Way to twist my words, but it doesn't surprise me. There is a difference between people installing mods to alter the game and the game being badly balanced in the first place.
Its really sad to see that todays instant gratification players start to whine whenever there is actual challenge involved and they can't have everything instantly by a button press.
Is he though? His point is exactly that it doesn't affect balance at all unless YOU, the player make it so. In other words, if you don't pick pocket at all it is literally not in the game. No enemies, NPC's or anyone else in the game will pickpocket you, anyone in your party, or anyone else in the game on their own.
It only happens if you do it. It's a mechanic entirely within the players control, and therefore can be disregarded without any fear of it being used against you in the game.
That's entirely different than say, questioning the way height advantage works. Because a player could just stroll directly into the blighted village, fail some die rolls and be sniped out by the goblins on the rooftops.(or some such other encounter)
Do you see the difference? Pickpocketing, like save scumming, is a player choice, it's something only the player does, and if you choose not to then it simply doesn't exist in the game.
I think what alot of you are talking about is self discipline. Essentially you are saying, if it's there, you cannot resist the urge. That's fine, and it would be a valid argument. It would also be a more honest one than hiding behind this "balance" thing, because you for some reason fear that admitting you don't have the self control not to do it would make you appear weak.
I don't necessarily think that's the case, but let's all at least be honest here. This is an issue of self control, not balance.
