Image Credit: Bethesda
Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.
Image via Deep Silver

10 Best Payday 3 Builds – Stealth and Loud

Trying to play Payday 3 efficiently? We have ten unique builds for stealth and loud scenarios.

Payday 3 differs from its predecessor with a new skill point system. Although it’s simplified quite a bit compared to what fans are used to, there are still many skills to mix and match with. With this much variety, it can be intimidating to craft an efficient setup though. Here’s our list of the ten best Stealth and Loud Builds for Payday 3.

Recommended Videos

10 Best Payday 3 Builds – Stealth and Loud

We’ll be separating this list into two parts: one for stealth and one for loud. Don’t worry about them being solely meant for one play style; we’ve included some that strike a balance. These builds will also be based on the maximum 21 skill points you can have. If you don’t have that many available yet, feel free to make your builds as close as you can. Finally, the Aced versions of the primary skills will be listed separately since they require an additional point.

Best Payday 3 Stealth Builds

Best Payday 3 Loud Builds

Best Payday 3 Stealth Builds

Image via Deep Silver

Casing Support

If you’re worried about being too clumsy during stealth, this is the build for you. There are some skills to help you actively participate, but you can just as easily help from a distance by marking targets and hacking things. The Hacker and Grifter skill lines are your best friends here, but we also added some from CQC Specialist to improve your takedowns.

Skill TreeSkills
GrifterGrifter, Grifter Aced, Walk the Walk, Social Engineering, Open Mic, Slippery
HackerHacker, Hacker Aced, Secure Loop, Appliance Breach, Routed Ping, Glitch Protocol, Signal Catch
Strategist Strategist, Strategist Aced
CQC SpecialistCQC Specialist, CQC Specialist Aced, Groundskeeper, Savage Takedown, Cover-Up

No Mask

One of the most noteworthy additions to Payday 3 is being able to do plenty more without masking up. It’s even possible to complete some heists this way if you’re crafty enough. This build allows you to accomplish that with the Grifter and Infiltrator skill lines. There are some extra points left over, so we put them into skills that can help you in case you do need to mask up during stealth.

Skill TreeSkills
InfiltratorInfiltrator, Infiltrator Aced, Quick Fingers, Retriever, Bagger, Blade Bouncer, Frugal Thrower
GrifterGrifter, Walk the Walk, Social Engineering, Open Mic, Slippery
HackerHacker, Hacker Aced, Secure Loop, Appliance Breach, Routed Ping, Glitch Protocol, Signal Catch
StrategistStrategist, Strategist Aced

Related: How to Stealth No Rest for the Wicked

Ghost

If you want to be stealthy, but still deadly, we’ve got you covered. We mixed some of the previous skills with those that let you remain a nuisance in combat. The primary focus is on the Hacker, Tactician, and Grifter lines.

Skill TreeSkills
InfiltratorInfiltrator, Infiltrator Aced, Quick Fingers, Bagger
GrifterGrifter, Walk the Walk, Social Engineering, Open Mic
HackerHacker, Hacker Aced, Secure Loop, Appliance Breach, Routed Ping, Glitch Protocol, Signal Catch
TacticianTactician, Tactician Aced, Coup de Grace, Discombobulate, Expose, Scramble

Intimidating and Efficient

This is the build you want to use if you prefer to just rush in and take command of everyone in a room. While everyone else is sneaking, you’re the one shouting and keeping civilians in check. The CQC Specialist line provides the build with flexibility in and out of combat.

Skill TreeSkills
EscapistSwift
ManipulatorManipulator, Manipulator Aced, Overbearing, Silver Tongue, Negotiator, Menacing, Stockholm Syndrome, Master Trader
GrifterGrifter, Grifter Aced, Open Mic
HackerSignal Catch
CQC Specialist CQC Specialist, CQC Specialist Aced, Soft Assets, Groundskeeper, Pin Puller, Savage Takedown, Pressure Points, Cover-Up

Jack of All Trades

Sometimes heists don’t go as planned. For those cases where you don’t want to restart and want to keep it going, this build is for you.

Skill TreeSkills
MedicMedic, Medic Aced, Steady Hands, Extra Charge, Combat Medic, Code Blue, Triage, Field Surgery
Ammo SpecialistAmmo Specialist
InfiltratorInfiltrator, Infiltrator Aced, Quick Fingers, Bagger
EscapistSwift
DemolitionistExtra Munitions
GrifterGrifter, Grifter Aced, Walk the Walk, Social Engineering, Open Mic
CQC SpecialistCover-Up

Best Payday 3 Loud Builds

Image via Deep Silver

The Regenerator

Using a mix of different skills, this build relies on the new Edge and Grit buffs to help you constantly regenerate your armor. Keep the helmets flying enough and your armor will keep coming back. It’s worth mentioning that on lower difficulties you can be reckless, but you won’t feel as OP on higher difficulties.

Skill TreeSkills
Ammo SpecialistAmmo Specialist, Ammo Specialist Aced, Scorunger, Plate Up
MowerMower, Ammo Funnel, Replenish
TankTank, Tank Aced, Hardy, Extra Plates, Armor Up, Last Man Standing
SharpshooterSharpshooter, Cutting Shot
EnforcerEnforcer, Enforcer Aced, Combat Reload
GunslingerGunslinger, Gunslinger Aced, Heavy Hipfire

The Wall

The goal of this build is to turn you into a tank that can hold the line. Some of the previous build’s selections can be found here, but we placed more of an emphasis on the Mower and Tank skill lines.

Skill TreeSkills
Ammo SpecialistAmmo Specialist, Ammo Specialist Aced, Scorunger, Plate Up
MowerMower, Mower Aced, Recoil Handling, Suppressive Fire, Ammo Funnel, Replenish
TankTank, Tank Aced, Hardy, Extra Plates, Armor Up, Last Man Standing, Disengage 
EnforcerEnforcer, Enforcer Aced, Face to Face, Solid

Engineer

Sentry guns make their return from the previous game, but they function a bit differently this time around. You’ll enjoy this if you love the idea of using these little guys. As the name implies, we’ll be focusing strongly on the Engineer skill tree, but we’ll also include stagger-related skills.

Skill TreeSkills
MowerMower, Mower Aced, Suppressive Fire
EngineerEngineer, Engineer Aced, AP Turret, Cooling System, Detonation, Spin Cycle, Dual Sentries, Targeted Fire
GunslingerGunslinger, Gunslinger Aced, From the Hip, Heavy Hipfire, Finisher, Quick Draw
TacticianTactician, Tactician Aced, Coup de Grace, Scramble

Best Road Rage Build

Since we’ve found a lot of success grinding levels through the Road Rage heist, we figured it deserved its own spot among your loadouts. This should keep you well-prepared to deal with the onslaught of cops as well as quickly transport the loot.

Skill TreeSkills
InfiltratorInfiltrator, Quick Fingers, Bagger, Frugal Thrower
SharpshooterSharpshooter, Sharpshooter Aced, Cutting Shot
EscapistEscapist, Escapist Aced, Balanced, Swift
DemolitionistDemolitionist, Demolitionist Aced, Blowback, Overcooked, Extra Munitions
EnforcerEnforcer, Enforcer Aced, Face to Face, Combat Reload
TacticianScramble

Medic/Support

This build is all about being the best team player and helping out the rest of your group. The primary focus is on the Medic and Manipulator skill trees.

Skill TreeSkills
MedicMedic, Medic Aced, Steady Hands, Extra Charge, Combat Medic, Code Blue, Triage, Field Surgery
Ammo SpecialistAmmo Specialist, Mag Throw
ManipulatorManipulator, Manipulator Aced, Overbearing, Silver Tongue, Negotiator, Menacing, Stockholm Syndrome, Master Trader
EscapistEscapist
StrategistStrategist, Strategist Aced

That covers our top 10 Stealth and Loud builds in Payday 3. Even with the right setup, it helps to know the ins and outs of each heist though. We’ve got all the tips and tricks you need at our PD3 guides hub.


GameSkinny is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
Author
Image of Samuel Moreno
Samuel Moreno
Samuel is a freelance writer who has had work published with Hard Drive, GameSkinny, Otaquest, and PhenixxGaming. He's a big fan of the Metal Gear Solid and Resident Evil series, but truth be told he'd sell his soul simply for a new Ape Escape game.