These are the achievements that took me real effort to unlock. Some require multiple playthroughs or very specific conditions. I would not attempt them until you have completed Standard mode and understand all the mechanics. If you have not started yet, the getting started guide covers the basics.
Challenge Achievements (15)
Challenges are optional objectives that appear during runs. Completing them in specific quantities unlocks these achievements.
| Achievement | Requirement | Difficulty | Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insane victory | Complete 5 challenges in one game | Medium | Pick a medium house with multiple challenge types |
| Master challenger | Complete 10 challenges in one game | Hard | Requires a large multi-room house |
| Challenge addict | Complete 25 challenges total | Medium | Grind across multiple runs |
| Speed demon | Complete 3 time-based challenges | Hard | Small apartment, clear rooms fast |
| Silent but deadly | Complete 3 stealth challenges | Medium | Use silenced tools only |
| Heavy hitter | Complete 3 destruction challenges | Medium | Break doors, windows, containers |
| All-rounder | Complete one of each challenge type | Very Hard | Plan route for stealth + destruction + speed |
For "All-rounder," I used a large house with multiple approaches. Ground floor for stealth, basement for destruction, upstairs for time-based tasks. One house can satisfy all challenge types if you plan your route. The house tier guide helps you pick a target with the right room variety.
Speed Achievements (5)
These have strict time requirements. I found "Speed runner" the easiest -- choose a small apartment, grab 2 items, exit. Took me about 90 seconds. A full tool upgrade speeds this up considerably -- faster lockpicks, quieter entry.
| Achievement | Requirement | Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Speed runner | Complete a heist under 2 minutes | Small apartment, grab 2 visible items, leave immediately |
| Quick getaway | Escape police within 30 seconds | Trigger minor alert near a closet hiding spot |
| Speed looter | Steal 5 items in under 1 minute | Pre-scout layout, sprint past everything, grab only small items |
| Rush hour | Complete 3 heists in under 30 minutes | Chain 3 small houses back to back |
| Delivery of a lifetime | Complete item request within 1 minute | Keep requested item in inventory, accept request, deliver fast |
Speed runner strategy:
- Choose the smallest apartment on the job board
- Enter through an unlocked window (no lockpicking time)
- Grab the first 2 visible items on the kitchen counter
- Exit the same way you entered
- Total time: approximately 90 seconds
Rare Condition Achievements (10)
These require unusual circumstances that you would not encounter in normal play.
| Achievement | Requirement | Difficulty | Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Three and free | Escape a 3-star police chase | Hard | Trigger police deliberately, use speed boost if available |
| Millionaire | Earn $1,000,000 total lifetime | Very Hard | Grind, expect 40-60 hours |
| Untouchable | Complete a full game without arrests | Very Hard | Perfect play, no mistakes |
| Completionist | Complete all locations in Completionist mode | Hard | Methodical, district-by-district clearing |
Three and free -- I triggered it by deliberately smashing a window in front of a patrol car, then hiding in a closet until the timer dropped. The key is having good hiding spots memorized and not sprinting during the chase.
Millionaire is the grindiest achievement. At the rate I was earning in late game (roughly $2,000-$5,000 per hour), expect 40-60 hours of play. Completionist mode is much faster than quota-constrained runs because you can focus on high-value heists without time pressure.
Millionaire is easier in Completionist mode because you can take as many runs as needed without restarting. In Hardcore, every reset wipes your progress. If you are going for 100% achievements, plan a dedicated Completionist run for Millionaire and leave Hardcore for the score multiplier achievement.
Update 1.3 Achievements (10)
| Achievement | Requirement | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold fever | Smelt 10 gold bars | Medium | Requires gold bar collection across multiple runs |
| Jeweler | Appraise 10 jewelry pieces | Medium | Must distinguish authentic from fake |
| Dig deep | Fully upgrade the basement | Hard | Requires 18+ gold bars across all upgrades |
| PvP victor | Win 3 PvP competitions | Hard | Requires good tools and combat skill |
| Master key | Unlock the Master Key | Hard | Part of 1.3 progression chain |
Gold fever requires collecting 10 gold bars. Gold bars spawn in high-security houses and heist locations. I found that targeted runs to houses with confirmed safes yielded the most bars. Average: 1 bar per 2-3 high-security houses.
Dig deep (18+ gold bars for full basement) is the hardest 1.3 achievement. The upgrade path: Storage Rack (2 bars), Tool Wall (3 bars), Security Door (5 bars), Workshop Bench (8 bars). Total: 18 bars. At 1 bar per 2-3 houses, expect 36-54 high-security house runs.
What I Found Most Useful
- Stack achievements in single runs -- one large house can satisfy 3-4 requirements
- Back up saves before attempting risky runs
- The 100% Achievement Guide on Steam (linked below) is a work in progress but has the current community strategies
- Use Completionist mode for "Millionaire" and most loot-based achievements
- Save Hardcore mode for last -- you only need it for the 2x score bonus achievement
Achievement Progression Order
- Start with Speed achievements (fast, easy, teach map routes)
- Move to Challenge achievements (stack multiple per run)
- Grind Rare condition achievements (Millionaire takes the longest)
- Finish with Update 1.3 achievements (require endgame gear)
- Attempt Hardcore last (single mistake = full reset)
Related Guides
- Achievement Guide Part 1 -- easy to medium achievements
- Hardcore Survival Guide -- permadeath survival for Untouchable achievement
- Gold Bars and Jewelry Guide -- Update 1.3 achievements
Community Verification & Resources
Data values may shift with patches. Cross-check against community resources before building your strategy.