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What is a good approach to adding pickpocketing, lockpicking and possibly sneaking into a Wizard's repertoire? After going through the murder mystery plotline and constantly being thwarted by doors and chests that required keys or a higher lockpicking skill, I need to get my Wizard handy in the arts of a Scoundrel, but I don't know if it is wise, or if it's as simple as tossing a couple points into those abilities.

Should I ditch Madora or Jahar for a Scoundrel companion? Should I make a Scoundrel/Wizard combination? How high would my lockpicking have to be to break into [spoiler]Evelyn's[/spoiler] house, and how high would my pickpocketing have to be to steal from her pockets?

Thanks in advance!

The best approach: You do not.

Lockpicking is less than worthless. There is basically nothing that you can't unlock with a key or just by breaking things open. There is no good reason to take Lockpicking on any character.

While you can solve the mystery through pickpocketing, you can also solve it by rummaging through containers near the suspects to get similar items.

There is a Scoundrel companion , who would make a good fit for the things you want a Scoundrel for.

No trailing s in the spoilers tag, by the way.

Well, I suppose my remaining concerns are these:

1) Sometimes breaking things takes forever and feels like "cheating."
2) Is pickpocketing viable then, or does it require too many Scoundrel talents to make it viable for my Wizard?
3) I don't mind going down a sub-optimal path if it's reasonable. Will I be too underleveled if I pursue pickpocketing and sneaking, ignoring lockpicking?

Simply grabbing a Scoundrel companion sounds fun, though. Glad to hear that's an option. Is there anything tricky related to that, e.g. dismissing existing companions?

Lockpicking and pickpocketing do not require any Scoundrel talent. There is no link (except maybe classical roleplay).

The only ability that has strong ties with the scoundrel is furtivity, as it allows you to hide in shadows for minimal AP cost, which then allows you to make powerful strikes (I've heard this kind of gameplay is also possible for a marksman).

So, yeah, lockpicking and pickpocketing can find their way in a wizard's repertoire, alongside sneaking.

Pickpocketing is very lackluster, and would only shine in the very early game (when you are broke). But in the early game, it's not a good idea to invest in pickpocketing anyway as it gimps you.

Lockpicking, yeah I guess one could invest one or two points in it, and keep items that provide a bonus in lockpicking. But as Stabbey said, there isn't much to do with lockpicking in the game (so it's easily considered wasted points).

Sneaking, honestly I'd just go with a few points in Aerothurge, and use the invisibility spell instead.

I think one doesn't need much ability points anyway in this game, so you can absolutely invest some in lockpicking and sneaking if you desire so. I'd avoid pickpocketing in any case. Lockpicking has a very progressive return (as, similarly to loremaster, you encounter harder locks as you progress through the game), but sneaking is either 5 points in it or none at all (maybe 4 or 3 depending on your traits and your boots).

1) You don't have to break doors or chests, there's always a key lying somewhere, hidden levers, etc.
2) It requires Pickpocketing and Invisibility (Aero skill). Outside Cyseal, Pickpocketing is worthless, so I recommend you to not invest any point in it. Why not invest these ability points in skills, wouldn't it be more fun (and more useful)? As the game progresses, you'll have many stacks of 99999 gold without pickpocketing and nothing to do with all the money. Bartering is better for money, since it will always work, on the other hand, you're only allowed to pickpocket once per person.
3) Sneaking in combat is useful defensively, and offensively on physical attackers with Guerrilla. If you want pickpocketing on a mage, you don't need to invest in sneaking, since you can use invisibility.
4) No, you can dismiss and reinvite recruited companions at will without negative consequences.