Thick As Thieves, the steampunk heist game is all about the gear you bring. Thick As Thieves gadgets can be the difference between a clean “Ghost” run and a messy failure. Let’s break down the tool set in a way that actually helps you pick what to stuff in your pockets. Read till the end.
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The S-Tier Thick As Thieves Gadgets
These gadgets are basically non-negotiable for serious heists in the current version of the game.
- Sonic Distractor (Mk III): This little beauty isn’t just a noise-maker. It creates a temporary “Pathing Node” that forces the AI to recalculate its route. Timed correctly, you can trap a guard in a “Search Loop,” effectively removing them from the board without ever touching them. The Mk III version lets you modulate the frequency, so you can lure guards to specific spots with scary accuracy.
- Shadow-Weave Cloak: Don’t confuse this with true invisibility. Instead, it slaps a flat -40 modifier onto your visibility stat. This is enough to crouch-walk right in front of a guard in dim lighting without triggering the detection meter. It breaks the AI’s ability to see you, which is perfect for aggressive repositioning.
- Grapple-Hook (Advanced Pulley System): Verticality is your best friend. Most guard AI routines in Thick As Thieves rarely look above a 45-degree angle. By using the Grapple-Hook to stick to rafters and high ledges, you bypass roughly 80% of the game’s security challenges.
The A-Tier Thick As Thieves Gadgets
Once you have your core tools, these are what you pack to fill out your slots.
- Thermal Vision Goggles: This is a wall-hacking intel device. It actually lets you map guard rotations from complete safety before you make a single move.
- Pneumatic Bolt Launcher: This is your non-lethal Plan B. When things go sideways, a silent, ranged takedown is worth its weight in gold.
- Smoke Bomb: A true workhorse gadget. It breaks line of sight, covers your escape, even lets you pull off silent takedowns right in the middle of a cloud of smoke. It’s indispensable for recovering from a bad situation.
- EMP Device: Crucial for high-tech missions. It temporarily disables cameras, turrets, and even robotic enemies. In a city where magic and early technology collide, you’ll be glad you brought it.
The Noob Traps (Gadgets to Avoid)
Some gear looks cool in trailers but is a liability when things get real.
Portable Drill claims to open any safe, but the noise level is a whopping 85 decibels. In a game where guards can hear a footstep at 30, the drill is basically a dinner bell calling every guard to your location.
Another trap is the Flashbangs. They sound like a great idea, but in Thick As Thieves, they’re a disaster. Blinding a guard triggers an immediate “Sector Lockdown,” meaning reinforcements swarm you even if no one saw you throw it.
Gadget Synergies
The game uses a physics-based interaction system, which means you can combine gadgets for some seriously “creative” results. This is where you move from good player to legend.
Ghost Echo Combo
Combine a Sonic Distractor with a Holographic Decoy. Fire the distractor behind a guard, and as they turn to investigate, they glimpse the decoy. The AI locks into “High Alert” on the decoy’s position and becomes functionally blind to anything outside that 90-degree cone. You can literally walk right behind them and pickpocket their master key.
Water-Electricity Interaction
If you use an EMP Grenade or a Shock Bolt on a wet floor (like in the Sewers level), the conductivity radius increases by 300%. You can take out an entire squad of armored guards without a single lethal weapon. It’s a developer-intended edge case for observant players.
Smoke + Lure
Throw a Noise Emitter to lure a guard to a specific spot, then toss a Smoke Bomb right on top of that position. You can sprint in, perform a silent takedown inside the smoke, and vanish before the cloud clears. Even if other guards are nearby, they won’t see a thing.
Gadget Management: Don’t Fall Into the Upgrade Trap
One of the biggest mistakes new players make is spreading their resources too thin. Upgrading five different gadgets to Tier 2 is way less effective than maxing out one S-Tier gadget to Tier 4.
For example, a Tier 4 Sonic Distractor gains a “Signal Bounce” feature that can distract two guards in different rooms simultaneously. That kind of game-changing mechanic is locked behind full investment, and no amount of Tier 2 gear can replicate it. Pick your favorite tool and pump it full of resources first.
Be a Good Thief: Gadgets Help You
Your gadget loadout in Thick As Thieves isn’t just gear, it’s your entire playstyle. Ditch the flashy noob traps, invest hard into one or two S-Tier tools, and learn how your gadgets play off each other. A well-timed Sonic Distractor and a little creativity will always beat a pocket full of panic buttons. Learn your tools, and you won’t just beat the heist, you’ll own it.
FAQs
What’s the one absolute must-have gadget?
The Sonic Distractor (Mk III). It gives you total control over guard pathing, letting you create safe windows in even the most heavily patrolled rooms.
I just started. What should I bring?
Bring Smoke Bombs. They’re simple, versatile, and will save your hide more times than you can count while you’re learning the maps.
Which gadget is a trap I should avoid?
The Portable Drill and Flashbangs. The drill is so loud it’ll get you killed, and flashbangs trigger a full sector lockdown instead of just blinding the one guard you hit.
How do I deal with Hauntstables (floating ghost guards)?
Hauntstables are slow and can pass through walls, which makes them creepy but manageable. The key is to always keep track of their position before you enter a guarded room. The last thing you want is one floating through a wall while you’re surrounded by lasers.
Should I always play on the hardest difficulty?
No. When you’re new, stick to “Novice” or “Thief” difficulty. Higher difficulties add more guards and environmental hazards. If you die on a run, you get nothing, so it’s smarter to learn the maps and gadget timings on an easier setting first.
