Unlock the secrets to becoming an unstoppable master thief with our comprehensive “PAYDAY 2: Weapon and Equipment Guide.” Delve into the intricate world of heist planning where the right gear can make all the difference. From selecting the perfect arsenal tailored to your playstyle, to maximizing firepower through strategic modifications and upgrades, we’ve got you covered. Discover the top equipment choices for various heist scenarios, learn vital strategies for managing ammo and resources, and gain expert tips for using your tools effectively. Elevate your heisting game and outsmart your foes with these essential insights. Dive in to gear up for success!
Choosing the Right Weapons#
When plotting a heist in PAYDAY 2, picking the right gear is just as important as having a solid plan. Every weapon has its own perks and drawbacks, so you need to choose wisely depending on the mission and your playstyle. Here’s a quick guide to help you select the perfect weapons for your next job.
Primary Weapons#
Primary weapons are your main tools for combat. Let’s break down some options that can serve different playstyles:
Assault Rifles#
- CAR-4: Versatile and customizable, this rifle is the Swiss Army knife of assault rifles. It’s balanced, making it a good pick for both close-quarters and long-range engagements.
- M308: If you prefer dealing with enemies from a distance, this semi-automatic rifle packs a punch. It’s perfect for popping heads across the map but watch out for its slower rate of fire compared to full-auto rifles.
Submachine Guns (SMGs)#
- Compact-5: Light and fast, the Compact-5 is ideal for those who like to stay mobile. It’s great for clearing rooms quickly but can struggle in long-range shootouts.
- CR 805B: This SMG stands out with its high accuracy and rate of fire. It’s a fantastic option for players who want to spray bullets while maintaining control.
Shotguns#
- Reinfeld 880: A powerful pump-action shotgun that can take down enemies with a single shot up close. It’s perfect for loud but quick clearances.
- Joceline O/U 12G: For a heftier punch, this double-barreled option delivers massive damage. Just be ready to reload often, as it only holds two shells.
Secondary Weapons#
Your secondary weapon is there to complement your primary. Here’s how to make a good choice:
Pistols#
- Chimano Custom: Reliable and with a decent magazine size, the Chimano Custom is a good all-around pistol. It’s useful for when you run out of ammo on your primary.
- Deagle: The Desert Eagle is a hand cannon that deals huge damage per shot. If you can handle its recoil and slower firing rate, it can be a lifesaver.
Akimbo (Dual Wield)#
- Akimbo Goliaths: Dual shotguns for up-close devastation. They’re thrilling to use but aren’t great for precision.
- Akimbo CR 805B SMGs: Combining rapid fire with the volume of dual weapons, these are excellent for fast-paced firefights.
Modifications and Attachments#
Mods can make a significant difference in how your weapon performs. Focus on adding elements like:
- Stability: Reduce your weapon’s recoil to make it easier to control during extended firefights.
- Accuracy: Increases the precision of your shots, crucial for long-range engagements.
- Magazine Size: Boosts your ammo capacity, so you spend less time reloading.
- Silencers: Essential for stealth missions, helping to keep things quiet.
Ammo Management#
Regardless of your weapon choice, managing ammo is key. Bring ammo bags or coordinate with your team to ensure no one runs out of bullets mid-heist. Remember, running out of ammo in a critical moment can turn a perfect plan into a disaster.
Final Tips#
- Know Your Role: If you’re the team’s tank, go for a primary gun with a lot of stopping power. Stealth players might want silenced pistols or quiet SMGs.
- Stay Versatile: It’s often best to have a balanced loadout. Combine a solid short-range weapon with something that can handle enemies at a distance.
- Practice: Get used to how your chosen weapons handle. Know their strengths and weaknesses so you can adapt quickly during a heist.
Choosing the right weapons is all about understanding your playstyle and the mission at hand. Mix and match until you find a combo that suits you best. Happy heisting!
Modifying and Upgrading Weapons#
Welcome to the gritty underworld of PAYDAY 2, where your weapon can mean the difference between pulling off the perfect heist or landing behind bars. Modifying and upgrading your weapons is crucial to ensuring you’re ready for any heist that comes your way. Let’s dig into the essentials so you can make every shot count!
Understanding Weapon Modifications#
In PAYDAY 2, weapon mods are game-changers that can drastically alter your guns’ performance. These mods can improve accuracy, stability, and damage or add special perks like reduced recoil or faster reloads.
Categories of Mods#
There are several categories of weapon mods:
- Barrels: Impact range and accuracy.
- Grips: Improve stability and recoil control.
- Stocks: Provide better stability and accuracy.
- Ammunition: Modify performance, such as armor penetration or additional damage.
- Sights: Enhance targeting with red dots, scopes, or holographic sights.
- Gadgets: Add attachments like laser sights or flashlights.
- Muzzles: Affect noise suppression, recoil, and stability.
Remember, not all weapons can accommodate every type of mod, so you’ll need to match mods to your weapon’s specific slots.
How to Obtain Mods#
Mods can be collected in several ways:
- Card Drops: After completing a heist, you get to pick a card that may reveal a weapon mod.
- Continental Coins: Earn these through completing heists and challenges, then buy mods in the Inventory menu.
- DLCs: Some mods are exclusive to certain downloadable content, so check if you need specific DLCs for those shiny mods.
Upgrading Your Weapons#
Upgrading is more about tweaking your weapon to fit your playstyle rather than just slapping on the best mods available. Here’s how to go about it:
Determine Your Playstyle
- Are you a stealthy ninja or a bullet-spraying maniac? Your preferred combat style will guide your mod choices.
Balancing Stats
- Focus on balancing stats like accuracy, damage, and stability. Remember, some mods increase one stat at the cost of another.
Use the Right Mods
- If you like getting up close and personal, prioritize stability and control over range. If you prefer picking off enemies from afar, focus on accuracy and sights.
Tips for Effective Upgrading#
- Experiment: Try different combinations of mods on the same weapon. See what fits best for different heist scenarios.
- Specialize: Craft specific weapons for different roles—like a quiet pistol for stealth or a high-damage rifle for loud heists.
- Save Coins: Spend Continental Coins wisely. Prioritize mods that significantly enhance your weapon’s core strengths.
- Check the Market: Some rare mods might appear in the Black Market; keep an eye out for them.
Recommended Builds#
Here are a couple of general build suggestions to get you started:
Stealth Build#
- Primary: Silenced CAR-4
- Mods: Suppressed Barrel, Stability Grip, Concealment Stock, High-Visibility Sight
- Secondary: Stealth Submachine Gun (like the Compact-5)
- Mods: Suppressed Barrel, Laser Gadget, Stability Grip
Loud Build#
- Primary: AK Rifle
- Mods: Damage Barrel, Stability Stock, High-Capacity Magazine, Recoil Reduction Grip
- Secondary: Shotgun (like Reinfeld 880)
- Mods: High-Damage Shells, Stabilizing Grip, Extended Mag
Making your guns pure dynamite takes some tinkering, but the pay-off is well worth it. More effective and specialized weapons will ensure you’re the master thief in every heist.
Stay sharp out there, and remember: it’s not just about the loot, but how you get it!
Best Equipment for Different Heists#
In PAYDAY 2, the right equipment can make or break a heist. Whether you’re sneaking through security or blasting through police waves, your gear needs to be suited to the job. Here’s a guide to the best equipment for different types of heists, helping you and your crew get in and get out with the loot.
Stealth Heists#
Stealth heists require finesse, patience, and the right tools. The goal is to get in and out without raising any alarms. Here are our top picks:
Primary Weapons:
- Judgement Shotgun (Silenced): Small, versatile, and deadly. Perfect for silent takedowns.
- CAR-4 Rifle (Silenced): Great for its flexibility and customization options.
Secondary Weapons:
- Gruber Kurz Pistol (Silenced): Reliable with low detection risk.
- Contractor .32 Pistol (Silenced): Compact and efficient.
Melee Weapons:
- Electrical Brass Knuckles: For quick and quiet takedowns.
- Kunai Knife: Fast and silent, ideal for stealth kills.
Deployables:
- ECM Jammer: Essential for disabling cameras and breaking into electronic locks.
- Body Bag Case: Helpful for cleaning up after neutralizing guards.
Loud Heists#
Diamond store robberies or bank jobs often go south, causing you to go loud. For these scenarios, firepower and durability are crucial.
Primary Weapons:
- KSP Light Machine Gun: High ammo capacity to mow down waves of enemies.
- M308 Rifle: Great for long-range engagements.
Secondary Weapons:
- Signature .40 Pistol: Reliable and packs a punch.
- HE Judge Shotgun: Exceptional stopping power and crowd control.
Melee Weapons:
- Buzzer (Stun Gun): Useful for disabling tougher foes temporarily.
- The Spear of Freedom: Longer reach and high damage.
Deployables:
- Ammo Bag: Crucial to keep the team supplied during long firefights.
- Medic Bag: Keeps everyone in the fight by providing critical heals.
Mid-Range Heists#
Sometimes you need to adapt between stealth and loud strategies, such as in heists where you start stealthy but have a backup plan for when things go wrong.
Primary Weapons:
- AK5 Rifle: Balances stealth capabilities with decent firepower for loud scenarios.
- Commando 553: Versatile for medium-range combat with stealth attributes.
Secondary Weapons:
- Chimano Compact Pistol: Good balance of stealth and damage.
- Interceptor 45 Pistol: Equally useful when things go loud.
Melee Weapons:
- Utility Knife: Provides quick kills without much noise, but can be used in loud situations.
- Telescopic Baton: Silent but powerful.
Deployables:
- Doctor Bag: For post-fight healing when things go sideways.
- Trip Mines: Useful for both securing stealthy paths and setting traps for enemies in loud scenarios.
Specialty Heists#
Certain heists demand unique equipment, like those involving large areas to cover or special objectives like bomb defusals or tech hacking.
Primary Weapons:
- Thanatos .50 cal Sniper Rifle: Essential for long-range objectives and high-value targets.
- Flamethrower Mk.1: Great for crowd control and area denial.
Secondary Weapons:
- Deagle: High stopping power for valuable targets.
- Castigo .44 Revolver: Packs a hefty punch, useful for tight situations.
Melee Weapons:
- Machete: Good range and damage for close encounters.
- Minnesota Vikings Axe: Heavy but useful in tight spots for specialty tasks.
Deployables:
- C4 Explosives: Necessary for breaching doors and safes.
- Hacking Device (Laptop): Critical for tech-based objectives requiring hacking terminals.
Equip your gear wisely based on your strategy and the heist specifics. A well-prepared crew stands a significantly better chance at pulling off the perfect crime. Happy heisting!
Managing Ammo and Resources#
When it comes to PAYDAY 2, managing your ammo and resources is crucial to ensuring you and your crew can survive any heist. Run out of ammo, and you’ll be reduced to swinging a bat at a squad of heavily-armed police. Here’s how to keep your ammo and resources in check during your criminal escapades.
Loadout Planning#
Before jumping into a heist, think about your loadout. Choose weapons that complement each other in terms of ammo efficiency. For instance:
- Primary Weapon: Choose something with a larger ammo pool like an assault rifle or SMG.
- Secondary Weapon: Pack a sidearm that’s ammo-efficient, like a pistol or revolver.
Plan according to the heist type. For stealth missions, you might rely more on low-ammo consumption weapons like silenced pistols.
Ammo Bags and Doctor Bags#
Ammo Bags: These are lifesavers. Equip ammo bags in your deployable slot to ensure your team can refill when necessary. Place them strategically within the heist map, ideally in a secure spot but close to the action.
- Usage Tip: Don’t dump all ammo bags in one location. Place them in different areas you might retreat to during the heist.
- Deployment: When you’re low on ammo, let your team know before dropping the bag to maximize its use.
Doctor Bags: Equally important, these bags allow teammates to heal. Having a mix of ammo and doctor bags among your crew is essential.
- Usage Tip: Only use doctor bags when you’ve taken significant damage or are on your last down.
Ammo Management in Combat#
During combat, keep an eye on your ammo count:
- Conserve Ammo: Use single fire mode when accuracy is needed, and switch to burst when facing a crowd.
- Headshots: They usually save ammo. Practicing headshots will make you more efficient.
- Switch Wisely: When your primary runs low, switch to your secondary rather than depleting all your ammo on one weapon.
Scavenging and Sharing Ammo#
Enemies often drop ammo pickups which can replenish your reserves:
- Collect Ammo: Move over dead enemies to gather ammo, but be mindful of not exposing yourself to danger.
- Solo Runs: In solo play, be extra vigilant about collecting ammo drops. Running out mid-heist can spell disaster.
Skill Perks to Consider#
Several skills can help you manage ammo and resources more effectively:
- Ammo Efficiency (Ghost Tree): Increases the chance of enemies dropping ammo.
- Scavenger (Enforcer Tree): Increases the amount of ammo you pick up.
- Inspire (Mastermind Tree): Allows you to stay in the fight longer by reviving teammates without placing yourself at risk.
Communicate With Your Team#
Communication is key:
- Call-Outs: Let your team know when you’re low on ammo so they can cover you or drop an ammo bag.
- Share Resources: Don’t be stingy with deployables. Teamwork ensures everyone has enough to go around.
Know When to Gamble#
Sometimes, you might find yourself deciding between grabbing ammo and hitting an objective. Weigh your choices carefully:
- Risk vs Reward: Is it worth the risk to grab that ammo? Or can your team work short-handed for a bit until the action dies down?
Managing ammo and resources is all about making smart choices and solid communication with your team. By being prepared and strategic, you’ll ensure your crew stays fully loaded and ready to tackle whatever the heist throws at you. Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll manage your ammo like a pro in PAYDAY 2.
Tips for Effective Equipment Use#
If you want to be a top-notch heister in PAYDAY 2, it’s not just about picking the coolest mask or loudest gun. Knowing how to use your equipment effectively can make or break your heist. Here are some simple but crucial tips to help you get the job done with style and precision.
1. Know Your Role#
First things first—know your role in the crew. If you’re the mastermind, don’t haul around heavy machinery when you should be managing hostages or picking locks. Similarly, enforcers should be packing serious firepower and medics should stick to their first aid kits.
2. Ammo Bags Are a Lifesaver#
Ammo bags can be a game-changer, especially during long heists. If you’re running low on bullets, make sure to place them in a strategic spot where they can be easily reached but are also somewhat hidden from enemy sight. Try to save them for when you’re really in a pinch instead of wasting them early in the mission.
3. Deploying Medic Bags at the Right Time#
Your team is going to take hits; that’s inevitable. But knowing when and where to place your medic bags can keep everyone on their feet. Place them before critical points like vaults or escape routes. Remember, they have limited charges—use them wisely.
4. C4 Explosives and Shaped Charges#
If your mission involves breaching doors or safes quickly, C4 and shaped charges are your best friends. Use them to bypass security systems and get to the loot faster. Just be mindful of your surroundings; setting off explosives near civilians or fellow heisters can lead to a messy situation.
5. Sentry Guns for Area Control#
Sentry guns are excellent for holding down choke points or critical areas. They’re not just fire-and-forget tools, though. Place them where they’ll have a clear line of sight and can cover your back. Keep an eye on them, and be sure to refill their ammo if you have the skills for it.
6. ECM Jammers for Silent Heists#
ECM jammers can disable security cameras, prevent pagers from alerting the police, and even open certain electronic locks. Use them wisely to keep your heist under wraps. Typically, you’ll want to deploy them right before doing something that would normally trigger an alarm, like taking down a guard.
7. Trip Mines for Strategic Defense#
Trip mines can be a versatile tool. Set them up in high-traffic areas to take out enemies or even use them as alarms when stealth is critical. If you’re willing to get creative, these can also serve as makeshift barriers by creating zones the police will think twice about crossing.
8. Body Bags for Clean Heists#
When you’re going stealthy, the last thing you need is a guard’s body getting discovered. Bring along body bags to hide the evidence. If you’re planning to do a lot of takedowns, it’s wise to place body bags in locations that you can easily access while on the move.
9. Utilize Your Deployable Skills#
Skills can make your equipment even more effective. Invest in skills that enhance your deployables. For instance, the ammo specialist skills can make your ammo bags more efficient, while the first aid kits can be upgraded to auto-revive fallen teammates.
10. Communicate With Your Team#
Don’t be the lone wolf. Communication is key. Let your team know when you’re setting down bags or deploying equipment. This helps everyone stay on the same page and utilize resources effectively.
Final Word#
Mastering your equipment in PAYDAY 2 is pivotal. This isn’t just about brute force; it’s about smart use of your tools to turn the tide of the heist in your favor. So gear up, communicate, and ensure you make your next heist a flawless one!
