In Wartales, one of the most versatile and risky professions you can assign is the Thief. With their ability to steal, pick locks, and support your company through both stealth and economic gain, Thieves offer a playstyle full of opportunity—and danger. In this guide, we’ll go over the fundamentals of playing a Thief effectively, how suspicion works, and smart strategies to keep your loot and avoid the law.

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Understanding the Thief Profession

Thieves are crucial for any group that wants to take advantage of lockpicking and “free” gear acquisition. They gain bonuses to Dexterity and Critical Hit, making them especially viable for ranged or agile characters like Rangers. More importantly, they can interact with objects that other characters can’t—specifically locked containers and items available for theft in towns and camps.

But this power comes with risk. Every theft raises your suspicion level. Push it too far, and your company could find itself hunted by patrols, fined, or worse—forced into combat.

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Suspicion and the Wanted System

Suspicion is a tiered mechanic that determines your criminal status:

• 0–99 Suspicion: Safe. You are not currently wanted.
• 100+ Suspicion: Wanted Level 1. Patrols start appearing more frequently.
• 200–499: Wanted Levels 2 and 3. Guard aggression increases.
• 500+: Maximum threat. Guards will actively hunt you down.

Suspicion doesn’t stay forever—it gradually decreases while you travel in the overworld. Knowing how and when to steal is as important as what you steal.

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Item Spotlight: Bar of Soap

The Bar of Soap might seem trivial, but it’s one of the best items a Thief can carry. It reduces suspicion gained during thefts. The lore says it “washes away their victim’s suspicions,” and it certainly lives up to the description.

Equip this as soon as you find it. It allows you to steal more aggressively while staying below the suspicion threshold.

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Stealing Strategy: What to Target and Why

The key to smart stealing is minimizing risk and maximizing utility. Focus on consumables and materials that won’t linger in your inventory:

• Food and Ingredients: Use them quickly to cook.
• Raw Materials: Use them for repairs.
• Medicine and Resources: These deplete naturally during play.

Why is this important? If guards stop you and you have stolen items in your inventory, you must return them—or face battle. The fewer stolen items you’re holding onto, the better off you are.

In practice: steal salt and wheat, then cook them into bread immediately. Now you’ve got food and a clean inventory.

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Camp Chest and Item Laundering

If you like living dangerously and want to steal higher-value or longer-lasting items like weapons or trade goods, the Camp Chest becomes essential. Assign your Thief to the chest during rest periods to launder stolen items over time.

Once laundered, items lose the “stolen” tag and can be freely sold or used. This mechanic allows for a more profitable version of theft—albeit one that takes a bit of patience.

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How to Manage Suspicion Like a Pro

Suspicion isn’t something you want to ignore. Here’s how to manage it effectively:

• Stay Below 100: Aim to keep your suspicion under the first tier to avoid becoming Wanted. 70–80 suspicion is a good cutoff point.
• Wait it Out: Suspicion decreases over time in the overworld. Give it a few in-game days before stealing again.
• Plan Ahead: Keep suspicion low before going on the road—you never know when an opportunity to steal will present itself unexpectedly.

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Guard Interactions and What Happens When You’re Caught

When your suspicion crosses into Wanted territory, guards will begin to patrol more often. If they approach you closely enough, they’ll become suspicious. If they get within range, combat may begin unless you:

• Return the stolen goods.
• Pay a fine.
• Choose to fight.

None of these are ideal. That’s why preemptively managing suspicion is critical. Also, keep in mind that turning in prisoners at a jail reduces suspicion by 20—making it a useful backup strategy.

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Final Thoughts: Stealth is a Strategy

The Thief isn’t just a criminal—it’s a strategist’s tool. With thoughtful management of suspicion, strategic thefts focused on consumables, and tools like the Camp Chest and Bar of Soap, you can leverage this role to boost your economy and reduce supply costs.

So stay sharp, watch those numbers, and when in doubt—launder first, steal later.

That wraps up this beginner’s strategy guide on mastering the Thief in Wartales. Stay sneaky, and good luck out there.