Star Wars Outlaws lockpicking and data spike explained

Breaking locks with the data spike in Star Wars Outlaws requires precise timing

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Star Wars Outlaws lockpicking is a rhythm game where you have to match the beeping of your Data Spike to open doors and crates. Despite being a simple idea it can be surprisingly fiddly to get right, especially when there’s a guard around the corner about to find you.

There are ways to make the process easier though. If you want some help with the data spike lockpick in Star Wars Outlaws, we’ll explain the basics, how it works and lay out some tips to smooth the process out.

Star Wars Outlaws lockpicking explained

Lockpicking in Star Wars Outlaws involvers pressing R2/RT in time with the bleeping Data Spike, in a short rhythmic sequence.

Hitting every beat of the sequence in one go opens the lock, but missing a beat resets it, so you must re-enter the sequence. Thankfully, there’s no limit to the number of attempts you get per lock, so you can keep trying until you succeed (unlike the turn basedStar Wars Outlaws hackingminigame). Just be careful if you’re in syndicate territory as being caught while picking a lock is something that can affect yourFaction reputation in Star Wars Outlaws.

Star Wars Outlaws lockpicking tips

Here are some tips to help with lockpicking in Star Wars Outlaws:

How to make Star Wars Outlaws lockpicking easier

The very first lock you’ll probably open will just be a relatively slow and regular two-beat sequence, but the difficulty ramps up as you’re introduced to sequences that are three or four beats long, faster, and have a more irregular timing. Although there aren’t any upgrades orStar Wars Outlaws Experts and Abilitiesthat make lockpicking easier, there are several settings you can adjust if you want to breeze through it.

Just head into theStar Wars OutlawsGameplay menus and look for these Lockpicking rhythm challenge options to make it easier:

Just remember, that NPCs can still spot you while you’re picking locks,so make sure your surroundings are empty before you start data spiking, though you can look around while picking a lock to ensure the coast is still clear.

Ultimately what you want to keep in mind is that this lockpicking system is inherently fiddly and not hugely precise, as we explained in ourStar Wars Outlaws review. It’ll take some time to get used to it, though eventually it will settle for you.© GamesRadar+. Not to be reproduced without permission.

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Will Sawyer is a guides writer at GamesRadar+ who works with the rest of the guides team to give readers great information and advice on the best items, how to complete a particular challenge, or where to go in some of the biggest video games. Will joined the GameRadar+ team in August 2021 and has written about service titles, including Fortnite, Destiny 2, and Warzone, as well as some of the biggest releases like Halo Infinite, Elden Ring, and God of War Ragnarok.

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