Pickpocketing

2013-06-01T15:58:58Z

46.11.53.170: /* Trivia */

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[[File:AC1 Altair Target Pickpocket.png|thumb|250px|Altaïr pickpocketing a target]]
'''Pickpocketing''' was an important method of [[Investigations|gaining information]], money, or items, and was a tactic that was often employed by [[thieves]] and members of the [[Assassins|Assassin Order]].

==History==
===High Middle Ages===
[[File:AC1 Altair Pickpocket Observation.png|thumb|250px|Altaïr observing a target to pickpocket]]
For Assassins during the [[Third Crusade]], pickpocketing was used for gathering letters or other items from informants, as well as for restocking on [[throwing knives]]. Oddly, targets for pickpocketing would always carry satchels on their left sides.<ref name="Altaïr's Chronicles">''[[Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles]]''</ref><ref name="AC">''[[Assassin's Creed]]''</ref>

To pickpocket an informant, usually after [[eavesdropping]] on them and discovering what they had in their possession, [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]] approached the target quietly from behind, before reaching out to slip the desired item from their satchel. Should he not move away from the target after they discovered the theft, the victim would often call the [[guards]] to attack him.<ref name="Altaïr's Chronicles" /><ref name="AC" />

Optimally, pickpocketing targets was only viable if they were moving, not facing the one targeting them, and if they were positioned far from a guard. This method was also the only way for Altaïr to gather throwing knives, apart from returning to [[Masyaf]] or visiting an [[Assassins' Bureau]].<ref name="AC" />

[[File:AC1 Altair Thug Pickpocket.png|thumb|250px|left|Altaïr pickpocketing a thug]]
To do this, Altaïr would acquire knives from certain [[thugs]], who – unlike regular citizens – would engage Altaïr in a [[Fists|fistfight]] if they discovered his attempt to steal from them. Should they be nearby, other thugs would also join in and assist the target.<ref name="AC" />

Each thug carried around five knives, all of which could be stolen. However, upon being discovered and defeating them in a brawl, Altaïr would only be able to take one knife from the beaten thug.<ref name="AC" />
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===Renaissance===
[[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] learned how to pickpocket from a fellow Assassin, [[Paola]], soon after the execution of his father and brothers. Pickpocketing was an optional way to acquire florins, as well as items.<ref name="AC2">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>

Unlike Altaïr, Ezio would only pickpocket money from [[civilians]]. However, he also looted both money and items (usually [[Trading Items|trade items]] or ammunition) from dead or unconscious guards. Doing so in public, though, would usually prompt nearby citizens to reprimand him.<ref name="AC2" /><ref name="Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>

Civilians – both male and female – who discovered Ezio's efforts, would engage him in a fight and would usually flee after a single strike.<ref name="AC2" /><ref name="Brotherhood" />

===Ottoman Empire===
The [[Turkish Assassins]] created the [[hookblade]], which came in useful during conflicts to perform a counter-steal: an Assassin could simply rip a purse off a guard, enraging them.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]''</ref>

===American Colonies===
The Colonial Assassins could pickpocket both civilians and guards to steal a variety of items or to simply take their money. The Assassin would stand next to their target and search their pockets or pouches for items. Searching for a longer time yielded more money and items, but the target and all nearby guards would get suspicious of them.

==Pickpockets==
[[File:Easy go 2.png|thumb|right|250px|A pickpocket stealing from Ezio in [[Rome]]]]
Like [[Borgia Messengers]], several thieves roamed the streets and rooftops, and would often seek out Ezio to steal from him. One such [[Ugo|pickpocket]] was successfully able to take his money in [[Florence]], though the thief had only intended to lead him to [[La Volpe]].<ref name="AC2" />

As well as this, pickpockets would only approach Ezio if he was not looking at them, and would flee immediately should he notice them. If pickpockets took his money, Ezio could chase after them – with the help of any nearby guards – and tackle or grab them to reclaim his money, as well as taking the money the pickpocket had obtained from other marks.<ref name="AC2" /><ref name="Brotherhood" />

Alternatively, should Ezio or a guard kill the pickpocket, the Assassin could simply loot the body to take back his money.<ref name="AC2" /><ref name="Brotherhood" />

==Achievements==
{{Main|Achievements}}
{|border="1" style="text-align:center" cellpadding="2"
!width="64"|Icon
!width="300"|Name
!width="200"|How to obtain
!width="64"|Points
!width="64"|Trophy
|-
|[[File:AssassinsCreed TheHandsOfAThief.jpg]]
!The Hands of a Thief
|Pickpocket 200 throwing knives
|15[[File:G.png]]
|N/A
|-
|[[File:Kleptomaniac.jpg]]
!Kleptomaniac
|Pickpocket 1000 Florins
|10[[File:G.png]]
|{{PS3B}}
|-
|[[File:Easy Come Easy Go.png|65px]]
!Easy Come, Easy Go
|Pay 500 florins to an [[Heralds|orator]], then pickpocket him afterwards
|5[[File:G.png]]
|{{PS3B}}
|-
|[[File:AC3L-Thief.png|65px]]
!Thief
|Pickpocket 5000 écu
|N/A
|{{PS3S}}
|}

==Trivia==
[[File:Pickpocketing.jpg|thumb|250px|Pickpocketing in ''Altaïr's Chronicles'']]
*Unlike in other instances, pickpocketing in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles]]'' both involved approaching the target and maneuvering the desired item out of their item pouch.
*In ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'', the pickpocket would always steal 5% of Ezio's total florins.
*In ''Assassin's Creed II,'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]] and [[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'', after bribing a herald, the money could be stolen back from him but increasing notoriety slightly in the process. Alternatively, the herald could be killed and the corpse looted to re-obtain the money thus not gaining notoriety.
*After completing five [[Guild Challenges#Thieves|Thieves Guild challenges]], hired thieves would pickpocket money for Ezio.
**As well as this, thieves in Constantinople could loot the bodies of dead guards for Ezio, once he had completed a specific challenge set.
*Certain guards held more florins than others when looted, with certain [[House of Borgia|Borgia]] Captains carrying more than 900 florins. Also when Ezio journeyed to the city of Constantinople, the [[Janissaries]] could be looted for up to 84 akce,
**Ezio could also perform a counter-steal during combat to snatch the satchel of the Janissary, in order to obtain their akce.
*Naturally, civilians in richer clothing carried more florins.
*Like Borgia messengers, pickpockets in ''Assassin's Creed II'' would drop their florins if they were struck with a throwing knife.
*The ''Easy Come, Easy Go ''achievement/trophy has been known to be glitched and not trigger.

==References==
{{Reflist}}
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[[Category:Missions]]
[[Category:Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Revelations gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed III gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed III: Liberation gameplay]]

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Pickpocketing