For those wondering what the Unstable Artifact Thieves are, how to find them and how to catch them, this is a post just for you!
- Unstable Artifact Thieves are squirrels that run around locations throughout a zone during an Unstable Zone Event.
- 4 types: Common, Uncommon, Rare and Epic.
- They give you 1-2 or more Unstable Artifacts of the corresponding rarity when you catch them with a Net.
- Requires the use of Artifact Thief Catcher ‘nets’ consumables crafted with Dream Weaver recipes that are dropped from Unstable Zone Events.
Unstable Artifact Thieves
Unstable Artifact Thieves (“Thieves”) are squirrels that appear all over a zone during an Unstable Zone Event. These Thieves – when caught – will provide you with 1-2 or more Unstable Artifacts corresponding to their rarity in your Rift Loot Bag.
There’s 4 rarities:
- Common
- Uncommon
- Rare
- Epic
In order to catch these thieves you will need a ‘net’. Note, however, that the thieves move at random all over the place so it is quite possible that you will ‘miss’ and end up consuming a net.
Artifact Thief Catcher
You will need to use Artifact Thief Catchers in order to catch Unstable Artifact Thieves. These are consumable, ground-targeted AoEs that act like other ‘net’-based abilities.
- There’s a short travel-time between casting the consumable and it actually reaching its destination.
- The item is consumed when you use it.
- As it is a ground-targeted AoE item, you can miss if the Thief moves away from the spot.
- A successful catch will give you at least one Unstable Artifact in your Rift Loot Bag.
Recipes are obtained at random as a rare drop at the end of an Unstable Zone Event (you will need to tag the event, which means picking up at least one Unstable Artifact in the zone). It is unknown whether you will need to mentor down for it – but you may as well for the other level-appropriate rewards for completing a zone event.
You will need Dream Weaver Craft Profession to craft the Artifact Thief Catchers. Recipes are as follows:
| Recipe | Craft Level | Dream Ribbons |
|---|---|---|
| Common Artifact Thief Catcher | 1 | 5 |
| Uncommon Artifact Thief Catcher | 1 | 25 |
| Rare Artifact Thief Catcher | 200 | 75 |
| Epic Artifact Thief Catcher | 300 | 150 |
Each Artifact Thief Catcher requires Dream Ribbons that are obtained from salvaging Artifacts (an ability that Dream Weavers possess).
Thanks to Hans for providing us with information on the Rare Artifact Thief Catcher Recipe’s Craft Level!
RiftGrate 
crafting skill for the rare net is 200.
http://zuckung.lima-city.de/pix/rare_net.jpg (sry, german version)
Thank you very much for the info Hans! Greatly appreciated 😀
Just sayin, this site is the best RIFT fan site. I was stressin when I couldn’t find any information on these darn critters, lo and behold, shoulda just went straight to Riftgrate.com. Thanks so much for all of your hard work and dedication, if no on else does, I really appreciate it.
very handy site…was wondering though….are there macros to find the unstable squirrels? been looking online for them…cant seem to find them.
Cdems, I just use this macro and spam it as I’m riding around:
tar Unstable Artifact Thief