How much do you miss out on if you don't have lockpicking

[Thomas]

I don't really like any of the rogue companions, and I'm thinking of playing a warrior. How much stuff do you miss out on without lockpicking. Like, any uber good items or important quest stuff?

[Ilja]

There are some good benefits in chest, but you can live without.

However, you might not need a rogue at all, depending on which sort of warrior you make. The lock picking check is just a Cunning check. Related talent simply gives bonuses for it (+10/level), allowing you to open highest level locks later in the game.

If you are creating CUN warrior - or have some other character using extremely high Cunning - then you can open most locks on the way.

I haven't played the game for some time, but I believe the highest rank lock was 60. Calculation is CUN-10, meaning that you should somehow get 70 CUN to open all locks, without those talents. That is unlikely to get, without rogue putting some effort in to Cunning, but Cunning based warrior could already open quite plenty of them.

[Stormsong]

Are Warriors even able to interact with locks in the Vanilla game? I know there is a lock smashing mod for warriors.

EDIT: Apparently so. Cool!

[Ilja]

Unless my memory fails me entirely, they should be able to interract with them.

As said: I haven't played for some time (two years?). If I am forgetting something, then correct me.

But, basically it is just a damn high Cunning check and nothing more.

Edit: Just saw the edit. *Phew!* XD

[K00lex]

Originally posted by Thomas:

How much stuff do you miss out on without lockpicking. Like, any uber good items or important quest stuff?

No quest-related items are inside generic locked chests, i.e. without designated keys.
According DA Wikia, there're only 3 chests with 60 difficulty or 70 CUN score.
https://dragonage.wikia.com/wiki/Containers
However, I've encountered much more 60XP chests and annotated accordingly in related location pages, i.e. Lower Ruins in Brecilian Forest.
https://dragonage.wikia.com/wiki/Lower_Ruins

[Fictus22]

Hi Thomas, this is ZDuke17, and I will provide you my personal opinion on the matter. Lockpicking can greatly make a difference in your playthrough.

First, the xp gains that are availiable to you via lockpicking. Doesn't matter how small the xp reward, it all adds up in the end, and enables you to level up quicker. Leveling up quicker via lockpicking can prove to be a asset to better improving your character to face the challenges overall in-game with better ease.

Second, money gains via lockpicking can prove to be an asset to you in-game overall. Every little bit can help you get better equipment for your party members to improve. Selling not needed items resulted via lockpicking also can greatly improve your money gains, allowing you to purchase all needed supplies/equipment.

Third, the lockpicking skill tree is also linked to both detecting, and disabling traps. In most cases, you are able to sneak past these traps by using sense, and use the Blizzard spell to reveal traps.

Fourth, items gained via lockpicking could prove to ease pressure in challenges presented in-game. Being able to acquire free weapons, element enhanced bolts/arrows, traps, and "grenades" such as the Acid Flask and etc.

You don't wish to use rogue companions or be a rogue? Well if you are interested, check this mod out called "Lock Bash". The mod allows anyone in your party, as well as yourself, to open anything that is locked by "force". More about the mod is explained in the following link: https://www.nexusmods.com/dragonage/mods/301

[SpYder76]

The thread is old, but may some people that still playing the title have the same question. If so:

Warriors and mages can't lockpick chests doesn't matter their cunning level, and there are some missions that are impossible to complete without the rogue lockpick skill. But if you really dislike playing with your standard rogue companions, there's a workaround without using mods. Activate the console (how to do: "https://dragonage.fandom.com/wiki/Console_(Origins)"), select a character while outside your camp, insert the code "runscript addtalent 4020" (without the quote marks), that will give the selected character the rogue's skill tree. You can spent talent points or add all the four levels of lockpick by console as well. Just use the same cheat as before by replacing the skill code for the right ones. Do it in this order:
100001 (Deft Hands)
100002 (Improved Tools)
100003 (Mechanical Expertise)
100004 (Device Master)
If try to add any level of the lcokpick skill before adding the core code "4020" you'll receive the "success" message, but it will not work until you activate the core properly.
But I don't recommend to use it in your mage/warrior warden. Since it add a new class, I'm not sure what can happen when you try to import your savegame at DAII or DAO side stories. It's safer to use it in a companion that you like keep him/her close.
All ability ID codes:
https://dragonage.fandom.com/wiki/Ability_ID_codes_(Origins)

You may also intend to use WeMod (google it). It's a freeware with dozens codes for several games just using hotkeys of your choice.

Warning:
Console commands or mods can break your game and saved files. Back up your files before you use the console and use it with caution.

Sorry if my English may sounds weird. Doing my best here.

[briarroot]

If you dislike using a Rogue (I'm not certain why you would but...) you can use the LockBash mod that will allow you to open locked chests and doors with any melee weapon-using character. (*)

However, I would urge you to reconsider because Rogues are *very* useful for detecting and disarming traps of which you will find *many* in dungeons that will endanger your entire party.

(*) There are a few locked items scattered throughout the world on which the Lock Bash mod will not work.

[The Dude]

You miss a lot of random crap that only serves as vendor trash and tiny XP gains that become meaningless once you exploit the fade to expand your stats to god-tier. Any quests that need a lock picked will provide you with another option.

[Hadrian Blackwater]

This is good to know. I am early in the game but getting frustrated with all the chests I cannot open. I assume at some point I will have a rogue in my group but doubt i can go back to all these locked chests :)

[Ogami]

Originally posted by Hadrian Blackwater:

This is good to know. I am early in the game but getting frustrated with all the chests I cannot open. I assume at some point I will have a rogue in my group but doubt i can go back to all these locked chests :)

Like already mentioned, 99% of them are not worth it.
Getting lockpicking to max and Cunning up too to open a locked Master level chest and inside ist like 6 Fire arrows and 15 silver.
This is pretty much the experience across the board.
Even with running Rogues in my party i usually invest in other skills.

[Rivazar]

Skipping locks is ok. But they give xp and sometimes smth really valuable (though ultra rare)