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Thief 2: The Metal Age

Thief 2: The Metal Age

By ···10 min read·Multi-source verified
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Welcome to Thief 2: The Metal Age, a masterclass in stealth gameplay from Looking Glass Studios. As Garrett, the master thief, you’ll navigate the shadows of a dark, atmospheric world, using your wits and tools to infiltrate heavily guarded locations. You'll be picking pockets, disabling traps, and avoiding detection as you unravel a conspiracy that threatens the city. It’s a game that rewards patience, observation, and a light touch, perfect for players who love immersive, story-rich experiences.

This guide is here to help you conquer Karras's formidable defenses and uncover every secret. We’ll walk you through the intricate missions, from the initial break-ins to the final confrontation, ensuring you can perfect your stealth and achieve your objectives. Whether you’re aiming to complete every mission flawlessly or just need a hand navigating the trickiest parts, this guide has you covered.

Part 1

Embark on a complete Thief 2: The Metal Age walkthrough covering all missions, secrets, and loot. This guide focuses on expert stealth gameplay.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    Mission 1: Running Interference
  2. 2
    Mission 2: Shipping... and Receiving
  3. 3
    Mission 3: Framed
  4. 4
    Mission 4: Ambush!
  5. 5
    Mission 5: Eavesdropping
  6. 6
    Mission 6: First City Bank and Trust
  7. 7
    Mission 7: Blackmail
  8. 8
    Mission 8: Trace the Courier
  9. 9
    Mission 9: Trail of Blood
  10. 10
    Mission 10: Life of the Party
  11. 11
    Mission 11: Precious Cargo
  12. 12
    Mission 12: Kidnap
  13. 13
    Mission 13: Casing the Joint
  14. 14
    Mission 14: Masks
  15. 15
    Mission 15: Sabotage at Soulforge
Tips
  • The guide details all objectives, marked with [OBJ].
  • Essential items or locations for objectives are highlighted in CAPS.
  • All loot is noted with (GOLD/GEMS/GOODS|TOTAL) to help track collectibles.
  • Pickpocket targets are marked with [PP #].
  • Pre-mission equipment suggestions are provided, though the author primarily recommends water and moss arrows.
  • The guide assumes a total stealth approach.

Part 2

Master Thief 2: The Metal Age with essential tips on saving, gamma settings, pickpocketing, silent movement, enemy aggro, water arrows, Watchers, and more.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    Helpful Tips:
    • Save at each new section, especially before potentially risky actions. Avoid relying solely on quicksave, and always quicksave in total darkness.
  2. 2
    Increase the Gamma in Video Options for better visibility when searching for items, though it may affect atmosphere. Adjusting gamma via ESC to the main menu is more effective than clicking DONE.
  3. 3
    Pickpocket targets before knocking them out. Looting a body after it's on the ground will not count towards your pickpocket total.
  4. 4
    Use forward leaning to get closer for pickpocketing or blackjacking from a safe distance, especially when avoiding light.
  5. 5
    Arrows count towards pickpocketing stats. If an enemy carries arrows, grabbing them before incapacitation adds to your total. Each distinct pickable item on an enemy counts as one grab.
  6. 6
    Crouch before falling from ledges to land silently. This allows Garrett to automatically stand without alerting anyone, unless the fall causes damage or lands in water.
  7. 7
    To mantle onto high platforms more successfully, run and then jump, holding the jump button. This can allow Garrett to reach slightly higher ledges.
  8. 8
    Garrett can move in total silence across any surface while crouching, sneaking, and carrying a dead or unconscious body, making no noise even on metal or tile. This is slow but effective for stealth.
  9. 9
    Noisemaker arrows are not required to aggro enemies. Broadhead arrows shot at noisy surfaces (metal, rock) or thrown items like bottles can achieve the same effect.
  10. 10
    Water arrows are now more versatile. They can disable metal Children by shooting their back furnaces (two shots for large, one for small on Expert). Other enemies will react to the Children's 'deaths'.
  11. 11
    Watchers (rotating camera faces) cannot see you if you are directly underneath them. Running straight at them, even if they detect you, will often cause them to give up and return to their normal state.
  12. 12
    If NPCs get stuck after reloading a save during their movement, try reloading again or getting their attention to make them attempt to find you, which can reset their pathfinding.
  13. 13
    Installing and Updating:
    • Thief 2 is available via Steam and runs without administrative issues.
  14. 14
    Consider installing community mods for enhancements. 'T2Fix' is a recommended large community patch that includes various mods and fixes, such as sound and graphics improvements, HD textures, higher resolutions, subtitles, and new inventory icons.

Part 3

Complete walkthrough for Thief 2: The Metal Age, Mission 1: Running Interference. Includes objectives, loot, secrets, and tips for success.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    Begin with only a map, compass, and Birdcall. The map indicates Basso's suggested route and Jenivere's escape path. Ensure guards on this route are neutralized.
  2. 2
    Enter the Butler's Quarters (south-east) and collect 4 STACKS OF COINS (34/0/0|34). Find a KEY on the sill in the next room.
  3. 3
    Use the KEY to open LOCKED DOORS in the Butler's Quarters. In the Under-Butler's Quarters, find 5 GOLD in a CHEST (39/0/0|39).
  4. 4
    Use a water arrow to extinguish a torch near the window. This will cause guards to complain, allowing you to pass unseen and facilitating Basso and Jenivere's escape.
  5. 5
    Collect 15 GOLD from three CHESTS (54/0/0|54) in the room next to the guards.
  6. 6
    In the Workshops (north), find a flash bomb and 5 flares on a shelf.
  7. 7
    [SECRET #1] Locate a hidden button under the shelf in the Workshops. Activating it reveals a flash bomb, a flare, a healing potion, and a BAG OF 50 GEMS (54/50/0|104).
  8. 8
    In the corridor, blackjack the first guard and pickpocket him [PP 1] for 25 GOLD (79/50/0|129).
  9. 9
    Enter the Storeroom, then the Kitchen. Blackjack the wandering servant [PP 2] for 16 GOLD (95/50/0|145) and knock him out.
  10. 10
    Collect a BAG on the table in the Kitchen for 45 GOODS (95/50/45|190).
  11. 11
    Find 3 PAIRS OF COINS worth 60 GOLD (155/50/45|250) on a hidden shelf above the staircase near the fireplace.
  12. 12
    Locate the north-east corridor from the Kitchen, climb onto the dumbwaiter, and pull the lever. Collect 2 CUPS, 2 PLATES (305/50/45|400), and a KEY from a guard's hip [PP 3]. Ride the dumbwaiter down.
  13. 13
    In the adjacent wine cellar, find 3 BOTTLES worth 60 GOODS (245/50/105|400).
  14. 14
    [SECRET #2] A Speed Potion is hidden on the bottom shelf of the wine rack.
  15. 15
    Go to the other Storeroom west of the Kitchen. Wait for the patrolling guard to pass, then blackjack him.
  16. 16
    In the Servant's Quarters, find 15 GOLD in chests (320/50/105|475) and a lore letter.
  17. 17
    Proceed past Jenivere's door and the Plumbing Room.
Tips
  • The mission is designed to teach core stealth mechanics. Focus on mastering sneaking, hiding bodies, and using the blackjack.
  • Collect all loot, especially gems, as it funds future missions.
  • For Expert difficulty, you must blackjack at least eight people. Basso and Jenivere cannot be blackjacked if you want to complete other objectives. You can knock them out after other objectives are met.
  • Use water arrows to extinguish torches to create darkness and distract guards.
  • Pay attention to hidden buttons and shelves for secrets.
The primary reward is progressing to the next mission with sufficient funds and having successfully completed all objectives, including the bonus objective of finding the wedding rings if applicable.

Part 4

Find all loot in Thief 2: The Metal Age Part 4, including 150 GOLD in the Basement and a TIARA worth 75 GOLD.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    From the Basement, climb the south-west stairs to the Ground Floor.
  2. 2
    Pickpocket the patrolling guard in the south-west corridor for a PURSE OF 50 GOLD.
  3. 3
    Use the key from the dumbwaiter guard to open the iron door at the corner, granting access to the South-west Bedrooms.
  4. 4
    Find two more keys in the South-west Bedrooms: one on a guard's belt and another on a dressing table upstairs.
  5. 5
    Locate SECRET #3: In an upstairs bedroom, pull a secret button under a table with a plant pot. This opens a secret panel above the bed containing a TIARA worth 75 GOLD and 100 GEMS.
  6. 6
    Return downstairs to the Music Room along the west corridor. Find 2 STACKS OF COINS worth a combined 10 GOLD.
  7. 7
    Take the FLUTE on the table, worth 25 GOLD and 25 GOODS.
  8. 8
    In the Great Hall, mantle onto the right side of the fireplace. Look up at the hole in the wall to find the WEDDING RINGS for Basso and Jenivere. This is a bonus objective [OBJ 6 - BONUS] but does not count as a secret or increase your wealth.
  9. 9
    Continue east past the Dining Room. Circumvent the two guards to reach the South-east Bedrooms.
  10. 10
    In the first bedroom on your left, find a CHALICE worth 50 GOODS.
  11. 11
    In the next bedroom, look up at the ledge above the bed to find another CHALICE worth 50 GOODS.
  12. 12
    Go upstairs to the larger room. On a corner table, find a NECKLACE worth 45 GOLD and 75 GEMS, fulfilling loot objective [OBJ 3].
  13. 13
    In the bedroom to the right, find a RING on the table, worth 15 GOLD and 25 GEMS.
  14. 14
    Return to the Great Hall and use a key to open the DOUBLE DOORS leading to the courtyard.
  15. 15
    Wait for the courtyard patrolman to pass, then sneak forward, hugging the inside of the right door. Close the left door.
  16. 16
    Sneak behind the guard on the left, pick his pocket for a KEY [PP 6], and blackjack him. Hide his body inside before the patrolman returns.
  17. 17
    Repeat the pickpocket [PP 7] and blackjack with the other guard outside the doors.
  18. 18
    Drop onto the grass and stay at the border of the grass, outside the patrolman's peripheral vision. Run towards him, pick his pocket for broadheads and a KEY [PP 8, 9], and blackjack him when he gets close. Leaning forward in Thief 2: The Metal Age makes pickpocketing from the grass edge easier. This provides a minimum of 6 blackjack targets towards your objective.
  19. 19
    On a tray in the middle of the grass, find a CUP and a PLATE worth a combined 75 GOLD. You now have all the loot.
  20. 20
    Move to the GATES and activate your BIRDCALL to summon Basso [OBJ 1].
  21. 21
    Open the gates with a key and wait for Basso and Jenivere to arrive to complete the mission [OBJ 2, 4].
Tips
  • Jenivere has the key to her own door. If you get locked in her room, use that key to exit.
  • Garrett presumably keeps the wedding rings.
  • Once Basso and Jenivere are back outside the Butler's Quarters, the mission is complete [OBJ 2, 4]. You can blackjack them both after confirmation of objective completion.

Mission 2: Shipping... and Receiving Overview

Objectives:

  • [OBJ 1] Find the Shipping Label and place it on the crate in Gilver's.
  • [OBJ 2] Find 5 bags of Spice.
  • [OBJ 3] Steal 850 loot.
  • [OBJ 4] Don't kill anyone.
  • [OBJ 5] Get back to the stack of crates where you first arrived.

Mission Details:

  • Maximum Loot: 1665
  • Secrets: 14
  • Pickpockets: 18

Secrets:

  • Selentura's Lucky Dice
  • Porter's painting
  • Porter's broken lift
  • Locked chest with a rope arrow, west of Porter's
  • Locked chest in Kilgor's
  • Locked safe in Mynell's
  • Silver nugget behind tapestry in Gilver's
  • Hidden room in Rampone's office
  • Hidden chests in secret attic, Building B
  • Chest on top of crates, Building B
  • Wheel and telescope on ship deck
  • Crate in the ship
  • Chest behind tapestry in the ship
  • Chest behind tapestry in the ship

Recommended Equipment:

  • 5x Water Arrows
  • 1x Moss Arrow
  • 1x Invisibility Potion
  • 2x Slow-fall Potion

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