Developers Corner

I am an avid Thief/Rogue/Cutpurse/Bandit class player and there is one thing in particular I dont like about how most games have skills for thieves.  Here is a skill tree that I would love to see in an mmo.  Since I am not sure what system to bring up these skills I will list them with skill level requirements since this method is universal, only modified depending on the game

Five Finger Discount--This skill allows for stealing a random item from an NPC shop.  The chance is based on certain stats that indicate dexterity, covertness, skill level [1-10], and the amount of money the randomly generated item is worth.

Mug (requires Five Finger Discount 3)--This skill steals a random object from target based on what they have in thier pack (Player Items arent stolen but rather duplicated)  This skill Auto-Agros the target.  The chance to do so is the same as above.

Snatching (requires Five Finger Discount 5)--Improves the chance to use Five Finger Discount, Mug, Steal, Jack, and Pilfer.

Pilfer (requires Five Finger Discount 10)--An additional random item is dropped when a monster is defeated with the thief in the party, item drops by chance based on the steal chances above; number of items increases with skill level max skill level.

Steal (requires Mug 5)--This skill steals a random object from target based on what they have in thier pack (Player Items arent stolen but rather duplicated) The chance to do so is the same as above

Hide (requires Mug 10)--This skill cloaks the enemy from sight for a duration based on skill level.

Pick Lock (requires Snatching 4)-- This skill opens a lock.

Pick Pocket (requires Pick Lock 5)-- This skill steals currency.

Jack (requires steal 10)--This skill steals a random equipment

King of Thieves(requires Jack 5)-- This skill allows stealing from Boss type monsters, and stealing while hiding.

Hoarding (requires Pick Pocket 5)-- This skill auto-loots items, that are assigned to the thief.

Cat's Eye (Requires Pick Lock 1)-- Increases all stealing skill chances.

Plunder (Requires King of Thieves 1, Pilfer 5)-- Chance to use a random stealing skill while attacking.

Now who wouldnt want a greedy item magnet thief in thier party, sure they might seem overly useful but just think of all the useless stats they have to get to use these skills well.

You would have to limit it to an extreme amount because if a player has really good items, what would keep the thief and a friend from trying to legally dupe all the good items.

It would be very hard...very cool concept but very hard.  Also they would have to have these bonuses plus the ability to be a good fighter and thus the other classes would all have to have extremely cool abilities like this.

i liek this idea, but i agree with the guy who said about duplicating items. i think that it shouldnt duplicate, but theifs should be made weak, so that if one steals your "legendary armour" you can just batter him and take it back. so all recently (within last minute of play) stolen items should be dropped when the theif dies. also really good items should be harder to steal, and maybe there should be a chance for the victim to increase chances of keeping items, eg. as the thief is about to steal, an animation or something is played, and the victim must try and block or something to protect their items

But how often do you see a thief walk up to someone and steal their pants... and walk away unnoticed... you can make it to where thieves cant steal major items (breastplates, greaves, and such). They can only steal rings, items in your pack, and things like that. It would be up to the player to watch for thieves and keep them away. Of course youd have to have free PvP, or make stealing only do-able when PvP is enabled onto another PvP enabled player.

I like your ideas in general. Here are some changes I'd make:

No duplicating items, too easy to abuse, and what's the point of stealing if your opponent doesn't lose something?

Limit these abilities to items in a persons pack, currency, or an item hanging about their person (certainly not large weapons, armor, or any other form of equipped well... equipment.)

Have a chance to get caught based on your skill in Pick Pocketing and your opponents Perception skill (similar to D&D). Stupid orc fighters should be easier to steal from than elven arch-mages (assuming typical class stereotypes =) ) Only have these skills aggro if the target catches you in the act.

Cheers,
Gray Shadow