Trace the Courier

Mission 8: Trace the Courier

[This report has recently been verified with TFix/NewDark 1.27. No changes exist between OldDark and NewDark for this mission, as far as ghosting is concerned. Keep in mind that there is a difference between playing the game in NewDark with or without TFix. TFix updates the core mission files, as well as applies .dml files that tweak the environment in numerous ways. These changes aren’t supposed to have a significant impact on gameplay, but when ghosting, slight changes could occur. If wanting as close to the “vanilla” experience as possible, install just NewDark, without any further patches. I have ghosted the game 1) in OldDark, 2) in plain NewDark, and 3) in NewDark with TFix.]

I can safely say that Trace the Courier is my least favorite mission in Thief 2. There is a lot of risk involved reusing a map from the same game, especially if the premise is as uninventive as here. Thief Gold had a similar scenario with Strange Bedfellows, although that mission is a solid step above TtC. It is probably the easiest mission in all of the Thief games (including T2X) to successfully Perfect Supreme Ghost. My report will probably be the shortest in a while.

Overall score: 4.0/10

My orders were to trace Mosley and find out the contents of her letter. Along the way I had to pick six pickpockets, but no loot objective was present. As it turned out, there were eight possible loot items to pick, so no equipment lifts were necessary for Supreme. I also couldn’t kill anyone, as if that ever was an option.

Following Mosley was no problem. She moved so slow I had no trouble keeping up. I tried grabbing as much loot as possible along the way. I could snatch the purse and the arrows off the archer on the patio east of the marketplace from the shade beside the fence (left image below). Otherwise he could’ve been tricky.

The pagan was tougher, due to his increased speed and fewer turnaround checks. The hardest spot was along Helena Way, where I had to utilize the canal at one point. The problem wasn’t getting caught, but trailing too far behind. Occasionally the game would end even though I clearly saw him in the distance. I guess the game didn’t factor in the zoom on my mechanical eye. One tough piece of loot on this route was a stack of gold coins behind a pillar southeast of the marketplace (right image above). I suspect players to easily miss that.

Managed to frob the door during the mechanists attack before it locked. Entered the closed section of the graveyard that way. Had some trouble getting back to the alley without a comment. I had to traverse the crypt roof in the southwest. In the end patience was the key, as always.

Looted my way around the city for missed objects afterwards. Nothing to it. A total of five water arrows was spread around the canal. I thought the one by the drunk would be difficult, but the torches next to him didn’t light up the water at all. Originally I had planned on getting the food from Mosley’s place through the window (using one of the crates by the pub), but when I got there the door was wide open. Mosley had returned from her walk and was stationed just inside the door, with her back turned.

Used the secret entrance to get back into the graveyard. Remembered to refrob the torch before dipping through the panel. Snuck into the northern part and grabbed the last piece of loot. I could sneak surprisingly close to the sleeping zombie without triggering a first alert. The zombies must be less sensitive than in Thief Gold. Finished the mission by stepping through the portal. Done deal.

Statistics:

Time: 40:34

Loot: 830 out of 830

Pickpockets: 14 out of 16

Locks Picked: 1

Secrets: 1

Damage Dealt: 0 Damage Taken: 0

Consumables: None

Ghost: Success!

Perfect Thief: Success!

Supreme Thief: Success!

Perfect Supreme Thief: Success!

(Norwegian Thief: Success!)