You've hit on my favorite approach to just about any battle...Poach and Plunder. I have a suggestion that has always made thievery easier for me. Bring along just one more person (an Wizard with Yin-yang mag. if you're low level, a Wizard with Math Sk. or even Beowulf if you're further along) Then you'll be able to turn enemies into Sleeping-Chicken-Frogs; you'll not find an easier pocket to pick. You shouldn't mind the little extra time it takes you to set up your little pigeons when you miss much less often on your steal attempts. As for the useful equipment question, I'd have to say Zorlin Shapes are nice (They put enemies to sleep often), and the Nagrarock (which turns people into frogs) is also pretty helpful for plundering, but not poaching as it does very little HP damage. Happy Hunting!