Pickpocketing

Altaïr pickpocketing a target

Pickpocketing is the act of stealing an item, most commonly money, valuables, or secret documents, directly from the person in possession of it. Although it is widely committed illicitly by thieves for sheer profit, it is also an important method of acquiring confidential information as part of espionage. Accordingly, pickpocketing has been a common, yet invaluable, tactic employed by the Assassins throughout their centuries-long conflict against the Templars.

History

Islamic Golden Age

Basim pickpocketing a civilian

During the 9th century, the thief Basim ibn Ishaq was a prolific pickpocket, in part thanks to his Eagle Vision, which allowed him to detect valuable items to steal from unsuspecting people. To pickpocket a target, Basim would simply approach them from behind and steal their pouches, though if his attempt failed, he would be discovered and forced to flee before the guards arrived.

After joining the Hidden Ones, Basim put his pickpocketing skills to good use, frequently stealing keys, documents, and other objects of interest from his targets.

Crusades

For Assassins during the Third Crusade, pickpocketing was used for gathering letters or other items from informants, as well as for replenishing their supply of throwing knives.

To pickpocket an informant, usually after eavesdropping on them and discovering what they had in their possession, Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad approached his mark quietly from behind, deftly retrieving the desired item from their satchel. Should a theft be detected—or should Altaïr linger too close to his mark following a successful act—the individual's sudden realization would lead them to summon the city guards, forcing the Assassin to either flee or defend himself.

To minimize the risk of detection, Altaïr typically targeted individuals who were in motion or distracted, ensuring he remained outside their field of vision. This method served as a vital means for Altaïr to replenish his weaponry while in the field, sparing him the necessity of a time-consuming return to Masyaf or a local bureau for supplies.

Altaïr pickpocketing a thug

Altaïr could also acquire knives from certain thugs who, unlike common citizens, were prone to engaging in brawls if they caught him in the act. Should they be nearby, others of their kind would often join the fray to assist. While a successful and undetected theft allowed Altaïr to secure a full supply of five blades, the chaos of a brawl typically meant he could only recover a single usable knife from a defeated opponent.

Renaissance

In 1476, Ezio Auditore da Firenze learned how to pickpocket from a fellow Assassin, Paola, soon after the execution of his father and brothers.

Unlike Altaïr, Ezio would only pickpocket money from civilians. However, he also looted both money and items, usually trade items or ammunition, from dead or unconscious guards. Doing so in public, though, would usually prompt nearby citizens to reprimand him. Civilians who discovered Ezio's efforts, would engage him in a fight and would usually flee after a single strike.

Ottoman Empire

The Ottoman 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.

American Colonies

Aveline pickpocketing a civilian

During the 18th century, Assassins such as Ratonhnhaké:ton and Aveline de Grandpré could pickpocket both civilians and guards to steal a variety of items or to simply take their money. The Assassin would stand behind 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.

Edward Kenway, Adéwalé, and Shay Cormac could pickpocket both civilians and guards in a similar manner, though their methods were more inconspicuous and they could not steal multiple goods from the same target. Alternatively, they could simply loot the bodies of any incapacitated enemy.

Victorian London

The British Assassins Jacob and Evie Frye initially could not pickpocket other individuals, but as their skills increased, they gained the ability to instantly pickpocket any target they took hostage, looting any valuables and items they carried.

In one notable instance, Jacob had to resort to pickpocketing to recover the Koh-i-Noor diamond, which the Templars had stolen and planted on Maharaja Duleep Singh, in order to prevent Singh from being accused of theft.

Pickpockets

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.

A pickpocket stealing from Ezio in Rome

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.

Alternatively, should Ezio or a guard kill the pickpocket, the Assassin could simply loot the body to take back his money.

Trivia

Achievements

• In Assassin's Creed, The Hands of a Thief achievement can be earned by pickpocketing 200 throwing knives from thugs.
• In Assassin's Creed II, the Kleptomaniac achievement can be earned by pickpocketing 1000 florins.
• In Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, the Easy Come, Easy Go achievement can be earned by paying 500 florins to an orator, and then pickpocketing him afterwards. The Da Vinci Disappearance expansion is needed for this achievement to be available.
  • This achievement has been known to be glitched and not trigger.
• In Assassin's Creed III: Liberation, the Thief achievement can be earned by pickpocketing 5000 écu.
• In Assassin's Creed: Mirage, The Hands of a Thief achievement can be earned by pickpocketing 50 different people.

Gameplay

• In Assassin's Creed II, pickpockets will always steal 5% of Ezio's total florins.
• In Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, it is possible for pickpockets to steal more than 44,000 of Ezio's florins depending on the amount of money he has by rebuilding Rome.
• Arquebusiers and crossbowmen are the only guards who will actively shoot a pickpocket should he be on the rooftops. Pickpockets take a single shot to die from an arquebusier and multiple shots to die from a crossbowman.
• 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 recover the money.
• After completing five Thieves Guild challenges, hired thieves would automatically 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 Borgia Captains carrying more than 900 florins. In Constantinople, the Janissaries could be looted for up to 84 akçe.
• Like Borgia messengers, pickpockets in Assassin's Creed II will drop their florins if they are struck with a throwing knife.
• In Assassin's Creed: Unity, when Arno Dorian catches pickpockets, the money is added to his pockets, rather than needing to return the money to the victim.

Gallery

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  Pickpocketing in Altaïr's Chronicles
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  Altaïr observing a target to pickpocket
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  Altaïr about to pickpocket a target

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed (first appearance)
• Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles
• Assassin's Creed II
• Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
• Assassin's Creed: Revelations
• Assassin's Creed III
• Assassin's Creed III: Liberation
• Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
• Assassin's Creed: Rogue
• Assassin's Creed: Syndicate
• Assassin's Creed: Mirage