Confusion about Thief 2 controls

straight on 11/11/2010 at 16:28

I'm trying Thief 2 for the first time and am confused about the controls. Judging from the config screen I have umpteen different ways to move:

Run with a single key
Run key + move key
Walk with a single key
Walk slowly with a single key
Creep + move key

Did I miss any? Is creeping the same as walking slowly with a single key? If not, which is faster/quieter? Is running with a single key the same speed/noise as runkey+movekey? What if I press creep + Run-with-a-single-key? Or run with walk-with-a-single-key?

Then what about crouching? Does that modify all of the above? Or do you automatically creep when crouching?

Yes I could do a bunch of experiments for myself, but I'd rather just know what the controls do, set them up, and get on with the game. The default config is too different from my 15-year-old FPS-config habits to be much help.

Please advise.

Neb on 11/11/2010 at 16:37

I usually have:

W - Walk forward
S - Move backward.

Ctrl - Creep
Shift - Run

It's simple like that and it seems to play well.

EDIT - Crouching does modify movement speed, but it's not hard to get used to. Everything gets a little slower.

SlyFoxx on 11/11/2010 at 17:43

You get four different movement speeds from three different options...run walk and creep.. If you crouch and move you go half the speed of whatever you were when standing.

For me...

W=run
S=walk
A=creep
X=walk backwards
F=crouch

I very rarely use the creep function though as it's easier to tap the walk key while crouched to move slowly. Crouch and hold the walk key down for just long enough for Garrett to move but not so long as you can hear his footfalls. Let go the walk key for a split second and repeat. If you do it correctly you can move as far as you want without making ANY noise. With practice you can do it with crouch and the run key and move across metal or tile at a normal walking speed without making a sound.

straight on 11/11/2010 at 17:58

Thanks for the replies. So if I've got this straight, the dedicated run / slow-walk keys are identical to using the run or slow modifier keys with a movement key? But crouch modifies all of them? Does that make six speeds?

Is this the right order of speed/stealthiness?

Run
Crouched Run
Walk
Crouched Walk
Creep
Crouched Creep

Or is crouched running slower/stealthier than regular walking?

Yandros on 11/11/2010 at 20:47

I can't answer your question about the relative speeds. I wanted to mention also that you can hold down a forward and sideways movement keys (while angling the camera view accordingly) to run faster than simply running alone. That's usually referred to around here as strafe-running. It also works when swimming.

Also, my binding is a bit crazy. I use the Numpad for most everything, and slide the keyboard way left since I'm right-handed (RH on mouse, LH on Numpad). It's weird I guess, but it gives me 17 keys in a tight cluster for binding to. I rarely ever walk, I usually run, run crouching, or creep. I also bind the Home key to lean forward, since it's right under my left pinky from the Numpad. So aside from the 0-9 (weapon shortcuts) and F1-F12 (inventory and save shortcuts) bindings, the only other key I ever use is R for dropping items.

inselaffe on 11/11/2010 at 22:17

You don't really use crouching as a primary means of movement noise control - it's mainly to help conceal yourself - whether behind something or in shadow.
Crouching does make you quieter too, but i wouldn't try to think of it as clear cut as you are. I mean, it probably is but to be honest just stick to whatever posture and speed feels most comfortable / suited to the situation.

In essence, don't worry about it so much and just play.
The control setup Neb mentioned is what i have found generally the best too, with c as toggle crouch, q,e and alt as lean l/r and fwd and a / d as strafe.

Apparently you can actually play thief with a joystick as it supports analogue movement but i've never tried.

PeeperStorm on 12/11/2010 at 03:28

Just to be clear:
You can run either by using the Run key or by using Walk+(Run modifier key)
You can creep either by using the Creep key or by using Walk+(Creep modifier key)

Crouching makes you move slower and therefore makes you less noisy (as well as less visible) than the same type of movement non-crouched.

Just to make things more complicated: Readying your sword makes you move significantly slower, and therefore with less noise (although the sword makes you more visible). Carrying a corpse or unconscious body makes you move even slower than that.

Crouching and moving at a creep with your sword out is basically silent on any surface.

Quote:

You don't really use crouching as a primary means of movement noise control.

Depends on how you play it. When you have to get across a marble floor and don't have any moss arrows available...

theBlackman on 12/11/2010 at 04:03

Along with the actual control key, you can reduce noise and subtley change movement by a TAP TAP TAP on whatever movement key you use.

This will let you cross broken glass silently, once you get the hang of it.

straight on 12/11/2010 at 09:03

Thanks for the info everyone. I think I've got it sorted out well enough to comfortably bind the keys.

Brian The Dog on 12/11/2010 at 10:55

Just to confirm, crouching + running is indeed faster than walking (but not as fast as usual running) - I use this to quickly creep up behind guards when on stone floor when full-running would make too much noise.