Unlocking Dirty Ice Workshop in Payday 3

The Dirty Ice heist in Payday 3 throws players into a high-stakes robbery at Ashton Fine Jewelry, a sleek storefront masking a diamond trafficking operation. While smashing cases for quick grabs works in a pinch, true profits lie in accessing the hidden jewelry workshop. This area houses a sorting machine that cleans loot, turning traceable gems into untraceable high-value bags. Success demands precise navigation of the store’s layout, guard patterns, and security systems, whether opting for silent infiltration or chaotic assault.

Understanding the Heist Environment

Dirty Ice unfolds in Sutton Place at 3:30 PM, blending urban streets with an upscale jewelry boutique. The main showroom tempts with displays, but venturing deeper unlocks vaults, VIP areas, and the workshop. Key figures include the store manager—distinguished by her blue shirt, glasses, and yellow scarf—positioned near a rear pillar. Guards patrol entrances and back areas, while civilians roam freely until alarms trigger.

Security features abound: retinal scanners guard the workshop door from the VIP showroom, cameras monitor halls, and a basement safe holds critical documents. QR codes on cases add layers, alongside a vault requiring special access. Stealth preserves options, but detection shifts to loud phase, where hostage control becomes vital.

Stealth Approach: Silent Entry Blueprint

Stealth maximizes loot by avoiding alarms, allowing full workshop use without interruptions. Begin unmasked to case the store freely, scouting guard routes and civilian positions.

• Initial Recon: Enter the showroom casually. Note the manager’s spot and avoid touching displays to prevent alerts.
• Side Entry: Exit to the street, wait for the entrance guard to patrol away, then pick the gate lock. Snag any keycard from the guard for later doors.
• Phone Hack: If a hackable phone sits left of a nearby car, disable it swiftly to cut communications.

Progress to the basement door, often secured by a code found on QR scans or computers. Input the code to descend.

Basement Operations

Inside the basement, neutralize patrolling guards quietly—crouch-walk to chokeholds or cable ties. Locate the safe, crack it open, and photograph documents as prompted by Shade. These disable the security grid, powering down cameras and systems.

With power off, return upstairs. Cameras in the VIP showroom now blind, easing movement.

Coercing the Manager

From the manager’s office, use the phone to call her—blackmail material from the safe ensures compliance. She arrives flustered; grab her as a human shield and escort to the retinal scanner opposite her office. Scan unlocks the workshop door. Tie her up inside to maintain stealth.

Alternative direct grab: Sneak behind her in the showroom, shield her immediately, and rush to the scanner. Risky, as witnesses can spot you.

Loud Strategy: Overwhelming the Store

If stealth shatters—say, from a botched grab—or you prefer aggression, pivot to loud. Burst into the showroom, dominate civilians, and secure hostages.

• Hostage Control: Force all down, relocate from the front door to block escapes. Closed security shutters (from earlier stealth) may delay alarms.
• Case Smashing: Break displays methodically, bag jewelry.
• Workshop Push: Capture the manager amid chaos, drag to scanner. Enter, sort all bags via the machine before helicopter signal.

Sorting ensures full value; unsorted bags risk zero payout. Load sorted loot streetside for chopper evac.

Maximizing Loot: Workshop and Beyond

The workshop’s sorting machine is payout king—process every bag here. VIP showroom yields premium items; clean them too.

Don’t miss the vault: Basement access leads to a computer code, red keycard, and manager’s office button to pop it open. Rare stones inside boost totals massively.

Advanced Tips and Common Pitfalls

Skills matter: Lockpicking, hacking, and stealth perks streamline runs. Team coordination shines—assign roles like basement diver or manager wrangler.

• Pitfalls: Grabbing window jewelry early alarms guards. Leaving hostages near doors invites escapes.
• Pro Moves: QR code scans reveal codes early. Vault gem tosses to street van for quick secures.
• Escape: Signal chopper only post-sorting; bags go straight aboard.

On Very Hard/Overkill, expect tighter patrols and faster responses—practice solo first.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find the basement code in Dirty Ice?

Scan QR codes on cases or hack computers in back areas. Common spots: alleyway civilian pockets or office desks.

Can I access the workshop without the manager?

No—retinal scan mandates her. Direct loud capture works if stealth fails.

What’s the max payout on Overkill?

Around 401,200 with full sorted loot and vault.

Should I close shutters early?

Yes, in stealth—prevents street visibility and buys time.

How to handle VIP showroom cameras?

Basement safe docs power them down entirely.

Elevating Your Heist Game

Mastering Dirty Ice blends patience, timing, and aggression. Stealth nets clean sweeps, loud delivers spectacle. Experiment with builds—silent takedowns for solo, shotgun rushes for squads. Updates may tweak balances, but core mechanics endure.

Practice yields fat stacks. Hit the streets of Sutton Place, sort those diamonds, and cash out big.