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The Best Lockpicking aka Better Lockpicking [B42]

"The Best Lockpicking" is a mod for Project Zomboid that introduces a realistic lockpicking and vehicle management mechanic, expanding survival options in the zombie apocalypse world. Forget simply finding keys — now you’ll need to use your skills, tools, and a bit of luck to unlock doors, windows, and cars, or even break locks at the risk of damaging them permanently.

I recommend disabling "UI Offscreen Rendering" in the UI settings for smooth mini-game windows!

• Adds a lockpicking mechanic for doors, windows, and vehicles using Bobby Pins or a Crowbar. Lockpicking is done through engaging mini-games!
  
• Introduces a hotwiring mini-game using wires — feel like a car thief.
  
• Allows checking alarms on houses and vehicles to avoid unwanted noise.
  
• Adds the "Lockpicking" skill, influencing success and speed.
  
• Introduces the "Burglar" perk and expands the "Burglar" profession for deeper role immersion.

• Lockpicking System:
  
  • Use Bobby Pins and Screwdrivers for careful lockpicking of doors and windows with a mini-game based on the "Lockpicking" skill.
    
  • Apply a Crowbar for brute force — break locks with a chance of damaging them.
    
  • Lock difficulty depends on the building type (from simple sheds to military warehouses) and your character’s skill level.
  
  
• Vehicle Lockpicking:
  
  • Unlock cars using a crowbar or lockpicks, facing mini-games that vary by vehicle type.
    
  • Feel like an electrician with the new Hotwiring feature — an interactive wire-connecting system where a wrong move might trigger the alarm or headlights! (Not entirely realistic, I know.)
  
  
• Alarm Checks:
  
  • Inspect buildings and vehicles for active alarms before breaking in to avoid attracting zombies.
  
  
• Realistic Interaction:
  
  • The "Strength" and "Lockpicking" skills affect success rates and lockpicking speed.
    
  • Fatigue (Endurance) reduces efficiency — be cautious when working at your limit!
  
  For more details, check out the updates.

• Lockpicking Instructions:
  
  • To start lockpicking, read the "Lockpicking for Dummies" magazine.
    
  • For doors/windows: right-click them and select "Lockpick". For pins, you need a Bobby Pin and a Screwdriver; for crowbar, just a Crowbar.
    
  • Your "Lockpicking" skill level must match the lock’s difficulty. I recommend leveling up on easier locks (starting with very easy ones).
    
  • For vehicles: approach a locked door and select the option from the radial menu (appears only if the door is locked).
    
  • With pins, you can attempt to force the lock if you’re in a hurry, but the success chance is low.
    
  • Pin lockpicking mini-game: Similar to Fallout/Skyrim — find the right pin angle and turn the lock.
    
  • Crowbar mini-game: Press Space at the right time to open the door faster.
  
  
• Hotwiring:
  
  • Mini-game: Find the correct wire pairs and connect them. Easy/Medium/Hard difficulty — 1 pair (2 wires). Very Hard — 2 pairs (4 wires). Clues come from the effects of wrong connections.
  
  
• Alarm Checking:
  
  • To check alarms, read the "Alarms for Dummies" magazine.
    
  • For houses: right-click a window/door and select the menu option.
    
  • For vehicles: select the option in the radial menu while standing near the hood.

• Lockpicking Magazine — Teaches lockpicking basics.
  
• Alarm Magazine — Enables alarm checking.
  
• Bobby Pin — Used for lockpicking with a screwdriver.
  
• Homemade Bobby Pin — Crafted from paperclips (requires a screwdriver!).

You’ll need to adjust the tension and lift the pins to unlock the lock. Each lock features a unique combination of pins.

• Mouse: Hover under a pin to interact. Lift the pin by moving the mouse upward.
  
• Tension Control Keys:
  
  • A: Decrease tension.
    
  • D: Increase tension.
    
  • Hold to adjust smoothly.
    

• Pins: Lift a pin to the green zone (fixation point).
  
• Tension: Adjust tension (shown in the top bar) within the specified ranges (e.g., 3–5). Exceeding the range increases the chance of breaking the lockpick or lock.
  
• Hand Trembling: Your "Lockpicking" skill level and tension affect random trembling (chance increases with high tension and low skill). This can disrupt your progress!

• Break Lockpick: Chance 0–60%, depends on skill, tension, and number of set pins.
  
• Break Lock: Chance 0–40%, increases when tension is exceeded.
  
• Force Unlock: Chance 0–20%, possible with high tension but damages the screwdriver.

• Improve your "Lockpicking" and "Strength" skills to reduce risks.
  
• Start with low tension and gradually increase, watching the ranges.
  
• Beware of false pins!

• Tested on Project Zomboid version 42+.
  
• Currently has issues with some mods (exits lockpicking mode when movement or action keys are pressed):
  
  • True Crawl — compatible (patch integrated).
    
  • Common Sense — compatible (disable "Crowbar Mechanic" in sandbox options).

• Workshop ID: 3440867775
  
• Mod ID: NFsBetterLockpicking

Original mod "Better Lockpicking" by Aiteron and YingSuHuaKai.

zRe ReMod by kERHUS.

Current version by NickFleim.

FR Translation edits - Bobitec

1.4

Leave your reviews and suggestions in the comments on Steam Workshop!