Pickpocketing

2012-05-16T21:02:03Z

66.119.84.21: /* Renaissance */

{{Era|Chronicles|AC|ACII|Brotherhood|Revelations}}
[[File:Altair pickpocketing.png|thumb|260px|Altaïr pickpocketing knives.]]

'''Pickpocketing''' is an important method of [[Investigations|gaining information]], money, or items. This tactic was often employed by [[thieves]] and members of the [[Assassins|Assassin Order]].

==History==
===High Middle Ages===
[[File:Pick.jpg|thumb|250px|Altaïr about to successfully pickpocket his target.]]For Assassins during the [[Third Crusade]], pickpocketing was used for gathering letters or other items from informants, or for restocking on [[throwing knives]]. Targets for pickpocketing always carried 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, and reached out to slip the key or letter 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.<ref name="Altaïr's Chronicles" /><ref name="AC" />

Pickpocketing victims was only viable if the target was moving, not facing the one targeting them, and 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:AssassinsCreed 360 Test008.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Altaïr pickpocketing a thug.]]He 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. Nearby 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 fistfight, 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]], and not items. However, instead, he also looted both money and items (usually [[Trading Items|trade items]] or ammunition) from dead or unconscious guards. Doing so in public, however, 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" />

An easier way is to hire a group of thieves and instead of using htem in the normal way (distracting guards), just lead them through a crowded place, where they would "mass pick pocket".

===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 him.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]''</ref>

==Pickpockets==
[[File:519px-Pickpocket.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A typical pickpocket.]] Like [[Borgia Messengers]], several thieves roamed the streets and rooftops, and would often seek out Ezio to steal from him. One such 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" />

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 pickpocket's other money.<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" />

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==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]]
|Bronze
|-
|[[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]]
|Bronze
|}

==Trivia==
[[File:Pickpocketing.jpg|thumb|250px|Pickpocketing in ''Altaïr's Chronicles''.]]
* Unlike in the other games, pickpocketing in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles]]'' involves both approaching the target, and maneuvering the desired item out of their pouch.
* In ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'', the pickpocket steals 5% of Ezio's florins.
* In ''Assassin's Creed II,'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]] and [[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'', after bribing a herald, the money can be stolen back from him. Alternatively, the herald can be killed, and the corpse looted to re-obtain the money.
* After completing five [[Guild Challenges#Thieves|Thieves Guild challenges]], hired thieves will pickpocket money for Ezio.
* Certain guards hold more florins than others when looted, with certain [[House of Borgia|Borgia]] Captains carrying more than 900 florins.
[[File:Thief pickpoket Ezio.PNG|thumb|250px|A pickpocket stealing from Ezio in [[Rome]].]]
* Civilians in richer clothing carry more florins.
* Like Borgia messengers, pickpockets in ''Assassin's Creed II'' will drop their florins if they are struck with a throwing knife.

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{AC}}
{{ACAC}}
{{ACII}}
{{ACBH}}
{{ACR}}
[[Category:Missions]]
[[Category:Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Revelations Gameplay]]

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Pickpocketing