Related
Location
Dungeon Levels 1–2
Notes
Steals your lowest-tier unequipped weapon instead of dealing damage when it hits (deals damage normally if there's nothing to steal)
Thieves in dungeons don't deal a lot of damage, but they steal Weapons whenever they hit you. The stolen Weapon is always the lowest-tier Weapon you are holding, aside from the one you have equipped. As such, this is rarely a problem unless you keep magic-boosting Weapons (and not much else) in reserve.
Location
Land
HP
31
Damage
2–20
Thieves on land don't steal from you like Thieves in dungeons, but they do deal surprising damage. They have very low HP, a combination which makes them primary targets when they appear.
Thieves in dungeons don't deal a lot of damage, but they steal Weapons whenever they hit you. The stolen Weapon is always the lowest-tier Weapon you are holding, aside from the one you have equipped. As such, this is rarely a problem unless you keep magic-boosting Weapons (and not much else) in reserve.
HP
32
Appears on
Land
Notes
Can steal any item, can drop any item except the ring, can drop tools
Thieves are basically the key to the whole game. They drop every Item that appears in the "Items" section of the Ztats page, with the exception of the Ring. They can also drop Tools, which save you from traps in dungeons and towers.
The only Items you absolutely need to get from Thieves to complete your quest are an Ankh and either a Blue Tassle or a Brass Button and a Skull Key. However, most of the other Items are useful as well, and you can get Tri-Lithiums from Thieves to avoid having to search the last floor of a dungeon or tower.
The problem with Thieves is that they can steal any Item, including the Ring, just by attacking you. The game tells you that an Item was stolen, but not what it is. If you lose an Item needed to operate a Vehicle when that Vehicle is your only way off of the current terrain, you could be screwed. Always be careful when saving after fighting a Thief.
There is an easily killed Thief right near the entrance of Le Jester which can be killed repeatedly to get Items early in the game without danger.
The only Items you absolutely need to get from Thieves to complete your quest are an Ankh and either a Blue Tassle or a Brass Button and a Skull Key. However, most of the other Items are useful as well, and you can get Tri-Lithiums from Thieves to avoid having to search the last floor of a dungeon or tower.
The problem with Thieves is that they can steal any Item, including the Ring, just by attacking you. The game tells you that an Item was stolen, but not what it is. If you lose an Item needed to operate a Vehicle when that Vehicle is your only way off of the current terrain, you could be screwed. Always be careful when saving after fighting a Thief.
There is an easily killed Thief right near the entrance of Le Jester which can be killed repeatedly to get Items early in the game without danger.
Other Versions
Cutpurse, Brigand
Experience
5
Appears
Land
Notes
May pilfer weapons or armour (not equipped)
Thieves are annoying overworld enemies, because they will steal Weapons and Armour from your characters. They can't steal anything you have equipped, but if you carry a melee Weapon and a ranged Weapon they can steal the backup. Even if not, equipment sells for a lot of money in Ultima III and it sucks to lose it.
You won't generally be attacked by Thieves in townes, with one exception. If you enter the small treasure room in southeast Grey, a Thief will attack and make it difficult to safely leave the town.
You won't generally be attacked by Thieves in townes, with one exception. If you enter the small treasure room in southeast Grey, a Thief will attack and make it difficult to safely leave the town.