Thieving

Thieving is a members-only skill that allows players to obtain coins and items by stealing from market stalls, chests, or by pickpocketing non-player characters (NPCs). This skill also allows players to unlock doors and disarm traps. The skill of Thieving is designed to allow players the ability to earn quick money for small and sometimes large purposes instead of such skills of Mining and Woodcutting, for which it is best to pursue vast profit gaining in long periods of time.

Pickpocketing


This is the act of walking up to an NPC and right-clicking them, then selecting Pickpocket. If successful, you will gain Thieving experience and possibly coins or various items. The higher the thieving level, the more NPCs the player is able to pickpocket from.

However, it is possible for the NPC to notice a pickpocket, in which case the NPC will yell "What do you think you're doing!", or a Master Farmer will say "Cor blimey mate, what are ye doing in me pockets?" and will stun you for a few seconds and cause 1-7 damage (the higher the NPC's level, the harder they hit). Because of the possibility for damage, it is recommended that players bring plenty of food, such as cakes that can be stolen from cake stalls. You can successfully pickpocket an NPC even if they are looking right at you.

Also, if a player attempts to pickpocket an attackable NPC just before its death, the player thieving it will get a message saying: "Too late; they're dead."

The equipment that a player wears does not affect the success rate, aside from H.A.M. robes (when pickpocketing H.A.M. members) or Gloves of silence. However, equipping a Snowball, a salamandar without the tar needed, or a (cross)bow without projectiles makes it impossible to accidentally attack an NPC.

Thievable NPCs

 * {|width="90%" class="wikitable sortable"

!Image !NPC name !Level !Exp. !class="unsortable"|Possible loot !Stun time (seconds) !Stun damage
 * [[File:Thiefman.PNG]]
 * Man/Woman
 * 1
 * 8
 * 3 coins
 * 5
 * 1
 * [[File:Thieffarmer.PNG]]
 * Farmer
 * 10
 * 15
 * 9 coins, potato seeds
 * 5
 * 1
 * [[File:Thiefhamwoman.PNG]]
 * Female H.A.M. member
 * 15
 * 18.5
 * coins, tinderbox, logs, uncut semi-precious gems, level 1 clue scrolls, steel pickaxes/ raw anchovies, raw chicken, H.A.M. clothing, iron pickaxes, steel hatchet low-level herbs, rusty sword, damaged armour and other items, coal, unpolished buttons. Wearing H.A.M. clothing increases the success rate.
 * 4
 * 1-3
 * [[File:Thiefhamman.PNG]]
 * Male H.A.M. member
 * 20
 * 22.5
 * coins, tinderbox, logs, uncut semi-precious gems, level 1 clue scrolls, raw anchovies, raw chicken, H.A.M. clothing, bronze pickaxes, iron pickaxes, steel pickaxes, low-level herbs, rusty sword, damaged armour and other items. Wearing H.A.M. clothing increases the success rate.
 * 4
 * 1-3
 * [[File:Thiefwarrior.PNG]]
 * Warrior woman/ Al-Kharid Warrior
 * 25
 * 26
 * 18 coins
 * 5
 * 2
 * [[File:Thiefrogue.PNG]]
 * Rogue (NPC)
 * 32
 * 35.5
 * 25-40 coins, wine, air runes, poisoned iron dagger, lockpick, egg
 * 5
 * 2
 * [[File:Thiefcavegoblin.PNG]]
 * Cave goblin
 * 36
 * 40
 * 30 coins, Oil Lamp, Bullseye Lantern, unlit torch, tinderbox, swamp tar, cave goblin foods, 1-4 iron ore, cave goblin wire
 * 5
 * 1
 * [[File:Thiefmasterfarmer.PNG]]
 * Master Farmer
 * 38
 * 43
 * Various Allotment, Flower, and Herb Seeds. Potatoes most common, rarity increases with the farming level of the seed. Note that Jagex has not added the two newest herb seeds, Spirit Weed and Wergali, to the drop table.
 * 5
 * 3
 * [[File:Thiefguard.PNG]]
 * Guard
 * 40
 * 46.5
 * 30 coins
 * 5
 * 2
 * [[File:Thieffremenik.PNG]]
 * Fremennik Citizen
 * 45
 * 65
 * 40 coins
 * 5
 * 2
 * [[File:Thiefbandit.PNG]]
 * Bearded Pollnivnian Bandit
 * 45
 * 65
 * Antipoison, Lockpick, 40 coins
 * 5
 * 5
 * [[File:Thiefdesertbandit.PNG]]
 * Desert Bandit
 * 53
 * 79.5
 * 30 coins, Antipoison, Lockpick
 * 5
 * 3
 * [[File:Thiefknight.PNG]]
 * Knight of Ardougne
 * 55
 * 84.3
 * 50 coins
 * 5
 * 3
 * [[File:Thiefbandit.PNG]]
 * Pollnivian Bandit
 * 55
 * 84
 * 50 coins
 * 5
 * 5
 * [[File:Thiefwatchman.PNG]]
 * Yanille Watchman
 * 65
 * 137.5
 * 60 coins, bread
 * 5
 * 3
 * [[File:Thiefthug.PNG]]
 * Menaphite Thug
 * 65
 * 137.5
 * 60 coins
 * 5
 * 5
 * [[File:Thiefpaladin.PNG]]
 * Paladin
 * 70
 * 151.75
 * 80 coins, and 2 chaos runes
 * 5
 * 3
 * [[File:Thiefgnome.PNG]]
 * Gnome
 * 75
 * 198.5
 * 300 coins, 1 earth rune, gold ore, Fire orb, swamp toad, King worm
 * 5
 * 1
 * [[File:Thiefhero.PNG]]
 * Hero
 * 80
 * 275
 * 200-300 coins, 2 death runes, blood rune, Fire orb, diamond, gold ore, wine
 * 6
 * 4
 * [[File:Thiefelf.PNG]]
 * Elf
 * 85
 * 353
 * 250-350 coins, Fire orb, gold ore, Wine, 2 death runes, cut diamonds, unicorn horn, dark wizard robe, 3 nature runes
 * 6
 * 5
 * [[File:Dwarf_trader.png]]
 * Dwarf Trader
 * 90
 * 556.5
 * 100-400 coins, noted bronze bar, noted iron bar, noted steel bar, noted mithril bar, noted adamantite bar, noted runite bar, noted tin ore,norted copper ore, noted iron ore, noted mithril ore, noted adamantite ore, noted runite ore, noted coal, level 3 clue scroll
 * 5
 * 1
 * }
 * 275
 * 200-300 coins, 2 death runes, blood rune, Fire orb, diamond, gold ore, wine
 * 6
 * 4
 * [[File:Thiefelf.PNG]]
 * Elf
 * 85
 * 353
 * 250-350 coins, Fire orb, gold ore, Wine, 2 death runes, cut diamonds, unicorn horn, dark wizard robe, 3 nature runes
 * 6
 * 5
 * [[File:Dwarf_trader.png]]
 * Dwarf Trader
 * 90
 * 556.5
 * 100-400 coins, noted bronze bar, noted iron bar, noted steel bar, noted mithril bar, noted adamantite bar, noted runite bar, noted tin ore,norted copper ore, noted iron ore, noted mithril ore, noted adamantite ore, noted runite ore, noted coal, level 3 clue scroll
 * 5
 * 1
 * }
 * 1
 * }

Stalls


There are a large number of stalls throughout RuneScape, although many of them are in the Ardougne Market. To steal from a stall, simply click on it. The player will then attempt to steal the item, and may get it.

If he is in the line of sight of the stall owner or any nearby guards, he may be prevented from stealing and attacked. Because of this, it is recommended that the player thieve from a side of a stall that is well hidden from the owner and guards.

When the item is stolen, it will take a short period of time to respawn. However, the higher thieving level it takes to steal from a stall, the longer its respawn time will be. It should be noted you may not buy from or sell to the stall owner for about 10 minutes after last theft from their stall type (except for the market stalls on Ape Atoll), otherwise the merchant will shout for the guards.

In order to avoid guards from attacking you while stealing from stalls, a convenient method is to allow the guard to attack, then enter the nearest building, allowing the guard to follow you in. Then take one step outside and close the door, thus effectively trapping the guard and leaving you free to steal from the stall uninterrupted.

Thievable stalls

 * {|width="90%" class="wikitable sortable"

!Stall !Level !Exp. !class="unsortable"|Items !Location !Respawn Time !E.P.S.
 * [[File:Cabbage.PNG]]Vegetable stall
 * 2
 * 10
 * Onion, Cabbage, Potato, Tomato, or Garlic
 * Miscellania, Etceteria
 * 2 seconds
 * 5
 * [[File:Cake.png]]Baker's stall
 * 5
 * 16
 * Cake, Chocolate Slice, or Bread
 * East Ardougne, Keldagrim
 * 2.5 seconds
 * 6.4
 * [[File:Chisel.png]]Crafting stall
 * 5
 * 16
 * Chisel, Ring Mould, or Necklace Mould
 * Ape Atoll, Keldagrim
 * 7 seconds
 * 2.3
 * [[File:Banana_1.PNG]]Monkey Food stall
 * 5
 * 16
 * Banana
 * Ape Atoll
 * 7 seconds
 * 2.3
 * [[File:Flour_pot.png]]Monkey general store
 * 5
 * 16
 * Pot, Hammer, or Tinderbox
 * Ape Atoll
 * 7 seconds
 * 2.3
 * [[File:Cup_of_tea.PNG]]Tea stall
 * 5
 * 16
 * Cup of Tea
 * Varrock
 * 7 seconds
 * 2.3
 * [[File:Silk.gif]]Silk stall
 * 20
 * 24
 * Silk
 * East Ardougne, Keldagrim
 * 8 seconds
 * 3
 * [[File:Bottleofwine.PNG]]Wine stall
 * 22
 * 27
 * Jug of water, Jug of wine, Grapes, Jug, Bottle of wine
 * Draynor Village
 * 16 seconds
 * 1.7
 * [[File:Barley_Seed.PNG]]Seed stall
 * 27
 * 10
 * Various seeds
 * Draynor Village
 * 11 seconds
 * 0.9
 * [[File:Bear_fur.png]]Fur stall
 * 35
 * 36
 * Fur, Grey Wolf Fur
 * East Ardougne, Rellekka
 * 15 seconds
 * 2.4
 * [[File:Raw_salmon.PNG]]Fish stall
 * 42
 * 42
 * Raw Salmon, Raw Tuna, or Raw Lobster
 * Rellekka, Miscellenia, Etceteria
 * 16 seconds
 * 1.7
 * [[File:Bronze_crossbow.png]]Crossbow stall
 * 49
 * 52
 * Bronze Bolts (3), Bronze Limbs, Wooden Stock
 * Keldagrim
 * 11 seconds
 * 4.7
 * [[File:Silver_Ore.PNG]]Silver stall
 * 50
 * 54
 * Silver Ore
 * East Ardougne, Keldagrim
 * 30 seconds
 * 1.8
 * [[File:Clue_scroll.png]]Customs evidence files
 * 63
 * 75
 * Rune scimitar, uncut diamond, uncut ruby, uncut emerald, uncut sapphire, sharks, mithril bar, gold bar, iron bar, Pirate boots, Stripy pirate shirt, Eye patch, steel sword, steel scimitar, iron scimitar, bronze scimitar, clue scroll, 300 coins
 * Rock Island Prison
 * 30-60 seconds
 * 1.3-2.5
 * [[File:Gnome_Spice.gif]]Spice stall
 * 65
 * 81
 * Spice
 * East Ardougne
 * 80 seconds
 * 1
 * [[File:Air_Rune.PNG]]Magic stall
 * 65
 * 100
 * Air, Earth, Fire, Water, or Law Rune
 * Ape Atoll
 * 80 seconds
 * 1.3
 * [[File:Iron_scimitar.PNG]]Scimitar stall
 * 65
 * 100
 * Iron Scimitar
 * Ape Atoll
 * 80 seconds
 * 1.3
 * [[File:Sapphire.gif]]Gem stall
 * 75
 * 16
 * Uncut Sapphire, Uncut Emerald, Uncut Ruby, Uncut Diamond
 * East Ardougne, Keldagrim
 * 3 Minutes
 * 0.1
 * }
 * Note: In Keldagrim, stalls often differ in respawn time and their experience given. The gem and silver stalls respawn twice as fast, but yield half the experience. The bakery stall, however, respawns twice as slow, but gives twice the experience.
 * [[File:Iron_scimitar.PNG]]Scimitar stall
 * 65
 * 100
 * Iron Scimitar
 * Ape Atoll
 * 80 seconds
 * 1.3
 * [[File:Sapphire.gif]]Gem stall
 * 75
 * 16
 * Uncut Sapphire, Uncut Emerald, Uncut Ruby, Uncut Diamond
 * East Ardougne, Keldagrim
 * 3 Minutes
 * 0.1
 * }
 * Note: In Keldagrim, stalls often differ in respawn time and their experience given. The gem and silver stalls respawn twice as fast, but yield half the experience. The bakery stall, however, respawns twice as slow, but gives twice the experience.
 * }
 * Note: In Keldagrim, stalls often differ in respawn time and their experience given. The gem and silver stalls respawn twice as fast, but yield half the experience. The bakery stall, however, respawns twice as slow, but gives twice the experience.

Chests
There are chests scattered throughout RuneScape, and some of them have traps. To disarm them using the Thieving skill, right-click on the chest and select "Search for traps Chest" to allow your character to disarm the trap and obtain the items inside.

After a player thieves from a chest, he will need to wait for a short period of time before he can do so again. Some chests such as the Nature-rune chest will change colour to indicate whether it can be looted again.

Thievable chests

 * {|width="90%" class="wikitable sortable"

!Chest !Level !Exp. !class="unsortable"|Items !Location !Respawn Time !E.P.S. 13
 * 10-coin chest
 * 10-coin chest
 * 7
 * 10 coins
 * Ardougne, Rellekka
 * 7 seconds
 * 1
 * Ogre coffin
 * 20
 * 27
 * Various, see article
 * Jiggig
 * 20 seconds
 * 1.35
 * Nature-rune chest
 * 28
 * 25
 * 3 coins, Nature runes
 * Ardougne, Rellekka
 * 8 seconds
 * 3.1
 * 50-coin chest
 * 43
 * 125
 * 50 coins
 * Ardougne, Axe hut
 * 55 seconds
 * 2.3
 * Pirates' Hideout
 * 39
 * 7-8 from 2 chests,? from second 2 chests
 * Small amounts of coins, runes
 * Pirates' Hideout
 * 15 seconds
 * 0.5
 * Arrowtip chest
 * 47
 * 150
 * 5 Steel arrowtips
 * Hemenster, Rellekka
 * 210 seconds
 * 0.7
 * Dorgesh-Kaan (Average chests)
 * 52
 * 200
 * Zanik's house only: rope, Bone bolts, Bone crossbow, Bone dagger, clue scroll, H.A.M. robes, spade, bucket, hammer, Newcomer map, Big bones.
 * Oldak's house only: Runes (air, earth, fire, water, body, mind, cosmic, nature, death, law), Unpowered orb, Talismans (air, earth, fire, water), Light orb, Empty light orb, Oldak's Marvellous Moving-Over-Distance Spheres
 * Normal chests: Coins, Oil lantern, Bullseye lantern (extremely common), Mining helmet, Frog-leather armour, cave goblin wire, gold charm, crimson charm, blue charm, green charm
 * Dorgesh-Kaan (Average chests)
 * 52
 * 200
 * Zanik's house only: rope, Bone bolts, Bone crossbow, Bone dagger, clue scroll, H.A.M. robes, spade, bucket, hammer, Newcomer map, Big bones.
 * Oldak's house only: Runes (air, earth, fire, water, body, mind, cosmic, nature, death, law), Unpowered orb, Talismans (air, earth, fire, water), Light orb, Empty light orb, Oldak's Marvellous Moving-Over-Distance Spheres
 * Normal chests: Coins, Oil lantern, Bullseye lantern (extremely common), Mining helmet, Frog-leather armour, cave goblin wire, gold charm, crimson charm, blue charm, green charm
 * Normal chests: Coins, Oil lantern, Bullseye lantern (extremely common), Mining helmet, Frog-leather armour, cave goblin wire, gold charm, crimson charm, blue charm, green charm


 * Dorgesh-Kaan
 * 210 seconds
 * 1
 * Blood rune chest
 * 59
 * 250
 * 500 coins, 2 Blood runes
 * Chaos Druid Tower
 * 135 seconds
 * 1.9
 * Paladin chests (2)
 * 72
 * 500
 * 1,000 coins, Raw sharks, Adamant ores, uncut sapphire
 * Ardougne Palace, behind locked doors on north and south wings of second level. After looting "Suddenly a second magic trap triggers," sending you to Witchaven.
 * 400 seconds
 * 1.25
 * Dorgesh-Kaan (Rich chests)
 * 78
 * 650
 * 500-2,500 coins, uncut sapphire, uncut ruby, uncut diamond, uncut opal, uncut jade, uncut red topaz, bullseye lantern, Mining helmet, Frog-leather armour, iron bar, Light orb, Empty light orb, Charms (all types)
 * Dorgesh-Kaan
 * 400 seconds
 * 1.6
 * }
 * 400 seconds
 * 1.6
 * }


 * Note: based on Experience Per Second (E.P.S.), the Nature Rune chest is the best for experience.
 * Because the Dorgesh-Kaan Rich Chest takes so long to respawn, some players will find a house containing two of these chests and loot them. Then they will switch worlds and repeat the process, giving 1,300 experience per world visited. This is a low risk and simple way to get experience, but other methods like Pyramid Plunder give faster experience.



Doors


Certain doors in RuneScape cannot be opened by players unless the lock is picked. In order to pick a lock, right-click on a door and select "Pick Lock". If the player has the required thieving level, the door will then be opened. Some doors will require a lockpick to successfully pick the lock.

Pickable doors

 * {|class="wikitable sortable"

!Door !Level !Exp. !Location !Lockpick?
 * Cell in Port Sarim Jail
 * Port Sarim
 * No
 * Door to 10-coin chest
 * 1
 * 3.5
 * East Ardougne
 * No
 * Door to Nature rune chest
 * 14
 * 15
 * East Ardougne
 * No
 * Ardougne house door
 * 14
 * 15
 * East Ardougne
 * No
 * H.A.M. trapdoor
 * 17
 * 4
 * East of Draynor
 * No
 * Axe hut door
 * 32
 * 25
 * Level 54 Wilderness
 * Yes
 * Ardougne sewer gate
 * 32
 * 25
 * Ardougne sewers
 * No
 * Pirates' Hideout
 * 39
 * 35
 * Level 54 Wilderness
 * No
 * Chaos druid tower
 * 46
 * 37.5
 * North of Ardougne
 * No
 * Paladin door
 * 61
 * 50
 * Ardougne Castle
 * No
 * Yanille dungeon door
 * 82
 * 50
 * Yanille
 * No
 * }
 * Paladin door
 * 61
 * 50
 * Ardougne Castle
 * No
 * Yanille dungeon door
 * 82
 * 50
 * Yanille
 * No
 * }
 * No
 * }

Other

 * {|width="90%" class="wikitable Sorable"

!Name !Level !Exp. !Location !class="unsortable"|Possible Loot !Stun Time (seconds) !Stun Damage
 * Candle table
 * 20
 * 20
 * Entrana church
 * Candle
 * 1
 * 1 - A higher power smites you.
 * Wire machine
 * 44
 * 22
 * Dorgesh-Kaan
 * Cave goblin wire
 * 5
 * 5
 * Wall Safe
 * 50
 * 70
 * Rogues Den
 * 10, 20, 30, 40 coins, Uncut gems (up to Diamond)
 * 1
 * 1 - 6
 * }
 * 1
 * 1 - 6
 * }

Training strategies

 * The Thieving training page contains all the information on effective training.

Temporary boosts

 * A Bandit's Brew, purchased at the desert bandit camp for 650 coins, will boost thieving by one.
 * A yellow spicy stew has the potential to raise or lower the thieving level by up to six levels.
 * The summer sqi'rk juice from the Sorceress's Garden minigame raises thieving by three.
 * The Thieving Fingers special move of a magpie will boost thieving by two.
 * Gloves of silence improve the success rate of pickpocketing. Gloves of silence are automatically destroyed after around 50 times getting caught while pickpocketing. However, they can be repaired by using dark kebbit fur on them with a needle, thread, and knife. (A Crafting level of 64 is required, to accomplish this.)
 * The Abyssal Stealth special move of an Abyssal lurker's special move can increase both thieving and Agility by four levels.
 * Operating the thieving cape will boost one's thieving level by one, from 99 to 100.

Random events
There are two different random events that are specific to thieving, with one of them being a discontinued event.
 * Poison Gas - When thieving from a chest, a poison cloud may appear, which will poison your character. This event has been discontinued as of February of 2009.[Note you can still get poisoned from the chest if you do not disable the trap]
 * Pillory - It is possible that your character will be teleported to a pillory in Yanille, Varrock, or Seer's Village, where shapes must be matched in order to pick the lock and return to where your character was thieving. It is possible for players to throw rotten tomatoes at the trapped player, although it won't do any damage.

Thieving minigames


There are a number of minigames that are based on, or include Thieving:
 * Pyramid Plunder - the desert city Sophanem has a pyramid where you can thieve for artefacts. As you get further into the Pyramid, higher thieving is required but it brings increasing amounts of Thieving experience.  One of the fastest methods to train Thieving (see bottom of page).
 * Blackjack - Another Thieving activity in the desert where you can knock out and pickpocket bearded bandits, Pollnivneach bandits, Menaphite thugs, and villagers.
 * Rogue's Den - Traverse a maze with Thieving and Agility obstacles, earning modest experience in each skill, and also the chance of gaining Rogue equipment. Perhaps more interesting for thieves are the safes located within the dungeon.  Good for experience and for the gems that you obtain as loot.
 * Sorceress's Garden - An interesting game where you dodge guards and try to get fruits to make sq'irk juice. Requires patience, pestle and mortar, beer glasses, a bit of skill, and experience, but yields excellent experience, with moderate Farming experience also gained.  Has four levels each giving increased experience at levels 1, 25, 45, and 65.  Empty beer glasses can be obtained for free at the shelves at the Sorceress's house.  Also, a possible alternative source of Herb collecting. (Note: Completion of the Prince Ali Rescue quest is needed to play.)
 * Stealing Creation - A combat and skill game where you try to produce more clay items that the other team. In the game, you may pickpocket others to gain items from their inventory.

Trivia

 * 27 people have 200 million experience in thieving, the third most for any skill.
 * When stunned while pickpocketing, it is possible to eat food, bury bones, polish buttons, and drop items.
 * Contrary to popular belief, if you steal from a stall, log off and then log back on, you will NOT be able to trade the item you stole back to the stall owner from the stall.
 * The door in Port Sarim's jail can be picked. The door is available to all players. Free players can pick the door by talking to Shantay. This is done by telling him you're an outlaw. Shantay will send you to his jail, and when the player refuses to pay the fee to leave the jail, he/she will be sent to Port Sarim jail. The door can then be picked from the inside. Many people use this method to travel quickly to Port Sarim.
 * When thieving at the Nature Rune Chest, you can tell when to pick it again when it turns a darker colour.
 * Players used to be able to gain free experience by locking the fur trader in East Ardougne in the house behind the stall and stealing from behind the fur stall. This has been fixed by placing the door on the side of the house instead of the front and making the fur trader immobile.