Thug Hunting (+ excellent weapon drops)

[Ogre]

I've noticed while farming along the beach in The Resort that hunting the thugs near the bar areas and bungalows (near Svetlana) usually brings about a worthy drop of either a large sum of money or a notable weapon. I use a certain technique that will get me a weapon drop at least every 5-7 thugs I kill. If I don't get a weapon during any of these killings I usually get several thousand dollars in a drop. Some amounts have been $6,000 or slightly above but most commonly it's between $1,000 -$3,000.

What I have found is that using a blunt weapon such as a Crowbar or Baton has rewarded me with a unique weapon such as a "Crippling" or "Indestructable" weapon. It also seems that the harder you have to work at killing the thug, such as with a weak (white colored) blunt weapon or while around several other enemies, the more you are rewarded. In other words, the harder you make it for yourself the more likely you are to get something in return. Kind of like a spoil for your efforts. When I have used weapons capable of massive amounts of damage like Katanas, Wakizashis, or any sharp weapon the drops are less likely to happen. Using the same weapon repeatedly seems to negate a drop as well. The dropped weapons vary between green, blue, or purple.

Try this technique and see for yourself. Maybe someone else can help prove my theories.

Technique:

1. Full Health. Do not take any damage while fighting the thugs. Any time I have taken damage I have received a very small amount of money or nothing at all.

2. No assistance. Do not use a modified weapon, a nearby Suicider, or any sharp blade capable of a huge amount of damage to assist in your assault of the thug. This seems to lead to useless or "empty" drops.

3. Blunt weapons. Using blunt weapons such as Crowbars, Batons, or Morning Stars to kill the thug. The higher the force the better.

4. Critical Hits to the Head. I have occasionally been rewarded with several drops in a row after making mince meat out of the thugs. Hitting them in the head with a critical hit causes them to hunch over, nearly knocked out, where you can deliver several more critical hits and demolish them in as little as 4 hits. The more often this occurs the more likely you are to get a quality weapon drop.

5. Switch up your weapons. I use a Metal Baton or a Dependable Crowbar that I've picked up during the game to do my hunting. Once I get my weapon drop I switch to another weapon and begin again. This seems to help the drops occur more often.

I have never had a Orange/Gold or Special weapon drop for me but I have only been using this technique for a week or two. Perhaps you guys and girls can try it out for a few hours and see if you get the same results as me.

[rrobb911]

Never heard of this before. I guess it's worth a try. If it works, that's awesome and thank you

[H2O ZOoMBunnIE]

When I started this game back last October, thugs were SO intimidating! I could never seem to take one down w/out getting knocked on my ass at least two or three times.

Now,I take them on toe to toe w/out fear, with my "H2O ZOoMBunnIE's Patented Hanbo Ninja Technique"

I always carry a Saw Disc Axe Modded Hanbo in weapon slot number 5 ( middle left ). As Xian Mei, This gives me three weapons to throw ( I NEVER throw my beloved Deathstalker Katana or Wakizashi in slot one { top middle }) to weaken the beast, the wait for him to advance and hack at his head till he bleeds out.

See, ( in case you didn't already know ) the Hanbo is the longest weapon in the game, and the only one that equals a Thug's attack reach. Timed correctly, a good Hanbo strike can interrupt it's attack and stagger it. The Sa3w Disc Axe can get a 'Bleeding Critical', good w/Xian Mei's Bleeding Strike Bonus.

As Sam B., you don't strictly need to throw anything, since the Hanbo is a blunt weapon, but I always do anyway, just for luck.

That's an excerpt from my "Most awesome moment" post. I practice this technique a lot, around the Diamond Bungalows, on what I like to call The Thug Walk ( the long circle of bars and boardwalks that connect the Diamond Bungalows )

So, I tried this out ( sort of; I don't use un-modded weapons ) and it pretty much checks out. Walking thru as Sam B, all my Hanbo kills yielded a blue or purple weapon, or $3000+ cash, save where I blew one up with a suicider, and another where I tried to change to a Shark Sledge and took a lot of personal Damage.

Same results with Xian Mei.

Good Observation, Ogre!

[Ogre]

I take the very same route as you do. That's where I noticed that this was happening. Great to hear that it worked for you. I'm not crazy, lol.

[Poems]

How do you deal with two thugs at the same time, in front and behind you? I have had this happen to me before and I either ran or died.

[sartex]

How do you deal with two thugs at the same time, in front and behind you? I have had this happen to me before and I either ran or died.

Get up and run...

[ZombieDuckRiot]

Thank you! Will be trying this tonight when I get home. Only level 14 currently with Xian Mei but also do not own one blunt weapon.

[aXiom]

If this is true, killing the Thug with the Fists must be a great reward.

[sickest beast]

If this is true, killing the Thug with the Fists must be a great reward.

That should be fun!

Most crummy white text weapons will be totally spent after taking out 1-2 thugs.

[xXalex5776Xx [GER]]

I never thought about a special technique for killing Thugs. I go in, throw my Shock Axe into them and then hit them with my Zed's Demise. I works well ^^. I will try to kill a Thug only with my fists now, hope it works (and I don't end beaten up )