Does the low HP makes thief a target for NPCs ?
They tend to target the ones moving most. If you have 20 in shadow arts, go up to their face and perma blind them. They shoot slow so its possible to do that. I think they attack the squishiest. I use shaman gear and have 30 in shadow arts and they havent gone after me in forever. They usually gib my elementalist friendo though o.o