vyborny on 13/4/2007 at 02:38
I'm playing Thief Gold for the first time (beat Thief 3 long ago) and while I love it, I'm confused about the mechanics of broadhead arrow kills. Even if I'm aiming at a guy that has no idea I'm there, which I know is key in this series, it almost seems random. I have to save before I shoot because even headshots don't seem to drop them. Half the time, they die, half the time, they survive. I don't know why. I seem to get better results hitting them in the gut than the head, and even then it's a crapshoot.
Where should I hit them? In the back, in the chest? In the face? Back of the head? Left nut?
I'm in the shadows and I've got this dude lined up, he's standing there whistling and humming, and no matter where I hit him, he doesn't die.
jtr7 on 13/4/2007 at 03:24
Seriously, I think you could shoot 'em in the ankle and get the same results. There's no difference between a head shot or a knee-cap shot. I've found that playing through a map the same way every time gets the same AI results everytime. There are certain AI in specific locations I like to snipe for target practice (after a quicksave and followed by a quickload--unless I'm just feeling mean and my objectives aren't failed for sniping the AI). These AI always drop after a single shot UNLESS I've approached their area from a different direction or gave them ANY reason AT ANY TIME to become alerted TO ANY EXTENT, even after they've been calmed down after, say, 20 minutes. I've never really experimented to see if this perception of mine is solid or merely apparent.
Also, quickloading, or re-loading the game will change parameters. There are instances where quickloading will change the location of some AI. It takes three or four quickloads to "cycle" through the variations. For instance, in Metal Age (where I discovered this), in a mission where you have to knock a person out who has guards with him. By quickloading over and over again, you can change the number AI in his presence, thereby increasing or reducing the difficulty level. More AI in one area means less AI elsewhere, too.
If it's important to you to take an AI out in one shot, never do anything to give any AI reason to ever be alerted AT ALL (intentionally or unintentionally), and/or try quickloading and shooting at least three times. A head shot has the feel of artistry, but a pinky-toe shot usually gets the same results. Ever blackjack a guard on the hamstring you were following up a staircase? Maybe that was just me....:p
ZylonBane on 13/4/2007 at 03:56
Quote Posted by vyborny
I'm playing Thief Gold for the first time (beat Thief 3 long ago) and while I love it, I'm confused about the mechanics of broadhead arrow kills.
The mechanics are, "Play on Expert, you wuss."
vyborny on 13/4/2007 at 04:00
Yeah, two of the guys I had trouble with are the two near those sensor thingies. I'm sure one of them heard me when I went to shoot it with an arrow, and the other may have. I didn't attack them until they were back to being ''relaxed'' and singing... I never attack anyone unless they're relaxed... but maybe they would've died instantly if I'd been more careful. I dunno. I absolutely could not kill them with a single arrow so I took them down with the blackjack instead.
There were some other guys that were a pain because they WOULD NOT die, even in their most relaxed and vulnerable state. I thought I'd been completely undetected, but I dunno... I guess I'll have to experiment and get a feel for the game. It's not quite like Deadly Shadows. Thanks for the ideas.
vyborny on 13/4/2007 at 04:01
Quote Posted by ZylonBane
The mechanics are, "Play on Expert, you wuss."
I'm not willing to put that much effort into the game (yet?), I'm lazy, pressed for time, and a beginner. Plus the act of killing turns me on.
Vigil on 13/4/2007 at 10:00
You can only drop them in one shot when you've never alerted them (made them search for you or chase you) before. Getting them to say "huh, what was that? Well, guess it was nothing" does not count as alerting them. But anyway, once an AI has been properly alerted to you, they will never return to the original state of relaxation - they're always slightly on edge, which is why they'll spot or hear you easier next time, even when they appear to be back to normal. When they're on edge, they take less damage from arrows - simple as that.
There's a lot more to Thief's alert system but it's quite dry and spoils the mystery so it's better to leave it at that.
ZylonBane on 13/4/2007 at 13:36
Let's just say that the designers of Thief were heavily inspired by D&D. So yeah, any damage dealt to an unaware opponent gets a kind of "sneak attack" bonus.
Neil_McCauley on 13/4/2007 at 14:59
Quote Posted by vyborny
Plus the act of killing turns me on.
Lurking in the dismal fog
Hungry for your blood
Seeking harmless victims
Satisfy my needs
