Payday 3 brings the thrill of strategic heisting to new levels, and if you’re the kind of player who enjoys a solo stealth challenge, No Rest for the Wicked on normal difficulty is one of the best starting points. This guide will walk you through a fully stealthy, solo approach to this mission — masks on, alarms off, and bags full of cash.

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Starting Out: Mission Overview

This is the first mission in Payday 3 and while it’s technically doable without masking up, most of the crucial interactions like disabling cameras and opening the vault require the use of your mask. You’ll have a far easier time committing once you’ve taken control of the environment. While the mission can be replayed with vault codes memorized, this guide assumes you’re starting fresh.

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Step-by-Step: Getting to the Vault

1. Find the Circuit Breakers

There are two locations where the circuit breaker to the vault door might spawn:

• A side room near the vault door
• Another nearby corridor

Lockpick the door quietly and flip the breaker when no one is watching. If anyone sees you, your stealth is blown.

2. Locate the Power Room

You’ll be directed to the power room — typically found on the second floor, though it can also spawn on the roof. In most cases, it’s upstairs.

Before going up, intercept the first-floor guard to get one of the required keycards (red or blue). Use shadows and corners to avoid detection. Once it’s safe, take him down and grab the card.

3. Second Floor: Keycards and Hacking

There’s one roaming guard on the second floor — he holds the second keycard (whichever color you don’t have yet). The layout varies each game, so:

• A room with a blue panel is either the security room or camera room.
• A room with a red panel is typically the power room.

Hack the PC in the power room. When complete, a shape icon (e.g. circle) will display on the right screen — this is the magnetic door code needed later. Memorize it!

4. Disable Cameras & Mask Up

Use the blue keycard to access the security room. Take out the guard inside and answer his radio to keep suspicions down. Once this guard is down, the cameras are effectively “blind.” From here on, you’re masked up and free to move with more aggression.

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Clearing the Bank

5. Neutralize the First-Floor Guard

Still masked up, drop the roaming guard on the first floor. Be sure to answer his radio. Employees might spot you, but you’ll have time to subdue and tie them before they raise the alarm.

6. Tie Up All Civilians

Securing hostages ensures complete freedom of movement. Take out everyone in the halls and meeting rooms. Don’t forget to:

• Close interior doors to prevent accidental sightings
• Leave guards out of sight, especially from glass walls or lobby-facing doors

7. Unlock the Vault Door

Head to the magnetic vault door. Input the shape from the power room (e.g., circle) to bypass it. Mistakes here will trigger the alarm.

Inside the office area is an executive NPC who can be used to open the vault. Either tie him up or use him as a shield to guide him over.

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Opening the Vault

8. Use the Executive

Bring the executive to the vault screen. The system will scan his face but won’t open just yet. You now need the passcode.

• Go to the executive’s PC.
• Four potential codes will display. Take a picture or screenshot.
• Return to the vault and match the most pressed numbers on the keypad with the correct code.

Trying the wrong code too many times will send NPCs to investigate. Be fast and careful.

9. Disable Dye Packs

Upon opening the vault, you must disarm dye packs quickly or else the money will be ruined. You’ll see a blue smoke if you’re too slow.

• Prioritize speed.
• With teammates, this is easier — but solo, aim to save at least 3+ stacks.

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Extraction and Escape

10. Plan Your Route

Before loading loot, prep your escape:

• If the van is parked on the right, clear the right-side courtyard.
• If it’s on the left, do the same on the parking lot side.

Take out roaming guards in those areas. Be sure to answer radios quickly to avoid alerting others.

11. Deposit Strategy

Instead of carrying bags out one by one immediately:

• Stack them near an unlocked door.
• Once all loot is prepped, make your runs to the van.

This ensures fewer interruptions and gives you control over the pace.

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Optional Objective: Safety Deposit Box

There’s an executive deposit box you can unlock for bonus loot:

• Search nearby folders to discover the box number.
• The executive’s office often has both required folders.
• Crack the small safe for extra cash.

Use the same method as the vault safe: rotate until vibration, then wait on the green light.

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Final Tips

• Answer every pager promptly (you usually get 3-4 chances).
• Close doors behind you to limit visibility.
• Hostages are your best defense in solo runs.
• Tie everyone down before cracking the vault.
• Only mask up after camera control for optimal stealth.

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If you’re a fan of heists in GTA Online, you’ll love Payday 3. The systems are deeper, more dynamic, and infinitely more satisfying in stealth. For only $40, this game delivers serious solo replay value and satisfying co-op chaos.

Stay tuned for more mission guides, including a breakdown of this mission on Overkill difficulty. If you’ve got tips of your own, drop them in the comments. Thanks for reading, and happy heisting!