The vibrant and dangerous worlds of The Outer Worlds 2 are filled with valuable items, but not all of them are simply lying around. For spacers looking to acquire wealth by less-than-honest means, the game offers a robust stealing and pickpocketing system. However, these actions carry significant risks, directly impacting your standing with the various factions you’ll encounter. This guide will walk you through how to unlock the pickpocket ability, execute thefts successfully, and navigate the reputation system to avoid costly bounties.
How to Unlock the Pickpocket Perk
Before you can start lifting items directly from NPCs’ pockets, you must first invest in the necessary skill and perk.
Reach Lockpick Level 1: The Pickpocket perk is locked behind the Lockpick skill. You must first invest skill points to reach at least Lockpick Level 1.
Spend a Perk Point: Once you have the required Lockpick level, navigate to your Perks menu. Here, you can spend 1 Perk Point to permanently unlock the Pickpocket Perk.
After activating this perk, you gain the ability to pickpocket NPCs by crouching and approaching them from behind.
The Outer Worlds 2 Stealing and Pickpocket Guide
There are two primary forms of theft in The Outer Worlds 2: stealing objects and pickpocketing NPCs.
How to Pickpocket NPCs
This is a direct, person-to-person theft.
Activate Stealth: Crouch to enter a stealth state. The detection meter will show if an NPC is aware of you.
Get Behind the Target: Approach the NPC from behind while crouched. The less they can see you, the better.
Initiate the Action: When you are close enough and sufficiently hidden, a prompt will appear to initiate the pickpocketing minigame or menu.
Check Your Lockpick Level: Your success in taking items is influenced by your Lockpick skill level. Higher-level Lockpick allows you to steal better and more heavily guarded items without getting caught.
How to Steal Items from the Environment
This involves taking items that are owned but not directly on a person.
Look for Red Text: Any item that is considered owned will have its name displayed in red text when you hover your cursor over it.
Remain Unseen: You can take these items without consequence as long as no NPC has a direct line of sight on you. If you are seen, they will immediately become hostile or report the crime.
Common Locations: This type of theft is most common inside private homes, faction-controlled areas, and merchant stalls.
Reputation System and Consequences
Every theft in The Outer Worlds 2 carries a potential risk that can severely impact your gameplay.
Faction Reputation Loss: If you are caught stealing or pickpocketing in a faction’s territory, your reputation with that faction will decrease. A low reputation can cause you to lose access to unique quests, vendor discounts, and friendly dialogue options.
Earning a Bounty: In more severe cases, the faction may place a bounty on your head. This means members of that faction will actively hunt you on sight until the bounty is cleared.
Immediate Hostility: If an NPC sees you in the act of theft, they will immediately turn hostile and attack you, often alerting nearby guards or citizens.
Top Tips for Avoiding Bounties and Getting Caught
To be a successful thief, you need to be a smart one. Follow these tips to minimize risk.
Stay Out of Sight: Always ensure NPCs are not looking in your direction. Use the environment for cover.
Steal in Private: Avoid committing thefts in public, crowded areas. Isolate your target or wait for them to be alone.
Save Before You Steal: Make a manual save before attempting to pickpocket a high-value target or steal a well-guarded item. If you get caught, you can simply reload.
Manage Your Bounty: If you do acquire a bounty, you can usually clear it by visiting a Bounty Clearance Board or dealing directly with the faction’s authorities, often for a fee.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the main requirement to unlock pickpocketing?
A: You need to reach Lockpick Level 1 and then spend 1 Perk Point to unlock the Pickpocket Perk.
Q: What happens if I get caught stealing?
A: If caught, you will likely lose reputation with the local faction, receive a bounty, and be attacked by nearby NPCs.
Q: How can I tell if an item is stolen?
A: Owned items that will be considered stolen are marked with red text when you look at them.
Q: Can I sell stolen goods?
A: Yes, most vendors will buy stolen goods, but it’s a general gameplay mechanic that they may offer a lower price or that certain factions may refuse them.
Q: Is there a way to reduce my chances of being caught pickpocketing?
A: Investing more points into your Lockpick skill is the primary way to improve your success rate and access higher-quality stolen items.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of stealing and pickpocketing in The Outer Worlds 2 adds a deep layer of risk-and-reward gameplay. By unlocking the essential Pickpocket Perk, moving with stealth, and understanding the weight of the reputation system, you can become a master thief of the galaxy. Just remember: every credit you steal could cost you a valuable alliance. Weigh your actions carefully, save often, and always have an escape plan.