[Planning & Engagement | Blades in the Dark RPG](https://bladesinthedark.com/planning-engagement) We will assume that the PCs are approaching the target as intelligently as they can, given the plan and detail they provided, so we don’t need to play out tentative probing maneuvers, special precautions, or other ponderous non-action. When a heist is underway, you can invoke a flashback to **roll for an action in the past that impacts your current situation**. Maybe you convinced the district Watch sergeant to cancel the patrol tonight, so you make a Sway roll to see how that went. Everyone gets **1 free flashback** during the heist, then the rest must be paid in Stress. The GM sets a Stress cost when you activate a flashback action. - **0 Stress:** An ordinary action for which you had an easy opportunity. - Consorting with a friend to agree to arrive at the dice game ahead of time, to suddenly spring out as a surprise ally. - **1 Stress:** A complex action or unlikely opportunity. - Finessing your pistols into a hiding spot near the card table so you could retrieve them after the pat-down at the front door. - **2+ Stress:** An elaborate action that involved special opportunities or contingencies. - Having already Studied the history of the property and learned of a ghost that is known to haunt its ancient canal dock — a ghost that can be compelled to reveal the location of the hidden vault.