Only being able to attempt to pick the lock on something once, and then having no option to open the thing otherwise, is one of my major complaints with many D&D based video games. This is something that Larian got right in DOS2. D&D has object AC and HP rules for a reason. At the tabletop no chest is "stuck there" never to be opened. Worst case scenario you just hack the darn thing to death, or burn it up if you're not afraid to turn whatever is inside to cinders, and get at the fiddly bits inside that way. The disappointment of finding a chest and then watching as your thieves' tools proficient character rolls a one on the check is cringe worthy. You already have physics built into the game to interact with objects, like moving boxes and falling cages and such, I hope that before EA turns into full release chests/doors/containers are revamped so that you have choices for getting inside them besides hoping your rogue-esque character doesn't roll terribly on their pick check.
And it seems that reloading (save scumming) doesn't work out very well either. I get the same result every time. I haven't tried going back after I gained a new level or something similar. Pathfinder: Kingmaker had that approach to chests and locks. Not that I was/am in favor of that either to be honest.
Edit: Taking a long rest seems to help. A message to "This can only be attempted once every long rest." (or similar) would be appreciated though.
That's actually in the tabletop rules as well. If you can't pick it, you can't pick it. Which, as the primary rogue type player of our groups, always makes me sad when I roll low on a Thieves Tools check.
Regardless, there should be a chance to smash, break open the lock.
-Glimpse
My thief character always fails and my high dex fighter always seems to unlock.Happens every time its funny now.:)
That's actually in the tabletop rules as well. If you can't pick it, you can't pick it. Which, as the primary rogue type player of our groups, always makes me sad when I roll low on a Thieves Tools check.
Regardless, there should be a chance to smash, break open the lock.
Right, sorry, I should have said that one failed attempt is on par with the book rules. At the tabletop that's far less disappointing because there are other ways to get into a chest. I don't mind the application of the lock picking rules as written, I just don't like that that renders the item in question uncrackable. There have to be other ways to accomplish things. There clearly aren't object destruction rules already built into the game, so it might be relatively difficult to code that in.
I was just coming here to give this exact feedback, there is currently no way to hack/bash in doors or chests etc. That would be a very good addition.
I see it like the OP.
Especially in the first playthrough, I want to open every box!
A feature "hack/bash in doors or chests" should suit me just as well as an option that allows an infinite number of attempts per chest.
The rule "1 attempt per chest" should be limited to TableTop. The OP already says, that the fun of the game starts with a missing dice check. In all of my roleplaying evenings there was no chest that was not opened. But for this you need the flexibility of a human game master, which simply cannot be found in a computer game.
Well now you can toggle off the Preserve Random Seed to keep trying till you get it :)
-Glimpse
I would prefer if you could retry after leveling up (or after your lock pick success modifier changes, which might take multiple levels).
I failed with all 4 characters to unlock the chest by the party stash. It is now never to be opened during my playthrough (I have tried long rests, etcetera).
I like having consequences but you should be able to eventually come back to it after you've improved your picking skill.
I like the idea of fail the roll, broken thieves tools. Got more than 1 thieves tools, you can try again.
GM4Him
I'm having the same issue, but I do like the rule but I think I have found a way around it. Wizards can get a spell to unlock chests and doors so I'm going back today to a chest that all 4 couldn't open. Hopefully that nasty box will open. Probably to find arrows or something silly. lol