Payday 2 Complete Guide (12 Sections) | AntMag

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Welcome to Payday 2, the co-op shooter where you and your crew pull off daring heists. Whether you're casing the joint for a stealthy infiltration or going in loud, you'll be managing objectives, dodging law enforcement, and coordinating with your team to secure the loot. From the intricate vault of The Diamond to the high-stakes Shadow Raid, every mission demands a plan and precise execution.

This guide dives deep into mastering every heist. We'll cover everything from building effective character loadouts and choosing the right gear to navigating the complexities of both stealth and combat approaches. Get ready to learn expert strategies for any situation, ensuring you and your crew can conquer any objective and achieve that coveted payday.

MALL CRASHER

Alright, so you're diving into the Mall Crasher heist in Payday 2. Your main gig here is simple: cause a whole lot of destruction to get paid. You'll start by scoping out the mall. It's got two main floors, but the first floor is mostly shut down. Keep an eye out for security guards roaming around – you'll want to get your masks on before things get messy.

For this heist, the goal is to rack up $50,000 in damage. The best spots for this are usually the clone of an Apple Store and a vase store. Just go wild with your melee attacks on the items on sale and the cash register screens. It's a bit quirky, but even smashing all the windows counts towards the repair bill. If you've got some extra time and want to push your luck, there's a jewelry store on the second floor that's worth hitting.

Now, about that Gas Can asset you might have bought: I've found that setting a store on fire, even with civilians inside, doesn't actually cost you money. So don't sweat it if there are people around – you can't exactly tell them to evacuate anyway.

Getting out can be tricky. I've personally never been fast enough to make it back to the escape van that drops you off. However, if you're playing with a solid team, it's definitely possible to finish up and get out before that van bails. If you miss the van, don't panic. You'll have to hold out until a chopper shows up. Look for it near the escalators on the second floor.

Pro Tip: This heist is an absolute goldmine for ATMs. And if you've unlocked the Buzzsaw weapon (you need to be Reputation Level 30 or higher), you're going to have a blast in here!

Cops: Expect a mix of regular security guards and, depending on the difficulty, some heavily armored guards. They're not afraid to use the mall's staircases, and sometimes you'll even find snipers posted up on the roof.

NIGHTCLUB

Alright, so you're looking to hit up the Nightclub job in Payday 2? It's a pretty straightforward heist once you know the ropes, but there are a few things to watch out for. Let's get you through it.

Walkthrough

1
Getting In: You'll start outside the club. If you try to just waltz in the front door, the bouncer isn't going to let you. Just hang tight for a minute; he'll eventually say something like, "Oh what the heck, you guys seem like a standup group" and let you in. Keep an eye out for any gang members around – they're usually wearing workout jerseys or something similar.
2
Finding the Safe: Once you're inside, your main objective is to grab the cash from a safe. You'll need to head through a door marked "Staff only." Now, you *could* just drill through that door, but it's way easier if you grab a key card from one of the staff members. It saves you the hassle and the noise.
3
Cracking the Safe: After you're past the security door, start drilling the safe. This is where things can get hectic. You'll have snipers outside the windows taking potshots, and SWAT teams will be coming up the stairs and even through the roof. Stay alert!
4
Securing the Loot: Once the safe is open, bag up the money. A truck will show up just outside the windows of the room you're in. Throw the first money bag out to the truck, then grab the rest of the cash from the safe and toss that out too.
5
Escape: After all the loot is out, it's time to make your escape.

Tips

Cop Control: To make things a bit easier and prevent cops from dropping in through the roof, try to keep a hostage inside the room with the safe. This'll also slow down any cops trying to come up the stairs.
Enemy Positions: Be aware that cop response is heavy on this one. They'll be coming at you from the large window overlooking the club, the stairs leading into the room, through the roof, and snipers will be watching the windows. Stay mobile and use cover!

JEWELRY STORE

Alright, let's talk about the Jewel Store job in Payday 2. It's usually one of the first heists you'll tackle, and it's a great way to learn the ropes.

Walkthrough

1
You'll typically spawn right outside the Jewelry Store. Your best bet for a quiet entry is the front door. If you try to go in the back, you'll likely have to break glass, which immediately alerts the guards. Keep that in mind! Also, if you see metal detectors at the front, don't go that way – it means the alarm is already up.
2
Once inside, your main goal is to bag the required amount of jewelry. You'll see items labeled with 'hold F to grab'. Grab one bag at a time.
3
After you've secured a bag of jewelry, you'll need to wait for the getaway van to arrive. This only happens if you've tripped the alarms, but it's good to be prepared. Once the van is there, toss the bag inside. Then, it's rinse and repeat until you've got all the required bags.
4
Safes with extra loot can appear in either of the two back rooms. Keep an eye out for those!

Escape Van Locations:

The escape van can show up in a few spots. I've seen it on the right side of the parking lot, on the left side of the parking lot, and right on the main road next to the jewelry store.

Cop Response:

Expect police to come from several directions. They'll often appear to the right of the store's entrance, from the parking lot directly in front, from the left side of the parking lot, and also from an alley on the left side of the store. Be ready to defend yourself or make a run for it!

Tips

Always try for the front door first if it's clear. Stealth is key on this job.
If you have to go loud, be prepared for a fight. The cops will come from multiple angles, so try to find cover and manage your engagements.
Don't forget to check the back rooms for safes – they can hold extra cash or goodies.

BANK HEIST (normal version)

Alright, let's talk about the Bank Heist on normal difficulty in Payday 2. It's a classic job, and a great one to get the hang of things. We've got an optional weapon here, the Buzzsaw, but you'll need to be Reputation Level 30 or higher to unlock it. It can make grabbing cash from ATMs a breeze, so keep that in mind!

Walkthrough

1
First things first, head to the bank's parking lot. This is where you'll find the drill you need to start the heist.
2
Before you grab the drill, you'll need to put on your mask. It's a good idea to approach the bank from the side door near the parking lot entrance – there aren't any cameras there, so it's a stealthier way in.
3
Once you're inside, set up the thermal drill. While you're waiting for it to finish, check out the teller room. There should be some loose cash lying around that you can grab. Your main goal is to get the required amount of cash. If you've got that Buzzsaw unlocked, hitting the ATMs should get you there easily.
4
After the drill finishes and you've secured the necessary cash, it's time to make a run for the escape van.

Escape Van Locations:

Now, the van can pop up in a few different spots, so keep your eyes peeled:

It might be parked right in front of the bank's main entrance.
Sometimes it's out in the parking lot, in front of the main entrance.
The trickiest spot is usually way out near the T-junction to the right of the bank's main entrance. This one can be a bit more exposed, so be ready.

Cops and Snipers:

Be aware that the cops can respond from pretty much anywhere. They might come from the parking lot, or just swarm the area. Keep an eye out for snipers too – they could be in the building across from the bank or on the roof of the building to the right. Stay alert and use cover!