Heist basics: splitting attack and defense

Heist is a 3v3 mode built around two safes, one on each side. Destroy the enemy safe first and you win immediately, so raw damage matters more here than in most modes. But if all three attack, your own safe usually falls first. The core skill is deciding when to attack and when to defend.

The rules

• Two teams of three, each with a safe in its base.
• The first team to destroy the enemy safe wins.
• If both safes survive until time runs out, the team whose safe has more health left wins. In effect, whoever dealt more safe damage wins.
• Defeated brawlers respawn in their base after a short delay.

Attacking: go in together

The safe doesn't move, so every shot lands once you're in front of it. The hard part is getting there. Going in one at a time gets each attacker picked off while the enemy walks to your safe.

A typical attack:

1. Take down or push back one or two enemies in the lanes.
2. In the short window before they respawn, send two or more to the safe together.
3. If your Super is ready, using it on the safe is usually worth it. Brawlers whose Supers deal big safe damage are strong in Heist for that reason.

Defending: never leave the safe empty

The most common Heist loss is "we all went to attack and our safe died first." If the enemy has a brawler that melts safes quickly, keep one player on defense.

• Meet enemy attackers a little in front of the safe. Fighting right next to it lets them hit the safe while they fight you.
• Once the walls near your safe are broken, the enemy can hit it from range. Watch for brawlers aiming at your walls.

Reading the game

• Your safe has more health: don't force fights; defend. Time is on your side.
• Your safe has less health: you need one big push before time runs out. Don't miss the moment when two or more enemies are down.
• Close: the moments right after you win a fight are your best attack windows.

Choosing brawlers

Strong Heist picks usually:

• Deal heavy damage to the safe in a short time.
• Can shoot over walls, or break walls to open a path.
• Hold a narrow choke and stall enemy attackers.

Below are the top brawlers across all current ranked Heist maps, from PickStudy data. It updates every morning.

Distance to the safe and wall layout vary a lot by map, so check the map page too. All Maps groups every Heist map together.

Summary

Attack together when enemies are down, spend your Super on the safe, and keep defense in mind. Ahead? Defend. Behind? Make one big push before the clock runs out.