Pickpocketing

Altair about to successfully pickpocket his target.

In Assassin's Creed, pickpocketing is an important method of gaining information. It is also the only way to restock Throwing Knives, apart from going to Masyaf and/or going to an Assassin's Bureau.

How to Pickpocket

To pickpocket, the player must press the Lock On button. Depending on control settings, the Lock On button will be either L1 (Playstation 3), Left Trigger (Xbox 360), or F (PC default layout). While targeting the victim, move Altaïr a few paces behind them and hold the Free Hand button, which will be either (Playstation 3), B (Xbox 360, or Shift (PC default layout). Once Altaïr is close enough, as long as you are not detected by the victim or a Guard, you will steal from the victim's bag, a successful pickpocket.

Who to Pickpocket

There are two kinds of people you can pickpocket, always identifiable by a pouch around their waist, on their left side.

Informants

Every so often during your Investigations, you will find a person with a bit of information you could use, be it a map or a letter. They always so conveniently place this bit of information in a pouch around their waist - easy for Altaïr to steal. When you first locate Pickpocketing targets, they will be talking with another person. Position yourself an appropriate distance away (not too close, not too far) and press the Lock On button to begin the pickpocket.

Thugs

The thugs roaming the cities always have knives on hand which Altaïr can use as throwing knives. Each time you pickpocket them, you will receive 5 knives. If you happen to pickpocket as many knives as, or more knives than you can hold, your knife count will be maxed out and you will see the message "You have acquired the maximum number of knives".

When not to Pickpocket

There are various scenarios in which a pickpocket may fail, leading to a fight:

• The victim stops.
• The victim is facing you.
• The victim is looking behind himself.
• You are too close to the victim and he tells you to be gone.
• A guard is very close.

If you do try any of the above, the victim may notice you and engage you in a fistfight. If this happens, fight and kill your attacker or run.

Achievement

On the Xbox 360 version you can get an achievement by pickpocketing 200 knives:

Icon	Name	Description	Points	Secret?
	The Hands of a Thief	Pickpocket 200 throwing knives.	15	No

Update In AC2

In Assassin's Creed 2 Ezio has the ability to steal from any non-friendly NPC (this includes normal civilians, guards, etc.), taking money as opposed to throwing knives. To do this he must use fast walk to move through the crowd, and then Ezio uses his empty hand to steal. However, if Ezio lingers too long in the area he will be recognized and attacked, so it is important to move quickly after stealing. Stealing can award the player with anywhere from 3 to 50 florins at a time.

In addition Ezio can search unconscious or dead enemies for money. Although this takes longer and leaves the player open to attack. It is possible to get over 100 florins with this method, as well as items such as throwing knives, medicine vials and poison.

However Pickpocketing quickly becomes useless as the player progresses due to the fact the small amount made isn't enough compared to the prices of items that can be bought.

In AC1 you will have your hand out reaching for the pickpocket, leaving you more noticeable. In AC2 this is removed and you can now pickpocket quickly, but people may alert guards around you.

If you're feeling like a jerk, or are greedy you can pickpocket the money away from heralds who you just paid off, lowering your notoriety for free!