Dig to Escape

Guards & Stealth Guide

Master guard patrol patterns, stealth mechanics, and survival strategies to avoid detection and escape successfully.

Day / Night Cycle
Understanding the prison's time cycle and guard activity patterns

Day

VariableLow

Safe Activities:

  • Digging in your cell
  • Trading items for TP
  • Exploring prison areas
  • Visiting cafeteria during lunch
  • Collecting items

Warnings:

  • Some guards still patrol
  • Be cautious near security areas

Lunch Time

Limited windowVery Low

Safe Activities:

  • Get free food from chef
  • Trade with prisoners
  • Explore more freely
  • Make key purchases

Warnings:

  • Window is limited
  • Chef may be stingy

Night

Until morningVery High

Safe Activities:

  • Hiding in cell
  • Hiding in vents
  • Staying completely still

Warnings:

  • Guards become aggressive
  • Must hide immediately
  • Detection = caught
  • Close tunnel entrance before night
Guard Behavior by Difficulty
How guards behave differently across difficulty modes

Easy Mode

Easy Mode

Guards are less aggressive and patrol less frequently.

  • •Guards may read newspapers during day
  • •Less frequent patrols at night
  • •More forgiving detection range
  • •Easier to avoid during lunch breaks

Normal Mode

Normal Mode

Standard guard behavior with regular patrol patterns.

  • •Active patrols during night
  • •Guards become aggressive at night
  • •Must hide in cells or vents
  • •Close calls are common

Hard Mode

Hard Mode

Guards are extremely aggressive with stricter timing and detection.

  • •More aggressive guard patrols
  • •Stricter timing requirements
  • •Higher detection range
  • •Must be extremely careful at night
  • •Strategic resource management crucial
Hiding Spots & Locations
Where to hide when guards are patrolling

Your Cell / Dug Hole

Very High

The safest hiding spot. Return to your cell and hide in the dug hole before night.

Tips:

  • Close tunnel entrance before night
  • Stay completely still
  • Best for early game

Ventilation System

High

Crawl through vents to hide. Vents connect different areas of the prison.

Tips:

  • Vents lead to adjacent cells
  • Can explore new areas through vents
  • Use X-Ray Vision to navigate
  • Watch for dead ends

Security Room

Medium

If you have keycard access, security room can be a hiding spot.

Tips:

  • Requires Illegal Keycard
  • May have sleeping guards
  • Use strategically

Kitchen / Freezer

Medium

Kitchen areas can provide temporary hiding, but guards may patrol here.

Tips:

  • Use during lunch breaks
  • Crowbar access required
  • Not recommended at night
Day vs Night Strategy
Plan your activities based on the time of day. Day is safer for trading and exploration, night requires stealth.
  • •Day: Trade items, dig in cell, explore prison
  • •Lunch Time: Visit cafeteria for free food, trade with prisoners
  • •Night: Hide immediately, avoid all movement
  • •Close tunnel entrance before night falls
Guard Detection Mechanics
Understanding how guards detect you and how to avoid them.
  • •Guards patrol specific routes
  • •Detection range increases at night
  • •Being caught = knocked down + revive needed
  • •Stay in hiding spots during entire night cycle
  • •Don't peek out of hiding spots
Emergency Escape Strategies
What to do if you're caught or about to be caught.
  • •Use Explosion item to deal with guard (if available)
  • •Run to nearest vent and crawl in
  • •Return to cell immediately
  • •Have food ready for energy if needed
  • •In Hard Mode: Plan ahead, avoid risky situations
Hard Mode Survival
Advanced strategies for surviving Hard Mode guard patrols.
  • •Always close tunnel entrance before night
  • •Stockpile food and energy boosters
  • •Use vents strategically
  • •Time your movements between patrols
  • •Consider Sneaker class for better stealth
  • •Patience is key - wait for safe moments
Critical Survival Tips

Before Night Falls:

Always close your tunnel entrance before night. Being caught outside your cell at night almost guarantees getting caught and needing a revive.

If Caught:

You'll be knocked down and need to use a revive. This wastes valuable time and resources. Prevention is always better than recovery.

Hard Mode Strategy:

In Hard Mode, guards are extremely aggressive. Plan all movements carefully, stockpile resources, and never take unnecessary risks. Patience and strategic planning are essential.