Heist Planning Checklist

Before leaving the hideout, confirm:

• [ ] Target selected from job board or free-roam
• [ ] Security level assessed (locks, NPCs, alarms)
• [ ] Required tools confirmed for each team member
• [ ] Entry point identified (front, back, roof, window)
• [ ] Extraction point agreed (vehicle, alley, rooftop)
• [ ] Role assignments confirmed
• [ ] Hard abort condition set (e.g., 2 police alerts = retreat)

Target Selection

Not all houses are equal. Evaluate each target based on:

Risk Factors

• Electronic locks -- require hacking tool, slow down entry
• NPC occupancy -- more NPCs = higher alert risk
• Neighbor proximity -- tight spacing = noise carries
• Security cameras -- must be disabled or avoided
• Police response time -- varies by map zone

Reward Factors

• Known high-value locations -- safes, jewelry boxes, electronics
• Item request matches -- premium payout if requested items are inside
• Gold bar potential -- high-security targets (Update 1.3)
• Tool upgrade materials -- special loot boxes

Decision Matrix

Entry Route Planning

Every heist should have two entry plans:

Plan A: Primary Entry

• Quietest available route
• Lockpick the back door or side window
• Crawl through basement access
• Stun and bypass NPCs

Plan B: Emergency Entry

• Smash a ground-floor window (loud but fast)
• Use blowtorch on a side wall (very loud)
• Rooftop access via fire escape

Plan B is for when Plan A fails (broken lockpick, unexpected alarm, NPC wandering to your entry point). Switch to Plan B quickly to avoid wasted time.

Inside the Heist

Once inside, follow the team's defined path:

1. Clear ground floor -- Lookout confirms no NPCs
2. Lockpick internal doors -- Lockpick opens the path
3. Secure NPCs -- Sleeping gas + cable ties if occupied
4. Loot sweep -- Hauler takes high-value items in priority order
5. Safe cracking -- Blowtorch or drill on safes
6. Final sweep -- Quick check for missed items
7. Extraction -- Regroup at extraction point

Extraction Protocols

Clean Exit

• All players exit through the planned route
• No police alert
• Walk to extraction point (no sprinting -- attracts attention)
• Get in vehicle and drive to next target or hideout

Hot Exit

• Police have been alerted
• Doors are being watched
• Exit through Plan B route immediately
• No further looting
• Each player escapes independently
• Regroup at a secondary hideout location
• If caught, minimize loot loss by dropping low-value items

Evacuation Routes

Know at least two exits from every major room:

Post-Heist: Share and Plan

After extraction:

1. Stash deposit -- All loot goes into the shared hideout stash
2. Item request check -- Pull requested items for delivery
3. Repair session -- Everyone repairs broken tools
4. Skill review -- Check if anyone found new skill leaflets
5. Next target -- Repeat the planning cycle

Dealing with Failure

Even the best plans fail. When things go wrong:

• One player arrested: Remaining team should abort and start over. Loot from a failed run can still be sold.
• Multiple arrests: Reset at hideout. Take smaller targets to rebuild momentum.
• Tool failure mid-heist: The Driver should have backups. Switch tools and continue, or abort if the backup also fails.

Upgrade Philosophy

Basic tools get the job done, but upgraded versions save time, reduce noise, and fail less often. Tool upgrades are not linear -- some require skill leaflets, others need specific rank milestones.

Every upgrade reduces the risk of a broken tool ending your heist prematurely.

Tool Quality Tiers

Higher tiers unlock larger sweet spots on lockpicking mini-games and reduce the noise generated.

Advanced Tools Unlock Guide

Master Key (Update 1.3)

Added in the 1.3 update, the Master Key opens most standard residential locks instantly without a mini-game. It does not work on electronic locks or high-security safes.

Cost: Available through 1.3 content progression. Exact price varies based on community reports.

When to use: Every standard door. Combined with the hacking tool for electronic locks, the Master Key covers 80% of entry points.

Hacking Tool

Unlocked by finding the Hacking skill leaflet. Opens electronic door locks and security panels. Without it, electronic locks are impassable.

How to get: Complete the skill leaflet hunt. Hacking leaflets drop from special loot boxes. Keep checking the job board for houses with electronic locks -- these often contain the leaflet.

When to use: Houses with electronic access systems, security company buildings, late-game targets.

Invisibility Tool

Mentioned in developer previews as an expensive but powerful tool that makes you invisible for about 60 seconds. Exact unlock requirements and cost are still being refined by the developer.

When to use: Emergency escapes, bypassing high-security zones, extraction from hot situations.

Skill Leaflet Tools

Some tools require skill leaflet unlocks rather than direct purchase. These are late-game tool upgrades:

• Advanced Lockpicking: Unlocks professional lockpick sets
• Advanced Hacking: Enables the hacking tool for electronic systems
• Tool Maintenance: Reduces tool break rate by about 20-30%
• Stealth Ops: Quieter tool usage across the board

Each skill leaflet unlocks a permanent passive or active ability. Skill points are earned through leveling up.

Investment Priority for Late Game

Once you have the basics covered, upgrade in this order:

1. Standard Lockpick Set -- reduces break rate significantly
2. Pro Flashlight -- wider beam, longer battery
3. Advanced Hacking -- unlocks electronic entry
4. Master Key (Update 1.3) -- skip most lockpicking
5. Tool Maintenance skill -- save money on repairs long-term

Tool Storage Tips

• Keep at least one backup of each essential tool in your hideout stash
• Sell broken tools instead of repairing them if repair cost exceeds 60% of replacement
• Mark houses with electronic locks on the map -- they need the hacking tool, not lockpicks