Aedryn on 9/8/2003 at 20:38

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Yeah but those are the rules to that game. There are no rules that specify you can't run around killing everyone or shooting fire arrows everywhere. No rule states that you must never be seen or heard (I'm talking generally so don't bring up missions).

The best quality of Thief is the choice. The game starts you off and tells you what to do and where to go, how you get there is your choice.

w_hairst on 10/8/2003 at 01:28

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To those who argue over whether using the sword or blackjack is the "right way" to play Thief 1/2, let me ask you this - what is the "right" way to go through a mansion-like mission - bottom to top, top to bottom, west to east, randomly? It all depends on your preferred playing style. It is correct to knock out every guard in a mission, and it is just as correct to ghost a mission, or to kill everything that moves - so long as the objectives are satisfied. Whether I sneak by a guard, sneak up behind and knock him/her out, kill him/her with a stealthy backstab, kill him/her in face-to-face combat, or pick him/her off with a broadhead from a long distance, I'm still playing Thief, and I'm still playing by the rules.

Child of Karras, there is nothing wrong with using the sword on humans, and certainly not on monsters, particuarly hammer haunts. The sword is quite useful in some situations against AIs, not to mention cutting banners... And yes, I do try to stay hidden. You can certainly play any way you wish - as Aedryn said, "The best quality of Thief is the choice." I'll personally continue using the sword.

I'm playing Calendra's Legacy now... [spoiler]I'm dodging and killing zombies in the city at the moment. The magical sword works fairly well for this purpose, but they're still awfully fast. I generally backstab them, but sometimes go head to head. BTW, there's this weird translucent monster-like apparition (not of a dead human) that appears now and then and looks like it's attacking me. But when I hit it, I gain hitpoints. Anyone know what this is, and if it's a glitch about the hitpoints?[/spoiler]

Child of Karras on 10/8/2003 at 05:06

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I did not say the sword was completey useless. I know it is required in places like RTTHC or to take down tapestries but I find it unacceptable to use it against a guard just to get rid of him. But take a look you guys, you can take out the guards (not referring to alerted AIs) with one swing of the blackjack plus it's silent and leaves no blood. Sword on the other hand...

Let's start from the top. Thief is a game of stealth. You need to make sure you stay hidden and no one catches you right? At times you may need to take down a guard or too. Two choices. Sword of Blackjack? With the sword, he screams as he falls and leaves a puddle of blood. With the Blackjack, you take him out silently. Obvioulsy, the most sensible weapon to use here is the Blackjack am I right? Why create more trouble when you already have enough shit to go through?

And you men talk about the freedom of play? Sure but if head on assaults were acceptable, don't you think they would have made it easier? Afterall, this is about stealth and not about racking up the body count.

Morrgan on 10/8/2003 at 06:16

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I'm not a man, but I'll reply anyway. :p

This is a game. A game that's played for fun. That's what it's about. I like having several ways to choose from when playing, that's part of the fun. Yes, the game was meant to mainly be played stealthily. Still, if there was only that option, it would get dull after a while.

I agree with you about non-alerted guards; they're much easier to blackjack or simply avoid. I doubt anyone here's saying they always go around killing everything that moves. I just think it's a part of the game to try to make it without reloading if I happen to alert guards, and sometimes that means swordfighting. In those cases I don't think it's a problem to use a sword to get rid of a guard.

theImmortalThief on 10/8/2003 at 06:57

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I've discovered a method much easier that blocking (for me at least). I take a slash or two at the enemy then go back two steps so that his sword won't hit me when he swings, then go in front, two more slashes and back again. It works on about any apponent. (except bowmen)