Knowing how to pick a lock in Fallout 4 is extremely important because behind those locks is often some of the best look, ammo, and items that you’ll find in the game. You’ll also want to master it early on as safes and other locked devices and doors are found as early as your first 30 minutes into the game and don’t stop coming throughout.

You only need one resource to start your lock picking career, Bobby Pins. Bobby Pins can be found almost everywhere, but some of their favorite locations to hide are desks and shelves. You’ll want to keep a good stash of them on you at all times because a failed lock pick breaks the bobby pin, requiring an all new one to continue.

There are two controls to work when you approach a lock you want to pick. The first is the position of your bobby pin which can be rotated around the lock using the mouse or right analog stick if you’re on a console.

The second control is for your screwdriver which will attempt to unlock the lock when activated. If your bobby pin is in the correct place the lock will open without a problem. If your bobby pin is not in the right place, the lock will jam and start vibrating. It’s at this point that you must quickly stop trying to turn the lock with the screw driver to avoid breaking your bobby pin.

You can then adjust the pin placement and try turning again. If the lock is able to advance further without jamming, you know your pin is headed in the right direction and you can keep nudging it over and trying the lock until you get it. If the lock starts jamming earlier, it means you are headed in the wrong direction with the pin and you should start heading the other way.

If you try to force the lock with the pin in the wrong location the pin will snap and a new one will be consumed (assuming you have more in your inventory). You have to remember to be ready to release the screw driver button as soon as you feel the resistance of a jammed lock in order to save your pins.

The more difficult the lock is the faster the pins will break so be ready to release. More difficult locks also have a smaller unlock zone, so you may be searching for the right spot for a while.