Payday 2 is the definitive cooperative heist FPS where 4 players plan and execute robberies ranging from bank vaults to art gallery heists. The game offers two distinct approaches to every heist — stealth (ghost through security, avoid cameras, silently bag loot) and loud (fight waves of police while completing objectives). The perk deck and skill tree systems create specialized builds for each approach. With over 80 heists and hundreds of weapons, Payday 2 has more content than most entire franchises. The game's community remains strong with regular events and the endgame difficulty levels (Death Sentence One Down) providing challenges for even veteran players.
Resource management and crafting determine how quickly your power scales. This guide covers what to prioritize, where to farm, and how to avoid wasting resources on the wrong upgrades.
Crafting Priority List
The order you should invest resources:
| Priority | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Primary weapons | Biggest damage increase per resource spent |
| 2 | Core build gear | Enables your role's key synergies |
| 3 | Defensive upgrades | Survivability for boss fights |
| 4 | Secondary weapons | Situational options for specific content |
| 5 | Consumables | Temporary boosts for hard content |
Resource Farming by Area
Bank Heist
Key resources: Cash, XP, stealth practice, fundamental heist mechanics Farming efficiency: Low value per run, but safe and consistent
Focus on gathering materials for Car-4 Rifle upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Shadow Raid
Key resources: High-value loot, stealth mastery test, unique rewards Farming efficiency: Good early-game farming spot
Focus on gathering materials for Car-4 Rifle upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Hoxton Breakout
Key resources: Massive XP, intense combat experience, story progression Farming efficiency: Best mid-game farming, worth revisiting
Focus on gathering materials for Car-4 Rifle upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Big Bank
Key resources: Strategic planning experience, high cash reward, multiple approaches Farming efficiency: High-value materials for late-game upgrades
This is where you farm materials for Raven Shotgun max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Cook Off
Key resources: Infinite XP scaling, endurance challenge, meth cooking practice Farming efficiency: Best resources in the game, requires strong build
This is where you farm materials for Raven Shotgun max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Upgrade Path
Early Game (Bank Heist — Shadow Raid)
- Upgrade your starting weapons to functional level
- Craft basic defensive gear
- Save specialty materials — you'll need them later
- Focus on Car-4 Rifle once accessible
Mid Game (Hoxton Breakout)
- Push Car-4 Rifle to mid-level upgrades
- Start collecting materials for Raven Shotgun
- Craft situational consumables for boss fights
- Upgrade build-specific gear pieces
Late Game (Big Bank — Cook Off)
- Max out Raven Shotgun — this is your top priority
- Complete your build's core gear set
- Craft endgame consumables
- Optional: upgrade secondary weapons for variety
Crafting Mistakes to Avoid
- Spreading upgrades across multiple weapons — Focus one weapon to max before diversifying.
- Hoarding materials — Use them. The game provides enough if you farm efficiently.
- Upgrading the wrong gear — Check our builds guide before investing.
- Ignoring Hoxton Breakout farming — This area has the best resource-to-time ratio in mid-game.
- Crafting consumables too early — Save specialty materials for late-game recipes.
Resource Efficiency Tips
- Inspire Aced is the most important skill in the game for loud heists. Shouting at a downed teammate from 10 meters away to revive them saves runs constantly. Every loud build should have it.
- Farm Hoxton Breakout during mid-game for the best return on time
- Check the walkthrough to know when each resource becomes available
- Match your farming route to your build — some classes farm faster in certain areas
More Payday 2 Guides
- Payday 2 Payday 2 Overview
- Payday 2 Best Builds
- Payday 2 Tier List
- Payday 2 Walkthrough
- Payday 2 Beginner's Guide
- Payday 2 Tips & Tricks
- Payday 2 Weapons Guide
- Payday 2 Combat Guide
- Payday 2 Boss Guide
- Payday 2 Maps & Locations
- Payday 2 Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Payday 2, check out these related guides:
- Counter-Strike 2 Crafting Guide — fps game with similar mechanics
- Apex Legends Crafting Guide — fps game with similar mechanics
- Rainbow Six Siege Crafting Guide — fps game with similar mechanics
