D&D General How are locks so hard to open?

[Neonchameleon]

So while D&D worlds are generally a mashup of different eras of history, mixing and matching technological advances to keep them from feeling "too modern", the fact is, even modern locks aren't terribly hard to open with the right tools and you can learn how to bypass them yourself by watching some YouTube videos. Locks during the time periods that D&D tends to mimic should, by rights, be fairly simple to open.

And yet, even first level characters can encounter DC 20 locks (5e's Sunless Citadel, for example) that you only have a 25% chance of opening. Who is making all these devilishly complex locks in the first place?

DC20 sounds reasonable to me if you use the baseline of a not particularly dextrous person untrained at lockpicking. If it was any lower we'd be asking who was making these locks that couldn't even keep out someone with no training or aptitude. Masterlock?

D&D Next is looking better - at +5 with advantage from having the right tools you've a 7/16 chance. The problem is +2 isn't enough for proficiency.

 

[James Gasik]

DC20 sounds reasonable to me if you use the baseline of a not particularly dextrous person untrained at lockpicking. If it was any lower we'd be asking who was making these locks that couldn't even keep out someone with no training or aptitude. Masterlock?

D&D Next is looking better - at +5 with advantage from having the right tools you've a 7/16 chance. The problem is +2 isn't enough for proficiency.

Actually, you can't use Thieves' Tools without proficiency.

 

[Blue]

Also remember that a turn in D&D is 6 seconds. So a lock you only pick on a 20 is closing in on 50% chance it's open in two minutes. So the lock at the very edge of what you can do will be open in about two to two and a quarter minutes half the time.

Sorry, the idea that locks are hard to open in D&D is just false. They may be hard to open in 6 seconds, but you know what - that's reasonable.

 

[Warpiglet-7]

Also remember that a turn in D&D is 6 seconds. So a lock you only pick on a 20 is closing in on 50% chance it's open in two minutes. So the lock at the very edge of what you can do will be open in about two to two and a quarter minutes half the time.

Sorry, the idea that locks are hard to open in D&D is just false. They may be hard to open in 6 seconds, but you know what - that's reasonable.

That helps me frame it up.

It’s hard to do right fast. Do it fast and you might avoid trouble or beat the clock. Given time it requires a lot less skill/luck.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

That helps me frame it up.

It’s hard to do right fast. Do it fast and you might avoid trouble or beat the clock. Given time it requires a lot less skill/luck.

Which also suggests that maybe most locks shouldn't need a roll at all if there's no time pressure -- as with many other skills. The question then would be what the threshold would be for just saying "yeah, you got it open eventually," since it wouldn't be appropriate for every lock, especially ones the really good stuff is secured behind.

 

[Warpiglet-7]

Which also suggests that maybe most locks shouldn't need a roll at all if there's no time pressure -- as with many other skills. The question then would be what the threshold would be for just saying "yeah, you got it open eventually," since it wouldn't be appropriate for every lock, especially ones the really good stuff is secured behind.

Yes. I like to roll when it matters. No time pressure and your bonus tot the roll suggests it’s a matter of time no need.

I wonder if you could even have an estimated time to completion based on the spread between bonuses and needed roll.

 

[LordEntrails]

Which also suggests that maybe most locks shouldn't need a roll at all if there's no time pressure -- as with many other skills. The question then would be what the threshold would be for just saying "yeah, you got it open eventually," since it wouldn't be appropriate for every lock, especially ones the really good stuff is secured behind.

Didn't we already say this? When their are no time pressures or implications from failure, then you don't roll. The DM just decides what happens. And it's easy to effectively make this determination by using a "Automatic 20" result to decide.

 

[Bacon Bits]

Actually, you can't use Thieves' Tools without proficiency.

No, you can. It's just "a small file, a set of lock picks, a small mirror mounted on a metal handle, a set of narrow-bladed scissors, and a pair of pliers." There's not anything magical there that blocks you from using thieves tools to accomplish something that would require a pair of pliers to accomplish.

You just don't get to add your proficiency bonus to the check when using them. That's the only benefit of proficiency.

 

[Tonguez]

Which also suggests that maybe most locks shouldn't need a roll at all if there's no time pressure -- as with many other skills. The question then would be what the threshold would be for just saying "yeah, you got it open eventually," since it wouldn't be appropriate for every lock, especially ones the really good stuff is secured behind.

The issue I suppose is whether the attempt leaves the lock intact or if its busted. Givenntime anyone can certainly wreck a lock to open a door, but it will leave an obvious sign of entry

 

[James Gasik]

No, you can. It's just "a small file, a set of lock picks, a small mirror mounted on a metal handle, a set of narrow-bladed scissors, and a pair of pliers." There's not anything magical there that blocks you from using thieves tools to accomplish something that would require a pair of pliers to accomplish.

You just don't get to add your proficiency bonus to the check when using them. That's the only benefit of proficiency.

Page 103 of the 5e DMG: "Locked Doors. Characters who don't have the key to a locked door can pick the lock with a successful Dexterity check (doing so requires thieves' tools and proficiency in their use)."