Heist & Grand Heist

Heist & Grand Heist

Heist is a thrilling rogue-like league mechanic in Path of Exile where you assemble a crew of specialized rogues to infiltrate fortified strongholds, bypass security measures, and steal valuable artifacts. Grand Heists are larger, multi-wing operations offering even greater rewards, including exclusive unique items, powerful enchantments, and significant currency.

Success in Heist demands careful planning, strategic rogue management, and a keen understanding of alarm mechanics. It's an excellent source of various currencies, specific item types like Replica Uniques, and Alternate Quality Gems.

Getting Started with Heist

To begin your Heist journey, you'll first encounter Rogue's Markers and Contracts dropped throughout Wraeclast. These items are your entry tickets into the Rogue Harbour, the central hub for all Heist activities.

1. Collect Rogue's Markers: This is the primary currency for Heist. You'll need them to reveal Contracts, unlock Blueprint wings, and pay your rogues.
2. Find Contracts: Contracts specify the Heist objective, location, and required rogue skills. They drop from monsters in all areas.
3. Visit the Rogue Harbour: Once you have a Contract, speak to Adiyah, the Wayfinder in any town to travel to the Rogue Harbour.
4. Speak to Whakano, the Protester: Whakano is your primary contact for Heist. He sells Contracts, reveals their details, and provides access to the Heist Locker.

Contracts vs. Blueprints (Grand Heists)

Contracts

Contracts are single-objective Heists. You hire a rogue, complete the objective, grab the loot, and escape. They are excellent for farming currency, specific item types, and leveling your rogues.

• Objective Types: Contracts have various objectives, such as "Retrieve the Artifact," "Secure the Target," "Steal the Blueprint," or "Open the Curio Display." Each objective requires specific rogue skills.
• Rewards: Contracts can drop various currencies, Experimented Base Types, Alternate Quality Gems, and more Contracts or Blueprints.
• Preparation: Before starting a Contract, ensure you have enough Rogue's Markers to pay your chosen rogue. Equip your rogue with appropriate gear (see "Rogue Gear" below).

Blueprints (Grand Heists)

Blueprints are multi-wing operations that represent the pinnacle of Heist content. They offer significantly greater rewards, including exclusive unique items and powerful enchantments. Blueprints are initially "unrevealed" and require Rogue's Markers to fully disclose their layout and rewards.

• Revealing Blueprints: Take your unrevealed Blueprint to Whakano, the Protester. He will reveal one wing at a time for a cost in Rogue's Markers. You can choose which wings to reveal based on their potential rewards.
• Planning a Grand Heist: Once wings are revealed, you'll see the required rogue skills for each wing and the potential rewards. You'll need to hire multiple rogues for a Grand Heist, often one for each wing and potentially additional rogues for specific tasks within a wing.
• Exclusive Rewards: Grand Heists are the sole source of Replica Unique Items, Alternate Quality Gems, Enchanted Items (like weapon and body armour enchantments), and Experimented Base Types.

Managing Your Rogues

Your rogues are your most valuable assets. Each rogue has unique skills, specializations, and a preferred job. Leveling their skills and equipping them properly is crucial for success.

Rogue Skills and Specializations

Each rogue has a set of skills that level up as they successfully complete Heists. Higher skill levels unlock more complex Heists and reduce the time taken for tasks. Key skills include:

• Brute Force: Breaking open doors and chests. (e.g., Karst, Nenet)
• Counter-Thaumaturgy: Disabling magical defenses. (e.g., Niles, Vinderi)
• Demolition: Blowing up obstacles. (e.g., Gianna, Tullina)
• Engineering: Manipulating machinery. (e.g., Tibbs, Nenet)
• Lockpicking: Opening locked containers. (e.g., Karst, Vinderi)
• Perception: Detecting traps and hidden passages. (e.g., Isla, Nenet)
• Agility: Navigating tricky environments. (e.g., Karst, Nenet)
• Trap Disarmament: Disabling traps. (e.g., Isla, Tullina)
• Deception: Bypassing security systems. (e.g., Gianna, Niles)

Recommended Rogues for Specific Tasks

While all rogues are useful, some excel in specific roles:

• Karst, the Lockpick: Excellent for Lockpicking and Agility. His unique trinket often grants additional currency.
• Vinderi, the Dismantler: Great for Lockpicking and Counter-Thaumaturgy. His unique trinket significantly boosts currency drops from chests. Highly recommended for currency farming.
• Nenet, the Scout: Strong in Agility, Engineering, and Perception. Her unique trinket can provide additional unique items.
• Gianna, the Master of Disguise: Specializes in Deception and Demolition. Her unique trinket reduces the alert level generated by opening chests, making her invaluable for maximizing loot.
• Niles, the Interrogator: Proficient in Counter-Thaumaturgy and Deception. His unique trinket can grant additional quality gems.

Rogue Gear

Rogues can be equipped with three types of items: Weapons, Armour, and Trinkets. These items drop from Heists and can significantly boost their skill levels, reduce task times, or provide unique bonuses.

• Weapons: Primarily increase a rogue's damage and sometimes provide skill bonuses.
• Armour: Increases a rogue's survivability and often provides skill bonuses.
• Trinkets: These are the most impactful rogue items, offering powerful modifiers like "Heists contain an additional unique item" or "Chests have a X% chance to contain additional currency." Always prioritize equipping rogues with good trinkets, especially Vinderi for currency.

Heist Mechanics and Alarm Management

The core challenge of Heist is managing the Alert Level. Every action you take, from opening chests to killing guards, increases the alert. Once the alert meter fills, the lockdown sequence begins, and you have a limited time to reach the escape route.

• Alert Level Generation:
  • Opening chests and display cases.
  • Killing guards (especially rare ones).
  • Failing a rogue task (e.g., a rogue gets interrupted).
  • Certain unique Heist modifiers.
• Reducing Alert: Some rogue gear and Gianna's unique trinket can reduce alert generation. Certain Heist modifiers can also lower the base alert.
• The Target: The main objective of the Heist. Once you interact with it, the alarm is instantly triggered, and lockdown begins.
• Escape Route: After the alarm triggers, a new path to the escape route will open. You must reach it before the timer runs out, or you'll lose all the items you've collected in the Heist.
• Looting Strategy:
  • Before Alarm: Prioritize opening as many chests and side-objective displays as possible without filling the alert meter.
  • After Alarm: Grab the main objective and make a direct dash for the escape. Do not linger, as guards will become more aggressive, and the timer is unforgiving.

Maximizing Heist Profit

Heist can be incredibly lucrative if approached strategically.

• Focus on Vinderi: Equip Vinderi with the best possible "Chests have a X% chance to contain additional currency" trinket. His Lockpicking skill is also frequently required.
• Run Contracts Efficiently: Speed is key. Know the layout, grab the main objective, and escape. Don't over-loot if it risks failure.
• Target Specific Rewards:
  • Currency: Look for Contracts with "Currency" reward rooms.
  • Alternate Quality Gems: Target Contracts with "Gems" reward rooms or Grand Heists with Niles.
  • Experimented Bases: Look for Contracts with "Armour," "Weapon," or "Jewellery" reward rooms.
  • Replica Uniques & Enchantments: These are exclusive to Grand Heists. Prioritize revealing wings that offer these rewards.
  • Level Rogues: Higher-level rogues complete tasks faster, reducing alert generation and allowing for more looting.
  • Sell Unwanted Rogue Gear: Even low-tier rogue gear can sell for a few Chaos Orbs, especially good trinkets.

  Common Pitfalls and Tips

  • Don't Overstay Your Welcome: The biggest mistake is trying to loot "just one more chest" after the alarm is full. Get out!
  • Check Rogue Requirements: Always ensure your chosen rogue meets the skill requirements for a Contract or Blueprint wing before starting.
  • Upgrade Rogue Gear: Regularly check the Rogue Harbour vendors for better rogue gear, especially trinkets.
  • Learn Layouts: Over time, you'll recognize common Heist layouts, making navigation and looting more efficient.
  • Prioritize Escape: Losing all your loot because you died after the alarm triggered is frustrating. Your life is more valuable than a few extra items.
  • Don't Forget the Heist Locker: All items collected in a Heist are automatically transferred to your Heist Locker in the Rogue Harbour upon successful escape. Remember to empty it regularly.