[dev1024] Questions About Feasibility of Changes

I am only level 82 Thief and I am not in any way endgame-strong. That said, my post is not about actually giving suggestions directly. What I would like, if possible (Camate?) is just some answers to some feasibility questions, since we as Thieves want a lot, but we are not clear on what we can get, either by limitation or design.

I have attempted to keep my questions in simple language, or in a form that I believe translates well (I know some Japanese language structure but it could be improved).

I respectfully ask that other posters not turn this thread into a debate about what we should and should not get, I really just want to know what we can and cannot get.


1. Do all enemies have a specific Despoil result by ID, or is this mostly decided by family?

2. Would it be possible to lower the level at which Despoil is obtained to 50? Is there a balance problem?

3. Could Despoil inflict a more permanent effect, similar to stealing the Doll Gizmo from Manipulator? Could this sort of effect be added to more creatures, with lower value items stolen? Example, stealing Bat Fangs from bats, Raptor Fangs from Raptors. (I understand that this can cause issues if the effect is completely permanent).

4. Would it be a problem to have 'Thievery' merits that reduce the recast of Steal and Despoil while increasing Aura Steal's absorb rate (perhaps to half of what it is now)? Basically upgrading our Aura Steal Merits?

5. Are players who use Thief currently expected to use Marksmanship as a method of support against Notorious Monsters? Are there any plans to directly improve our capacity with Crossbows or to add new types of ammunition to induce short term status effects?

6. Can Thieves receive an ability similar to Dragoon's Jumps that reduces the enmity of both the Thief and a properly positioned party member? Would this be a balance problem?

7. We were told that there was a concern about Steal being used more often to get very valuable items and then escape from the enemy. Is the issue here the frequency of steal? The value of the items? The ability to steal from things that we cannot kill?

8. Connected to the above question, are there plans to change or increase steal or Despoil results for enemies? Even if it is done gradually? Can we as thieves request a reduction in the NPC sale values of things we can steal, and this be balanced by being allowed to steal and Aura Steal more often?

9. Are there any further plans to increase the Damage potential of Thieves directly, or should we focus on discussion about our hate control and stealing abilities?

10. Is Treasure Hunter an additional chance by multiplication of the original chance, addition of a percentage to the current chance, or is it a second/third/etc chance (similar to crystals while under Signet) but with the same odds?

11. Would making changes over time to what we can steal and the values of these spoils consume more time than the development team is currently planning on devoting to Thief?

Thanking you in advance, Camate, and everyone who contributed in the many threads in this forum that inspired me to ask.

Note that I will not be changing the 11 questions here, but if this thread is received relatively well, perhaps we can compile another later, especially based on whatever feedback we get from this one.

Again I ask, please don't make this into a thread about what we need or don't need, we are not getting anywhere that way YET.

Not to be a jerk, (because you do have several good questions here) but given the fact that hundreds of other requests for info have gone unanswered, you don't even have the job leveled yet and this is your first post ever..... I think it would be a GIANT insult to everybody on this forum if they decided to pop in here and answer all your questions. Not that I wouldn't like to know the answers myself.