How to Pickpocket in Schedule 1?

In the wild, unpredictable world of Schedule 1, knowing how to pickpocket in Schedule 1 can be the difference between scraping by and building a criminal empire. This satirical crime simulator throws players into a town teeming with opportunity and danger, where your business dealings aren’t always above board and the police are never far behind. Pickpocketing in Schedule 1 is a core mechanic that lets you sneakily acquire cash, rare items, or even reclaim goods you’ve just sold to your own customers. But it’s not just about quick fingers—success depends on timing, stealth, and a keen awareness of your surroundings. Whether you’re looking to supplement your income, complete a tricky achievement, or simply stir up some chaos, mastering how to pickpocket in Schedule 1 is essential for any aspiring underworld entrepreneur.

What Is Pickpocketing in Schedule 1?

Pickpocketing in Schedule 1 is a stealth-based activity that allows you to steal items or money from NPCs (non-player characters) throughout the game’s bustling streets. It’s a high-risk, high-reward system: pull it off, and you’ll walk away richer; get caught, and you might find yourself fleeing from angry victims or the ever-watchful police.

This feature is available from the early stages of the game and is particularly useful when cash is tight or when you want to retrieve products you’ve sold. It’s also tied to achievements and can unlock unique trophies, like the “Indian Dealer” award for stealing back an item you just sold.

How To Pickpocket in Schedule 1: Step-by-Step

1. Get Into Stealth Mode

• Press and hold the CTRL key to crouch. This puts you in “sneaky mode,” making you less visible to both your target and any nearby authorities.

2. Choose Your Target Wisely

• Look for NPCs who are standing still, distracted, or in less crowded areas. It’s easier to succeed if your target isn’t moving or surrounded by witnesses.
• Avoid trying to pickpocket police officers—they’re immune to your sticky fingers.

3. Approach From Behind

• Slowly sneak up behind your chosen NPC while crouched. Getting too close from the front or side increases your chances of being spotted.

4. Initiate the Pickpocket

• When you’re close enough, a prompt will appear: “(E) Pickpocket.” Press E to start the process. The game world will pause, giving you time to focus on the task at hand.

5. Complete the Pickpocket Mini-Game

• A mini-game will appear featuring a moving arrow and a bar with green and red sections.
• Press the Space bar when the arrow is directly over a green section. Each green section corresponds to an item you can steal.
• If you succeed, the item unlocks, and you can drag it into your inventory. If there are multiple items, repeat the process for each one.

6. Don’t Get Caught!

• Timing is everything. If you hit the red section instead, the NPC may react by:
  • Calling the police (a phone icon appears above their head).
  • Attacking you directly.
  • Giving you a stern warning and walking away.
• If the police are alerted, run to your hideout or jump into a large trash bin to wait out the investigation.

Tips for Successful Pickpocketing

• Practice Makes Perfect: The mini-game gets easier with experience, and as your character levels up, you’ll see more green sections, making it simpler to steal multiple items.
• Clear Inventory Space: Make sure you have empty slots before attempting a pickpocket, or you won’t be able to take your loot.
• Use the Cover of Night: Darkness and low-traffic areas reduce your chances of being seen.
• Scout Escape Routes: Always know where the nearest hideout or dumpster is before you strike, just in case things go sideways.
• Target Your Own Customers: After making a sale, you can pickpocket your own product back while keeping the cash—a sneaky but lucrative tactic that earns you an achievement.

What Happens If You Fail?

Failing the mini-game can have several outcomes:

• Police Response: The NPC may call the police, triggering an investigation. You’ll need to escape and hide until the heat dies down.
• Direct Confrontation: Some NPCs will fight back, forcing you to either defend yourself or flee.
• Mild Warning: Occasionally, the NPC will just glare at you and leave, but you’ll miss your chance at loot.

Remember: Getting caught can result in losing valuable items, money, or even your freedom if you’re arrested.

Advanced Strategies

• Rank Up for More Rewards: As you progress and gain experience, the mini-game becomes more forgiving, letting you steal more items per attempt.
• Avoid Repeat Targets: NPCs who have already spotted you may be more suspicious the next time around.
• Don’t Get Greedy: Sometimes it’s better to take one item and walk away than risk getting caught trying to steal everything at once.

Achievements and Special Outcomes

• Indian Dealer Achievement: Pickpocket an item back from a customer you just sold it to for a unique trophy and extra bragging rights.
• Rare Items: Some NPCs carry unique or rare loot, making pickpocketing a potential source for hard-to-find items.