Mastering pickpocketing in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 might be the most effective way of getting valuable stuff and information, but it does require patience, practice, and a bit of cunning. It is a process that will help you learn and understand the entire procedure, starting from identifying the perfect target and navigating the mini-game of intricate pickpocketing, down to the perks that are vital for becoming a stealthy master thief. Whether your aim is to steal keys from unsuspecting guards or merely lighten the load of a fat merchant, the mechanics of pickpocketing are vital knowledge for any aspiring rogue in the Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 world.
How to Pickpocket in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Pickpocketing in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is risky but rewarding, especially for those who master the skill. A skilled thief can steal keys from NPCs, bypassing the need to lockpick chests or doors. But becoming a master pickpocket takes practice and strategy. One of the best ways to improve your Thievery skill is by practicing during the Materia Prima quest at the Lower Semine Mill.
Here, you will meet Hired Hand Hensel, who serves as a perfect target to hone your Takedown and Pickpocketing skills without any consequences. Many players, including myself, leveled up Thievery to 10 before attempting real pickpocketing on others. Once comfortable, try stealing from drunk or sleeping NPCs for further practice, as they’re easier targets but still require caution.
Target the NPCs
To successfully pickpocket in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, the key is to stay unnoticed. Make sure your target isn’t aware of your presence, and be mindful of anyone nearby who might catch you in the act, especially if your Thievery skill is low, as you will be easily detected. The best targets are isolated NPCs, those who are drunk, or ones who are asleep. Always approach from behind and focus on stationary characters since moving targets are much harder to steal from.
Most NPCs carry two pouches, one at the back and one at the front. It’s best to go for the back pouch since it’s less risky. Only try pickpocketing the front pouch if the NPC is drunk, asleep, or if your Thievery skill is high enough to avoid detection. When you spot a pouch, the “Rob” option will appear. Hold the designated button to begin the pickpocketing process.
How to Start on Pickpocketing Mini-game
When you start pickpocketing by holding the Rob button, a ticking clock will appear, counting the time you have. To begin the theft, you need to hold it past the arrow mark. This time determines how long you can search the pouch and escape undetected.
However, if you hold it too long, the NPC may notice you. The key is to watch the rosette in the center, when it’s blue, you are safe to wait, but as it turns bright red or gets close to it, you should release the button immediately to avoid getting caught. Once you release it, the pickpocketing mini-game begins.
The pickpocketing mini-game is where you actually steal items from your target. There are 12 pockets to search, with one marked by a door icon and a timer around it, this is your exit point, and you must return to it before time runs out to avoid getting caught. Use the left or right keys to navigate between pockets and press the Take key to steal an item.
Keep in mind that each item you take uses up more of your remaining time, so grabbing multiple items can be risky. Once you’ve taken what you need, move back to the door icon and exit before time expires to successfully complete the theft.
In the pickpocketing mini-game, you may come across hidden pockets marked with a question mark instead of an item icon. To see what’s inside, move to the pocket and press the Reveal key. While revealing a pocket doesn’t use extra time, the overall timer keeps running, so you still lose time while doing it. Once revealed, you can steal the item just like any other. If you’re searching for a specific item and don’t see it in the visible pockets, chances are it’s hidden in one of these.
How to Avoid Getting Caught
And avoid getting caught. The key to investing in pickpocket-specific Thievery perks:
- Rapid Flight (Level 8) – Gives one free pass on a failed pickpocket attempt (3-minute cooldown). An absolute necessity for beginners.
- Nimble Fingers Level 6 – Time gained by pickpocketing increases by 10%.
- Inconspicuous (Level 18) – Allows pickpocketing from the front pouch without immediate detection.
Rapid Flight is the most crucial for avoiding capture after a mistake. Inconspicuous is essential if you want to steal from the front pouch safely.
