If you're eager to be a stealthy character in Starfield, you'll be pleased to know that you can pilfer just about anything that isn't firmly secured. Whether it's valuable artifacts resting on someone's desk or quietly extracting money from a pocket, there are numerous ways to steal in the game. This guide provides an introduction to stealing and pickpocketing in Starfield.
Looting vs. Stealing
Initially, it can be challenging to distinguish between looting and stealing since the tutorial allows you to freely take items without consequences. However, once you arrive in New Atlantis, you'll realize that not everything is fair game.
Any item marked with a red square next to its name indicates that taking it constitutes stealing. If someone witnesses you in the act, they will immediately place a bounty on your head, leading the local faction security to apprehend you.
It's important to note that merely opening a container, even if it's marked as stealing, is not necessarily illegal. You can look inside owned containers without repercussions, but removing anything from them qualifies as stealing.
However, if no one is watching when you grab an item that doesn't belong to you, you can escape without consequences. You don't even need a single point in the Stealth skill to do so, but you won't know if you've been detected until it's too late. Therefore, it's highly advisable to invest in the Stealth Skill before becoming a sticky-fingered character.
Additionally, some exceptions apply when taking items that do not count as stealing:
- Extremely low-value items like cups or plates are sometimes not marked as stolen.
- Skill Magazines and Books left out can be picked up freely without worrying about stealing.
- Places where you are welcome or an official member, like The Lodge, permit you to loot without repercussions, even if it would be considered stealing elsewhere.
How to Pickpocket
Picking pockets is distinct from stealing items out in the open and requires you to invest at least 1 point in the Theft Skill.
Once you've unlocked this skill, crouching near a person allows you to pick their pockets. It's essential to note that peeking into their pockets by pressing E won't get you caught; you can browse their items as you would with a container before making a choice.
The success rates for picking someone's pocket depend on various modifiers, including your level of Theft and how well you're concealed. You'll see a small color icon next to the item's name and the percentage chance of successfully stealing it:
- Blue items have a 99% to 65% chance of success.
- Green items have a 64% to 35% chance of success.
- Orange items have a 34% to 11% chance of success.
- Red items have a 10% to 1% chance of success.
- Gray items (holstered weapons) cannot be stolen, except at Rank 4 of Theft.
It's worth noting that, unlike stealing openly displayed items, you can technically steal from someone's inventory even if they detect you. The success rate will drop by 25%, but you can still swipe their items without them noticing.
The likelihood of success for each item primarily depends on the item itself, its weight, and its value. Food items are usually easier to steal, while chems or money can be more challenging. Some characters carry keys that grant access to restricted areas.
The only way to increase your overall odds of success is by raising your Theft Skill. Higher levels of Stealth won't improve your success rate but will reduce the chances of detection, making it a worthwhile investment.
Getting Caught
If you're caught taking an item that doesn't belong to you, whether from someone's pocket or a table, an immediate bounty will be placed on your head by the planet's governing authority (typically the United Colonies). The nearest guard will attempt to arrest you.
If you don't resist arrest, you'll need to pay the fine and be transported to the nearest Security Station. All of your stolen items will be confiscated, regardless of which one you stole at that moment.
The good news is that all your stolen possessions will be placed in a locked chest at the Security Station. You can typically retrieve everything the moment the guards turn away by picking the Expert Lock.
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