The Complete Thief's Handbook

The Complete Thief's Handbook is a 128-page supplemental rulebook for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition, published by TSR in 1990. The book was authored by John Nephew, Carl Sargent, and Douglas Niles, with illustrations by George Barr. The handbook expands on the thief character class with 18 distinct "kit" subclasses, providing players with detailed options for character customization. It includes comprehensive sections on Thieves Guilds and instructions for running thief-focused campaigns, along with rules for creating specialized "Lone Wolf" characters. The book serves as a companion volume to other class-specific handbooks in the series, including The Complete Fighter's Handbook, Priest's Handbook, and Wizard's Handbook. Reviews from gaming publications praised its wealth of information and practical campaign ideas. The Complete Thief's Handbook represents a significant expansion of role-playing possibilities within the AD&D system, focusing on the nuances and complexities of stealth-based gameplay. Its approach to character development and campaign design established new standards for class-specific supplemental materials in tabletop gaming.

Readers appreciate this Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition supplement's detailed rules for thieves, including pickpocketing mechanics, trap design, and stealth systems. Many cite the clear organization and practical examples that help Dungeon Masters run thief characters. Positive reviews highlight: - Extensive burglary and heist planning tools - Urban adventure and thief guild content - Balanced approach to thief abilities - New proficiencies and kit options Common criticisms: - Some rules viewed as overly complex - Artwork quality inconsistent - Minor editing errors - Kit bonuses considered too powerful by some Ratings: Goodreads: 4.04/5 (26 ratings) RPGGeek: 7.11/10 (89 ratings) "Great reference for running city campaigns" - RPGGeek reviewer "Takes thief class from one-dimensional to complex character" - Goodreads user "Some mechanics bog down gameplay" - RPGGeek reviewer Few reviews exist on major retail sites as the book is out of print.

Player's Handbook by Gary Gygax. The original sourcebook contains thief character creation rules and gameplay mechanics that formed the foundation for many fantasy roleplaying games.

Dungeoneer's Survival Guide by Douglas Niles. This guide presents underground navigation, combat tactics, and stealth mechanics for rogues and adventurers.

Oriental Adventures by Gary Gygax. The book includes ninja character classes and stealth-based oriental fighting techniques that expand thief gameplay options.

Lankhmar: City of Adventure by Bruce Nesmith. This campaign setting details an urban environment filled with thieves' guilds, heists, and roguish opportunities based on Fritz Leiber's fiction.

Unearthed Arcana by Gary Gygax. The supplement provides additional thief skills, specialties, and character options that enhance the core rogue experience.

🎲 Douglas Niles also wrote the acclaimed DragonLance saga "The Rose of the Prophet" trilogy, showcasing his talent for weaving intricate fantasy narratives beyond game design. 🏰 The thief class in AD&D 2nd Edition was significantly more limited in non-human races compared to modern D&D, with only humans, halflings, elves, and half-elves allowed to become thieves. 🎭 The "kits" system introduced in this handbook became so popular that it influenced character customization in future D&D editions, eventually evolving into what we now know as subclasses. 📚 The book's urban environment guidelines were groundbreaking for their time, presenting the first comprehensive system for designing and running city-based adventures in D&D. 🗡️ The book's "Lone Wolf" system was revolutionary for 1990s roleplaying games, as it addressed the growing need for single-player campaign options when full gaming groups weren't available.