Why do so many people use lockpicks? - Guild Wars Forums

milkopilko · Mar 16, 2011, 03:29 PM // 15:29

Why do so many people open locked chests with lockpicks? Do they all intend to spend lots of platinum to finish their treasure hunter title? If they never reach the end of the title that means they should have just sold all their lock picks that they used right?

Yol · Mar 16, 2011, 03:36 PM // 15:36

Using lockpicks also contributes to the Lucky and Unlucky titles, depending on whether the lockpick is retained, so by using them you are working on 3 titles at once, which saves time and money.

tasha · Mar 16, 2011, 03:39 PM // 15:39

Locked chests can only be opened with lockpicks. Other chests (other than the Zaishen chest) can be opened by either lockpicks or their respective keys. Lockpicks can either break when they're used (giving unlucky points) or be retained (giving lucky points). The retention rate is determined by a combination of the treasure hunter title and the lucky title.

Sometimes locked chests, especially in hard mode, can return good stuff worth a few bob to sell. Often though, they give merchant worthy stuff. Unless you're prepared to scrape for every g you reasonably can opening chests will result in a net loss.

Generally if you have an interest in the treasure hunter title, opening chests you come across is a good idea. If you don't have an interest, the 1k or so from selling the picks is probably better for you. It really is up to the person.

cybevenom · Mar 16, 2011, 03:41 PM // 15:41

if you retain your lockpick when opening a chest you get the treasure hunter title point but also points towards the lucky title track.
If it breaks however you get points towards the unlucky title track.

Hope this was helpfull.

milkopilko · Mar 16, 2011, 03:44 PM // 15:44

hmm alright. I thought the best way to do luck ones was to park yourself in an event?

Premium Unleaded · Mar 16, 2011, 04:06 PM // 16:06

Boardwalk isn't open all year round.

milkopilko · Mar 16, 2011, 04:10 PM // 16:10

fair enough

. thanks for all the replies

Iuris · Mar 16, 2011, 04:57 PM // 16:57

Also note that lockpicks work on all chests and generally about even out for cost with regular keys when you consider the chance to retain, so many just carry a few along in case they spot a chest on their way, for the chance of a drop, even without any intents towards the title.

Cool Name · Mar 16, 2011, 05:03 PM // 17:03

I use them just for the fun of it, I'm not always about getting the most money possible, it's fun to open chests.

DolyakJockey · Mar 16, 2011, 05:25 PM // 17:25

One more thing to add: The higher your lucky title the better a chance you have to NOT break an item when you salvage a rune or mod off the item. Not really that big of deal but a nice little somethin' somethin' the lucky title brings.

Raven Wing · Mar 16, 2011, 06:25 PM // 18:25

My bags and storage are already cluttered with all the stuff I would like to keep. I dont want to fill even more slots with shiverpeaks, kurzick keys, vabbi keys and so on. So I simply use lockpicks.

Twysted Troll · Mar 16, 2011, 06:33 PM // 18:33

i spend most my time in HM do elite dungeons now lockpicks drop fairly often so im not actually spending money on buying them. Its a good way to work on 3 titles, im in no rush i like getting titles by playing the game.
just adding ......
I love the Zaishen rewards now, im doing vanqs, combining with cartography, earning points in the respective titles and slowly working my way up the Treasure hunter. Wisdom titles ( Unlucky/lucky is like a dripping tap lol but im having fun)

jensyea · Mar 16, 2011, 06:38 PM // 18:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by DolyakJockey

One more thing to add: The higher your lucky title the better a chance you have to NOT break an item when you salvage a rune or mod off the item. Not really that big of deal but a nice little somethin' somethin' the lucky title brings.

It is very useful, very often. If I get a gold drop during say, a vanquish, and it contains a mod that I want to have, say a +5e inscription. I salvage off the inscription, and if the item isn't destroyed, I can salvage the item for materials too like I do with all other items. Rough estimate that a high lucky title could've brought me about 300/400k extra profit over the past years.

undead living · Mar 16, 2011, 07:28 PM // 19:28

also if you're the sort that opens chest, and you have a decent lucky/treasure hunter title. lockpicks saves money. with my rate currently in NM on 600g chest (the ones that contribute to the title) I can make a pick last about 3-4 chest, where if i bought the 600g keys, it would have costed me 1.8-2.4k instead i spent 1.25k

Star_Jewel · Mar 16, 2011, 08:30 PM // 20:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by DolyakJockey

One more thing to add: The higher your lucky title the better a chance you have to NOT break an item when you salvage a rune or mod off the item. Not really that big of deal but a nice little somethin' somethin' the lucky title brings.

I used to think that, too. But according to both wikis, salvage retention is based on Treasure Hunter and Wisdom, not Lucky/Unlucky.

That said, when opening the right chests, lockpicks contribute to Treasure Hunter (and the higher your Lucky/TH, the better your chance of being able to reuse picks) and the items can often be used to increase Wisdom. This is one of the reasons I buy lockpicks.

ogre_jd · Mar 17, 2011, 01:19 AM // 01:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yol

Using lockpicks also contributes to the Lucky and Unlucky titles, depending on whether the lockpick is retained, so by using them you are working on 3 titles at once, which saves time and money.

4 title tracks, actually - you forgot Wisdom (for ID'ing golds, which you get a lot of while picking high-end locks).

BladeDVD · Mar 17, 2011, 07:55 AM // 07:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkopilko

Why do so many people open locked chests with lockpicks? Do they all intend to spend lots of platinum to finish their treasure hunter title? If they never reach the end of the title that means they should have just sold all their lock picks that they used right?

Don't forget that all the locked chests in NM EotN are the equivalent of 600gp key chests, so there actually a pretty good deal for lockpicks.

If you're talking about hard mode, then you have a better chance of getting high value drops from HM chests.

Aside from that, some folks just like the gamble or shiny things. Chests (and their related titles) are really just meant to be gold sinks (aside from the salvage benefit), so it is kind of meant to be a way to throw away money with a little chance at a nice drop...kind of like the slots in Vegas.

Bright Star Shine · Mar 17, 2011, 11:54 AM // 11:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by tasha

Unless you're prepared to scrape for every g you reasonably can opening chests will result in a net loss.

This is untrue. I have opened little over 4k chests the last couple months, and I have experienced that running chest -especially in HM- results in a net GAIN of money.

I have been pretty lucky with my drops, getting a 20-30e item every stack or 2, and 20-50k drops every now and then too.
Also, shittons of elite tomes. Per stack of lockpicks, I get like 20-30 elite tomes, and a lot of those happen to be rit for some reason.

So: Stack of lockpicks = 300k
Let's assume I use up 1 stack: I will get 1 item, let's say worth 20e. 10 drops worth ~20k and 20 elite tomes worth an average of 7k/ea.

Net gain: 20e = ~150k + 200k from the items + 140k from elite tomes = ~490k - 300 = 190k net gain.

This is the worst average, I've had better and worse tbh.

Zenzai · Mar 17, 2011, 12:04 PM // 12:04

Just because you happen to have good luck, doesn't make the results typical for each player. Please make note of the fallacy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bright Star Shine

This is untrue. I have opened little over 4k chests the last couple months, and I have experienced that running chest -especially in HM- results in a net GAIN of money.

I have been pretty lucky with my drops, getting a 20-30e item every stack or 2, and 20-50k drops every now and then too.
Also, shittons of elite tomes. Per stack of lockpicks, I get like 20-30 elite tomes, and a lot of those happen to be rit for some reason.

So: Stack of lockpicks = 300k
Let's assume I use up 1 stack: I will get 1 item, let's say worth 20e. 10 drops worth ~20k and 20 elite tomes worth an average of 7k/ea.

Net gain: 20e = ~150k + 200k from the items + 140k from elite tomes = ~490k - 300 = 190k net gain.

This is the worst average, I've had better and worse tbh.

Dzjudz · Mar 17, 2011, 12:51 PM // 12:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by DolyakJockey

One more thing to add: The higher your lucky title the better a chance you have to NOT break an item when you salvage a rune or mod off the item. Not really that big of deal but a nice little somethin' somethin' the lucky title brings.

Actually:

Lucky: lockpick retention
Wisdom: salvage bonus
Treasure Hunter: lockpick retention and salvage bonus

Mar 16, 2011, 03:29 PM // 15:29	#1
milkopilko Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Jan 2011 Profession: N/D	Why do so many people use lockpicks? Why do so many people open locked chests with lockpicks? Do they all intend to spend lots of platinum to finish their treasure hunter title? If they never reach the end of the title that means they should have just sold all their lock picks that they used right?

Mar 16, 2011, 03:44 PM // 15:44	#5
milkopilko Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Jan 2011 Profession: N/D	hmm alright. I thought the best way to do luck ones was to park yourself in an event? Last edited by milkopilko; Mar 16, 2011 at 03:56 PM // 15:56..

Mar 16, 2011, 03:36 PM // 15:36	#2
Yol Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Feb 2007 Guild: GameAmp Guides [AMP] Profession: E/	Using lockpicks also contributes to the Lucky and Unlucky titles, depending on whether the lockpick is retained, so by using them you are working on 3 titles at once, which saves time and money.

Mar 16, 2011, 03:39 PM // 15:39	#3
tasha Auctions Mod Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: UK Guild: Mystic Spiral [MYST]	Locked chests can only be opened with lockpicks. Other chests (other than the Zaishen chest) can be opened by either lockpicks or their respective keys. Lockpicks can either break when they're used (giving unlucky points) or be retained (giving lucky points). The retention rate is determined by a combination of the treasure hunter title and the lucky title. Sometimes locked chests, especially in hard mode, can return good stuff worth a few bob to sell. Often though, they give merchant worthy stuff. Unless you're prepared to scrape for every g you reasonably can opening chests will result in a net loss. Generally if you have an interest in the treasure hunter title, opening chests you come across is a good idea. If you don't have an interest, the 1k or so from selling the picks is probably better for you. It really is up to the person.

Mar 16, 2011, 03:41 PM // 15:41	#4
cybevenom Academy Page Join Date: Aug 2006 Guild: The last laugh Profession: R/Mo	if you retain your lockpick when opening a chest you get the treasure hunter title point but also points towards the lucky title track. If it breaks however you get points towards the unlucky title track. Hope this was helpfull.

Mar 16, 2011, 04:06 PM // 16:06	#6
Premium Unleaded Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Aug 2005	Boardwalk isn't open all year round.

Mar 16, 2011, 04:10 PM // 16:10	#7
milkopilko Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Jan 2011 Profession: N/D	fair enough . thanks for all the replies

Mar 16, 2011, 04:57 PM // 16:57	#8
Iuris Forge Runner Join Date: Nov 2006 Guild: Crazy ducks from the Forest Profession: W/	Also note that lockpicks work on all chests and generally about even out for cost with regular keys when you consider the chance to retain, so many just carry a few along in case they spot a chest on their way, for the chance of a drop, even without any intents towards the title.

Mar 16, 2011, 05:03 PM // 17:03	#9
Cool Name Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Nov 2008 Guild: Shadowed Ones Profession: E/A	I use them just for the fun of it, I'm not always about getting the most money possible, it's fun to open chests.

Mar 16, 2011, 05:25 PM // 17:25	#10
DolyakJockey Academy Page Join Date: Dec 2010 Profession: W/	One more thing to add: The higher your lucky title the better a chance you have to NOT break an item when you salvage a rune or mod off the item. Not really that big of deal but a nice little somethin' somethin' the lucky title brings.

Mar 16, 2011, 06:25 PM // 18:25	#11
Raven Wing Jungle Guide Join Date: Nov 2005 Guild: The Imperial Guards of Istan [TIGI] Profession: N/	My bags and storage are already cluttered with all the stuff I would like to keep. I dont want to fill even more slots with shiverpeaks, kurzick keys, vabbi keys and so on. So I simply use lockpicks.

Mar 16, 2011, 06:33 PM // 18:33	#12
Twysted Troll Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Nov 2010	i spend most my time in HM do elite dungeons now lockpicks drop fairly often so im not actually spending money on buying them. Its a good way to work on 3 titles, im in no rush i like getting titles by playing the game. just adding ...... I love the Zaishen rewards now, im doing vanqs, combining with cartography, earning points in the respective titles and slowly working my way up the Treasure hunter. Wisdom titles ( Unlucky/lucky is like a dripping tap lol but im having fun)

Mar 16, 2011, 07:28 PM // 19:28	#14
undead living Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Jan 2008 Guild: Nobl Profession: N/Me	also if you're the sort that opens chest, and you have a decent lucky/treasure hunter title. lockpicks saves money. with my rate currently in NM on 600g chest (the ones that contribute to the title) I can make a pick last about 3-4 chest, where if i bought the 600g keys, it would have costed me 1.8-2.4k instead i spent 1.25k