The Classic Heist Challenge is an attempt at recreating both the Payday: The Heist Events as well as its game mechanics and weaponry. To improve the experience further, there are mods below.
There are 2 ways to play this challenge:

-Canonical;
or
-Customizable.

So without further delay, let's get right into it.

• Every one must pick a member of the original crew. (Dallas, Wolf, Chains, and Hoxton.)
  
• Choose your characters mask. (You can use their respective Retro, Comic, PD:TH Secret, Golden, President, Payday 2 Secret, Paycheck or even a customized version of the blank versions.)
  
• For the best experience, choose Deathwish to simulate Overkill 145+ in dificulty or Mayhem to simulate Overkill dificulty.
  
• Allowed equipment are: Doctor Bags, Ammo Bags, Tripmines and Sentries
  
• When downed, you can only use Pistols. You can't open fire or reload with a Primary or Secondary, that is exclusive to Pistols. However you can have the weapons switched on the ready for when you get up.
  
• In PD:TH, you could only dominate outside combat/assault waves. Only dominate outside assaults.
  
• In PD:TH you can not move civilians, forcing you to guard them or use them to delay assaults momentarily.
  
• Throwables are completely against the rules/restricted unless fighting Captain Winters in his occasional visits (Slaughterhouse and Counterfeit.)
  
• Cable Ties are to be restricted to your class's base amount (no using spares picked up from ammo boxes.)
  
• If playing Sharpshooter, the Shaped Charges are restricted, but Trip Mines (explosive only) are ok to use.
  
• Classic heists must be done loud (except on the beginning of Counterfeit, Undercover and Diamond Heist.)
  
• Glass cutters from Diamond heist can only be used on the Saphires that are displayed as well as on The Big Red Diamond.
  
• The melee for all the players is the Weapon Butt.
  
• To simulate the experience, use the Armorer Perk Deck. If you are having issues pacing yourself, play with the Crook Perk Deck for a while before becoming acustomed to the proper way of playing.
  
• Bots are forbidden for the challenge as PD:TH bots were rarely useful at higher difficulties and were not bullet sponges.
  
• You are restricted to the Lightweight Ballistic Vest for every heist.

Canonical is about recapturing the PAYDAY: The Heist events in an isolated manner from the other heists as some of these classics are infact part of the PAYDAY 2 events, 2 years after No Mercy as it is established the point when the PAYDAY gang went low. When I mean recapturing them I mean recapturing both the original game's spirit as well as assigning each character with a roll they must play to succeed in a heist. No more Doctor Bag abuse, no more meta builds. It's you, your crew against the horde of cops as you read the situation whilst regarding your equipment and whether certain classes should do these things. Does everyone go down to the Vault? Does dividing the team to cover the Vault Door from being surrounded make it worth it? If so, who are the most suited people to deal with the bulldozers down there without compromising the effictiveness of the main defense?

To start off, we will pick Assault which focuses on fire power and suppression using a Light Machine Gun, being excellent at tight and narrow hallways that offer little to no escape and/or cover for cops, in a way working like a turret of sorts, though it works great as an offense weapon too.
He carries a suppressed SMG for when the bulky primary is not needed that can be unsurppressed for damage if the quiet approach is impossible.
The sidearm the Assault carries is a good all rounder in terms of statistics that serves as the main way of clearing a handful of enemies that are no big threat, however that can change if enemies pile up and switching to the LMG would by then be the best course of action instead of the sidearm.
The assault carries Ammunition Bags to ensure the crew is locked and loaded instead of dry.
The existance of Assault enables one of two crew bonuses which are Aggressor (Increases weapon damage) and Speed Reloaders (Speeds up reloads).

For our purposes, the faster reload is the only one that works better.
Finally, the Assault has the responsibility to tie the hostages as he is equiped with the most cable ties as well as defend them from any police trying to free them.

Stats: 7.62mm : High Capacity Magazine
Even though it was originally designed as a mounted machinegun, the brenner 21 is a mobile powerhouse. With it's huge capacity magazine, this is a given choice for the Assault specialist.

Weapon Modifications:
Long Barrel;
Short Foregrip;



Stats: .45 Caliber : Very High Fire Rate
Against its original purpose, Black Market upgrades have converted the Mark 11 into a fully automatic monster of a weapon. When in need of a close range bullet hose, look no further.

Weapon Modifications:
Extended Magazine;
Werbell's Supressor OR Slotted Barrel Extention;


Stats: .45 Caliber : Semiautomatic : Medium Recoil
The C45 is a very reliable weapon that has proven its worth over years of use. It does enough damage and carries enough rounds to handle most targets. A good all rounder.

Weapon Modifications:
Aggressor Compensator;
Bling Grip;
Vented Slide;


Although the Ammo bag as been dropped in favour of meds since some of the good weapons can replenish ammo easily, in this challenge, everything changes as Ammo Bags become useful for Classes built like the Technician class where ammo can be completely spent, even with a disciplined trigger finger. It also reduces the risk of going out there just to pick up ammo drops as health is scarce and limited.

Up next is Sharpshooter and as the name implies, his tactics are focused on long ranged combat with a Designated Marksman Rifle (or DMR for short), it can be used for close ranged combat too, but the better alternative would be switching to the shotgun due to the potential of hitting multiple enemies with one pull of the trigger due to it's room clearing nature. The sidearm the Sharpshooter carries is already surpressed, being inherently great for the quiet approach, but it is not great at killing enemies during assaults, meaning it should only be used to soften enemies so they can be taken hostage before another assault begins. The Sharpshooter carries Tripmines as a means of protection and prevention during preparations, meaning the Sharpshooter should place them in places where defense is required but is currently lacking, preventing enemies from progressing too quickly to your current position and prepare for any moves planned. It can even be used as an offense weapon, albeit slow. The existance of the Sharpshooter grants the Crew Bonus Sharpshooters (Increased accuracy) and More Blood to Bleed (Extra 5 seconds of bleedout before custody in PD:TH converted into an extra down in Payday 2) and you can choose one of them as this is the only class where picking a Crew Bonus was doable. If going for Sharpshooters, choose Steady Grip basic, if going for More Blood to Bleed, choose Nine Lives Aced. The Sharpshooter is a more resilient crew member, meaning he wont go down easily without a propper fight (Note: There is no way to increase health size without adding regenerating health, so the Sharpshooter is nerfed a bit).

Stats: 7.62mm : Semiautomatic : Medium Recoil
Chambered for the 7.62mm round, the M308 has made its way out on the black market after years of military service. When one well placed shot is all you need, this is it.

Weapon Modifications:
Single Fire;
Scope Mount;
Combat Sight (Dot 3);
Jaeger Body;


Stats: 12 Gauge : Quick Action
The Locomotive is a compact, extremely fast 12-gauge shotgun. Clearing an entire room in a few seconds is what this was made for.

Weapon Modifications:
000 Buckshot;
Rubber Grip;
Extended Magazine;
Muldon Stock;


Stats: 9mm : Semiautomatic : Low Recoil
The B9-S is one of the most used law enforcement pistols today. The relatively light damage is compensated by its big clips. A sidearm for the professional.

Weapon Modifications:
Roctec Suppressor;
Custom Titanium Frame;
The Elite Slide;


Tripmines are effective traps to not only regular cops, but also a perfect counter to Cloakers as they can be positioned below Cloaker spawns. It's also somewhat an effective tool for offensive play, requiring quick thinking from the user by placing and proceding to shoot the Trip Mine to prematurly detonate it. With all that in mind, it comes as no shock as it is good a dozer clean up, not as good as the Technicians AK rifle Variants or the Assaults Brenner, but useful if the Sharpshooter is alone or with the Support class as it is possible to coordinate one to place a tripmine and the other shoot it, reducing the amount of straining the Sharpshooter has in dividing his attention.

The Support is the guy to turn to if you're injured or knocking on death's door. He uses a Pump-Action Shotgun to disperse crowds of SWAT with a single shot, perfect for room clearing. The SMG is a secondary to back up the Shotgun for medium to long range encounters that the Shotgun would not be able to reach. He uses also a revolver to disperse of tougher units as well as hitting long range shots. The support has the ability to heal Team Mates using the Doctor Bag. A piece of equipment that should be used sparingly. The existance of Support enables the crew bonus which is Protector (Increased armor value). Support carries an abnormally higher amount of ammo than the other crew members as a support class as to not be too reliant on the resources of the team, but rather on the team itself.

Stats: 12 Gauge : Very High Damage
There is no more powerful firearm than the pump-action 12 gauge bore Reinbeck shotgun. What it lacks in speed, it makes up for in raw, indisputable power.

Weapon Modifications:
000 Buckshot;
Extended Magazine;


Stats: 9mm : High Rate of Fire and Low Recoil
Compact-5 is hands down the most frequently used weapon of special operation units. With its low recoil and compact size it is ideal for urban combat.

Weapon Modifications:
Auto Fire;
Polizei Tactical Barrel.


Stats: .44 Caliber : Six-Shooter : High Recoil
Primarily developed for hunting big animals, the Bronco has found its use against heavily armored targets. With its .44 round, it packs a mean punch.

Weapon Modifications:
None;


Doctor Bags, or more commonly refered as Medic Bags are life savers but shouldn't be abused for the smallest injuries or even for the fact that you have a hostage and are nearing an the end of an assault, so the nearly dead player can do a suicide play by running in the middle of the cops lines of sight.

Last but not least we have the Technician, his role is doing objective generally faster with his faster drill fix rate. The Technician comes armed with the Avtomat Kalashnikov Rifle or AK Rifle if you will that can mow down enemies in seconds, a automatic Pistol called the STRYK Pistol with auto fire capability as well as having a high rate of fire and finally the GL40 Grenade Launcher for crowd clearing or Dozer Visor breaking. His deployable is a more combat focused one, that being the Sentry guns that provide decent cover fire as well as a good diversion. They can have a role in defending hostages for when the Assault Class wants to step down for a moment to heal, stock up on ammo or even assist in pushing. Essentially more PTFOing and less GTFOing. The existance of Technician enables the Crew Bonus which is Big Game Hunters (Increased start-out ammo). The Technician is responsible for setting up and repairing the drill as well as most of the objectives.
Stats: 7.62mm : Automatic : Medium recoil
Stick it to the man with the premiere choice amongst entrepreneurs and thugs alike. Simple design, high reliability, low cost, and so popular it is part of a national flag – the AK was built to heist.


(The real AK rifle by name)
Real Name: AK rifle

Weapon Modifications:
Auto Fire;
Scope Mount;
Lightweight Rail;
AK Plastic Grip;
See More Sight (Angle 1);


(The real AK rifle by Caliber)
Real Name: AK 7.62

Weapon Modifications:
Tactical Compensator;
Auto Fire;
Scope Mount;
Lightweight Rail;
AK Plastic Grip;
See More Sight (Angle 1);
Skeletal Stock;


Recomended Option (The real AK rifle by statistics and practical use)
Real Name: Krinkov

Weapon Modifications:
Tactical Compensator;
Auto Fire;
Scope Mount;
Moscow Special Rail;
AK Plastic Grip;
See More Sight (Angle 1);
Skeletal Stock;

Stats: 40mm Rounds : Single-Shot : Break-Action
'The Thump Gun', 'The Skill Cannon', 'The Pro Pipe', 'The Noob Tube', and 'The Ex-Wife' – things we love have many names. The GL40 is a single-shot, shoulder-fired break-action grenade launcher that aims to please.


Recomended Option (The real GL40 by weapon model and name)
Real Name: GL40 Grenade Launcher

Weapon Modifications:
None;


(The real GL40 by weapon slot)
Real Name: Compact 40 Grenade Launcher

Weapon Modifications:
None;


Stats: 9mm : Full Auto : Low Recoil
The military has it. The police have it. Now you have it. The STRYK is an easy to use fully automatic pistol, specifically designed to fight crime. Wait a minute...

Weapon Modifications:
Extended Magazine;


Sentry guns have been underwhelming in PAYDAY: The Heist and in Payday 2, it's no exception as they are slighty better but not seen as an alternative to the Doctor Bag. The Sentry Gun's role is in short term objective guarding such as hacks on terminals that take a short amount of time or a way to guard hostages as a counter measure in the case a cop sneaks past the front gunners.

Another use is the case of being in a pinch and needing temporary assisting fire to users, or to temporarly take the role of the assault, should he need to heal, reload or something that forces him out of combat.

Customizable recreates the PAYDAY: The Heist gameplay of loadout strategizing for the best results possible. Choosing from an small range of options that can determine whether you win or not. Primary weapons, Secondary Weapons, Handguns Crew Bonuses and Player Upgrades.

Stats: 5.56mm : Semiautomatic : Medium Recoil
The AMCAR-4 is one of the most versatile assault rifles there is.
The good accuracy coupled with the high rate of fire prepares its owner for any situation.




(The real AMCAR-4 closely by name)
Real Name: AMCAR

Weapon Modifications:
Auto Fire;
Compact Holosight (First Circle);
Milspec Mag.
Throwback Skin (if possible)


(The real AMCAR-4 by Weapon Model and possibly stats)
Real Name: CAR-4

Weapon Modifications:
Auto Fire;
Compact Holosight (First Circle);

Here is shown the base skills you and your crew must have as to be used as a framework for weapons, crew bonuses and player upgrades.

The weapons Section displays which skills are required to make the weapons simulate their PAYDAY: The Heist counterparts.

Skills used:
None;

Skills used:
None;

Skills used:
None;

Skills used:
None;

Skills used:
Shotgun Impact Aced;

Skills used:
None;

Skills used:
None;

Skills used:
None;

Skills used:
None;

Skills used:
Gun Nut Aced;

Skills used:
Gun Nut Basic;
One Handed Talent Aced;

Skills used:
None;
Gun Nut Aced;
One Handed Talent Aced;

Skills used:
Gun Nut Basic;

In this section, the Crew Bonuses are represented by the skills required to simulate their effects, they affect everyone except the user who equipped it and don't stack if multiple people use it, it just covers for the one who chose the Crew Bonus previously, meaning that having 2 people use the with the protector Crew Bonus, will make everyone fall into the same armor value, wasting a potential slot on something a lot more diverse but not discouraging if said play style is for example survival.

Skills Used:
Not Possible to Work;

Skills Used:
Fully loaded basic (you must build up to it with skill points or if you pack ammo bags, you are have already built up to that);

Skills Used:
Not Possible to Work;

Skills Used:
Iron Man Basic;

Skills Used:
Steady Grip Basic;

Skills Used:
Aggressive Reload Basic;
and/or
Shotgun CQB Basic;

Player Upgrades give the individual an Upgrade to certain aspects of play, cementing their role in a team. For example, Toolkit makes you turn into the team's objective player for things like drills, and if you are already a weak fighter in a crew, this is the best option as your team mates who are best equipped for taking damage, cover you.


Skills Used:
Forced Friendship Basic;

Skills Used:
Not Possible to Work;

Skills Used:
Not Possible to Work;

Skills Used:
Drill Sawgent Aced (Build up to it unless you already chose the Tripmine deployabe)

Skills Used:
Portable Saw Basic (avoid Bulletstorm);
Extra Lead Aced;

Skills Used:
Combat Doctor Aced;

Skills Used:
Third Law Aced;
Sentry Targetting Package Aced;
Eco Sentry Aced;

Skills Used:
Hardware Expert Basic (Filler Skill);
Combat Engineering Aced;
More Firepower Aced;

Welcome to the achievements section, if you feel unfulfilled with the challenge posed to you, this is the section to turn to. This includes custom achievements and some of the achievements from the original game.


Complete all the 9 Classic Heists on Overkill 145+ (Death Wish) with the Locomotive 12 G and the AMCAR 4 equipped for all crew members. To complete this challenge, you will have to have played the heist from the start.


Complete First World Bank On Overkill 145+ (Death Wish) with no Player Upgrades or Crew Bonuses while having the B9-S and AMCAR-4 equipped for all crew members. To complete this challenge, you will have to have played the heist from the start.


Complete any heist of the 9 Classic Heists on Overkill 145+ (Death Wish) with the Sentry Gun Deployable, Crosskill 45 and the Reinbeck equipped for all crew members. To complete this challenge, you will have to have played the heist from the start.


Complete First World Bank on Overkill 145+ (Death Wish) with the Canonical Builds equipped for all crew members. To complete this challenge, you will have to have played the heist from the start.


Complete Heat Street on Overkill 145+ (Death Wish) with the Canonical Builds equipped for all crew members. To complete this challenge, you will have to have played the heist from the start.


Complete Panic Room on Overkill 145+ (Death Wish) with the Canonical Builds equipped for all crew members. To complete this challenge, you will have to have played the heist from the start.


Complete Green Bridge on Overkill 145+ (Death Wish) with the Canonical Builds equipped for all crew members. To complete this challenge, you will have to have played the heist from the start.


Complete Diamond Heist on Overkill 145+ (Death Wish) with the Canonical Builds equipped for all crew members. To complete this challenge, you will have to have played the heist from the start.


Complete Slaughter House on Overkill 145+ (Death Wish) with the Canonical Builds equipped for all crew members. To complete this challenge, you will have to have played the heist from the start.


Complete Counterfeit on Overkill 145+ (Death Wish) with the Canonical Builds equipped for all crew members. To complete this challenge, you will have to have played the heist from the start.


Complete Undercover on Overkill 145+ (Death Wish) with the Canonical Builds equipped for all crew members. To complete this challenge, you will have to have played the heist from the start.


Complete No Mercy on Overkill 145+ (Death Wish) with the Canonical Builds equipped for all crew members. To complete this challenge, you will have to have played the heist from the start.


Complete the Overdrill Secret while wearing the Golden Masks with the Canonical Builds equipped for all crew members. Unlocks the PAYDAY: The Secret masks. To complete this challenge, you will have to have played the heist from the start.
Reward: PAYDAY: The Secret masks


Complete any heist of the 9 Classic Heists on Overkill 145+ (Death Wish) with the Doctor Bag Deployable, Bronco .44 or the GL40 and the M308 equipped for all crew members with. To complete this challenge, you will have to have played the heist from the start.



Steal all the sapphires in DIAMOND HEIST on OVERKILL (Mayhem) difficulty. To complete this challenge, you will have to have played the heist from the start.

In DIAMOND HEIST, get the big diamond and escape on OVERKILL (Mayhem) difficulty with you and all your team mates alive. To complete this challenge, you will have to have played the heist from the start.

Beat all heists on OVERKILL (Mayhem) difficulty without anyone getting traded from custody. To complete this challenge, you will have to have played the heist from the start.

Beat all heists on OVERKILL 145+ (Death Wish) difficulty and show them all you are on top! Completing this will make you golden!
Reward: Golden Masks

Beat FIRST WORLD BANK on OVERKILL 145+ (Death Wish) difficulty. To complete this challenge, you will have to have played the heist from the start.

Beat HEAT STREET on OVERKILL 145+ (Death Wish) difficulty. To complete this challenge, you will have to have played the heist from the start.

Beat GREEN BRIDGE on OVERKILL 145+ (Death Wish) difficulty. To complete this challenge, you will have to have played the heist from the start.

Beat PANIC ROOM on OVERKILL 145+ (Death Wish) difficulty. To complete this challenge, you will have to have played the heist from the start.

Beat SLAUGHTERHOUSE on OVERKILL 145+ (Death Wish) difficulty. To complete this challenge, you will have to have played the heist from the start.

Beat DIAMOND HEIST on OVERKILL 145+ (Death Wish) difficulty. To complete this challenge, you will have to have played the heist from the start.

Complete COUNTERFEIT on OVERKILL 145+ (Death Wish) difficulty. To complete this challenge, you will have to have played the heist from the start.

Complete UNDERCOVER on OVERKILL 145+ (Death Wish) difficulty. To complete this challenge, you will have to have played the heist from the start.

Solve the PAYDAY SECRET on any mask and gain access to the OVERVAULT. To complete this challenge, you will have to have played the heist from the start.

Here are some links to mods that i know to enhance the experience cosmeticaly or even enhance the practicle experience:

Base mods:
BLT:

https://paydaymods.com/download/

BeardLib:

https://modworkshop.net/mydownloads.php?action=view_down&did=14924

https://modworkshop.net/mydownloads.php?action=view_down&did=21344


https://modworkshop.net/mydownloads.php?action=view_down&did=21644


https://modworkshop.net/mydownloads.php?action=view_down&did=682


https://modworkshop.net/mydownloads.php?action=view_down&did=14481


https://modworkshop.net/mydownloads.php?action=view_down&did=12418#images


https://modworkshop.net/mydownloads.php?action=view_down&did=15428


https://modworkshop.net/mydownloads.php?action=view_down&did=1360


https://modworkshop.net/mydownloads.php?action=view_down&did=626

https://modworkshop.net/mydownloads.php?action=view_down&did=18897


https://modworkshop.net/mydownloads.php?action=view_down&did=15031

https://modworkshop.net/mydownloads.php?action=view_down&did=21636
(Mod set to friends only by the creator)

or


https://modworkshop.net/mydownloads.php?action=view_down&did=353

HD PDTH Suits V4

https://modworkshop.net/mydownloads.php?action=view_down&did=22453#images

Hoxton's PD:TH Suit v3

https://modworkshop.net/mydownloads.php?action=view_down&did=12457

Bodhi's Pool Repair Outfits for Counterfeit

https://modworkshop.net/mydownloads.php?action=view_down&did=23421

https://modworkshop.net/mydownloads.php?action=view_down&did=15747


https://modworkshop.net/mydownloads.php?action=view_down&did=19563


https://modworkshop.net/mydownloads.php?action=view_down&did=22774


https://modworkshop.net/mydownloads.php?action=view_down&did=21251


https://modworkshop.net/mydownloads.php?action=view_down&did=21226

I'd like to thank Jack Baker for his contribution in testing the challenge as well as provide first hand experience for when i didn't own PAYDAY: The Heist and motivating me to try it.

I'd like to also thank Void for play testing in the same group as Jack Baker and providing the cool "Rules" image in the Guide.

I appreciate Crowbaria for being part of the new generation of play testers for this challenge as well as provide insight into the asthetics, suggestions to weapon balancing and ideas into the custom achievement names.

Finally, i'd like to say a thank you to Puckoland for sticking with the new generation of play testers.