How do you pickpocket someone who’s walking?

[DobbyBaby]

Asking for a friend . . .

Is the intent that Henry follows the person until he finds out where they sleep, then robs them? Or is there a way to pick the pockets of the likes of Wolfgang Pruda for example as he wanders up and down the streets of Rattay?

I’m not really sure how the witness function works either. Must there be no one in the area for picking pockets to work? Or can you be conceladed in darkness? Or standing out of line of sight is sufficient not to be witnessed?

[Steven Silverheart]

Remember to learn pickpocketing from the miller in the beginning of the game. Just walk behind them crouched (use stealth clothing) and hold E. This will initiate the pickpocketing minigame. This will become easier to do once your stealth and pickpocketing skills increase.

Dont do it when someone is around. Thats my tip.

[Lieste]

You need to point at the 'belt' and keep at the correct window of distance - neither too close nor too far away, but at around 4-5 feet (a bit further than IRL, but to avoid 'bumping' the NPC). Aiming at the wrong place, or changing distance rapidly will time out the pick. Trying too often in quick succession on the same NPC will make future picks harder etc.

Visibility is LOS to other NPC, with around a 30m max range, but reduced by stealth/alertness/witness vision quality (closer than 2m is auto detect though for anyone not the pick target afaict).

Before doing too much pickpocketing in busy towns, it is very useful to practice on more isolated people (travellers, surrendered or fleeing bandits are useful practice goons, and not permanent occupants of a town). The perk which makes friendly NPCs tolerant of a little friendly groping makes picking a much safer proposition.

[alation13]

I have not run into a situation where you have to pickpocket a character who never sleeps, so my advise is just wait until they go to sleep. It is also much less likely that anyone else will spot you.

[ParasiteX]

You can pickpocket moving chars as long as you also move and stay within range to fill the meter.
Obviously this is still risky as anyone who walks by can spot you. But as long as you stay behind him, and your pickpocket skill is decently high enough and no-one around to spot you. Then it should be fine.

[DargonBlak]

Best place i have found to practice is the ramp that leads up from the river to Rattay - random folk use it all day long, and are often spread out.

Also, the only guard is up near the gate, and even if you are caught, hew will not go far from the gate to chase you (so you can just steal from the next victim)

[DobbyBaby]

Thanks for the replies. Henry’s pickpocketing is a 3, and I have successfully picked the Vagabond’s first target while he was standing around. The second target I had to follow home and rob them in their sleep because I couldn’t figure out how to pick a pocket of pickled peppers . . . Er, oops got distracted. Couldn’t figure out how to pick a pocket while walking.

Maybe I’ll have to practice as recommended to raise skills before going after the Vagabond’s third target. This is reminding me of a Charles Dickens novel.

Another question about pocket picking, Miller Peshek recommenced practicing on drinks. How do I find a drunk? Anyone sitting in a tavern?

[alation13]

By far the easiest place to get your pickpocket up is the inn just outside the top gate at Rattay, wake up before dawn, pickpocket some sleeping guests in the outside buildings, sleep for another hour, repeat, sleep for another hour, repeat. You sleep to create a save point just in case someone wakes up. You can practice on miller Peshek with no risk if you ask him first but that gets way harder than sleeping guests.

NOTE: never steal keys, they will be flagged as stolen but on your key ring so they can not be stashed and when searched the guards will be annoyed because you have stolen goods.

[DargonBlak]

Stealing keys creates no issue that i have noticed - guards dont charge you with a crime - they just somehow know the keys aren't yours. But i dont really care about my reputation.

The hardest part of picking from a moving target is matching their speed.

In normal walking - you have two speeds by toggling <Caps Lock> (walk or jog)

In crouching - the same rule applies - two Crouch Speeds toggled by <Caps Lock>

Some targets match Crouch Fast, some match Crouch Slow, and some match Neither

For the folks that match neither speed, you need to pick the Crouch Speed that is a bit faster than they are, and then Tap/Hold/Release the forward move button to match their speed, while crouching, while staying the correct distance away, while picking their pocket. :)

It takes some practice, but it can be done - just like lockpicking and melee combat

[DobbyBaby]

Can I pick someone’s pocket if I just sit next to them?

How about if they stop to talk to someone in the middle of the street and I’m directly behind the target. In that case, will my target’s interlocutor witness Henry?

[DargonBlak]

Escrito originalmente por Jonnie:

Can I pick someone’s pocket if I just sit next to them?

How about if they stop to talk to someone in the middle of the street and I’m directly behind the target. In that case, will my target’s interlocutor witness Henry?

No, not from next to them - the will "see" you.

Not if they are talking to someone, or if someone is approaching, you will be seen and caught in the act.

You have Unlimited Saves, so just do some Save scumming while you test different ideas, and then you can be the expert.

Remember there is a potion that will improve your skill, but once your Pickpocket is over 5 and Stealth over 8 - it should all be much easier.

[DobbyBaby]

Escrito originalmente por DargonBlak:

Escrito originalmente por Jonnie:

Can I pick someone’s pocket if I just sit next to them?

How about if they stop to talk to someone in the middle of the street and I’m directly behind the target. In that case, will my target’s interlocutor witness Henry?

No, not from next to them - the will "see" you.

Not if they are talking to someone, or if someone is approaching, you will be seen and caught in the act.

You have Unlimited Saves, so just do some Save scumming while you test different ideas, and then you can be the expert.

Remember there is a potion that will improve your skill, but once your Pickpocket is over 5 and Stealth over 8 - it should all be much easier.

Thumbs up.

Henry needs a little more practice picking a moving pocket before continuing on with the Vagabond’s mission.

[Philippe_at_bay]

I'm hardly an expert at picking pockets, but I got most of my skill during mass when I was in the monastery. Stand at the far back of the chapel and pick your targets so that you are out of the likely line of sight of anyone who might see you. I was always too cautious to go after anyone who was moving, but they celebrate mass so often that I eventually cleaned everybody out.

[CalicoJack]

if my target walks around i just bump into him.
this leads him to stop and slander about personal space but gives me enough time to pickpocket him ;)
of course best done from behind and without possible witnesses

[DobbyBaby]

Escrito originalmente por CalicoJack:

if my target walks around i just bump into him.
this leads him to stop and slander about personal space but gives me enough time to pickpocket him ;)
of course best done from behind and without possible witnesses

Hey! That's a great idea, didn't think of that.

[DargonBlak]

Escrito originalmente por Jonnie:

Escrito originalmente por CalicoJack:

if my target walks around i just bump into him.
this leads him to stop and slander about personal space but gives me enough time to pickpocket him ;)
of course best done from behind and without possible witnesses

Hey! That's a great idea, didn't think of that.

Yes i like that idea too, especially for the realism of "distracting the target"

And Jonnie - i really like your idea of a "Vagabond" role-play - that is awesome.