What Putting on the Mask Changes

In ROB RUN, a criminal mask is your commitment to a robbery role. Putting it on lets you rob locations in Looty Bay, but police and rival Criminals can attack you, and dying puts your inventory at risk. Understand that trade-off before treating the mask as just another piece of your outfit.

The official heist instructions explain the mask's gameplay function, rather than a particular inventory button or keyboard shortcut. Use the interaction shown by your game to put it on; an unverified keybind is not necessary to understand when the mask should enter your plan.

Prepare Before You Become a Criminal

Kefir recommends scouting the target building and a getaway route before masking up. That ordering gives you a chance to decide where you are going and how you intend to leave before committing to the Criminal role.

Once the robbery begins, keep staff at gunpoint to stop them from raising the alarm. If you have teammates, separate the responsibilities for entry, carrying valuables and cover. The mask enables the robbery; it does not replace those tasks or guarantee a successful escape.

Repeated heists within one city visit raise Notoriety, which improves fence deals and unlocks more perks. Solo players and duos start at a higher Notoriety level to help them compete with larger groups. These rewards are another reason to plan your run, while remembering that a streak still involves risk.

Leave Looty Bay to Clear Criminal Status

The documented way to remove Criminal status is to leave the city. When you enter Looty Bay again, you can choose your role anew. Do not assume that taking off the mask or waiting nearby is equivalent to leaving.

Your role also affects the result of a defeat. A Criminal killed in Looty Bay loses inventory, while surrendering to police can preserve equipped gear. Civilians killed in the city retain bag contents and equipped items. Those rules make the decision to mask up meaningful even before the first robbery starts.

For a quick planning check:

  • Scout the building and route out before putting on the mask.
  • Account for staff control, carrying loot and cover during the robbery.
  • Remember that leaving the city, rather than simply ending the heist, clears the role.

Read Kefir's official explanation of masks and Looty Bay robberies for the underlying mechanic.

FAQ

Why do I need a criminal mask?

Putting one on enables robberies in Looty Bay and makes you a Criminal.

Should I scout before wearing it?

Yes. The official advice is to inspect the building and plan your escape before masking up.

Can I clear Criminal status by removing the mask?

The official instructions identify leaving the city as the way to clear the status. They do not give mask removal as an alternative.

Can surrendering preserve my gear?

Yes. The death-rules page says Criminals can surrender to police to save equipped gear; that is not a promise to keep all bag contents.