had was ten points from a Thieves buckler.

The rule of thumb seemed to be that if the number of tumblers was less than or equal to 10% of her locks and traps skill, she could get the lock open fairly quickly. For example, with 37 points of skill, she could handle 3 tumblers easily; with 52 points, she could handle 5 tumblers.

By the end of the game, her skill was in the low 90's and she could open 8 tumbler locks (the max) without any problems: 8-10 clicks and she'd be done.

She needed to use Divine Traps on some of the tougher traps near the end, but I don't think she ever needed a Knock spell for a lock.

Dinkum that is how I would expect it to work.

My rogue now has 100 in both speed & dex and 75 L&T (30 through item bonuses) but its only since I added 3 points to senses last level up that things have improved. 3 & 4 tumblers are now easy and 5 is OK. Haven't seen anything more yet, back to Arnika vault to check on skill I think.

I just checked, and Locks & Traps skill depends on Dexterity and Intelligence. How smart is your Rogue?

I don't remember my Gadgeteer's Intelligence, but I know it was at least 55, since that's the minimum starting value for her class. If your Rogue's Intelligence is low, that might explain the problems picking locks.

Bards have a minimum Intelligence of 50, which should also help them.

Dinkum you have sussed it out.

I maxed out SPD and INT in my bard, and when I had finished I started work on DEX.

My rogue is a hobbit so I think the INT is low to start with. So I know where to start putting points.

Thanks very much

And as if Dinkum's comments weren't proof enough, I have given my rogue a "Brilliant Helm" (INT = 20) and he can now open 5 tumblers without flinching and 6 isn't too much of a chore either.

He has gone up two levels since Dinkums answer and even with putting 3 points each time into INT plus the helm he still has only 53 INT!!!!!

Good thing he can fight well.

I try to get every character to have INT of at least 60. Intelligence ALWAYS helps.

On the lock-picking - The Bard has INT maxed, but benefitted greatly from the Filcher's Band. He picked a 5 tumbler last night in short order.