What are the Best Builds in Payday 2?
When it comes to building your ideal team in Payday 2, there are a multitude of options available to you. With dozens of skills, weapons, and perks to choose from, it can be daunting to decide which combination of tools will give you the most success. In this article, we’ll be highlighting some of the most popular and effective builds for beginners and veterans alike. Let’s dive in.
Heavy Armor Builds
One of the most essential things to consider when building a Payday 2 character is their armor type. Heavy armor builds are centered around absorbing as much damage as possible, making them incredibly durable and able to take a beating. If you’re looking for a more defensive playstyle, these builds are for you.
- Recommended weapons:
- Basic assault rifle and submachine gun combo
- ICTV armor set
- 5/7 AP pistol for secondary firepower
- Recommended perks:
- Stability boost for increased accuracy under heavy fire
- More firepower for increased ammo capacity
- Additional damage for increased damage against armor
DPS (Damage Per Second) Builds
If you prefer to play more aggressively and dish out as much damage as possible, DPS builds are the way to go. These builds focus on dealing as much damage per second as possible, with little regard for survivability.
- Recommended weapons:
- Union 5.56 assault rifle (high damage and fast rate of fire)
- Buzzsaw heavy gun (high damage and fire rate)
- G8A1 primary shotgun (high damage in close quarters)
- Recommended perks:
- Bulletstorm for increased ammo capacity
- Headhunter for increased damage to helmets
- Stomper for increased explosion damage
Support/Utilities Builds
If you’re looking for a role beyond just dealing damage, support/utility builds are your best bet. These builds focus on providing utility for the team, whether through increased healing, increased hack times, or increased enemy alertness.
- Recommended weapons:
- None (support players rarely use weapons)
- Medkit for in-battle healing
- Recommended perks:
- Medic kit for increased healing
- Toolbox for increased hack time
- Alarm timer for increased enemy alertness
Tips and Tricks for Success
Regardless of what build you choose, here are a few general tips that can help you increase your chances of success in Payday 2.
- Communicate with your team: Payday 2 is a highly dependent game, meaning the success of one player heavily impacts the success of others. Make sure to communicate effectively with your team to achieve success.
- Conserve your ammo: Even in a game with tons of ammo, conserving what you have is still key. Make sure to always keep an eye on your ammo count and never engage in a firefight when low on ammo.
- Use your environment to your advantage: Payday 2’s environments can be just as deadly as any enemy. Use traps, alarms, and barricades to your advantage, and always keep an eye on your surroundings.
By following these tips and adhering to one of these build types, you can improve your chances of success in Payday 2 and become a formidable foe to any enemy that dare gets in your way.
| Build Type | Best Skills | Best Weapons | Best Perks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy Armor | Armourer, Additional Headshot Damage, Stability Boost | Basic Assault Rifle, Submachine Gun, 5/7 AP Pistol | Additional Damage, Body Expertise, Extra Armour |
| DPS | Frenzy, Unstoppable, Double Tap | Union 5.56, Buzzsaw, G8A1 | More Firepower, Hornet’s Nest, Bulletstorm |
| Support/Utility | Medic, Toolbox, Alarm Timer | Medkit, Crowbar, Basic SMG | Medic Kit, Double Tap, Thug Life |
It is worth noting that even if you are playing one of these builds, having good communication with your team can be crucial to success, especially in higher difficulty heists.