Theft
How do I open high level locks?
There are two ways to open locks. Lockpicks need a good security skill, and come in different grades. The best are Secret Master lockpicks, which can be bought from Hecerinde in Balmora once you have done the 'secure the South Wall' quest for the Thieves' Guild. To open a level 100 lock with these picks will require a skill of about 65. It is far easier to buy a custom spell that will open a level 100 lock automatically. You will only need an alteration skill of about 40 to cast it with a fair chance of success, and it will open any lock. You can also find Locksplitter scrolls in random treasure when you are a reasonably high level.
How do I get critical strikes?
Sneak up behind a foe, and attack them while still sneaking. You will often get a critical hit message, and do four times normal damage. This is why spears can be good for thieves; you get good damage on the backstab, and you do not have to get as close to your target.
Does it matter if I kill a shopkeeper?
In general, it does not matter, but sometimes you will regret it if they turn out to be part of a guild quest, or you discover that they were rich. It is generally not advisable to kill people, but if it becomes neccessary, it will usually not cause any problems.
Where can I get good lockpicks or probes?
The best are sold by Hecerinde in Balmora, after completing the Secure the South Wall quest for the Thieves' Guild and reaching the rank of blackcap. Completing all the Thieves' Guild missions or killing Gentleman Jim Stacey will give you a skeleton key, which has quality 5.00, and 50 uses.
How can I avoid getting detected when I steal?
Sneak, use invisibility or chameleon, and make sure the sneak icon is lit up when you pick up an item. Some say that invisibility does not work, but they are entirely wrong. Cast a short term invisibility spell when you are about to grab an item, and you can steal most objects with only a single figure sneak skill. To avoid detection, make sure the shopkeepers and guards are facing away from you, by standing in front of them until they greet you, and then guiding their attention in another direction. Also, try taking off your shoes or boots before sneaking. A magic related thieving tip: try using telekinesis so you can steal objects and open containers while out of sight of any guards.
How do I steal books or items in containers?
Invisibility will not help you with items in containers, or ones which require you to look at them before pressing 'take' (books and notes). To steal these items, you need to use a 100% chameleon spell for a short amount of time, or just have a very high sneak skill.
Pickpocket? Explain...
To pickpocket somebody, simply 'use' them when you are behind them and sneaking. Unfortunately, getting away with this is very hard. Use stealth spells, take off your shoes, and fortify your luck as much as you can for a good chance. Security measures how good you are at pickpocketing, according to the manual, but seems to have no effect. A successful pickpocket will increase your sneak skill, and sneak is certainly required to pickpocket successfully. Certain items, such as books, and possibly scrolls, allow you to click on the item in their inventory, and instead of making an automatic attempt, as you would with most items, you then get the opportunity to drag the book over to your inventory and make the pickpocket attempt then. Don’t do this. Instead of taking it to your inventory, drop the book onto the floor, and then just pick it up after leaving the pickpocket screen. Automatic success.
How do I stop the guards confiscating all my equipment?
If you are about to be caught by the guards, drop all of your stolen equipment on the ground, and when they catch you, pay the fine, then go and pick up all your stuff once again. If you want a permanent solution, enchant the stolen item in some way, and it will become yours.
My equipment has been confiscated, how do I get it back?
In the nearest legion fort (the traditional castle-like structures near most towns), there will be a chest marked 'evidence'. Pick open the lock, and you can take back all of your confiscated items.
How do I avoid being injured by traps?
Either use a probe on the trap to disarm it (it will never go off, no matter how bad your security skill is), or open the chest from a distance using a telekinesis spell. Most of the time the harmful effects are minor, so you do not have to use either method.
How do I sneak more effectively?
Take off your shoes or boots, or augment your powers with invisibility or chameleon spells. Make sure your skill is above twenty, or you will fail more often than not.