Tips for a bumbling newbie? (Spoilers are okay)

[Rithm Fluffderg]

I've actually seen the game played before, all the way through, so I'm not worried about spoilers.

But it turns out that having watched the game means nothing when I'm actually thrown into it.

Simply put... I have a tendency to get lost easily. I find myself walking in circles, overlooking things, and so forth. The map is a little helpful, but I kinda wish I had Thief 2's map instead, where it at least tells you what room you're in. I'm rather... directionally challenge, shall we say.

I tried to play the game on the second highest setting, though I'm following the community philosophy of "Killing is sloppy." So it's not so much the guards I have a problem with (though sometimes telling where the footsteps are coming from is hard, especially when they're a floor above me)

So I'm wondering... any tips to help me avoid getting lost in the very first level?

And just tips period. That would be nice. Assume I'm completely ignorant.

[constancejill]

Hello there .o/
Don't just use the map, you also have a compass. Note that unless otherwise noted, north is this way ↑

[😎 𝓣𝓪𝓯𝓯𝒆𝓻𝔀𝓸𝓬𝓴𝔂 😎]

Yeah the compass is essential- i mapped it to the v key for quick access. And the 1st level is fairly small- it's the 2nd and 3rd levels that really get confusing. Anyway, try knocking out all the guards so you get the run of the place. Remember landmarks and unique rooms and if necessary even draw your own map of the place- i actually like doing that! Also, on levels like the thieves' guild with few landmarks and a lot of similar-looking rooms you could drop items you don't need in them as a trail of breadcrumbs to show where you've been.

[VdeVeer]

I consider myself somewhat of a veteran (the original boxes are next to me on the shelf), but I can still get lost in the Dark Project's more sprawlling maps, a feature of 1998 gaming :) So yeah, as stated above, explore, use the compass and breadcrumbing should help.

[Rithm Fluffderg]

Thanks for the tip about the compass.

Incidentally, what's a good keybind setup to begin with? :/

[😎 𝓣𝓪𝓯𝓯𝒆𝓻𝔀𝓸𝓬𝓴𝔂 😎]

Well it's upto you, but i'd recommend setting s to move backwards and shift to speed toggle. Also quicksave and load to f5 and f9. It helps to memorise other hotkeys and remember you can clear your inventory with backspace. A few bits of advice: you can lean into doors to hear what's on the other side, some wooden doors can be broken open with your sword (this makes a lot of noise), take notice of the weapon you have equipped (all of them apart from the blackjack make you significantly more visible) and last but not least remember always to look up!! I could give you a lot more tips but tbh it's best to learn things for yourself. :) I hope you've installed TFix as well- it's essential and makes cutscenes play properly among other things! And finally the game is best played in a dark room with headphones and volume turned up :)

[DripleD]

There is also the HD-Patch made by Gecko

http://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=135188

It also comes with an included installer for minor graphic tweaks.

---
It's more a modification than a patch because a few more (vegetation)objects are added.

[😎 𝓣𝓪𝓯𝓯𝒆𝓻𝔀𝓸𝓬𝓴𝔂 😎]

That HD pack is something best saved for a second playthrough imho.

[Rithm Fluffderg]

Thanks so much for your help, guys. I didn't get everything in Bafford's mansion, but I did get a lot more than I thought I would (definitely over a thousand), and on top of that, I just went straight for Expert level. It was definitely a lot of fun. And best of all? I didn't really even need my water arrows. Yeah, I used some, but only after there was no point to them.

I'm definitely not going for a Ghost run. I can barely handle a standard run right now XD

And now for the haunted mines. *shivers* I hate zombies.

UPDATE:

Okay, I got through the prison and stuff. And now for another haunted level. Yaaaaaay.

I hate the undead in Thief.

Can't wait until I get to Thief 2.

[Lex]

Originally posted by Zachski:

I hate the undead in Thief.

Can't wait until I get to Thief 2.

Haunted cathedral awaits! :D

[😎 𝓣𝓪𝓯𝓯𝒆𝓻𝔀𝓸𝓬𝓴𝔂 😎]

Zombies are quite easy and fun to explode with fire arrows (you have to draw back full way to 1-shot them) and holy water arrows (which can be drawn back for any length of time and do the same damage), especially if you can cluster them close enough together that you can aoe them with your attacks, plus they move so damn slowly. Haunts and ghosts are another matter though D:
And haha don't worry about ghost runs, many Thief players (including me) are rabid blackjackers most of the time. We could ghost, but don't have the patience and KO'ing is so satisfying!

[Rithm Fluffderg]

I've also learned that sometimes, it's just better to run past the zombies than it is to deal with them.

Varricks... are not as easy to deal with, however.

[😎 𝓣𝓪𝓯𝓯𝒆𝓻𝔀𝓸𝓬𝓴𝔂 😎]

Burricks? They're the one enemy in Thief I've never got to grips with. The eyes on the side of their head make me confused if they have a wider field of vision than most enemies, also they alert other burricks even when just KO'd and their hitboxes are really hard to find (making shooting them annoying as hell).

[Rithm Fluffderg]

I must admit that it feels easier to stab them in the back with my sword than it is to knock them out.

Though it sucks that you have to approach them from an angle, which makes me all kinds of nervous.

[Lex]

You also can do hammer-tossing if there's one nearby. As far as I remember two hammers kill a haunt.

[Lex]

I also stumbled upon this awesome and just-interesting-to-read Thief gameplay FAQ here: http://www.thief-thecircle.com/guides/unusual/