How to Complete "A Ring for Fingers" in Gothic 1 Remake - Lockpicking Guide & Walkthrough

Joining the Old Camp as a Shadow in Gothic 1 Remake requires earning votes from seven key figures, and none is more frustrating than the lockpicking test from Fingers. A Ring for Fingers sounds simple: steal a ring from a locked chest. But the infamous 5-plate lockpicking minigame has already tripped up countless players within hours of launch. This guide walks you through every step, from talking to Fingers and learning lockpicking, to the exact sequence that cracks Scatty’s chest, to claiming your reward, so you can earn Fingers’ vote without wasting lockpicks or losing your cool.

Starting the Quest & Getting Fingers’ Trust

Fingers stands near the arena by the north gate of the Old Camp, just outside the inner ring. Approach him and ask about his support by selecting the dialogue option “I’m looking for folks to put in a good word for me.” He will explain that he’s the local lockpicking expert, and he wants proof of your skills before he’ll vouch for you.

The quest can follow two paths:

• Primary path: Fingers tasks you with stealing Scatty’s Ring from a locked chest inside Scatty’s Hut. The hut is immediately to the left of Fingers’ own dwelling. This is the intended route and the one most players will follow.
• Possible shortcut: Some community guides suggest that if you already know the lockpicking skill when you first speak to Fingers, he may grant his vote immediately without requiring the theft. This is reported on platforms like Neoseeker, but the majority of walkthroughs treat the theft as the necessary step. The shortcut is unconfirmed by official sources, so consider it a gamble, and note that even if Fingers gives his vote, the locked chest still contains valuable loot you’d miss.

This quest is one of seven that must be completed to earn admission as a Shadow. Other tasks include delivering meat to the guard, helping the diggers, and dealing with a certain bully. Each vote brings you closer to joining the camp’s most skilled faction.

Preparation, Skills, Supplies, and Timing

Before you touch that lock, you need the right tools and a clear opportunity. Use this checklist:

• Learn lockpicking. Fingers himself is the lockpicking trainer in the Old Camp. The skill costs 10 Learning Points and 100 Ore. Since he gives the quest, you can learn from him immediately, no need to search elsewhere.
• Pay Jackal for protection. Jackal is a guard who patrols near Scatty’s Hut. Give him 10 Ore, and he’ll ensure no one interferes with your skulduggery. Without this bribe, nearby NPCs may report you, turning a simple heist into a fight or a fine.
• Wait until morning. Scatty leaves his hut early in the day to head to the arena. If you try the chest while he’s home, he’ll catch you red-handed. Time your entry for after sunrise.
• Bring spare lockpicks. You can buy lockpicks from Fingers or loot them around the camp. Each failed attempt consumes one lockpick, so bring extras. Save your game before attempting, that single step can save twenty minutes of frustration.
• Check for watching NPCs. Even with Jackal paid off, other characters may be nearby. Move quickly, close the door behind you, and don’t dawdle. Stealth is your friend.

The Lockpicking Minigame, Mechanics & Verified Solution

The lock on Scatty’s chest is a 5-plate mechanism. Each plate has seven holes, and a bronze pin rests in each plate. Your goal is to move every pin into the middle (4th) hole of its plate. You can shift plates left or right, which pushes the pins along with them. When all five pins are aligned in the center, the lock clicks open.

Multiple solutions exist because the pins start in different positions each time you load the game, or at least that’s the rumor. In practice, the initial configuration seems consistent for this specific chest. One of the most detailed verified sequences comes from treyexgaming, and it works reliably:

1. Plate 1, move left twice.
2. Plate 2, move right three times.
3. Plate 3, move left once.
4. Plate 4, move right once.
5. Plate 5, move left three times.
6. Plate 1, move left once.
7. Plate 2, move left once.
8. Plate 3, move right once.
9. Plate 4, move left once.
10. Plate 5, move right once.
11. Plate 2, move right once.
12. Plate 4, move right once.
13. Plate 5, move left twice.

After these thirteen moves, all pins should be centered. If they aren’t, reload your save and try again. The minigame does not give feedback on individual plate states, so the only way to confirm success is to attempt opening the chest after each attempt.

Quick sequence reference (for skimming):
Plate 1 ←← • Plate 2 →→→ • Plate 3 ← • Plate 4 → • Plate 5 ←←← • Plate 1 ← • Plate 2 ← • Plate 3 → • Plate 4 ← • Plate 5 → • Plate 2 → • Plate 4 → • Plate 5 ←←

Tips to avoid breaking lockpicks: Use gentle, deliberate clicks. Don’t rush, each plate movement is one click; moving too fast can overshoot. If you see a pin leave the track (a rare bug), reset immediately. Save every time you make progress.

Common mistakes: Confusing plate numbers (they are not labeled, but the leftmost is Plate 1, rightmost is Plate 5). Attempting the minigame without having learned the skill first, the game won’t even let you interact with the chest. Trying at night when Scatty sleeps inside his hut. Forgetting to bribe Jackal.

Rewards, Completion, and Next Steps

Once the chest is open, you’ll find three items inside:

• Scatty’s Ring, the quest item. Do not sell or lose it.
• Pickaxe, a two-handed axe requiring 5 Strength. Decent early weapon.
• 16 Ore, a welcome boost to your wallet.

Return to Fingers with the ring. He’ll congratulate you and grant his vote, completing the quest. You now have one of the seven votes needed to become a Shadow. If you took the shortcut and already had lockpicking when speaking to him, revisit Fingers to confirm the vote is registered, sometimes the game doesn’t flag it automatically.

With Fingers’ vote secured, your next target is the guard near the south gate, deliver meat to earn his support. Check the full list of the seven votes in our companion guide to plan your path through the Old Camp’s hierarchy.

Earning Your Place Among the Shadows

The lockpicking challenge in A Ring for Fingers is a perfect example of Gothic 1 Remake’s blend of skill-based gameplay and player freedom. By following this preparation checklist and using the verified plate sequence, you’ll crack Scatty’s chest in no time and move one step closer to wearing the Shadow’s cloak. Remember: save often, keep spare lockpicks, and don’t let the minigame intimidate you, once you know the pattern, it becomes second nature. Now go earn that vote, nameless hero.