Oblivion talk:Open

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[edit] Bounty

This article seems to be missing a vital piece of information (imo). When you open a lock with an Open spell, you dont get a Bounty for it. I'm 99% sure it was that way in Morrowind too. Shall I add it to the Notes section? Lisan al Gaib 22:38, 8 January 2007 (EST)

I'm not sure if that's a fact, but I haven't had any problems with open spells. I've magically opened locks within a foot of an NPC and guard, and they haven't had any problem with it. Perhaps the construction set will have some information, sadly, the 360 version has no construction kit, so I cannot be of any help. --Werdnanoslen^Talk 22:49, 8 January 2007 (EST)

[edit] Gate Meshes

re: "Try aiming at either the hinges, the handle or a lock rather than the bars themselves. Another trick that helps is to stand to one side of the gate and cast the spell at an oblique angle rather than straight on. You're more likely to hit one of the bars this way." I tried about 50-60 times to open a gate this way and it doesn't seem to work at all. Tried close, far, oblique, straight-on, and aiming at the center, hinges, bars, frame and ground. So I had a look at it in NifSkope and the Havok type for all the gate components is OL_TRANSPARENT which can't be hit by spells. Would be interested to know if anyone's ever confirmed a gate opening with an Unlock spell. The gates affected are the same type as in prison cells. The Ayleid gates which are more solid have normal Havok and thus don't have this problem. Kivan 16:59, 6 July 2007 (EDT)

Yep, that would match my experience. I was trying to get the gates at the entrance of Brazil Wizard's Grotto to open the other day, both of which are of type "prisonCellGate01". I tried many times with both of the two gates there, from many angles, aiming at everything I could think of. I tried both a standard open spell and a custom "Open Very Hard Lock in 10 ft on Target" spell. I ended up just using tcl to get past them ;) (since I was only there to get some screenshots and had absolutely no patience left by then to try to pick a very hard lock with 25 security skill).

It would probably be useful to collect some information on which gates can and which gates cannot be opened with spells. And would this by any chance correlate with whether or not you can shoot arrows through the gate? Or is there another Havok parameter that controls that ability? --Nephele^Talk 18:18, 6 July 2007 (EDT)

PrisonCellGate01 is the only ones like this. Its clone ICBastionCellGate01, the other prison cell door (PrisonCellDoor) and the Ayleid ruin gates are not. It's the same Havok type that controls if projectile arrows and spells can get through. So if you can't shoot arrows through the others, probably shouldn't be able to with this one. I don't know why it was done this way; looks like a mistake. ICBastion has standard Havok probably so you can't shoot Valen Dreth with your starting Flare spell, and he can still talk through it. Also tried going to jail in the Leyawiin dungeon and was able to pickpocket the key from the jailor through the gate, and it uses standard Havok (OL_ANIM_STATIC). I think this is fixable, and thanks for the confirmation that it wasn't just me :^) Kivan 19:50, 6 July 2007 (EDT)

I'm pretty sure that all prison cells your sent to for prison allow you to pick pocket through. This is so that if you can't pick a lock for the life of you but can pick pocket easily you can escape that way.Drake3555 23:39, 6 May 2008 (EDT)

[edit] Open Spells and Gates

(Following discussion moved here from a gripe talk page)

I don't know if I'm just missing something here, I'm not trying to sound like it's completely right, but why is it that the alteration spells that unlock chests, big doors, etc., don't unlock gates? I'm talking about the ones in dungeons that are practically as thin as paper. Evertime I cast an unlock spell it goes right through it, and when I try to cast it on the lock it just doesn't work, like I casted it on the wall or something. I'm a console player so keep in mind I can't use mods. I'm just wanting to know if it's a bug, or if I'm not doing something, or whatever. ^{—The preceding unsigned comment was added by Augustus4TS (talk • contribs).}

The problem is with the mesh & collision boxes used for the gate. It has holes in it, so that you can fire arrows and other spells at enemies on the other side. However, this makes it very difficult to cast open spells at the gate itself. It is possible, though - you just have to be lucky with your aim. It does seem to be easier to hit the gate if you aim in the general direction of the lock, though. --Gaebrial 04:29, 7 May 2008 (EDT)

There is one type of gate, as discussed above, that is impossible to target with an open spell. But in general it is possible if you aim carefully. --Nephele^Talk 13:00, 7 May 2008 (EDT)

hold on aren't there any touch open spells? i'm sure i have one...Lewbot1 09:48, 31 May 2008 (EDT)

I believe there is only one Open Spell cast on touch in the game, sold by Mraaj-Dar. It opens only Easy locks, and even then, not all of them due to a different calculation used in touch vs target. Vesna 11:51, 3 June 2008 (EDT)

Ah yes the unwelcome guest... i just checked, well assuming he isnt dead go buy the spell off him that will solve all targeting problems ;)--Lewbot1 13:13, 4 June 2008 (EDT)

You can also make 'on touch' custom open spells if the unwelcome guest isn't strong enough for you!--Willyhead^/t 15:57, 4 June 2008 (EDT)

No, you can't. Check at the spellmaking altar (or on this page, for that matter!).