PAYDAY: The Heist

PAYDAY: The Heist

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Payday: The Heist: Weapon Unlocks
By decay1994
This guide tells you when your next gun is available and what upgrades it can get
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There are 4 skill trees available in Payday: The Heist.
1: Support
2: Assault
3: Sharpshooter
4: Technician (DLC)

How to use a skill tree

To choose a skill tree, hold TAB during a heist and press the corresponding number that applies to the skill tree you wish to use. Leveling up during a heist does not give you immediate access to the weapon (unless it is from a weapon slot you don't already have); you need to equip it when preparing for a heist in the Loadout screen.

Every time you level up, it levels up the skill tree you selected, but not the other ones. For every level you get, an upgrade becomes available according to the tree you select. It could be a weapon, some equipment, upgrades for your weapons and more. To stop users from forcing just one skill tree to be used, the skill system is balanced so that if you try to do that, it locks that skill tree until you level up the other ones a few more times. This promotes balanced gameplay, as well as providing the user with alternative choices for their criminal career.
Starter Kit
NOTE: Because the "starter kit" weapons don't come from a defined skill tree, upgrades for these weapons come from the Assault, Support and Sharpshooter skilltrees, all at varying levels.

  • AMCAR-4 Assault Rifle
    Level 0 (Primary) Type: Assault Rifle | Good accuracy, medium damage, fully automatic

    The AMCAR-4 Assault Rifle is your weapon of choice upon beginning your criminal career. The rifle is reliable and has good stopping power, even moreso when upgraded. Even at higher levels, the AMCAR-4 can still be a good choice.


    8 upgrades:
    • Damage Increase Tier 1 - Level 1 (Assault)
    • Accuracy Increase Tier 1 - Level 1 (Sharpshooter)
    • Magazine Extension (25 rounds/magazine) Tier 1 - Level 3 (Support)
    • Accuracy Increase + Flash Hider Tier 2 - Level 5 (Sharpshooter)
    • Accuracy Increase Tier 3 - Level 12 (Sharpshooter)
    • Magazine Extension (30 rounds/magazine) Tier 2 - Level 12 (Support)
    • Damage Increase Tier 2 - Level 15 (Assault)
    • Accuracy Increase + Reflex Sight Tier 4 - Level 16 (Sharpshooter)

  • B9-S Pistol
    Level 0 (Sidearm) Type: Semi-auto Pistol | Low damage, low recoil, high accuracy

    The B9-S pistol is the first sidearm that will serve you throughout your criminal career. Its damage is muffled by the suppressor it has mounted on it, but it maintains high accuracy and low recoil. Also, it's suppressed, so you won't have to worry about neighbors complaining about gunfire!


    8 upgrades:
    • Accuracy Increase Tier 1 - Level 1 (Support)
    • Magazine Extension (17 rounds/magazine) Tier 1 - Level 3 (Assault)
    • Recoil Dampener Tier 1 - Level 3 (Sharpshooter)
    • Magazine Extension (20rounds/magazine) Tier 2 - Level 8 (Assault)
    • Recoil Dampener Tier 2 - Level 9 (Sharpshooter)
    • Accuracy Increase Tier 2 - Level 9 (Support)
    • Recoil Dampener + Barrel Extension Tier 3 - Level 21 (Sharpshooter)
    • Recoil Dampener Tier 4 - Level 30 (Sharpshooter)
Support
  • Bronco .44 Revolver
    Level 6 (Sidearm) Type: Revolver | .44 Caliber, high damage, high recoil, six-shooter.

    First weapon unlock in the Support tree. A high-damage sixshooter, with high accuracy, medium range and high recoil. Though it has good stopping power; often able to kill most unarmored and lightly armored units in one shot, it has a very long and tedious reload time that requires patience to tolerate. Taking cover while reloading it is recommended.


    9 upgrades:
    • Damage Increase Tier 1 - Level 8
    • Accuracy Increase + Barrel Upgrade Tier 1 - Level 10
    • Reload Speed Increase Tier 1 - Level 14
    • Damage Increase Tier 2 - Level 17
    • Accuracy Increase Tier 2 - Level 20
    • Reload Speed Increase Tier 2 - Level 26
    • Damage Increase + Hollowpoint Bullets Tier 3 - Level 30
    • Accuracy Increase Tier 3 - Level 34
    • Accuracy Increase Tier 4 - Level 43

  • Reinbeck 880 Shotgun
    Level 13 (Primary) Type: Shotgun | 12-Gauge, pump-action, high damage

    Second weapon unlock in the Support tree. It has extremely high damage at close range, but its accuracy and magazine size is low without upgrades, so its best to use it at close range rather than far range to conserve ammunition. Useful for killing small groups of law enforcers in quick succession.


    10 upgrades:
    • Damage Increase Tier 1 - Level 15
    • Magazine Increase (8 shell maximum) Tier 1 - Level 18
    • Recoil Dampener Tier 1 - Level 22
    • Damage Increase Tier 2 - Level 25
    • Magazine Increase (10 shell maximum) Tier 2 - Level 28
    • Recoil Dampener Tier 2 - Level 36
    • Damage Increase Tier 2 - Level 39
    • Recoil Dampener Tier 3 - Level 41
    • Damage Increase Tier 4 - Level 44
    • Recoil Dampener + Heat Shield Tier 4 - Level 48

  • Compact-5 SMG
    Level 21 (Secondary) Type: SMG | Precise, low recoil, low damage

    Last weapon provided in the Support tree. Its accuracy makes it the one of the most precise weapons provided to the player. Its low damage is compensated by its high fire rate, making it useful as a low-recoil bullet hose. It can provide reliable cover fire in open areas, but it doesn't perform all that well against armored units.


    10 upgrades:
    • Steelsight Speed Increase Tier 1 - Level 23
    • Accuracy Increase Tier 1 - Level 27
    • Reload Speed Increase + Straight Magazine Tier 1 - Level 31
    • Recoil Dampener Tier 1 - Level 32
    • Steelsight Speed Increase Tier 2 - Level 35
    • Reload Speed Increase Tier 2 - Level 37
    • Recoil Dampener Tier 2 - Level 40
    • Reload Speed Increase + Double Magazine Tier 3 - Level 42
    • Accuracy Increase + Heat Shield Handguard Tier 2 - Level 45
    • Reload Speed Tier 4 - Level 47
Assault
  • Mark 11 SMG
    Level 5 (Secondary) Type: SMG | .45 ACP, Fully automatic, high recoil, medium accuracy

    First weapon unlocked in the Assault tree. Extremely fast fire rate, but high recoil makes it harder to aim straight. Good for assault waves, as the spread fire makes it good for crowd control.


    10 upgrades:
    • Recoil Dampener Tier 1 - Level 6
    • Magazine Extension Tier 1 - Level 9
    • Recoil Dampener Tier 2 - Level 11
    • Ironsight Speed Tier 1 - Level 14
    • Magazine Extension Tier 2 Level 17
    • Recoil Dampener Tier 3 - Level 21
    • Ironsight Speed Tier 2 - Level 28
    • Magazine Extension Tier 3 - Level 32
    • Recoil Dampener + Lightweight Silencer Tier 4 - Level 35
    • Magazine Extension Tier 4 - Level 40

  • Crosskill .45 Pistol
    Level 13 (Sidearm) Type: Semi-auto Pistol | .45 Caliber, quick reloads, good stopping power

    Second weapon unlocked in the Assault tree. My personal favorite. Semiautomatic. Medium damage, decent accuracy. Good for close quarters combat with the cops. Good magazine size and fire rate allows for consecutive kills.


    10 upgrades:
    • Recoil Dampener Tier 1 - Level 16
    • Damage Increase Tier 1 - Level 18
    • Magazine Extension Tier 1 - Level 20
    • Damage Increase Tier 2 - Level 25
    • Magazine Extension Tier 2 - Level 29
    • Damage Increase Tier 3 - Level 34
    • Recoil Dampener Tier 3 - Level 41
    • Damage Increase Tier 4 - Level 43
    • Recoil Dampener Tier 4 - Level 45

  • Brenner 21
    Level 22 (Primary) Type: Heavy Machinegun | High Capacity Magazine, Medium fire-rate, high damage.

    The last weapon unlocked in the Assault tree. A powerful firearm useful in assault waves, since its accuracy is higher than most Assault weapons. Its high damage staggers most special units, discluding the Bulldozer. It can overpower Bulldozers on Hard difficulty if used skillfully, however. Its recoil can make it a bit hard to control, but its titanic magazine size recompensates for it, allowing for some misses to take place but still have ammo to spare.


    10 upgrades:
    • Magazine Extension Tier 1 - Level 24
    • Damage Increase Tier 1 - Level 27
    • Recoil Dampener + Bipod Tier 1 - Level 31
    • Magazine Extension Tier 2 - Level 37
    • Damage Increase Tier 2 - Level 39
    • Magazine Extension Tier 3 - Level 42
    • Recoil Dampener + Reflex Sight Tier 2 - Level 46
    • Damage Increase Tier 4 - Level 47
    • Magazine Extension + Box magazine Tier 4 - Level 48
Sharpshooter
  • Locomotive 12 Gauge Shotgun
    Level 7 (Secondary) Type: Shotgun | 12 Gauge, High fire-rate, slower reloads

    The first weapon unlocked in the Sharpshooter tree. Though underpowered, modifications to this weapon can make it a dangerous close-quarters hand cannon. Its mediocre damage and fire rates are suppressed by its slower reload time.


    10 upgrades:
    • Fire Rate Increase Tier 1 - Level 10
    • Magazine Increase Tier 1 - Level 13
    • Reload Speed Increase Tier 1 - Level 15
    • Fire Rate Increase + Low Friction Barrel Tier 2 - Level 23
    • Recoil Dampener Tier 1 - Level 28
    • Fire Rate Increase Tier 3 - Level 34
    • Magazine Increase + Magazine Extension Tier 2 - Level 38
    • Reload Speed Increase Tier 2 - Level 40
    • Fire Rate Increase + Custom Foregrip Tier 4 - Level 44
    • Recoil Dampener Tier 2 - Level 46

  • M308 Rifle
    Level 17 (Primary) Type: Semi-auto Rifle | 7.62mm, high damage, high fire-rate

    The second weapon unlocked in the Sharpshooter tree. Its high accuracy is good for picking off police officers one by one. If that isn't your style, then you'll be glad to hear this; Its high damage and range can be useful for close quarters combat with the cops as well!


    10 upgrades:
    • Accuracy Increase Tier 1 - Level 19
    • Recoil Dampener Tier 1 - Level 24
    • Damage Increase Tier 1 - Level 26
    • Accuracy Increase + Red Dot Scope Tier 1 - Level 31
    • Magazine Increase Tier 1 - Level 35
    • Recoil Dampener Tier 2 - Level 37
    • Recoil Dampener Tier 3 - Level 41
    • Damage Increase Tier 2 - Level 43
    • Magazine Increase Tier 2 - Level 45
    • Recoil Dampener Tier 4 - Level 48
Technician (DLC)
NOTE: All of the weapon unlocks shown here can only be acquired by purchasing the Wolf Pack DLC on Steam for $9.99 USD, unless it goes on sale for lower. I highly recommend it, as you get 2 additional heists to add to your selection, in addition to some new tools to have fun with.

  • STRYK Pistol
    Level 2 (Sidearm) Type: Automatic Pistol | Extremely high fire-rate, large mag-size, lengthy reloads

    The STRYK pistol is the first Technician DLC weapon unlock. It is a pistol capable of full auto fire. Though on paper an auto pistol sounds lovely, it requires some discipline to use. Use your ammunition sparingly, or else you'll find yourself with an empty gun. The reloading can take some getting used to, and with the perks the high firerate brings, it also brings higher recoil and more time spent reloading. However, a fully loaded STRYK can be the perfect tool for shredding through crowds of enemies and quick elimination of special enemies.


    10 upgrades:
    • Magazine Extension + Extended Magazine Tier 1 - Level 3
    • Reload Speed Increase Tier 1 - Level 4
    • Damage Increase Tier 1 - Level 8
    • Reload Speed Increase Tier 2 - Level 13
    • Recoil Dampener Tier 1 - Level 14
    • Magazine Extension Tier 2 - Level 20
    • Recoil Dampener Tier 2 - Level 26
    • Magazine Extension Tier 3 - Level 34
    • Magazine Extension Tier 4 - Level 43
    • Damage Increase Tier 2 - Level 46

  • AK Rifle
    Level 9 (Primary) Type: Assault Rifle | 7.62mm, fully automatic, high recoil.

    The AK Rifle is the second weapon that becomes available to players who own the Wolf Pack DLC. It compares well with the AMCAR-4, but with subtle differences. The AK has a higher rate of fire, and can be upgraded to deal more damage than the AMCAR-4 can.


    12 upgrades:
    • Recoil Dampener Tier 1 - Level 12
    • Damage Increase Tier 1 - Level 15
    • Accuracy Increase + Reflex Sight Tier 1 - Level 18
    • Recoil Dampener Tier 2 - Level 22
    • Magazine Extension (30 Bullets) Tier 1 - Level 27
    • Damage Increase Tier 2 - Level 30
    • Magazine Extension (35 Bullets) Tier 2 - Level 32
    • Damage Increase Tier 3 - Level 37
    • Accuracy Increase Tier 2 - Level 40
    • Recoil Dampener + Lightweight Frame Tier 3 - Level 41
    • Damage Increase Tier 4 - Level 44
    • Recoil Dampener Tier 4 - Level 48

  • GL40
    Level 21 (Secondary) Type: Grenade Launcher | Splash Damage, 40mm, Low Ammo

    The third and final weapon unlock available with the Wolf Pack DLC. It is a devastating grenade launcher that fires 40mm grenades and explodes in a medium-sized radius (about 5-6m). Because of this, it can be useful for clearing cramped hallways with ease. However, incorrect use can deplete its ammo quickly. A single well aimed shot can take out crowds of enemies easily. Its splash damage can help clear a medium radius of police units instantaneously. Upgrades can allow its grenades to have a larger explosion radius.


    8 upgrades:
    • Explosion Increase Tier 1 - Level 23
    • Clip Increase (Five Grenades) Tier 1 - Level 25
    • Explosion Increase Tier 2 - Level 28
    • Damage Increase Tier 1 - Level 31
    • Damage Increase Tier 2 - Level 35
    • Clip Increase (Seven Grenades) Tier 2 - Level 39
    • Damage Increase Tier 3 - Level 42
    • Damage Increase + High Explosive Round Tier 4 - Level 47
Conclusion
As you can see, Payday: The Heist has a few weapons which, through further dedication, can become a very handy firearm during your criminal career.
96 Comments
SteppedTuba50 2 Oct @ 9:25am 
dope guide
federico.consumi 11 May @ 12:48pm 
Thx! very nice and helpfull guide!
London :3 7 Feb @ 11:53am 
Thanks man, legendary dude
fekn 21 Aug, 2024 @ 7:17am 
noice
EvolvedSkittles 22 Jun, 2024 @ 1:37am 
this helped ALOT when i was playing this game thanks a million
Joaquinini740 14 Jun, 2023 @ 4:40pm 
under-rated guide
Papazhoom 14 Jun, 2022 @ 8:33am 
good
Niko Bellic 29 Nov, 2021 @ 8:25am 
I aplaude how much detail u put in this
[LIT] Jolly Hudduh 28 Nov, 2021 @ 1:44pm 
Peterson are you sure you upgraded the technician skill tree and have the guns unlocked?
Peterson 6 Mar, 2020 @ 2:13pm 
i bought the dlc pack and i can't use the guns at all