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Old 02-28-2016, 10:14 AM   #11
Daigoro
 
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Default Re: [Basic] Skill of the week: Lockpicking

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Originally Posted by RogerBW View Post
Which leads to something worth considering in a TL8+ game of lockpicking: a casual photograph of a key is enough to duplicate it mechanically. If your covert observer has a decent camera, he can lie up, photograph the guy getting through the secured door, and have a key of his own within minutes. Countermeasures to this include magnets embedded in the key, or electronics.
This kind of key, with 2 straight edges and the "teeth" in its surface, would seem to defeat photography. I'd say this type is fairly common these days, but don't know how easy picking the matching lock would be.
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Old 02-28-2016, 11:27 AM   #12
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Default Re: [Basic] Skill of the week: Lockpicking

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This kind of key, with 2 straight edges and the "teeth" in its surface, would seem to defeat photography.
Not really. Two photos from slightly different angles (e.g. video frames) will give you the indentation depths even if you get one of the good ones where you can't read them directly off the radius of the hole, and most of them aren't double-sided (or if they are it's the same pattern on both sides). It's a very minor step in the arms race.

Some photos of a magnet-based key here:

https://www.keypicking.com/viewtopic.php?f=65&t=1811
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Old 02-28-2016, 12:55 PM   #13
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Default Re: [Basic] Skill of the week: Lockpicking

Damn that is cool. That brings a whole new level to the pick. You'd need something like a tiny electromagnet or a magnetized pick...hmmm.
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Old 02-28-2016, 01:21 PM   #14
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Default Re: [Basic] Skill of the week: Lockpicking

Weirdly, despite being a staple skill I don't see this taken all that much . . . . usually either high IQ wizards or other high IQ characters try to use it by default (which often works, especially if the mage can buff it somehow, or a high IQ gadgeteer can come up with a useful tool), or the party winds up doing something else

I've never picked locks myself . . . . I have destroyed locks a couple times with power tools when I lost the key, and buying the needed tool was cheaper than calling a locksmith

One lock I was utterly amazed how flimsy it was . . . . it cut with no resistance whatsoever, instantly, before I even tried to apply pressure with the saw just resting atop it
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Old 02-28-2016, 01:56 PM   #15
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Default Re: [Basic] Skill of the week: Lockpicking

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Damn that is cool. That brings a whole new level to the pick. You'd need something like a tiny electromagnet or a magnetized pick...hmmm.
Turns out the dead pin actually has it's own (alternate pole) magnet - obvs to let them hold the pin further down, but it's strong enough that apparently you can just use a steel pick to bump it.

A better setup would be to have it not magnetized at all, of course.

I fear for the glue failing on the key and the little magnet falling out - best case scenario, in your pocket or purse and you just don't find it again. Worst case scenario, in the lock and it jamns in the magnetic pin cylinder
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Old 02-28-2016, 02:00 PM   #16
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Default Re: [Basic] Skill of the week: Lockpicking

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Turns out the dead pin actually has it's own (alternate pole) magnet - obvs to let them hold the pin further down, but it's strong enough that apparently you can just use a steel pick to bump it.

A better setup would be to have it not magnetized at all, of course.

I fear for the glue failing on the key and the little magnet falling out - best case scenario, in your pocket or purse and you just don't find it again. Worst case scenario, in the lock and it jamns in the magnetic pin cylinder
Is it glued or welded to the key?
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Old 02-28-2016, 02:02 PM   #17
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Default Re: [Basic] Skill of the week: Lockpicking

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Is it glued or welded to the key?
I think it's rare earth - can you even weld those? If it's magnetized iron/steel, it's so small that I'd expect welding it to demagnetize it.
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Old 02-28-2016, 03:45 PM   #18
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Default Re: [Basic] Skill of the week: Lockpicking

Two cool mechanical locks.

Chain key lock.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQhfTh_tcqc

Bowley Lock
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MnZM8Pkvmw

As far as lockpicking skill goes, I've found that it's one of those skills that's either mandatory or not used at all. It might just be my group, but if there is a route to success that isn't picking the lock it tends to be the first one taken.
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Old 02-28-2016, 07:56 PM   #19
Christopher R. Rice
 
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Default Re: [Basic] Skill of the week: Lockpicking

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Originally Posted by Bruno View Post
Turns out the dead pin actually has it's own (alternate pole) magnet - obvs to let them hold the pin further down, but it's strong enough that apparently you can just use a steel pick to bump it.

A better setup would be to have it not magnetized at all, of course.

I fear for the glue failing on the key and the little magnet falling out - best case scenario, in your pocket or purse and you just don't find it again. Worst case scenario, in the lock and it jamns in the magnetic pin cylinder
That actually makes sense. Still, magnetized key/lock - I've been out of the game too long. So freaking cool.
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Old 02-28-2016, 11:20 PM   #20
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Default Re: [Basic] Skill of the week: Lockpicking

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I think it's rare earth - can you even weld those? If it's magnetized iron/steel, it's so small that I'd expect welding it to demagnetize it.
Could you house the magnet beneath something?
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