3.6.1: Human Guards

Learn how to take down standard guards, Hammerites, and Priests in Thief: The Dark Project. Master blackjack attacks, pickpocketing, and dealing with different enemy types.

Alright, let's talk about the most common obstacle you'll face in Thief: The Dark Project – the human guards. You'll run into these guys right from the Training Mission or your first real job at Lord Bafford's Manor. Think of them as your bread-and-butter enemies: the standard guards, the zealous Hammerites, and even the spell-slinging Priests.

The good news is that your trusty blackjack is super effective against them. The key is to land a solid hit on their head, and crucially, they need to be unaware of your presence. If they're actively searching for you, you *might* still be able to knock them out, but it's a bit of a gamble. If you're going for a surprise attack while they're alert, aim is everything – go for the head! Light also plays a role here; the more visible you are (check that light indicator!), the tougher it is to get a clean blackjack hit.

Most of these guards will be packing a sword or a hammer, ready for some close-quarters combat. Keep an eye out for the occasional archer, too – they might not just be firing those standard broadhead arrows at you. Now, the guys in red robes? Those are Priests, and they're spell casters, so they're a bit more dangerous. And then there's the one in gray – he doesn't fight back directly, but he's a real nuisance because all he does is call for backup.

Here's a neat trick: sometimes these guards are carrying useful items like keys or even a purse right on their belt. You can try to pickpocket them for these items, which I personally prefer, or you can grab them after you've knocked them out. Just be careful if you decide to move a body. I once knocked out a guard, and another was approaching, so I grabbed the body to move it *before* taking the purse. When I dropped the body, the purse was just gone! So, I'd recommend looting them first if you can.