History Main / KleptomaniacHero

* If Josh from ''LetsPlay/LetsGameItOut'' can steal in games, expect it to be amusing. Especially in ''Hydroneer'' where he consistently figures out ways to shoplift despite the developers adding patches to prevent this, to the point when they add an in-game WantedPoster for him.

* [[DeconstructedTrope Deconstructed]] in ''VideoGame/YouAreNotTheHero''. The game is about a woman following the heroes to get back what they took from her.

* Kazuma from ''LightNovel/KonoSuba'' might be one of these as one of the first skills he learnt upon being reincarnated was "Steal" which he has used to pluck flying cabbages from the sky, acquire a Dullahan's head in the middle of a battle and grab the underwear from women.

* ''LightNovel/{{Slayers}}'' is an AffectionateParody of [=RPGs=] and the protagonist Lina Inverse did this often. Although she said it didn't belong to the bandits she stole from in the first place, later she mentions feeling an itch to attack bandits and steal the loot.
* ''LightNovel/TheRisingOfTheShieldHero'' has Naofumi Iwatani do this due to his [[LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe Legendary Shield]] being a MorphWeapon that is able to unlock additional forms and new abilities based on whatever item he absorbs into the Shields' emerald: be it parts from similar Monsters ('''Orange Balloon, Yellow Balloon, and Red Balloon Shields'''), different parts from the same Monster ('''Chimera Meat, Leather, Bone, and Viper Shields''' all from the Chimera Wave Boss Monster), or even from normal everyday items ('''Pickaxe Shield''' from a broken Pick Axe, '''Book Shield''' from a compounding book, and '''Sharpening Shield''' from a Whetstone). Naofumi even [[SkillScoresAndPerks manages to master the beneficial abilities of certain shields by having them equipped before falling asleep]] in order to gain Uptime with them and fully master their unlocked abilities as an active passive even when the respective Shields' not equipped (Such as maxing out proficiency with the '''Bioplant''' and '''Mandoragora Shields''' to use their ''Plant Analysis'' and ''Plant Modification'' abilities to allow him [[GreenThumb to modify plant seeds to accelerate plant growth and increase nutritional values]] in order to help out a starving village.)

->''"Thank you, gentlemen! Someday, I '''''will''''' repay you! ...Unless, of course, I can't find you or if I forget."''
-->-- '''Shrek''', ''WesternAnimation/{{Shrek 2}}''

* It's not all that rare for a game to feature this trope prominently except for one homeowner who leaves his valuables unguarded -- then comes home right after the hero leaves, and will get very cross if his stuff is missing. Generally, if you left the treasure alone, you'll get a reward worth more than whatever was in the box. See ''VideoGame/SuperMarioRPG'' and ''VideoGame/SecretOfEvermore'', for starters.
** There's nothing stopping you from looting the chests ''after'' you got the reward, however.
** A variation occurs in ''VideoGame/CaveStory'', where you're required to steal an old man's gun to be able to exit the NoobCave. Since you have to steal it, the being-nice reward is given when you return the gun near the end of the game, instead of trading it earlier in the game. If you trade it, you get an upgraded weapon, but if you don't trade and later return it, you get what is either the best or second-best (depending on opinion) weapon in the game.

* The protagonists of ''VideoGame/JonssonliganJaktenPaMjolner'' are a gang of con men and actual thieves, so this is a given. Harry may lampshade this when picking up a pair of scissors, stating that he doesn't have any use for them only to verbally shrug and take them anyway. While most of the items you pick up do get used for the gang's signature comedic heists, your bag ''will'' contain quite a few items tht never got used by the end.[[note]]If you investigate a cash register, the leader of the gang [[PetTheDog will refuse to steal the money, though.]][[/note]]
* Averted in the Creator/LucasArts game ''VideoGame/{{Loom}}'': you can only carry ''one'' item, your weaving staff (and even that you don't have all the time).

*** [[ArcherArchetype Itsuki]] preferring to only use the acquired materials as Experience Points to put into his PointBuildSystem for his [[JobSystem Job Class]] and only takes in new Bows he finds based on the weapons' overall rarity through [[PowerCopying Weapon Copy]], leaving him [[ExcaliburInTheRust unwilling to touch lesser bows or materials]] that could be used to unlock more unique abilities for his Bow.
*** [[BladeOnAStick Motoyasu]] is arguably the closest to a Kleptomaniac of the three due to his method of [[EquipmentUpgrade empowering the baseline stats of an existing Spear variant to maximum]] based on [[RareCandy the quality of materials that the Spear absorbs]] and how compatible that material is with the Spear in-question through a process of trial-and-error, however this means that he only goes for highest-quality materials instead of more commonplace ones that could offer unique traits when unlocked and refined.

%%[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
%%[[/folder]]

[[folder:Gamebooks]]
* ''Literature/LoneWolf'': Maybe he's not as bad as some video-game heroes, but still, Lone Wolf always has the option to thoroughly check for loot wherever he goes. It's part of the InventoryManagementPuzzle, as many items, precious or not, won't come into play and just waste space in the backpack. Nonetheless, if you want to drag along that heavy bag of silver nuggets or that ingot of platinum for the rest of the adventure, you can! The Kai monastery can always need some rebuilding/refitting, after all.

* ''LightNovel/TheRisingOfTheShieldHero'' has Naofumi Iwatani do this due to his [[LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe Legendary Shield]] being a MorphWeapon that is able to unlock additional forms and new abilities based on whatever item he absorbs into the Shields' emerald: be it parts from similar Monsters ('''Orange Balloon, Yellow Balloon, and Red Balloon Shields'''), different parts from the same Monster ('''Chimera Meat, Leather, Bone, and Viper Shields''' all from the Chimera Wave Boss Monster), or even from normal everyday items ('''Pickaxe Shield''' from a broken Pick Axe, '''Book Shield''' from a compounding book, and '''Sharpening Shield''' from a Whetstone). Naofumi even manages to master the beneficial abilities of certain shields by having them equipped before falling asleep in order to gain Uptime with them and fully master their unlocked abilities as an active passive even when the respective Shields' not equipped (Such as maxing out proficiency with the '''Bioplant''' and '''Mandoragora Shields''' to use their ''Plant Analysis'' and ''Plant Modification'' abilities to allow him [[GreenThumb to modify plant seeds to accelerate plant growth and increase nutritional values]] in order to help out a starving village.)

*** [[BladeOnAStick Motoyasu]] is arguably the closest to a Kleptomaniac of the three due to his method of [[EquipmentUpgrade empowering the baseline stats of an existing Spear variant to maximum]] based on the quality of materials that the Spear absorbs and how compatible that material is with the Spear in-question through a process of trial-and-error, however this means that he only goes for highest-quality materials instead of more commonplace ones that could offer unique traits when unlocked and refined.

*** [[BladeOnAStick Motoyasu]] is arguably the closest to a Kleptomaniac of the three due to his method of empowering the baseline stats of an existing Spear variant to maximum based on the quality of materials that the Spear absorbs and how compatible that material is with the Spear in-question through a process of trial-and-error, however this means that he only goes for highest-quality materials instead of more commonplace ones that could offer unique traits when unlocked and refined.

*** [[ArcherArchetype Itsuki]] preferring to only use the acquired materials as Experience Points to put into his [[JobSystem Job Class]] and only takes in new Bows he finds based on the weapons' overall rarity through [[PowerCopying Weapon Copy]], leaving him [[ExcaliburInTheRust unwilling to touch lesser bows or materials]] that could be used to unlock more unique abilities for his Bow.

*** [[HeroesPreferSwords Ren]] preferring to only use the monster parts as crafting materials and his sword as a Crafting Table and instead grinds out the proficiency of certain Swords to max [[EnergyDonation only to invest the accumulated points into his newest unlocked Sword to raise its power]] and never touch the older sword ever again: not bothering to utilize Uptime with weaker Sword variants to increase his proficiency in their passive beneficial skills that he could use.

*** [[HeroesPreferSwords Ren]] preferring to only grind out the proficiency of certain Swords to max [[EnergyDonation only to invest the accumulated points into his newest unlocked Sword]] and never touch the older sword ever again: not bothering to utilize Uptime with weaker Sword variants to increase his proficiency in their passive beneficial skills that he could use.

* ''LightNovel/TheRisingOfTheShieldHero'' has Naofumi Iwatani do this due to his [[LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe Legendary Shield]] being a MorphWeapon that is able to unlock additional forms and new abilities based on whatever item he absorbs into the Shields' emerald: be it parts from similar Monsters ('''Orange Balloon, Yellow Balloon, and Red Balloon Shields'''), different parts from the same Monster ('''Chimera Meat, Leather, Bone, and Viper Shields''' all from the Chimera Wave Boss Monster), or even from normal everyday items ('''Pickaxe Shield''' from a broken Pick Axe, '''Book Shield''' from a compounding book, and '''Sharpening Shield''' from a Whetstone). Naofumi even manages to max out the stats of certain shields by having them equipped before falling asleep in order to gain Uptime with them and unlock their abilities as an active passive when the respective Shields' not equipped (Such as maxing out proficiency with the '''Bioplant''' and '''Mandragora Shields''' to use their ''Plant Analysis'' and ''Plant Modification'' abilities to allow him [[GreenThumb to modify plant seeds to accelerate plant growth and increase nutritional values]] in order to help out a starving village.)

*** [[ArcherArchetype Itsuki]] preferring to only take in new Bows based on the weapons' overall rarity through [[PowerCopying Weapon Copy]], leaving him [[ExcaliburInTheRust unwilling to touch lesser bows or materials]] that could be used to unlock more unique abilities for his Bow.

*** [[BladeOnAStick Motoyasu]] is arguably the closest to a Kleptomaniac of the three due to his method of empowering the baseline stats of an existing Spear variant to maximum based on the quality of materials that the Spear absorbs and how compatible that material is with the Spear in-question through a process of trial-and-error.

*** [[ArcherArchetype Itsuki]] preferring to only take in new Bows based on the weapons' overall rarity, leaving him unwilling to touch lesser bows and materials in order to unlock their unique abilities.

*** [[HeroesPreferSwords Ren]] preferring to only grind out the proficiency of certain Swords to max [[EnergyTransfer only to invest the accumulated points into his newest unlocked Sword]] and never touch the older sword ever again: not bothering to utilize Uptime with weaker Sword variants to increase his proficiency in their passive beneficial skills that he could use.

* ''LightNovel/TheRisingOfTheShieldHero'' has Naofumi Iwatani do this due to his [[LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe Legendary Shield]] being a MorphWeapon that is able to unlock additional forms and new abilities based on whatever item he absorbs into the Shields' emerald: be it parts from similar Monsters ('''Orange Balloon, Yellow Balloon, and Red Balloon Shields'''), different parts from the same Monster ('''Chimera Meat, Leather, Bone, and Viper Shields''' all from the Chimera Wave Boss Monster), or even from normal everyday items ('''Pickaxe Shield''' from a broken Pick Axe, '''Book Shield''' from a compounding book, and '''Sharpening Shield''' from a Whetstone). Naofumi even manages to max out the stats of certain shields by having them equipped before falling asleep in order to gain Uptime with them (Such as maxing out proficiency with the '''Bioplant''' and '''Mandragora Shields''' to use their ''Plant Analysis'' and ''Plant Modification'' abilities to allow him [[GreenThumb to modify plant seeds to accelerate plant growth and increase nutritional values]] in order to help out a starving village.)

* ''Videogame/{{Terraria}}'': Found a shrine made of golden bricks containing a treasure chest inside a jungle? You can take the treasure inside the chest, then use your hammer to take the chest itself, then take out your pickaxe, ''dismantle the shrine'', and take that too.

* ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'' normally averts this by not allowing the player to pick up any object that isn't a [[HyperactiveMetabolism healing food item]], weapon, armor or the occasional key, and many residences cannot be entered by the player at all. However, in a [[KillEmAll Genocide Run]], you can enter shops whose keepers have fled, and the normal "Buy" and "Sell" options will be replaced with "Take" and "Steal." One note tries to dissuade you from just taking their stuff, but even having that option available means you've already committed more serious crimes.

** ''VideoGame/DragonQuestBuilders'' takes this UpToEleven. You can take ''everything'', including the kitchen sink. Furniture, plants, decorations, ovens, forges, the contents of treasure chests and the chests themselves... You can even take the doors and windows from buildings, hell you can take the entire building, from floor to roof!(After breaking it down into parts, that is.)

* In ''Videogame/TheSims3'', a sim with the Kleptomaniac trait will steal anything they can get their hands on. There's even a lifetime wish for ''[[UpToEleven 50,000 simoleons worth of stolen goods]]''.

* ''Videogame/{{Terraria}}'' lets you take this UpToEleven. Found a shrine made of golden bricks containing a treasure chest inside a jungle? You can take the treasure inside the chest, then use your hammer to take the chest itself, then take out your pickaxe, ''dismantle the shrine'', and take that too.

* In ''Fanfic/TheSteepPathAhead'', Luise and Saito pretty much get all their gear this way. Either from the dead they find lying around ([[DueToTheDead though they'll at least bury them]]) or robbing the people who attack them (usually after a ForcedSleep spell).
* Brad in ''Fanfic/FreakinGensokyo'', to an [[UpToEleven almost unbelievable degree]]. He stuffs his BagOfHolding with stolen clothes and furniture, and is showing no signs of tiring.

* John in ''Fanfic/SoYouArentAsHumanAsYouThoughtYouWere'' steals lab equipment from his university, and Tupperware from IKEA, among other things

*** The Census and Excise office where you start the game. There is a built-in area out of sight where the player will acquire their first weapon, lockpicks, food, beverages, light source, and book. Even better, until you are officially released by the Captain and given your orders, you will not get a bounty for anything you steal in plain sight of the guards. Simply pick up anything you wish to steal and then set it on the ground before the guard gets to you. He'll reprimand you for stealing it, but there are no other consequences. Simply pick the stolen item back up when you're done and it's yours! You can acquire a key to the Seyda Neen warehouse with this method. The warehouse contains even more stuff to steal.