This may well be intended, but I wanted to raise it, in case it is an oversight.

 

When you open a lock via Mechanics skill, you gain a small amount of experience. This is intended.

When you open a lock using a key, you don't. Maybe/Probably intended too.

Problem: When you pick up a key you can't drop it, which prevents you from using Mechanics to gain the experience.

As a result, I often find myself NOT picking up keys so I can get all the extra experience

Heya PX1player,

 

This is working as intended; opening a door with a key doesn't grant experience because you didn't use any skills.

 

As for keys: Once you pick up a quest item (which is what keys are considered), you are not able to get rid of it. This is to prevent players from accidentally losing items that are important. So this means that you'll only be given the chance to lockpick a door before you find the corresponding key.

 

Your strategy of not picking up keys is a nice way to work around it. Keep in mind that none of the door or trap xp is necessary to hit level cap, so you shouldn't sweat it too much    

 

Thanks, and I hope you're enjoying the game!