Welcome to the ultimate PAYDAY 2: Economy and Skill Progression Guide – your one-stop resource for maximizing your criminal mastery and ensuring your heists are as lucrative as they are thrilling! Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a fresh recruit, this guide will take you through every essential aspect of progressing in PAYDAY 2, from raking in the big bucks to investing wisely in your skills and equipment. Discover the best methods for Earning Money and XP, identify the Best Heists for Grinding, gain insights on Investing in Skills and Equipment, and learn how to adeptly Manage Your In-Game Economy. Plus, we’ve packed in essential Tips for Efficient Progression to keep you ahead of the game. Dive in and get ready to elevate your heisting prowess to new heights!
Earning Money and XP
Getting rich and leveling up in PAYDAY 2 is all about mastering heists and being efficient. Here’s how you can maximize your cash and experience points (XP) to fast-track your journey to becoming a criminal legend.
Choose Your Heists Wisely
Not all heists are created equal. Some are quick and easy, while others are long and complex but offer massive rewards. Here are key heists to focus on:
- Jewelry Store: This is a great starter heist. It’s quick, easy to stealth, and gives a decent payout both in cash and XP. Perfect for newer players.
- Bank Heists: These are a step up but still relatively easy with solid rewards. Bank Heist jobs like Gold and Cash add more challenge and better rewards.
- Rats: This three-day heist isn’t too hard and gives good XP. Just make sure to cook meth without blowing up the lab!
- Big Bank: Ideal for experienced players. It offers great money and XP, especially if you complete it stealthily.
Stealth vs. Loud
Different approaches to heists can affect your payouts and XP.
- Stealth Heists: Completing a heist without triggering alarms can often net you a higher payout bonus and sometimes even more XP. However, stealth requires patience and precision.
- Loud Heists: Going loud can be fun and quicker, but be ready for waves of police. The payout is often lower, but the longer you survive, the more XP you can rack up by taking down enemies.
Difficulty Levels
Heist difficulty directly impacts your cash and XP. Work your way up as you get better:
- Normal and Hard: Best for beginners. They are easier but offer lower rewards.
- Very Hard and Overkill: These levels provide better cash and XP. It’s a good challenge for those with more experience and better gear.
- Death Wish and One Down: For veteran players. They offer massive rewards but are extremely tough.
Skills and Perks for Bonus XP
Optimize your skill tree to boost your earnings:
- Fast Learner: An essential skill found in the Mastermind tree. It increases the XP you earn.
- Inspire, Doctor Bags, and Ammo Bags: Useful for team play, ensuring everyone stays alive, which helps in not losing job bonuses.
Contract Broker System
Don’t forget about Bain’s Contract Broker system. You can use your offshore account to buy specific heists, targeting the ones with higher rewards or those you prefer playing. Keep an eye out for better-paying heists and use your cash wisely.
Bonus Tips
- Complete Side Jobs: These mini-missions reward you with extra cash and XP. They are a great way to gain additional rewards.
- Infamy Levels: Once you reach level 100, you can go infamous, which resets your level but gives you better rewards and more XP in the long run.
- Daily Jobs: PAYDAY 2 often has daily challenges that can give you extra boosts. Always check for these and complete as many as possible.
Summary
To earn the most money and XP in PAYDAY 2, start with simpler heists and gradually take on harder ones. Mix up stealth and loud tactics based on your playstyle. Always aim to play on the highest difficulty you can handle and never overlook the importance of skills, side jobs, and daily challenges. Happy heisting!
Best Heists for Grinding
When it comes to grinding in PAYDAY 2, you’ll want to focus on heists that offer a good balance of experience points (XP) and money. This will help you level up quickly and afford those much-needed upgrades. Here are some of the top heists you should consider:
Four Stores
Why It’s Great
- Super quick and straightforward.
- Can be completed stealthily for an XP bonus.
- Ideal for new players.
Tips
- Scope out each store before you start the heist.
- Ensure your crew is equipped to handle a stealth approach to maximize your XP.
Time Investment: ~5 minutes
Jewelry Store
Why It’s Great
- Extremely simple, with minimal resistance.
- Can be done in less than 5 minutes.
- Perfect for solo grinding or a small crew.
Tips
- Get in and out quickly; most of your loot will be right in the front of the store.
- Secure the jewelry in bags and run them to the escape vehicle.
Time Investment: ~5 minutes
Mallcrasher
Why It’s Great
- High XP payout for the amount of time invested.
- Fun and chaotic, breaking things to meet the heist objective.
- Can be completed mainly through property damage, making it different from typical heists.
Tips
- Quickly move to critical areas like the jewelry store and the tech store for high-value damage.
- Consider a build that includes high-damage weapons and explosives.
Time Investment: ~10 minutes
Ukrainian Job
Why It’s Great
- Very short heist with a significant XP and cash reward.
- Multiple strategies (stealth or loud) can be fun to mix up.
- Can get lucky with a Tiara spawn, adding to your loot amount.
Tips
- Stealth is the recommended method for maximum rewards but make sure to disable cameras and guards efficiently.
- If going loud, be ready for a quick rush, as the police will arrive fast.
Time Investment: ~6 minutes
Shadow Raid
Why It’s Great
- Stealth is mandatory, leading to high XP rewards upon completion.
- Encourages teamwork and strategic planning.
- Heists can be completed solo, great for practicing stealth.
Tips
- Use body bags wisely to avoid any alarms.
- Focus on grabbing high-value loot like artifacts and weapons to maximize your profit.
Time Investment: ~15 minutes
Rats (Day 1)
Why It’s Great
- High XP return, especially if cooking all the bags of meth.
- Intensive, with a mix of defending and producing.
- Fun for players who love an action-packed mission with resource management.
Tips
- Bring a crew with communication; it’s critical for cooking meth correctly.
- Be prepared for heavy police waves by having strong defensive positions.
Time Investment: ~10 minutes
Maximizing Your Grind
To get the most out of your grinding sessions, remember to:
- Gear Up: Equip the right skills and gear that complement the heist you’re attempting. Stealth heists need ECM jammers and body bags, while loud heists benefit from armor and high-damage weapons.
- Plan Ahead: Know the layout of the heist and the objectives before jumping in. This saves time and boosts efficiency.
- Play With Friends: Communication with a trusted crew can drastically reduce the time it takes to complete a heist, and makes grinding more enjoyable.
By focusing on these heists, you’ll be swimming in cash and XP in no time, and ready to take on the toughest jobs PAYDAY 2 has to offer.
PAYDAY 2: Economy and Skill Progression Guide
Investing in Skills and Equipment
In PAYDAY 2, making smart choices about where to spend your hard-earned cash and skill points can make all the difference. Whether you’re looking to specialize in stealth, combat, or support roles, understanding the economy and skill progression will help you become a more effective criminal mastermind. Here’s how to get the most bang for your buck.
Skills: Planning Your Path to Perfection
First off, let’s talk skills. PAYDAY 2 offers several skill trees, each catering to different playstyles. These trees are Mastermind, Enforcer, Technician, Ghost, Fugitive, and each has unique abilities. Here’s a quick rundown on how to allocate your skill points wisely:
Focus on One or Two Trees
- New players: It’s tempting to spread points out across all trees, but early on, it’s better to specialize in one or two areas. This way, you maximize the impact of your skills.
- Veteran players: As you gain more experience (and more points), you can start to branch out and create hybrid builds tailored to specific heist requirements.
Start with Essential Skills
- Inspire (Mastermind): Reviving downed teammates is crucial in tougher heists.
- Transporter (Enforcer): Helps with moving bags quickly, saving precious time during escapes.
- ECM Specialist (Ghost): Essential for stealth missions, jamming cameras and other electronics.
Balance Offense and Defense
- Make sure to blend damage-dealing skills with those that improve your survivability. For instance, combining damage boosts with armor perks can turn you into a formidable tank.
Read and Experiment
- Take time to read through skills and understand what each does. Don’t be afraid to respec if a certain build isn’t working out for you. Respecialization costs money, but it’s a worthy investment to find the best setup.
Equipment: Gearing Up for Success
Your skills are half the battle; the other half is equipment. PAYDAY 2 has an extensive array of weapons, armor, and gadgets to choose from. Here’s how to make smart investments:
Prioritize Versatile Weapons
- Primary Weapons: Opt for assault rifles or shotguns that offer a balanced mix of damage, accuracy, and ammo capacity. The CAR-4 and Reinfeld 880 are solid early choices.
- Secondary Weapons: Pistols and SMGs can make great backup weapons. The Compact 5 and Locomotive 12G are fan favorites.
Buy Armor for Your Playstyle
- Stealth: Lightweight vests keep you nimble and reduce noise.
- Combat: Heavier armor like the Improved Combined Tactical Vest offers more protection at the cost of speed and concealment.
Gadget Essentials
- Invest in grenades, trip mines, and other deployables based on your skill tree. For instance, if you’ve specialized in Technician, you’ll love the utility of deployable Sentry Guns.
Modding: Fine-Tune Your Gear
- Use weapon mods to tailor your guns for specific roles. Adding optics, grips, and barrel extensions can significantly improve your performance.
- Balance mod costs against benefits. Sometimes a cheaper mod can provide a nearly identical boost as a pricier option.
Managing Your Heist Funds
Save Wisely
- Early game money is tight, so prioritize essential purchases. Splashing out on a high-tier gun or armor set right away isn’t wise if it means you’re flat broke afterward.
Upgrade Your Safehouse
- Don’t overlook your safehouse. It’s not just a home base; upgrades can provide bonus funds and passive perks that boost income.
Heist Payouts
- Focus on completing objectives and securing loot. The better your performance, the better your payout.
Crime Spree Mode
- This mode offers escalating challenges with impressive rewards. Dive into Crime Spree when you feel confident in your abilities for a serious cash injection.
Recap
Investing in skills and equipment in PAYDAY 2 is all about strategy. Prioritize important skills, progressively build a balanced and specialized loadout, and manage your funds smartly. By following these tips, you’ll be better prepared to tackle any heist that comes your way, making you an asset to any crew!
Time to plan your next job and get that payday!
Managing Your In-Game Economy
In PAYDAY 2, cash isn’t just for bragging rights or making it rain; it’s the key to unlocking better weapons, mods, and new abilities. Managing your in-game economy efficiently can make or break your heisting career. Here’s how to maximize your earnings and spend wisely.
Prioritize Heists with High Payouts
Not all heists are created equal. Before jumping into a job, look at the potential payout, including additional bonuses for stealth or completing certain objectives. Big Oil, Rats, and Hoxton Breakout are notorious for their lucrative rewards.
Pro Tip: Tackling higher difficulty levels can significantly boost your earnings, but make sure your team is equipped and ready for the challenge to avoid costly failures.
Efficient Spending: Weapons and Mods
While it’s tempting to buy the shiniest new gun on the block, you’ll often get more bang for your buck by investing in modifications. Mods can dramatically improve a weapon’s performance and cater it to your playstyle.
- Tier 1: Focus on attaching essential mods such as suppressors if you’re running stealth heists or extended magazines for loud approaches.
- Tier 2: Upgrade your weapons over time rather than all at once. It’s more cost-effective to gradually improve your arsenal as you complete more heists.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget about melee weapons. They can be lifesavers in tight situations and often require minimal investment.
Skill Points Are Gold
Investing in skills can have a massive payoff. Different skill trees offer various perks, and spreading out your points can make your character versatile. However, focusing on one or two skill trees can make you incredibly efficient in a specific role.
- Mastermind: Handy for leading the team and controlling crowds.
- Enforcer: Perfect for those who like to go loud and carry heavy bags.
- Technician: Great for those who love gadgets and explosives.
- Ghost: A must for stealth aficionados.
- Fugitive: Ideal for dodging and surviving under pressure.
Remember, respecing (resetting your skill points) costs money, so plan your build carefully.
Mask and Vanity Purchases
Buying masks and vanity items may be fun but think twice before you splurge. These items don’t enhance gameplay, and the cash could be better spent on weapons or skills.
- Minimize Spending: Keep your vanity purchases to a minimum, especially early in the game. Once your essential gear is squared away, you can start buying these items as trophies for your achievements.
Pro Tip: Save your offshore cash for the end-game. It’s used to enter Crime Spree mode and perform infamy resets, which are crucial for high-level play.
Offshore Account: Save for Big Investments
As your offshore account grows, you’ll have opportunities for big investments like infamy levels. These levels provide long-term benefits such as new skill points and cosmetic upgrades.
- Balancing Acts: Jealously guard your off-shore stash. It might be tempting to use it freely, but ensuring it’s healthy will pay greater dividends down the line.
Teamwork Makes The Dream Work
Finally, manage your economy by cooperating with your team. Sharing resources and coordinating skillsets can drastically reduce expenses and enhance efficiency.
Pro Tip: If someone has skills that grant more cash or better loot drops, prioritize those heists.
Final Thoughts
Managing your in-game economy in PAYDAY 2 isn’t just about making money; it’s about spending and saving wisely to ensure continuous improvement and sustainability in your heisting career. Prioritize what’s necessary, plan your purchases, and always keep an eye on the long-term benefits. Now, go out there and make some serious cash! 💰
Tips for Efficient Progression
So you’re diving into PAYDAY 2 and want to make sure you’re progressing efficiently. Whether you’re going for the biggest heists or just trying to level up fast, we’ve got some tips to keep you on the fast track.
Start with a Plan
Before you start pulling off heists, spend some time planning your character build. PAYDAY 2 has a ton of skill trees and options, so it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Focus on one or two skill trees that match your play style. For beginners, the Mastermind and Enforcer trees are safe bets. Mastermind is great for support roles, and Enforcer helps you deal with enemies and carry more loot.
Easy Money with Jewelry Store Heists
For quick cash and experience, the Jewelry Store heist is your best friend. It’s one of the easiest heists in the game and can be completed quickly. This heist helps you understand the game mechanics and gives you a good head start on your financial progress. Go for the maximum loot every time to maximize your profit.
Stealth is Your Friend
Stealthy approaches to heists can take longer but yield more rewards and less risk. Training yourself and your team to handle stealth jobs can massively boost your efficiency. Getting caught can be costly in terms of time and resources. Perfecting stealth on easier heists like Four Stores or Mallcrasher can pay off big time in the long run.
Invest in Infamy
As you level up, you’ll hit Level 100 eventually. This is where Infamy comes into play. Infamy allows you to reset your level but gives you access to better boosts and skills. Though it seems like a setback, the benefits far outweigh the temporary drop. Infamy levels make future runs quicker and you gain more experience points faster.
Use Preplanning and Assets
Take advantage of the Preplanning feature and in-game assets. Spending some of your cash on additional assets like Body Bags, Camera Loops, and Extra Loot Drops can make heists run much smoother. Not only does this minimize risks, but it also shaves precious minutes off your heists.
Economize Your Purchases
It’s tempting to blow your hard-earned cash on shiny new weapons and gear. Instead, try to save and invest wisely. Focus on weapons and gear that suit your chosen skills and play style. Remember, utility is more important than aesthetics.
Experience Boosts with Offshore Payday
Don’t hoard your offshore cash. Use it wisely to buy Experience Boosts from the Offshore Payday menu. This helps you level up faster and gain more skill points, making you more effective quicker.
Join a Crew
Playing with friends or joining a skilled crew online can make a huge difference. Teams that communicate and cooperate well can tackle harder jobs more efficiently. Plus, if everyone has their roles defined, you can pull off heists faster and safer.
Keep an Eye on Daily and Weekly Challenges
PAYDAY 2 offers daily and weekly challenges that reward you with experience and cash bonuses. Make sure to check these often and align your heists to meet these challenges. They’re a great way to gain extra benefits with minimal extra effort.
Practice Makes Perfect
Lastly, practice! The more you play, the better you get. Understanding the maps, the mechanics, and the best strategies only comes with experience. Even if a heist goes sideways, view it as a learning opportunity.
By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a PAYDAY 2 pro. Now get out there, grab your masks, and start making that sweet, sweet cash!
Next steps:
- Check out our character build guide for more details on optimizing your skill tree.
- Want to master stealth? Dive into our in-depth stealth strategy guide.
- Ready for tougher heists? Our advanced heist tactics will have you covered.
Keep reading, keep heisting, and stay legendary, heisters!