Observer Totem

The Observer Totem is a totem that appears only in Heist contracts that require a rogue with the Perception ability. This totem can raise the Alert Level of the heist, and always appears in groups. Failure to successfully deal with Observer Totem groups can rapidly push the heist into Imminent Lockdown and cause the heist to fail before reaching the target.

Observer Totems are always found in rectangular rooms that include four smaller connected rectangular areas surrounded by narrow passages. There will typically be one Observer Totem in each of the smaller rectangular areas.

Inactive phase

Observer Totems start out inactive. An inactive Observer Totem is unlit and invulnerable. If a player comes too close to the inactive totem, or if another Observer Totem nearby activates, the totem will enter its active phase.

Active phase

In the active phase, the totem displays a flashing light. The totem is now vulnerable to attacks. But every few seconds, the totem's light will flare more brightly. Very shortly thereafter, the totem will emit a red circular pulse. If any player is touched by this pulse, the Alert Level will instantly increase by approximately 15-20%.

During the heist's Lockdown phase, all remaining Observer Totems will activate. However, the totems are harmless at this point, since the Alert Level is already at maximum.

Tactics

Since Observer Totems appear in groups, a player who does not understand the mechanic can quickly be hit by pulses from multiple totems. This will very quickly drive the heist to Imminent Lockdown.

Many players misunderstand the Observer Totem mechanic, often by concluding that the totems automatically raise the Alert Level over time. These players will typically try to attack the totems to disable them. This is almost always a poor tactic, since the player will often be hit by one pulse before destroying the totem, and other active totems nearby will begin to hit the player as well.

The simplest and most effective approach to Observer Totems is avoidance. Watch an active totem from a distance, and learn the timing of its pulses; then quickly move through the room while avoiding the pulses. Avoid combat at all costs, since it is very difficult to avoid totem pulses while also managing combat. If a guard activates, lure it out of the room before attacking it. Once guards have been dealt with, you can then loot any chests in the room if you use careful timing. But it is more time-efficient to simply move around the edges of the room quickly and avoid its contents.