It was pretty exciting in MO1.
I also hope that lictor guards wont ruin the fun in MO2. The way it is now, when you get insta killed by guards that shoot ultra powerful arrows and kill you with 1 or 2 hits, wouldnt work very well with thieving.
Imagine this situation : You steal someone, then he manages to push you... you go criminal... you die in 1 seconds by a lictor guard. No running, no chasing, no excitement, no nothing... its just an insta kill.
They need to change the criminal system, or the guards behavior toward thieves...
I'd like to see more depth, advanced pathing in town for the 1 to 5 lictors depending on town size. So if the thief doesn't pay attention they could be behind 'em and 2-3 shot em. Some sort of increased 'awareness' in banks for guards... could be done with int checks and line of sight... idk.
Personal taste: i'd love just text and no real ui feedback. Depending on int difference (or whatever metric) and a secondary skill<?>- it ranges from "There's a tug on your belt" "your purse feels lighter" "MagentaFox is looking through your pockets" "TurquioseFox has your House Deed". Would be obvious to players actively paying attention. Less so to semi-afkers.. and there goes your mortgage...
Then lets rethink the push mechanic! Altho it did invite a chase (and an immersive learning of the topography by an adept thief). It left out any build but max dex. And max /shout.
emote pointing and "/s guard" was a fun addition. But i'd like it so you have to focus on the thief while calling. Having a button to call out a thief would be nice. Dependent on having to keep your cursor over them while they run away. And a common sense rework of the guard system.
And with the new AI additions in upcoming patches, as with "citizen behavior" - I think there could be a nice niche for thievery.
If needed - maybe a primary (probably) or secondary skill to alter the int/awareness checks. idk, on either side? thief or other.
idk, so hard to imagine a system that won't be abused one way or another.