Oldschool_Thief on 28/11/2007 at 16:51
I'm generally pretty stealthy when I play, but when the opportunity arises, I'll be a sick bastard. My favourite Theif moment is still from playing the TDP demo I got with an issue of maximum PC way back. I KO'd the guard infront of the wellhouse, threw him on my shoulder, jumped down the well, and fell in love with the game. Watching that icon change from "unconcious body" to "corpse" still makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Whenever I get the chance I'll drown or burn unconcious guards. I also love messing with guards in general by doing things like strategically placing a bodyand then luring a guard or a civilian (I find the latter more amusing) to it and watching them freak out. Why can't games be this cool anymore?
OldMeat on 28/11/2007 at 22:08
I generally ghost through and K.O. enemy type A.I. and leave bystanders alone.
I do really like it when I have no contact with any of the other characters in an entire expert level game when possible, and sometimes they just notice items missing, a light out, or door open.
Try not using any water arrows or leaving on or switching off any lights, or leaving any doors open, or have no A.I.'s even notice. I think someone named this 'Lytha Style' named after the person who first used it. I have only been able to do this on a very few games.
With some games, tripping an alarm on purpose is the last thing done after all objectives have been fullfilled, and by then it is too late for the A.I.s concerned.
I hate assassination missions. They do not fit in with my concept of what the game should be, I use my military games for that. But, I will begrudgingly do them in 'Thief' if required.
I usually use my broadhead arrows for beasts, buttons, knockings things over or down, occassional distractions, and tripping traps.
Sometimes, I will do a 'Benny Hill' routine and have all the guards chase me after I have pickpocketed all their keys, where I lead them to a room and lock all of them in it. It is not always easy, sometimes 1 or 2 guards go right through the locked door and I will have to lead them back again. Bafford's was the first place I did this, it is fun to do.
So, my favorite playing styles would probably list like in the order below, number one being favorite.
1. Ghosting ('Lytha style' when possible)
2. Full or selective knock-outs (Guards and Nobles on selective)
3. Half & half (guards and beasts only)
4. 'Lock-up' (described above)
5. 'Chase the maiden' (knock out everyone but one or 2 maidens and chase her or them around the level till you get bored; Yeah I know, it is kind of sick, but fun none the less)
6. Rampage (everyone goes with an arrow placed from a well hidden location)
7. Melee or die
Iain on 12/1/2008 at 14:06
I enjoy that mission, so many unsuspecting hammerites there, so much fun KO'ing them :ebil: There is a small crawlspace that I have managed to pile 5 guys in at one go, then u close the gates and all of 'em are squashed in to that small area. terrorising guards rules too :ebil:
Spyrano on 13/1/2008 at 10:38
I'll almost always deal with an AI instead of bypassing them (One less to worry about).
If they're KO-able then my trusty Blackjack will get a good workout.
If they're Spiders then I hit them with a Broadhead.
If they're undead, then I destroy them with my Sword.
Fire/Gas arrows and mines are rarely used.
If I see an un-KO-able guard and there is not a 'no killing humans' rule in place, then they will die. I'm trying to send a message to the City Watch by killing all their guards that can't be knocked out, and sparing the lives of those that can. Do you think they'll come to terms with their hubris and reverse their policy on armored helmets?
Bjossi on 16/1/2008 at 00:31
I KO all guards since I'm playing on Expert. I try to KO the burricks and craymen when I get the chance, and I kill all spiders with the sword or broadheads. (mostly broadheads, I prefer not to get very close to them...)
The Juggler on 23/1/2008 at 20:42
Don't bother with ghosting or any such malarky. I try not to kill with the sword where possible. No qualms about blackjacking or sniping with an arrow if I can afford one.
The main thing is to take out guards before they can run off. Controlling an area and then sucking it dry.
Nightcrowe on 24/1/2008 at 20:01
I completed all three games on all the difficulty levels, with many a time spent either in a dark corner,frozen with fear of the horrid undead...or fleeing from them at top speed, I now selectively choose my levels to replay from my carefully preserved savegames. I nearly always choose the levels without too much horror in them.
If I'm in a mood to amuse myself, I'll go in and try out many different ways to taunt/knockout/kill the guards and then dispose of them interestingly ;) . The 'Benny Hill' run away method (described by others here) is always great fun too. Especially if I've already set up a few rope arrows in some dark high areas to confuse them with my swift disappearance.
Occasionally, I'll load a level with an undead section that leads to something normal (like Cragscleft) so that I can try to de-sensitise myself to the things, but I really really don't like them :( .
I often try to lead the Hammerites, the undead,Haunts, spiders...whatever.... to clash with each other and be too busy to bother with me much :sly: . Nasty beasties usually receive a broadhead or two as a gift. Or even a gas arrow.
Then sometimes a bit of disciplined thieving is what I fancy, and if it turns into a rout, then I'll see what I can do on the spur of the moment....at least until I die. Then I reload. :cheeky:
I have never completely ghosted as I don't find it as much fun.
