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Tips
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To survive, ya gotta keep your wits about ya. Use your head, thief, and ya just might make it. Here're some tried and true guidelines for gainin' the advantage:
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Basic:
- When starting a new game, always do the training level. The final room contains some treasure on a central table which, if you are quick, can be stolen before the mission ends. This gives you some extra finances for starting gear in Bafford's Manor.
- Customize your own binding (controls) through the options menu. Get comfortable with them and ensure that common keys, such as crouch, jump, and run, are within easy reach (default bindings).
- Use the gamma correction to your advantage. The manual defines the ideal setting as one that allows "you to see the basic outline of terrain and objects even in deep shadow, but only barely." While this is true, there may be times when you are searching for something or in a strange area when you should increase the gamma. Doing so should help you discern more; unfortunately, lowering the gamma won't make you any less visible to enemies. The default keys are "+" and "-".
- Some sounds are very subtle and, if missed, can often lead to disaster. For this reason, keep you speakers at a volume sufficient enough for even the faintest noises to be heard.
- Save your game often. The Quick Save function, F11, allows your game to be saved without going to the menu, but should not be relied on alone. Loading a game is somewhat time-consuming but is even more so if you have to redo half the level before arriving at the same spot you were before.
- When enemies are near, keep a close eye on your visibility gem. A semi-dark reading is sufficient from a distance but at times even the darkest shadow cannot conceal a thief from a passing guard, especially if you are directly in his path. Note that different creatures have different perception levels, and may be more sensitive to noises and movement in the shadows. Do not forget to crouch. If a creature has been alerted and is searching for you, sneaking away is possible providing that you are quiet and don't leave the shadows.
- Try to climb anything you can. Mantling is at times frustrating but is necessary for the completion of certain levels. It may also reveal loot or ammo. Be certain that you are familiar with the process. Ladders and ropes are also an important part of missions and need to be used correctly.
- Swimming is an efficient means of travel if the current is not against you. The water is also a good hiding place but keep in mind that splashing creates noise. In water, even little pools, can be found small loot niches or the occasion water arrow. There may even be another place to surface, providing that you can reach it in one breath. Drowning is not difficult if you aren't quick–keep an eye on you air supply and breaks in the surface for breathing.
- To pickpocket, get near enough to the victim and pick the item on his or her belt you wish to steal the right off the belt in the same manner as an object off the ground.
- The two main attacks with the sword are the slash, a basic horizontal cut which can be performed from right to left or vice versa, and the overhead chop, which is delivered over the head and deals more damage. The overhead chop is performed by holding the attack button in for a longer period of time.
- The blackjack incurs no penalties against the wielder when drawn, unlike other standard weapons. It is silent, quick and highly effective. Its sole disadvantage is that it is very short-ranged. Unconscious victims will remain so for the duration of the mission.
- The bow is versatile in that it supports a wide range of ammo but is large and therefore increases the user's visibility. The basic arrow, called a broadhead, is fairly accurate and moderately powerful. Compensating for distance requires practice but is quickly learned. Torches can be extinguished and blood stains washed away by the water arrow. The fire arrow, which travels in a flat trajectory, explodes upon impact with an object and causes damage to everything within a certain radius. The resulting explosion will more than likely attract the attention of nearby creatures. Fire arrows can also be used to light torches. The gas arrow, also gravity-unaffected, will unleash a potent knock-out gas upon impact. Multiple targets can often be hit, but gas arrows are not common. The moss arrow sprouts patches of soft moss at the target point which can be walked upon without creating and significant noise. Rope arrows drop a scalable cord of limited length from their point of impact, but will only embed in wood or earth. A strange noise is created by the noisemaker arrow upon landing. It is useful for distractions.
- Picking locks obviously requires lock picks. Less obvious, however, is the occasional need to switch between triangle- and square-toothed lockpicks for certain locks. Many will resist lock picking attempts altogether. Such doors probably require a key.
- Be familiar with the various items available and their specific uses (see the Emporium).
Advanced:
- The sword should rarely ever be drawn. It is messy, noisy, cumbersome and attracts attention and therefore unsuitable for the majority of situations. The sword's main use is backstabbing which has the potential to do incredible amounts of damage.
- Dead or unconscious bodies left in plain sight will alert passers-by if stumbled upon. Place them in dark areas where they are less likely to be seen. Note that unconscious bodies thrown in water will drown and possibly cause the mission to be failed depending on the objectives.
- If noise arrows aren't proving effective as their price-tag suggests, try substituting them with broadhead arrows. Though not fool-proof, the resulting clang of the arrow deflecting off hard surfaces such as stone will often accomplish the task equally well.
- Holy water is always limited. In lieu of trying to kill every undead happened upon, try breezing by. The majority of undead aren't as swift on their feet as their lively counterparts and are relatively easily to outrun or outmaneuvre. Note that fire arrows and even flash bombs also harm the walking-dead because the damage is fire-based.
- The top of your bow target is approximately where fire and gas arrows will travel. Other arrows, on the other hand, will have arcing trajectories. If the target is distant, compensate by aiming slightly higher than usual.
- Rope arrows can be retrieved after use with a little skill, depending upon the situation. Grab the arrow just before jumping to safety. If a gap appears too large to jump, multiple rope arrows are a safe bet. Also, use a rope arrow to gain a height advantage over your enemies just as effectively as any ledge or rafter. Wait it out while staying safe above or snipe unwary enemies below. Creatures rarely scan above for enemies.
- Run only in emergencies or when you are certain no one is about. Walking slowly or even crawling make much stealthier approaches.
- Lean forward to see down holes or from other heights. Leaning left or right is essentially to peering around corners without being seen.
- Listen everywhere you go, especially at doorways and around corners. Every creature makes some sound, especially when moving.
- Every creature has strengths and weaknesses. Learn them and use your knowledge to your advantage (see the Dungeon).
- Blackjacking is only possible against unalerted enemies and those who have heads. The undead are immune, but beasts such as the burrick are not. Note that blackjacking weaker creatures such as servants can kill them instantly.
- This trick is a bit hard to do yet it is useful. Run up behind a guard, jump and while your in the air pull out your sword and do an overhead swing to kill the guard. -Russell
- I don't think that many people would do this, but I found out that if an unconcious person is put near a fire they can die of burning. -Cobra
- Crouch before jumping off ledges. It's quieter and may reduce the damage from a high fall. -Autolycus
- Your opponents are much more vunerable from a side attack. Even if they are alerted to your presence, a lethal attack to your opponent from his ungaurded side, or even his back, can be accomplished. A circling strategy should be used during combat. This movement is accomplished by sidestepping left while turning to your right or vice versa. This is a very effective way to dodge blows from an opponent and open them for attack. -DarkSnake007
- Most guards will fall if you hit with an overhead slash first. While they stagger, load another overhead slash, and follow with a half-power side slash. The average battle should be about six seconds this way. -Janus
- If you stumble upon a zombie, you can run and lose him. If, however, he is alerted, you can shoot him with a broadhead arrow from a hidden position and he will fall dead then rise back up--but he won't be alerted to your presence anymore. This also works with backstabbing. -Assassin
- Standing on tables often renders you invisible to alerted guards. Also their swords can't strike higher than the table leaving you to pick them off at your leisure. -Chimera
- Undead Hammerite mages are all too easy to "kill." Using a blackjack (instead of the slower sword), simple but quick repeated blows never allow the mage time to recover and cast a spell. 5 or 6 hits will usually do it and all that's left is a puff of smoke. -John M. Moreno
- Briefly tapping the run key while holding down the walk key increases your speed with little or no change in your noise factor. This is especially useful when following a walking guard or needing to get to a safe spot quickly. -John M. Moreno
- It may look extremely silly, but jumping as you are running greatly increases your speed over running alone. The pursuing guards may laugh, but after you escape the joke will be on them. -John M. Moreno
- Grass, Carpeting and Moss are the best surfaces to move on for silence. In fact, you can run on them and an unsuspecting victim is unlikely to notice you coming behind him or her. -Pete
Have a tip you think qualifies to be added?
Note: All fields of form must be completed.
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Strategy
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Ya don't survive long enough ta become a veteran without havin' a few tricks up your sleeve. I've prepared ya some useful tactics that I myself use. You'd do well to put ‘em to use.
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- Stealth is your best friend, and consequently your enemy's worst nightmare. If they never hear you coming, they don't suspect anything. Or if you prefer the more discrete approach, just sneak on by.
- Surprise attacks are often the most effective. Setting up an ambush is easy if you have the proper equipment. Water arrows can be used to darken an area, and rope arrows give you the advantage of height which makes sniping a cinch. Mines are helpful when ambushing large groups of enemies when stealth is less important.
- Even alerted enemies can be blackjacked with a little luck. Drop a flashbomb to stun the creature, then rush and strike. It is difficult to perform but highly effective.
- Higher elevations are important for many reasons. A major advantage which is difficult to perform but is very effective is a special technique where you drop down and blackjack an enemy before landing. Timing is critical here and if there are others nearby they may hear the sound of your landing. Note that this manoeuvre actually shows up on end-level statistics under "while airborne."
- Employ the Byzantine strategy of letting your enemies do your fighting for you. The undead in particular are likely targets because of their limited intelligence--lure them over to another foe, slink off into the shadows and wait it out.
- If you're overwhelmed with enemies, take off! Running to another part in the level and waiting it out is often much more practical than trying to kill multiple enemies at once. Even lure them into an ambush or area where you can handle them one at a time. Cowardice does not exist for a thief: it's called rethinking your strategy.
- For the odd time when you do get in a sword fight, usually the quickest way to dispatch the opponent is to hold down the attack button for the overhead swing then charge and release, then retreat and repeat as necessary, always keeping a safe distance away (particularly effective against slower creatures).
- Patience is often the key. Wait for gaps in patrol routes or for a creature to turn its back, then act. There are no time limits on missions.
- Intelligence is your asset, not the enemy's. In spite of all your capability, on occassion it may be more strategic to to make noise then hide in a dark area waiting for the enemy to pass doing what you will from behind. -Anonymous
- Try and drown your enemies. You can swim but most of them can't. -Anonymous
- To gather unlimited arrows, place a piece of rubble on floor triggers such as the one found in the Haunted Cathedral and collect the arrows after they have struck something and fallen. -Ken Dunning
Have a strategy you think qualifies to be added?
Note: All fields of form must be completed.
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