How to Plan a Heist Adventure for your RPG
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- Опубликовано: 26 июл 2018
- Like the Italian Job, Oceans 11, or even a bit of Baby Driver? We take a look at how you can plan a heist adventure for your RPG, and what aspects you should consider when putting it together.
#GMTips #HeistAdventure #ForYourConsideration
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Развлечения
I don't care if your videos are long. As long as there is something to learn, I'll be here watching.
Personally, I prefer a longer video. The more you have to say, the longer I'm willing listen!
20 min < time of video < 60 min
But I do like the longer ones as well *thumbs up*
I am totally fine with longer videos. Do not try to rush things or to cut things out, I love the ideas you provide.
My issue is his cadence of speech. He used to speech so much faster! I have him on 1.25 and it’s better.
Golden rule of heist plans : Don't have an exit strategy, have 3 or 4.
leander_r for everything u plan u shoudl have a plan A B C D AND E FOR IT
As we say in the Army: "Train to standard, not to time" Take all the time you need to cover your topic. I never find your videos boring. Keep up the good work
You: "Thats what we need to plan at: what gives the most joy."
Me: Instant like and subscribe.
Perfect video length, enjoyed your references. I created a one shot in Waterdeep because the WD:DH wasn't heisty enough. I used Reservoir Dogs as a set up with an NPC who hires them and gives them names corresponding to colors. The whole premise of not knowing each other works well with the metaness of PCs in one shots. I found a urban heist list that has different gang/heist plot hooks and thats been great. Especially for my players that have a criminal play style.
Great video. Not too long. Way better than the videos from WotC that just talk about how fun heists are instead of talking about how to run a heist
GUY SCLANDERS: Oh my goodness, 25 minutes, what an absurdly long video I'm so sorry
MATT COLVILLE: Hold my beer.
HA!
This is so true xD
Touché
Joe Rogan peeks his head out of his studio. "You wanna see a long video?"
Heeyyyyyyyyyyyyy Are you my long lost brother???
This video, and the one-shot video you made, are a tremendous help in getting my thoughts together for running a game for my best friend (forever DM), and wife!
Thanks so much!
I think you maybe need a step 1.5 - "casing the joint". Used to be a good part of a heist movie or book. Lots of opportunity for disguise and roleplaying the same.
Yeah I ignored his 3 phases and made it 4 by adding a planning/stake out
I was thinking the exact same thing. I'd honestly argue that the "chase" Is more the consequence of bad execution. Oceans 11 would serve as a great example of how planning all but prevents any opposition post heist.
I know it was 4 years ago, but I didn't think it was too long. It was useful.
i think that this video's length was warranted. I've never ran a heist game but now i think i will!
I think your points increased as you were kind of able to conceptualize and convey in greater detail what you were implying. While your preamble was a bit long you had incepted the idea of the importance of considering the type of player in relation to pre-planned structures. As a first time GM who is running Blades in the dark this knowledge was invaluable!
Wow this was crazy helpful! I'm planning a heist now for my payers, very happy this video came to my feed LOL!
20ish minutes is a perfect video length. pushing it to 25 mins is forgivable. This was a great video, it gave me some juicy ideas.
Something I did when I was running a (one shot) heist which people may find of use. I gave each player a "this is all according to plan" token, basically at any point during the heist (or the planning stage) they could use this token and tell me a story about how this unexpected situation they found themselves in was actually "all according to plan" and have some beneficial result or item as a result. Three examples of how they were used, one player used theirs to be a recent hire of the casino they were robbing, a low level position to be sure but it gave them a man on the inside. One player used theirs in order to have a letter of introduction to a brothel madam in order to find some information about the residents of said casino and another used it to have a dagger coated with a deadly poison that they had snuck in without the rest of the players knowledge. I found this to be a really good method for getting that heist feeling across to the players where unexpected reversals and betrayals are common. As an aside as it was a one shot with 11 players at an open event I also prepared secret motivations for each player on the heist and handed them out randomly (even I didn't know who got what) shenanigans, betrayals and chaos ensued, not a single npc was required to instigate it.
P.S Long videos are fine when the material requires it, keep up the good work :)
I have a party of 3 rogues and a ranger that happened from pure coincidence, this video will be a great resource for some of the ideas I have down the road for them.
The video length is not a problem at all, you had excellent advice to give so i am gonna listen. excellent video it gave a lot of thought.
Half hour videos are fantastic!
I think you should do an episode on puzzles soon, GM based. What makes a good puzzle, why many videogame puzzles are NOT good tabletop puzzles, etc.
Yes, puzzles are not so straight forward in role playing games, as they may seem at first glance.
One of the problem puzzles often run into, is the "physical vs. mental stats" -problem.
The "physical vs. mental stats" -problem, is that Physical stats become most important for the character, as physical challenges in the game are for the character to deal with, whereas mental challenges are for the PLAYER BEHIND the character to deal with.
One self test as GM to do is: To make two doors leading to the next room, one door require "strength" to get through, and the other (The puzzle lock door) require "intelligence" to get through, and then ensure that they are of equal difficulty to get through (including take equal time to get through).
In short: Ensure the puzzle is made so it is the character (not the player) who solve the puzzle.
Yes please. You said about puzzles challenging players, well I tried some time puzzles and riddles, they done in 30 seconds, not a challenging at all.
Need some advices to how make challenging riddles and puzzles encounters. 😉
I often design my hiests like a dungeon. Very thought out maps with rooms, traps and items to steal along the way. Using almost immersive Sim like elements such as "theres always another way into a locked room"
So far its led to some extremely satisfying sessions where players got creative.
1 long vid means I don't have to browse for a part 2, so it's still better to have the longer video and included all the advice we need. Thanks so much! Gonna try and plan a 1-shot heist to try this out.
This video was quality content versus a long video of just filler. It was good.
Great video, as long as it needed to be to illustrate the point.
I will be implementing a Neverwinter noble heist as soon as the party returns to NW. One of my players had expressed his favorite session in LMoP had been our stealth clearing of half of Cragmaw Castle. I began thinking of a heist (vaguely) to keep him engaged but upon watching your video in 3-5 minute bursts, I now have the full house design, target, NPCs, conflicts and everything else virtually planned out. Incredibly helpful insights. Much appreciated.
Of note: First time DM and aside from some creative editing of LMoP to engage the various PCs more directly, this will be my first excursion into freestyling.
This was exceptionally useful for an upcoming session.
Length be damned! You helped me out in my time of need.
I don't play D&D since a while but I got this suggested video.
Very nice and complete info here, you gained a new subscriber.
No, the video wasn't long at all, because all made more sense as single video.
Well done!
I like the longer video!!! It’s giving me good ideas for a future adventure......
I Was The One Who Requested This Video!!! Thank You So Much For Making The Video So Soon After I Had Requested The Advice!!!
Thought the length was perfectly fine. I like these as one solid video, because then my train of thought doesn't get interrupted by the gap. Great video!!!
I am literally planning a heist campaign at the moment and then I saw this video was uploaded. I'm sure there will be some great advice so thanks.
A longer video like this is just fine, as long as the subject matter is interesting and/or helpful (which you almost always are one or both). I would even listen to an hour long episode if it met that criteria. Beyond an hour though I tend to not watch.
Long time listener, first time commenter.
Every time I heard you mention how long youve been talking I was thinking to myself "Yes and all of its been wonderfully helpful, dont rush, or stop just for times sake"
You are truly inspiring! Don't worry about length, just the message!
The video was brilliant, tyvm. I don't mind length at all as long as it is quality (yours is quality).
Don't doubt yourself. Your videos are instrumental in me being able to better figure out and improve upon my campaigns! I really love your work and no. This video was not too long
Thanks so much for this video. I was struggling to figure out how to plan my heist but you have inspired me!
Very helpful and wasn’t too long. Thanks!
The length felt just right! Love the topic!
You should write Book on how to plan a campaign and it’s a choose your own adventure, so you can skip from here to there depending on your personal circumstances
In my scenario the players are good, the “marks” are clearly bad, BUT there’s an inside man (captain) who still is loyal to his men , so killing any of his guys during the heist and the deals off.
I thoroughly enjoy the extra long videos! They are always so full of great examples and things to consider that I never would have. Thank you for making such amazing videos always! You have no idea how much they help!
This is great! I was actually just about to plan a heist styled chapter for my latest game, so your video has been a great help.
I’m a huge fan of your channels and style, and personally I really like your longer videos. Not only do they hold a sea of knowledge and wisdom for the game, but they also help me learn whilst I do other things (chores around the house, long car rides, or I’m just trying to pass time). I thoroughly enjoy the work you put out for the tabletop community!
Wonderful!! It would have been extremely useful if this type of content was included in campaigns like Keys of the Dragon Vault or even Waterdeep Dragon Heist! I mean, I like both of these books, but they don't give a good explanation of what makes a simple story become a heist story! I'm going to DM Waterdeep Dragon Heist next month and your video was very useful to me! And by the way, I love long videos because they give you the opportunity to go deeper into the explanations!
Thanks, you really helped me!
Every minute was really worth it. Everything under 30 minutes is fine.
The long video is great! The more advice, the better! This one really helped. Thanks again.
So you DO read them...
Thanks again for all of your videos. I think your channel is the best thing for GMs and players and I've learnt a lot from you.
I agree with guys below: your vids are interesting, so it doesn't matter how long there are.
The topic is more important...
Speaking of which...
I would love to hear your thoughts about this one: How to do chase (you even mentioned it in this video).
How to make it better than dice tossing, card flipping or whatever.
Especially if you kinda need something to happen for sure (good guys escape or bad guys captured). How to do it right?
Anyways, thanks for the vid again, see you around.
Loved all 25 minutes. Thank you! This has helped me plan my heist a lot.
Had an idea years ago for an Eberron campaign that was basically "Hustle" (a BBC series about a team of con-artists, really awesome cannot recommend it enough) set in Sharn. A few changes to the setting to bring in things like a stock market and mobile phones, and the team's Roper (the one who finds the Marks and pulls them into the con) being a GMPC intended to introduce the Mark Of The Week, and I was going to leave the actual con itself entirely to the players - I'd design the Mark and any NPCs they or the players might consult, then basically make up everything else on-the-fly.
I'd obviously prepare some stuff ahead of time - like I'd be sure to have at least one hook in the Mark's personality for the team to use as an In and anything that the team would be most-likely to encounter - but if the players took the con in a completely different direction then I'd just roll with it.
Naturally; this never happened because I am *nowhere near* creative enough to pull that off. Not on the fly, at least.
I'm planning on running a heist in the near future as a DM, so notes were taken here. I love this series.
I just started watching a few weeks ago, and I'm partial to longer videos, if they have good pacing.
I am currently playing in a game with good characters in an avoidance scenario because we're working undercover. Just to give you some details, we're working for an ally of the group we're breaking into for information(so our Mcguffin isn't even a physical object) because information from inside is being used against us. We obviously can't just barge in, so we're playing all the angles. Get information about the building, get schedules for patrols and even work schedules, find the suspected traitor). It's really quite fun.
Great video, thank you. This structure was what I was looking for.
The length is fine. Your advice is insightful and inspiring as always.
OMG AMAZING EPISODE . thank you so much. u r my favorite! The video was NOT too long. It was engaging the entire time, well organized, and perfect. If the video were any shorter, it would have left me less prepared and confident as a DM running a heist. You explained everything about the heist from the theoretical to method to even specific examples of multiple mechanics. I REALLY loved that you explained how to tailor the adventure to the players and how the players could react/approach the heist. This will help me prepare when the players dont participate exactly how i planed them to. Thank you again. I really like how this video took a specific event that you can drop into your adventure, and described step-by-step how to go about creating that event.
Right! And I guess I'll watch it once more, and write down the structure!
If you go longer I'll listen as I have been picking up DMing again and these videos are helping break away the rust and consider things I have not considered with what I can remember in the past.
Thanks for all the tips you provide.
Excellent video as always. The length was not an issue. As long as the material merits the discussion, I don't think length is a concern until you start to hit the attention span limit (45 min to 1 hour for most people as I understand it). Your examples and amusing asides are worth the time.
Your example of the guard "I forgot my pen" moment was on point. I recall a James Bond movie where the villains are about to make their escape after planting an atomic weapon. They get in their escape car and the engine fails to turn over. The look they exchange is truly priceless. Having characters/players experience a similar thrill is likewise priceless. And the engine does turn over on the second attempt.
This video was of great help. I am currently running the early stages of a heist adventure. It gave me great clarity on some things i was doing right and wrong. Thanks alot.
I think the lenght of the video was fine.
Guy, this video made for a great guide. I think you took the time you needed to lay out all the framework and the details of the subject and if it had been shorter it would have suffered for it. Keep doing what you’re doing 👍
Spot-on time for a time where i'm actually planning a heist for my player's game :D I had most of it down on top of my head, but some of the tips actually brought back old ideas i forgot about alongside new ones. So thank you HtbaGGM!
I thought 24min worked just fine. I'm currently running a heist now, and the three phases and the three group types help me conceptualize what I need to focus my attention on for next week. Thank you!
Guy, I know I'm late with the comment, but just wanted to say this is great content, and I'm glad its so long, provided me a lot of info for running a heist when I hadn't found any good resources. As always, keep up the good work.
I've always wanted to plan a heist campaign but I did so before figuring out what kind of players I had. Your breakdown was just what I needed. Consider your long video length justified.
I think it is a wonderful idea feels like this play time was just right for the discussion you had planned
We had a very uncommon heist once. Very evil characters, in a most evil mission.
I, a "sorta crafty" player with a minotaur alone by himself couldn't get past a certain door so I cut down a small tree and made a makeshift battering ram. The drow rogue was new to the game and coming from MMORPGs, so he charged some guards in the open, at daytime. We somehow managed to keep the situation quiet.
As a side topic related to the Heist... how do you run an adventure when you have to break up the players into groups? So for a heist, two players go get the keys, while two other players cut the power, while two others charm the mark.... etc, etc...
I enjoy long videos in "for your consideration" it feels like your running ideas off us than telling us what to do. My mind wanders through all the cool things I can do with those tools. 😁
The longer the better, no rush, keep the ideas 💡 flowing
Great video! I didn't mind The length at all. This gave me some great ideas for my adventurers and I can't wait to put them to use.
Wonderfully helpful video! I'm new here, but I don't think a 24-25 minute video is too long at all! If the information is good, I'll watch to the very end. Loved it.
The length was just fine. Great video!
Half an hour isn't too long for me, I enjoyed the video.
I've been thinking of trying to run a heist one-shot, to try DMing for the first time.
Got this idea where the players are hired by a wizard to steal something from his past self, before his old tower exploded 500 years ago.
Mr Scandlers, this is an exceptional video and I use your guides very frequently to flesh out a great campaign for my players. I am thinking of putting in a heist for my team, and I didn't know where to start. This video was a fantastic place to start, and I'm already thinking of some ideas.
I would like to see more of these "How To Heist" or "How To Run Stealth Missions" because while I find my storytelling and combat/dungeon delving skills are pretty good, I really need to refine my Espionage/Heist kinds of missions. These videos are excellent at driving my creativity to do so; and thank you for making this!
I am running my 3rd session of my 1st campaign as DM next week and I am going to set up and possibly run a heist where the group has to steal and amulet from the bedchamber of a very prominent city council member. I am so happy this came out when it did. Thank you for the content.
Another excellent video Guy! I enjoyed your recommendations for setting up a heist, and as some of the other commenters have expressed, I prefer longer videos. You can pack more detail and information into longer videos, which means more inspiration for we the viewers and a clearer understanding of what you are trying to convey.
This is awesome!! I’m building a campaign based on heisting in a steampunk era. This gave me a lot to think about!
I love the points about different kinds of heists. It really makes me want to put some good characters in a position where they go on trial for killing people!
I thought this was great. Thank you very much. Was not too long of a video, length was great!
Step 1 - Contact you local Shadowrun storyteller and convince them write your heist... congrats, you are good to go!
Seriously though, if you really want to run a very good heist job pick yourself up a copy of "Mr Johnson's Little Black Book' for Shadowrun 3rd edition. Do not worry that this is a very old book, you only want it for the first section: ANATOMY OF A SHADOWRUN which tries to explain the narrative behind these sort of things. While it is themed for Shadowrun, obviously, it will go over basics as well as the FOUR stages of the run itself... sorry, four, not three.
Just having to talk to the individual hiring you in the first place - That is a stage in and of itself.
It is the stage most ripe for role-play and story potential, as combat is rare and negotiations plenty.
Although nothing like turning up at the meeting point, just to be told the boss was captured and you need to bust them out to get the job.
I couldn't help but get nostalgic over my old Shadowrun games watching this vid. Good suggestion.
I've never read "Mr Johnson's Little Black Book", but for me as an old Shadowrun GM this video was also so much reminding me of this typical Shadowrun type of "adventure". I just throw the plot at the players and sit back. The rest is up to them and it works so well and is so easy to do GMwise.
Typical Shadowrun adventure:
1 - Gather information (where is the objective? How's security and the like)
2 - Plan the heist
3 - Prepare the heist (Building plans, get explosives and a run away car, stuff like that)
4 - Execute your plan
Lots of room for roleplaying, action and all that fun stuff of RPGing. And the best part, most of it is initiated by the players. They come up with all of that. By that, they feel involved and they're busy. Great and easy-to-do roleplaying. As a GM I love heists!
I just recently completed a heist session as the first session GMing for a father and son team of rogues. Not every heist has to be super complicated, but having a basic narrative 'skeleton' for how the encounter works is helpful. What is the endgame for the heist? What are the conditions for failure? What are the conditions for success?
Having a basic narrative 'skeleton' for your encounter helps to determine what can and cannot happen. Guards are coming around the corner in 1d4 rounds? better concoct a solution quickly. Guards going to beat down the door in 2d4 turns? Better disarm the traps on those loot containers. This can translate into "In (1d4) rounds, you think something inconvenient will happen to slow you down." or... "In (2d4) turns, you believe the door is coming off the hinges or getting otherwise broken down."
Props to you if you know where I got the d4 idea from.
Great video and great advice as always. I enjoy long videos, lots of info and space for you to really flesh out your ideas. I usually multi-task while listening to something so a long video works great for me in that sense. Also, if I miss something it's easy to go back.
Thanks so much this was so instructive, I can't wait to run my heist now!
Also you did a fantastic job in this video. Repetition for emphasis, well summed up and clearly explained. Nice job man :D
First I'm very pleased to have seen one of your videos come up in my recommendations. As a new G.M. I have to say every video I've watched so far has contained information that I think has value to me. Second, videos in the 15 to 25 minute range for educational purposes seem to be perfect. Any shorter and I think topics are getting glossed over and much longer then a half hour and I might start to nod off or zone out.
I don't comment on videos often but I think some positive feedback was warranted and you did ask. I also enjoyed your voice and accent video too. That is something I want to get better at.
Exactly what I was looking for
I very much like your videos as they are. whatever length they wind up being I trust you to know what is important to include.
The length of your excellent videos should be as short or as long as you need. Personally i like having the videos in one part (long or short) which makes it easer to find the information again in the future.
This was great - definitely not too long - your videos are always great
Length was fine, Guy! Great video. I can’t wait to design my own heist adventure!
I think the length of the video was perfectly acceptable for something as complex as this subject. Iv always wanted to run a heist but not really known how to put it together. Ill give it a go now and see how it comes together =)
Wonderful timing, Guy! In my next game session next week, our party is performing a heist. We are trying to 'liberate' some religious relics out of a city currently under military occupation by the bad guys.
As always, well done video with good information. A video only seems long when the content is lacking... Love your work!
DM can plan the target of the heist.... and provide the reason for the heist.
The players plan the heist.
Map the target building.
Set the traps, alarms and other protections
Place the guards.
See how much info the players can acquire.... (generally they won't even bother in DnD)
See how their plans unravel at first contact with the building occupants.
I really do not mind if your videos are longer than 20 min. They really help me a lot to be a better GM especially because I am running a heist with my players at the moment although it is a different kind of heist. But I try to put some of your tips into consideration ^^
Great video! You’ve inspired me to make a heist for my players in an upcoming game!
Great video! It was not too long. It needs to be as long as it needs to be for you to explain what you want to share.
That was awesome! Loads of help!
Great video over all, it is always fun and interesting to hear peoples way of thinking on subjects like this and a great way to see if one can do something better oneself.
Also as for the length me personally do not mind longer videos, especially when they are about interesting ways / takes on things like this.
Totally fine on length and lots of great detail/ideas!
Hi Guy! I absolutely love your videos as they are full of cool ideas and has systematic approach. Please don't worry they're too long. They are not. The topics you talk on deserves to be describe the way you do it. ) And even more, I do think it is a great idea to write a book.
Loved the video, i didn't find it to be too long at all. Lots of great info here.
So it's the same basic structure as a magic trick: pledge, twist, prestige; you set up what you're going to do, put all the pieces in place (pledge), then set the plan in motion, and something goes against the status quo and people's expectations (twist), then somehow you need to get things back to normal (prestige). Important note: when things go wrong, that's when the exciting part begins.