How to Left Click Pickpocket in OSRS: A Complete Guide

How to Left Click Pickpocket in OSRS: A Complete Guide


Pickpocketing in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a key part of training the Thieving skill, and mastering the art of left-click pickpocketing can make your experience faster, less tedious, and more efficient. Whether you’re grinding for gold, chasing that 99 Thieving cape, or simply looking to optimize your gameplay, knowing how to set up left-click pickpocketing is a game-changer. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about left-click pickpocketing in OSRS, from settings adjustments to NPC-specific tips, ensuring you can steal with just one click.

By default, pickpocketing in OSRS requires you to right-click an NPC and select the “Pickpocket” option from the menu. This two-step process can slow you down, especially when you’re spam-clicking to maximize experience rates. Left-click pickpocketing eliminates the need for right-clicking, allowing you to repeatedly pickpocket with a single click. This not only saves time but also reduces wrist strain—a win for both efficiency and comfort.

Benefits of Left Click Pickpocketing

  • Faster XP Rates: Spam-clicking becomes seamless, boosting your hourly experience.
  • Less Effort: One click instead of two reduces repetitive strain.
  • AFK-Friendly: For certain NPCs, it simplifies semi-AFK training methods.

Who Should Use This Method?

This technique is ideal for players training Thieving on attackable NPCs like Ardougne Knights or Master Farmers, where speed and repetition are key. It’s less applicable to NPCs with a default “Talk-to” option, but we’ll cover workarounds for those later.

How to Enable Left Click Pickpocketing in OSRS

Pro Tip When thieving change the attack option priority to always

Setting up left-click pickpocketing is straightforward and can be done entirely within the game’s native settings—no third-party clients required (though RuneLite can enhance the experience). Here’s how to do it step-by-step.

Step-by-Step Guide to Adjust NPC Attack Options

  1. Open the game’s settings menu by clicking the wrench icon in the top-right corner of the interface.
  2. Navigate to the “Controls” tab (represented by a joystick icon).
  3. Locate the “NPC ‘Attack’ Options” section.
  4. Change the setting from “Left-click where available” to “Hidden” or “Always right-click.”
  5. Save your changes and exit the menu.

What These Settings Do

Setting “NPC ‘Attack’ Options” to “Hidden” removes the attack option entirely, making “Pickpocket” the default left-click action for attackable NPCs. “Always right-click” shifts attack to the right-click menu, achieving the same result for pickpocketing. Test this on an NPC like a Man or Woman (level 1 Thieving) to confirm it’s working.

RuneLite Enhancements (Optional)

If you use RuneLite, the “Menu Entry Swapper” plugin can further customize your left-click options. While it can’t override “Talk-to” defaults (due to Jagex restrictions), it works wonders for attackable NPCs. To enable:

  • Open RuneLite’s configuration (spanner icon).
  • Find “Menu Entry Swapper” in the plugin list.
  • Adjust NPC settings to prioritize “Pickpocket” over “Attack.”

Best NPCs for Left Click Pickpocketing

Not all NPCs are equal when it comes to left-click pickpocketing. The method shines with attackable NPCs where “Pickpocket” can become the default action. Below are some of the best candidates, along with tips for each.

Ardougne Knights (Level 55 Thieving)

Ardougne Knights are a Thieving staple, offering up to 270,000 XP per hour at level 99 with the right setup. They’re perfect for left-click pickpocketing because:

  • Trappable: Lure them into a house (e.g., the northeast Ardougne building) to keep them stationary.
  • High XP: Spam-clicking yields consistent coin pouches and decent XP.
  • Gear Tip: Wear the Rogue’s Outfit for double loot.

Master Farmers (Level 38 Thieving)

Master Farmers are a goldmine for seed drops, making them great for Ironmen or profit-focused players. Left-click pickpocketing works well here:

  • Location: Draynor Village or Hosidius are popular spots.
  • Profit: Expect ranarr and snapdragon seeds for big GP gains.
  • Pro Tip: Use a seed box to extend trips.

TzHaar-Hur (Level 90 Thieving)

For post-99 Thieving, TzHaar-Hur in Mor Ul Rek offer a low-effort, high-XP alternative:

  • Setup: Trap them in a corner and spam-click.
  • Requirements: Thieving cape and Hard Ardougne Diary recommended.
  • Benefit: No coin pouches to open, just healing occasionally.

Overcoming Challenges with Left Click Pickpocketing

While left-click pickpocketing is a breeze for some NPCs, others—like Vyres or Elves—pose challenges due to their “Talk-to” default option. Here’s how to handle these hurdles.

Dealing with “Talk-to” NPCs

NPCs like Vyrewatch or Prifddinas Elves default to “Talk-to” on left-click, even with attack options hidden. To pickpocket efficiently:

  • Camera Trick: Switch to resizable mode, zoom in, and angle your camera so the NPC is near the bottom of the screen. Right-click to open the menu, then left-click “Pickpocket” without moving your mouse.
  • Spam-Clicking: Time your clicks to match the pickpocket animation (every 1.2 seconds).

Avoiding Combat Mishaps

Accidentally attacking an NPC can ruin your rhythm. To prevent this:

  • Equip a Bow: Use a bow with no arrows equipped to disable attacking entirely.
  • Check Settings: Ensure “NPC ‘Attack’ Options” is set to “Hidden.”

Managing Stuns and Damage

Failed pickpockets result in stuns and minor damage. Mitigate this with:

  • Food: Bring jugs of wine or cakes for quick healing.
  • Dodgy Necklace: Increases success rates and reduces stun chances.
  • Ardougne Diary: Medium (10% success boost in Ardougne) or Hard (global boost) diaries help immensely.

Tips and Tricks for Maximum Efficiency

To truly master left-click pickpocketing, combine the technique with smart strategies. Here’s a rundown of advanced tips and a handy table for quick reference.

Optimizing Your Setup

  • Resizable Mode: Increases visibility and precision for spam-clicking.
  • Mouse Keys: Use keyboard inputs for even faster clicking (legal in OSRS).
  • Ardougne Cloak: Boosts success rates without needing to wear it.

NPC-Specific Boosts

Some NPCs benefit from unique gear or conditions:

  • H.A.M. Members: Wear H.A.M. robes for better success (level 15 Thieving).
  • Blackjacking: Knock out bandits first, then left-click pickpocket while they’re down.

Quick Reference Table

NPC Thieving Level XP/Hour (Max) Key Gear Left-Click Tip
Ardougne Knight 55 270,000 Rogue’s Outfit Trap in a house
Master Farmer 38 100,000+ Seed Box Spam-click in Draynor
TzHaar-Hur 90 275,000 Thieving Cape Corner trap
Vyrewatch 82 200,000+ Dodgy Necklace Use camera trick

Final Thoughts

Left-click pickpocketing in OSRS transforms a click-intensive skill into a smoother, more enjoyable grind. Whether you’re chasing XP, loot, or just want to streamline your gameplay, this method is a must-try. Start with Ardougne Knights or Master Farmers to get the hang of it, then experiment with higher-level NPCs as you progress. With the right settings, gear, and practice, you’ll be pickpocketing like a pro in no time. Happy thieving!