Pickpocketing



Pickpocketing was an important method of gaining information, money, or items. This tactic was often employed by thieves and members of the Assassin Order.

High Middle Ages
For Assassins during the Third Crusade, pickpocketing was used for gathering letters or other items from informants, or for restocking on throwing knives. Targets for pickpocketing always carried satchels on their left sides.

To pickpocket an informant, usually after eavesdropping on them and discovering what they had in their possession, Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad approached the target quietly from behind, and reached out to slip the key or letter from their satchel. Should he not move away from the target after they discovered the theft, the victim would often call the guards to attack.

Pickpocketing victims was only viable if the target was moving, not facing the one targeting them, and positioned far from a guard. This method was also the only way for Altaïr to gather throwing knives, apart from returning to Masyaf or visiting an Assassins' Bureau.

He would acquire knives from certain thugs, who - unlike regular citizens - would engage Altaïr in a fistfight if they discovered his attempt to steal from them. Nearby thugs would also join in and assist the target.

Each thug carried around five knives, all of which could be stolen. However, upon being discovered and defeating them in a fistfight, Altaïr would only be able to take one knife from the beaten thug.

Renaissance
Ezio Auditore da Firenze learned how to pickpocket from a fellow Assassin, Paola, soon after the execution of his father and brothers. Pickpocketing was an optional way to acquire florins, as well as items.

Unlike Altaïr, Ezio would only pickpocket money from civilians, and not items. However, instead, he also looted both money and items (usually trade items or ammunition) from dead or unconscious guards. Doing so in public, however, would usually prompt nearby citizens to reprimand him.

Civilians - both male and female - who discovered Ezio efforts, would engage him in a fight and would usually flee after a single strike.

Pickpockets
{C 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.

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.

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

Trivia

 * Unlike in the other games, pickpocketing in Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles involves both approaching the target, and maneuvering the desired item out of their pouch.
 * In Assassin's Creed II and Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, after bribing a herald, the money can be stolen back from him. Alternatively, the herald can be killed, and the corpse looted to re-obtain the money.
 * After completing five Thieves Guild challenges, hired thieves will pickpocket money for Ezio.
 * Certain guards hold more florins than others when looted, with certain Borgia Captains carrying more than 900 florins.
 * Civilians in richer clothing carry more florins.
 * Just like Borgia messengers, pickpockets in Assassin's Creed II, will drop their money if you hit them with a throwing knife.