How do I bash open chests

[Architekt]

I can't pick locks sometimes, and I recall you can bash open chests in DND. I click on a character's melee weapon icon, it changes my cursor to a sword, I then click on the chest: nothing happens. The character walks over, and even letting it sit for about 20 seconds or so, he doesn't animate and doesn't attack the chest. I've tried this with all my characters. I've tried it on several chests. I'm in the Bandit Camp area, not sure if this is something particular to like a quest or the area or something and that's preventing me or what. It's also the first time so far I've tried to bash open a chest in this game.

Edit: I turned on misc info in the combat log. It keeps saying I have failed to force the lock. What causes this and how do I counter it?

[wendigo211]

Your force lock chance is tied to your Strength score. With an 18 Strength you have a 20% chance, with a 19 Strength your have a 50% strength and it increases by 5% per rank of strength to 80% at a 25 strength. While it's listed as a % chance to force a lock the game uses a threshold system instead (i.e. there is no die roll), so if a chest has a 75 threshold you can't open it without a 24 or 25 strength.

In BG, I don't think there are any chests that you can't force with a 25 strength, although there are chests in SoD and BG2 that can't be forced even with 25 strength (I guess there must be lock smiths using adamantine).

You can use potions and spells like Draw Upon Holy Might to increase your Strength and, thus, force chances. Don't forget you can also have a Thief pick the lock or a Mage cast the Knock spell.

[Architekt]

Ok thanks. I don't have anyone over 18 strength so 20% chance explains things.

[Str8_Newb]

sometimes breaking open a chest also breaks items inside, especially if the chest is trapped. It's better to use a rogue to disarm traps and pick locks. A dispel magic and a knock spell may come in handy as well.