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[Updated on August 17, 2024, to revise outdated formatting and improve readability.]
On its surface, Payday 3 is a simplistic game. You don your mask upon choosing a heister, equip a high-powered assault rifle, and storm a bank in an effort to steal the contents of its vault. In the process, police attempt to stop the gang from making a quick getaway. On paper, that’s fine. But in practice, it’s a little more frantic. A bit hectic, especially for a new player. If you’re struggling to grasp the basics, like stealth mechanics, don’t fret. You’re not alone. Here are the best beginner tips and tricks for Payday 3!
As a fresh face on the payday gang, you’ll be expected to hold your own, especially when playing multiplayer. The following tips and tricks for Payday 3 can genuinely help you make it into the bank successfully and then walk out with the loot.
Attempt to Stealth Heists
While it’s difficult to nail down the precise routes a guard will take in Payday 3, taking a stealth approach to a heist can net you greater rewards while avoiding troublesome shootouts. The key is successfully stealthing a heist in Payday 3 is communication. You typically don’t want to stealth a heist in a public game. Instead, gather a group of friends, then lay out a plan beforehand.
Experiment With Your Loadout
While Payday 3 features a lot of new weaponry compared to the past entries, it does offer a few staples that have been there since day one. A lot of new players will automatically opt for the starter weapon, an M4-lite with fully automatic capabilities. It’s fine. Just fine. As you level up your weapon experience, you’ll unlock additional attachments to make it more powerful, more accurate, and better overall. But until then, don’t hesitate to experiment. For many new players, a shotgun is a fantastic early-game weapon due to its high damage output and spread.
Going Loud Isn’t the End
As someone who prefers to go loud in Payday, I don’t mind when the initial attempt to stealth a heist goes wrong. In fact, I relish it. But for many they fear that going loud means the heist is over, but it’s not. In fact, most heists in Payday 3 wind up loud from the get-go, so don’t be afraid to take down a guard with an unsuppressed weapon if you’re caught. It’s just a new phase to enjoy.
Level Up Fast
As you progress through the levels in Payday 3, you’ll unlock additional benefits. In the beginning, these bonuses come slowly, with a few weapon attachments, suits, gloves, and masks to unlock. But over time, you’ll unlock far better weaponry, the new Overkill weapon, and unique perks to flesh out your build.
To level up fast in Payday 3, consider the following:
- Playing in a party earns you bonus experience points, so try to group up whenever possible. Even if you’re playing with pubs, you’re earning more!
- While you may not feel ready yet to tackle Overkill, consider bumping the difficulty up to Hard for a nice challenge and a boost to both money and experience points earned upon completion.
- Payday 3 features an extensive list of challenges to tackle, and you should focus efforts on completing these to earn additional XP and cash rewards.
Stick Together
As a new player, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and find yourself alone and dealing with the latest assault by police forces. Instead of flying solo, stick with a partner. Or, better yet, stay with the entire team and work together. The better your communication and teamwork, the more successful the heist.
Avoid Killing Civilians
It’s unfortunate, but sometimes, in the heat of a firefight, you can’t help but gun down a civilian and incur penalties. If you shoot a civilian in Payday 3, you will have to pay a cleaner cost. This penalty eats away at the money you earn upon completing the heist, so try to watch your aim.
Take Hostages
Learn how to take hostages, tie them up, use them as shields, and trade them to the authorities for valuable resources, including med packs, ammunition, and additional time before a police assault. You’ll have a slew of civilians inside the heist area anyway, so why not make use of this additional resource?
