# Zip-Ties, Head-Bags, Scissors — Player Robbery

> The player-vs-player robbery toolkit. Restrain, blind, search, release. Pug-gangs items.

![Screenshot: a player using zipties on a downed/surrendered player](../screenshots/05-crime-loops/ziptie-restrain.png)
*Screenshot needed: a player applying zipties to a surrendered player in an alley.*

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## The items

| Item | Use distance | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| **`zipties`** | ≤2.5m on surrendered/downed player | Restrains them — can't move or use weapons |
| **`headbag`** | ≤2.5m on surrendered/downed player | Blinds them — black screen overlay |
| **`scissors`** | ≤2.5m on restrained player | Cuts zipties off (free them) |

All three are stackable items in `ox_inventory`.

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## How to acquire them

- Loot from NPC robberies (occasional drop)
- Buy on the black market
- Receive from gang treasury (if your gang stockpiles)
- Bonus drops from delivery missions (`headbag` and `zipties` are bonus pool items)

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## When can you ziptie someone?

The target must be in a **vulnerable state**:

- **Hands up surrendering** (X key if `lt_handsup` installed)
- **Downed (incapacitated)** — knocked out by combat
- **Restrained already** (you can re-tie on top of an existing ziptie)

You CANNOT ziptie a player who's walking around normally. They have to be either consenting (RP) or beaten.

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## The robbery flow (RP scenario)

The classic scenario:

1. You and a friend corner a target on a quiet street
2. You point a gun, they raise hands up
3. You walk up, use `zipties` (within 2.5m)
4. They're restrained — animation plays, they can't fight back
5. Optional: use `headbag` to blind them ("we don't want them to know where we go")
6. Search their inventory via ox_inventory search interaction (Y key if `lt_search` installed)
7. Take what you want
8. Either:
   - Use `scissors` to free them, OR
   - Leave them ziptied (they wait out the auto-release timer)

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## The downed-target scenario

If you've shot a player and they're downed (bleeding out):

1. Walk up to their body
2. Use `zipties` to restrain (prevents revive by paramedic)
3. Optional: `headbag` for full immobilization
4. Search them
5. Decide their fate — execute, free, or leave for cops

This is the harder PvP path — you must win combat first.

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## What the restrained player experiences

- **Movement disabled** — they can walk slowly but not run, jump, or fight
- **Weapons hidden** — they can't draw any weapon
- **Camera unrestricted** — they can look around freely
- **Chat works** — they can call for help via T or phone
- **Inventory readable by attacker** — your ox_inventory peek shows their items

If headbag is also applied:

- Full black screen overlay
- Can't see anything
- Audio still works (they can hear you)
- Chat still works

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## Cutting yourself free

If you're ziptied:

- Wait for the auto-release timer (5–10 minutes, configurable)
- Find someone with scissors and ask them
- Have a friend bring scissors
- Some servers allow a struggle minigame (ox_lib skillCheck) to break free at low chance

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## Tips

- **Don't headbag without ziptie.** Headbag alone doesn't stop them moving
- **Search BEFORE freeing.** Once they're free, your window is gone
- **Take photos** (if available) for RP — proof of the encounter
- **Don't grief.** Restraining someone for the auto-release duration is the rough cap; longer is just rude
- **Coordinate.** Solo robbing a downed player is risky — their friends may show up

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## Cops and zipties

Cops use their own `cuffs` mechanic — not zipties. The zipties item is gang-tool only. If a cop tries to use zipties on a suspect, the standard cuffing mechanic runs anyway.

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## Common questions

**Can I ziptie an NPC?**
By default, no — designed for player targets. Some servers may extend this.

**What if I'm a cop and I want to detain a gang member?**
Use the cop cuffs system (qbx_police). Different items, different mechanic.

**Can I drag the ziptied player?**
If `lt_drag` or similar is installed, yes — you can pull them to a different location.

**Are zipties permanent?**
No. Auto-release timer kicks in (5–10 min default). Scissors release instantly.

**Can the victim respawn out of zipties?**
If they die, yes — respawn frees them. But dying loses inventory.

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## Related

- [mugging.md](mugging.md) — NPC robbery (different mechanic)
- [../02-gangs/sprays.md](../02-gangs/sprays.md) — territory marking
- [../06-systems/items.md](../06-systems/items.md) — full item reference
- [../07-glossary-faq/faq.md](../07-glossary-faq/faq.md) — common questions