Running a Heist game

[darth_kwan_doh]

I will probably be running a short Heist game this summer and I am at a bit of a loss for ideas. I've run one before but I am having a little trouble getting started and so I am appealing to the forum for ideas.

In terms of tone, I was shooting for over the top.

[Raven Redstar]

I try to start with the basics when designing an adventure:

Setting
Goal/Target
Opposition
Reward

For an OTT heist, I would suggest making your setting to be one of the vast urban worlds of the SWU, perhaps Coruscant, Corellia, Nar Shadaa, or one of the major Corporate Sector Worlds. Something with tall buildings and a dense population often make for the most exciting heists. This gives an opportunity for high adrenaline chase scenes through crowded streets or skyways. A good thing to consider is the time period you’d like to set the game in, as it will have some effect on other aspects, for instance the opposition.

The goal or target is fairly important, what are they heading in after? Are they robbing a bank, stealing information from a well-guarded building, or are they taking something of great value like a successfully miniaturized cloaking device?

Opposition comes in to play in a few different places: Building security, local law enforcement, criminals bent on taking their haul, The Empire, The New Republic, etc... Come up with some stats and rough numbers, if the group is planning the heist in addition to pulling it off, then they may need to do some legwork to get rough numbers.

The reward can be determined by a few different questions:
Is the crew operating independently, or has someone hired them to do the job?
Is the reward monetary, or is it a particular item that the crew or employer is after?
If the players were hired, is their employer going to double cross them?
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RR
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[Fallon Kell]

Who is planning the heist? PCs, NPCs, or both?
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Or that excessively long "Noooooooooo" was the Whining Side of the Force leaving him. - Dustflier

Complete Starship Construction System

[Guardian_A]

I'd start with a little research. Go rent a few movies, your local video rental place should be able to refer you to a lot of good movies on the subject.

Some good starting points:
The Great Train Robery
Several of the James Bond movies
Mission Impossible (The first movie comes to mind, havent seen the others)
Ocean's 11
There is an episode of Firefly that has a great sci-fi heist.

Some things to keep in mind:
-What is the object? Why is it important to each of the parties involved? Is the item potentially dangerous to the characters?
-Do the characters know anything about the item? Are they missing any valuable piece of information about the item?
-Is the heist time sensitive? If so, why?
-Can the characters trust the person they are working for? Or is there a chance for a double cross?
-What extremes is the current owner willing to go to in order to keep the item?
-Are there only two parties involved? Or are there more?
-Do the characters have any friends/contacts in the system that they can draw upon if things go wrong?
-What is the item worth? And what is the player's employer willing to pay to get it?


I completely agree with Raven Redstar. You cant go wrong running your story in a massive urban sprawl.

[garhkal]

I would also add in for questions to get answered.

For the people guarding the item, how quickly can they get local LE to respond/military?
Do they have clout to get the space port(s) closed, and if so how quickly/for how long?
Are there other groups or individuals looking for this item?
Would any of those groups wait till the pc's have stolen it then jack them?
What penalties would be implemented for failure IF they fail?
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Confucious sayeth, don't wash cat while drunk!

[Guardian_A]

[Fallon Kell]

Watch a few seasons of Leverage. Every episode is an entertaining heist or long con.
_________________
Or that excessively long "Noooooooooo" was the Whining Side of the Force leaving him. - Dustflier

Complete Starship Construction System

[garhkal]

[KageRyu]

Oh, how I wish the Farscape D6 site were still online, as it had some interesting takes on game stats and special rules for entire worlds dedicated to Vaults and Banking. That would be perfect to use as a basis for a heist game.
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"There's a set way to gain new Force Points and it represents a very nice system, where you're rewarded for heroism, not for being a poor conductor to electricity." ~Jachra