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Although I know that a IE style pickpocketing won't occur in PoE, I still think it's worth to discuss it more. At least, could be a brainstorm. In PoE,pickpocketing will work in scripted interaction.Maybe someone think it will do the same job.But in fact,there is a huge different between scripted interaction and IE mechanic. IE mechanic is a open way, you can pickpocket anyone you like.That's a freely exploring procession.You can choice target by yourself, maybe this super-armed warrior,that lady wear luxurious clothes,or someone who lived in the beautiful house,something like that.Coordinating with the day and night circle,lighting system and sneak skill,whole the stealing procession chould be very challenging, Full of role-playing feature of rouge! Then add a good reward design, it will support great sense of achievement. And pickpocketing could become part of combat. Like fallout, you can sneak into battlefield to steal enemy's potions or alternate weapon.with a good balance design,that could be a very strategic support to combat skill. In scripted interaction, when you meet a issue, dialogue tell you:"Come on,just steal this guy." Then you make an one second attribute check or skill check. Done.No freely exploring funny, no holding breath. So,scripted interaction is more suitable to describe the content which can't be showed by IE mechanic.Like combat, scripted interaction can describe combat too. But we still need IE mechanic combat. In my opinion, the best design of pickpocketing should be hybrid design,both IE mechanic and scripted interaction. Normally we use IE mechanic, in some "quest" situation or very complex situation, we use scripted interaction. But maybe someone will say:I feel the IE pickpockting mechanic was boring in BG! Yes, I think so. It's not the problem of pickpockting mechanic, but the risk/reward design. The risk design of pickpocketing was very rough. When you failed,everyone attack you, so you must load game.It's neither real nor funny. Why don't we design a C&C system here? Basicly,if the NPC be stolen is a common people with no arm, he will just run away and abuse you.If the guy is a combatant, he may attack you,or not,depend on personality. Anyway,the battle won't involve common NPCs(otherwise it's a barbarian village~) In an orderly city,the C&C will be a little different.The NPC victim will call guards,and the guards will judge you. You can choice accpet or revolt.Only you revolt the judgement ,the situation will be the worst, just like in BG. The judgement depend on your "crime point".Every time you failed in pickpocketing,the "crime point" in Dispositions system will increase. When it is very low, the judgement will only warning and a small amount fine.When it become higher, judgement could be big fine,or imprison(You can break prison, another serious crime).When the crime point become very high, you will become a wanted.Then you will find your wanted papers on the wall,and be pursued by guards,Bounty Hunters,even some famous heros with epic eqiupments(also means epic loot ).Maybe some of your compinions want to leave you, some criminal gangs want to recuit you,and support some assumed identities. Then the reward design,it not bad in BG,but still not perfect.Usually the reward were money and equipment.But we could add a few new stuff, for example,an item lead to a new quest, or some item which show you more information(useful,or just for fun). Above is the basic C&C on my mind.Then let's add a few quirks.For example, when you pickpocketing a rouge master.Maybe his reaction is just laugh at you.For more funny, maybe he put a scorpion in pocket.When you fail, you get hurt.If you success, the IE pickpockting mechanic will lead to a scripted interaction:You find there is a scorpion in the pocket.You can choice just leave away,or catch the scorpion and throw it to the poor guy's neck. That's the place I would admire great scripted interaction design. Additional,the "you get what you see" design will be great help too. When you see a guy carry a beautiful pike on his back, the items you can steal from him should include this pike.That's why we always feel funny in Fallout pickpocketing.