INTRODUCTION BEING A THIEF WALK-THROUGHS

On Being a Thief
Let's face it - being a thief isn't easy in Thief. You have to be able to hide in shadows, resist the urge beat up everyone you come across, know which weapons to use at what times, be extremely agile, and have some exceptional good luck.

So let's talk about stealth. In Thief, staying stealthy means staying healthy, and, while requiring a bit of patience, it benefits you to hide in the long run - as your meager sword skills pale in comparison to those of some of the hired help you may encounter. Your ability to hide among the shadows is affected not only by the light, or lack thereof (as shown on the handy visibility gem), but also by sound and position.

Stealth in Thief is all about knowing where and how to hide.

Pay attention to your visibility gem, especially when you have to deal with human guards and denizens - the darker it is, the better for you. Many areas are lit by torches, which can be extinguished easily with water arrows. Unfortunately the water arrows are somewhat expensive and in short supply, so you might want to save those arrows for special occasions. If you're in a building, it's wise to study the lighting properties of a room to see if there are any dark spots you can hide in if the need arises. Staying crouched and weaponless (except for the blackjack) increases your chances of remaining undetected. Even leaning - an action you should otherwise employ profusely - can increase your visibility and risk your chances of being seen.

If you're simply running into a patch of darkness and a guard is hot on your heels, dashing to a dark corner won't help your situation - he'll still be able to see you. However, if you run around a few corners, momentarily lose him, and then run into the darkness, he may not be aware of where you are, though if you're so inclined, you could shoot a few arrows at him from your stealthy position.

Next: On Being a Thief, continued