Is Fortify Pickpocket Worth It in Skyrim? A Deep Dive
Yes, Fortify Pickpocket is absolutely worth it in Skyrim, but with a few caveats. While the game caps the displayed pickpocket success chance at 90%, effectively utilizing Fortify Pickpocket, especially in the early to mid-game, can drastically improve your success rate when stealing heavier, more valuable items, or from NPCs with higher skill levels. It provides a significant boost that allows you to level your Pickpocket skill much faster and acquire valuable loot earlier in your playthrough. However, its effectiveness diminishes at higher skill levels, particularly after acquiring key perks.
Understanding Pickpocket Mechanics in Skyrim
The Pickpocket skill in Skyrim operates under a seemingly simple, yet somewhat nuanced system. The base success rate for a pickpocket attempt is influenced by several factors, including:
- The value and weight of the item: Heavier and more expensive items are harder to steal.
- The target’s awareness: Stealing from sleeping or distracted NPCs is easier.
- Your Pickpocket skill level: Higher skill levels directly increase your success rate.
- Relevant perks: Perks like “Light Fingers” enhance the base success chance.
While the game interface displays a maximum of 90% success, this isn’t the whole story. The true success rate is calculated internally, and exceeding the 90% threshold can still be beneficial. This is where Fortify Pickpocket comes into play.
How Fortify Pickpocket Works
Fortify Pickpocket is a modifier that temporarily increases your chance of successfully pickpocketing an item. It can be obtained through two primary means:
- Alchemy: Brewing potions that grant a temporary boost to your Pickpocket skill.
- Enchanting: Applying enchantments to apparel (gloves, rings, necklaces, etc.) that provide a constant bonus to your Pickpocket skill.
The description of the Alchemy effect states: “Pickpocketing is
When Is Fortify Pickpocket Most Useful?
Fortify Pickpocket is most valuable in the following situations:
- Early Game: When your Pickpocket skill is low, even small boosts can make a significant difference in your success rate. This allows you to steal valuable items and level up faster.
- High-Value Targets: When attempting to steal expensive items from wealthy citizens (like Maven Black-Briar or Tolbjorn Shatter-Shield) or Jarls, the extra boost from Fortify Pickpocket can be crucial.
- Leveling Pickpocket Quickly: Repeatedly attempting to steal challenging items, with the aid of Fortify Pickpocket, is an effective way to grind your skill level.
- Specific Perk Requirements: Some Pickpocket perks require a certain success rate to unlock. Fortify Pickpocket can help you meet these requirements.
The Diminishing Returns and the 90% Cap
As your Pickpocket skill increases and you acquire relevant perks, the relative benefit of Fortify Pickpocket diminishes. The 90% displayed cap means that once your base chance reaches a certain point, further increases become less noticeable, at least on the surface.
However, it is widely believed by the community that the percentage is really an arbitrary cap. The actual percentage is able to increase beyond what is displayed.
Reaching 100 Pickpocket and Beyond
While the displayed chance may be capped at 90%, you can still effectively reach a near 100% success rate in several ways:
- Perk Investment: Investing perks like “Light Fingers” and “Night Thief” (for pickpocketing sleeping targets) will greatly enhance your success. The “Perfect Touch” perk at level 100 grants the ability to pickpocket equipped items, essentially guaranteeing success.
- Stealing From Sleeping Targets: Sleeping NPCs offer a much higher base success rate, making them easier to rob.
- Fortify Skill Beyond The Cap: Even if the displayed percentage remains at 90%, using Fortify Pickpocket still improves the actual chance of success, reducing the likelihood of failure, especially with difficult targets or expensive items.
The Verdict: Is It Worth It?
Ultimately, Fortify Pickpocket is a valuable tool in Skyrim, particularly in the early to mid-game. It can significantly enhance your ability to steal valuable items, level up quickly, and access unique perks. While its impact diminishes at higher skill levels, it can still provide a slight edge when attempting to steal from the most challenging targets. Whether you’re aiming to become a master thief or simply want to supplement your income, Fortify Pickpocket is a worthwhile investment.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the maximum Pickpocket chance in Skyrim?
The game displays a maximum Pickpocket chance of 90%. However, the internal calculation allows the actual chance of success to effectively increase beyond this displayed value, even if it’s not directly visible.
2. Does Fortify Pickpocket stack in Skyrim?
Yes, Fortify Pickpocket effects stack. You can combine potions with enchanted apparel to achieve even greater boosts to your Pickpocket skill.
3. What is the best Fortify Pickpocket potion recipe?
A common and effective recipe for Fortify Pickpocket potions includes Slaughterfish Scales, Orange Dartwing, and Nordic Barnacle. Experiment with different ingredients to discover your preferred combination.
4. Where can I find Fortify Pickpocket enchantments?
You can find Fortify Pickpocket enchantments on random loot, or purchase enchanted items from general goods stores. You can also disenchant items with the Fortify Pickpocket effect to learn the enchantment yourself and apply it to other apparel.
5. What are the best perks for Pickpocketing in Skyrim?
The best perks for Pickpocketing include:
- Light Fingers: Increases your pickpocket success rate.
- Night Thief: Grants a bonus to pickpocketing sleeping targets.
- Poisoned: Allows you to poison targets by placing poison in their pockets.
- Perfect Touch: Allows you to pickpocket equipped items.
6. Can you pickpocket equipped items in Skyrim?
Yes, with the “Perfect Touch” perk at Pickpocket skill level 100. This allows you to steal weapons, armor, and other equipped items from NPCs.
7. How do I level up Pickpocket quickly in Skyrim?
The fastest way to level up Pickpocket is to repeatedly attempt to steal high-value items from challenging targets, using Fortify Pickpocket potions or enchantments to increase your success rate. Save before each attempt and reload if you fail to avoid getting caught.
8. Who is the best target for leveling up Pickpocket?
Sibbi Black-Briar in the Riften Jail is a popular target due to his readily available location and the fact that he carries a valuable key. Alternatively, wealthy citizens like Maven Black-Briar or Jarls are good options.
9. Does Invisibility help with Pickpocketing?
Yes, Invisibility can help, particularly when combined with the “Quiet Casting” perk. It allows you to approach targets undetected, increasing your chances of a successful pickpocket.
10. Can you be robbed in Skyrim?
No, you cannot be robbed in Skyrim. Your character is immune to being pickpocketed by NPCs.
11. What happens if you get caught pickpocketing in Skyrim?
If caught, you will incur a bounty in the hold where the crime was committed. Guards will attempt to arrest you, and hostile NPCs may attack. You can either pay the fine, serve your time in jail, or resist arrest.
12. Where is the easiest place to pickpocket in Skyrim?
Any location where NPCs are isolated or sleeping. The Honningbrew Meadery and the Markarth Treasury House are known for their wealth of stealable items.
13. How do I avoid getting caught pickpocketing?
To avoid getting caught:
- Sneak: Stay hidden in shadows.
- Muffle: Use Muffle enchantments or spells to reduce noise.
- Distract: Create distractions to draw attention away from your target.
- Save Often: Save before each attempt to avoid losing progress if caught.
14. Does the weight of an item affect the Pickpocket chance?
Yes, the weight of an item significantly affects the Pickpocket chance. Heavier items are much harder to steal.
15. Is Pickpocketing considered a crime in Skyrim?
Yes, Pickpocketing is considered a crime and will result in a bounty if you are caught. The severity of the bounty depends on the value of the stolen item.