Thief: The Dark Project Game Guide

Table of Contents
  • INTRODUCTION
  • BEING A THIEF
  • WALK-THROUGHS
    • Table of Contents
    On Being a Thief, continued
    The sound your footsteps make is another thing to be aware of when you want to be particularly stealthy. Both crouching and regular walking (not running) reduce the possibility of detection - combined, they reduce the possibility even further. Of course, the type of floor you're walking on also matters, and while moss arrows produce a nice soundproof area on the floor, they are even rarer and more expensive than the water arrows are. The denizens typically engage in patterned sets of movement and often can be predicted and anticipated. Additionally, the first clue that a guard might be nearby is either his grumbling or his footsteps. Guards also have a tendency to talk to themselves, which can clue you in on what they are doing.

    Many of the humans can be knocked out by a blow to the back of the head with the blackjack. In most conditions you can sneak up behind a guard simply by using the walk key - you should already have the blackjack prepared to strike (note that you cannot crouch and ready the blackjack at the same). Get right up behind him and swing. Getting up behind a guard is also a good way of snatching whatever goodies he happens to be carrying. Remember that it's also be a good idea to hide the unconscious body quickly in a dark area, lest it be discovered. Typically, creatures will not miss the absence of one another, but if you throw a body in their way....

    screenshot
    If possible, try not to get this close to a guard.
    Of course, there will be times when you simply have to battle guards, priests, and mercenaries of various persuasions, not to mention beasties such as spiders, poison gas burricks, the undead, and even exploding frogs. If it's feasible, you should attack these opponents from the shadows, preferably with regular arrows and, for quicker results, fire arrows if you have them. Depending on the situation, you may also be able to retrieve a few spent arrows. The sword should only be used as a last resort against humans, as the regular guard (or worse, a mercenary) can thrust and block better than you can. Use trickery whenever you can - flash bombs and mines, for example. Guards also think two-dimensionally and hardly ever look up or down. Most guards will attempt to run and get help when they are near death - something to watch out for. Quite a few of the other non-human creatures can be killed with the trusty sword or holy water, and taking a little damage now and then yourself isn't too bad.

    Oh, and lastly: Save and save often.

    Next: The Thief Walk-throughs