Short answer
Gas and repair equipment belong to the car preparation checklist. Keys and bolt cutters may be useful at escape locks, but are not interchangeable at every entrance. Rare items such as the Hourglass and Brass Lantern have separate reported effects; they do not replace a missing escape requirement.
Equipment leads rechecked September 19, 2026 in the original player escape discussion. These are community reports, not our playtest. The official overview supports the broader loot-and-escape loop and changing locations.
Which job does this item help with?
| Item | Task to inspect | What it does not finish |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | Fuel a sedan | Finding fuel alone does not repair or start the vehicle. |
| Repair equipment | Car engine or damaged radio / building power | Read the specific prompt. Repairing a building does not prove the radio or car is ready. |
| Escape key | Check whether this lock accepts it | Community replies describe bolt-cutter-only entrances. |
| Bolt cutters | Inspect shelter covering and lock separately | An open hatch is not proof that a player or resident has escaped. |
| Fuse | Check a boundary-gate objective | The escape discussion describes a fuse requirement, not a universal fuse spawn. |
| Fragile Hourglass | Reported nearby escape-item reveal | It is not a key, fuel supply or verified timer extension. |
| Brass Lantern | Light it and watch for reported Shape Jump movement | A reveal does not guarantee immunity or cancel every attack. |
The last two rows summarize the independent item guide, not official effect specifications. The focused item pages explain the remaining uncertainty.
Cannot find an escape item in containers?
Try helping a resident rather than searching the same rooms again. Like, Zoinks! reports that residents can give escape equipment after successful conversation skill checks, including keys, bolt cutters or fuses; it is not limited to VIP residents. This is a possible reward, not a guaranteed drop or a fixed item location.
Once a resident cooperates, the same guide describes holding Z on keyboard to open remote commands. Cooperation comes first. A controller binding is not supplied by the author, so use your current control settings rather than assuming a button.
Like, Zoinks!'s compilation of tips and tricks, updated September 17; full text reviewed September 19. These are the author's gameplay reports, not our own tests. After finding a key item, use the matching route checklist above to confirm what it actually opens.
Holding the item, but the prompt will not work?
- Read the target.Confirm you are at an escape object rather than an ordinary parked car or decorative door.
- Read the remaining requirement.Compare the item name with the prompt. A covering, lock and final exit interaction can be different stages.
- Check whether a teammate already did it.If that stage is complete, move to the remaining task rather than searching for a duplicate item.
- Separate missing items from missing prompts.If no interaction is visible, use the relevant car, shelter or radio branch instead of assuming another pickup will fix it.
Choose a route from your team's equipment or find map-specific location leads. For an unfamiliar map, start with the map directory.
Items FAQ
Are key items always in the same container?
The official overview describes changing item and escape locations. Check the current match rather than treating a past pickup as a guaranteed spawn.
Should I keep looking for a key when I have bolt cutters?
First inspect the intended entrance. A reported bolt-cutter-only shelter does not need the same tool as every other lock. Follow the visible requirement.
Do perk upgrades replace escape items?
Do not assume that a perk does so unless its current effect text says it. Perk Points, card rolls and temporary upgrades are separate from items carried during a match.
Loadout help: Perk Points and temporary upgrades.