Payday 2
Payday 2

Stealth Approach: First World Bank — Payday 2 Guide

Execute a stealth approach on First World Bank in Payday 2. Secure the lobby, disable security via the server room, and loot the vault using ECM Jammers and sil.

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Stealth Approach: First World Bank

Stealth Approach: First World Bank - Payday 2 screenshot
Mastering the First World Bank stealth requires precision and coordination.

The First World Bank offers a classic stealth challenge, rewarding meticulous planning and execution. A successful stealth run hinges on controlling key areas, managing civilian presence, and expertly disabling security systems. This guide will walk you through each critical step to achieve a flawless heist.

I. Initial Reconnaissance and Entry

Upon spawning, take a moment to observe the bank's layout. The main entrance is the primary point of entry for stealth. Your immediate goals are to secure the lobby and gain access to the manager's office.

  • Entry Point: The front doors are your standard entry. Be mindful of the camera directly above the entrance.
  • Initial Camera Control: There are typically 2-3 cameras in the main lobby. One is usually above the entrance, another near the teller line, and potentially one overlooking the stairs to the second floor. Prioritize taking these out with silenced weapons as soon as possible to prevent detection.
  • Civilian Management: The lobby is often bustling with civilians. Your team should designate one or two players for immediate civilian control. Use intimidation (shouting) to get them on the ground. Be prepared to cable tie them if they attempt to flee or call the police.

II. Securing the Lobby and Manager's Office

This phase is critical for establishing a secure perimeter and acquiring the manager's keycard.

  1. Lobby Control:
    • Civilians: As mentioned, get all civilians in the lobby down. There can be anywhere from 5 to 10 civilians. Cable ties are essential here.
    • Guards: The lobby usually has 1-2 patrolling guards. One often patrols the main floor, sometimes venturing near the teller booths or the entrance. Another might patrol the stairs or the second-floor balcony. Eliminate these guards discreetly using silenced weapons.
    • Pagers: Remember, each guard elimination triggers a pager. You have 4 pagers total to answer without raising an alarm. Coordinate with your team to ensure pagers are answered promptly.
  2. Manager's Office Access:
    • Location: The manager's office is located on the second floor, typically to the right or left of the main staircase, often identifiable by a frosted glass door or a "Manager" sign.
    • Entry: The door can be lockpicked or opened with a keycard if a guard drops it (though this is rare for the office itself). Lockpicking is the most common method.
    • Inside the Office:
      • Manager NPC: The bank manager will be inside. Intimidate them and tie them down immediately.
      • Manager's Keycard: The manager carries a keycard. This is a crucial item for accessing the server room. Pick it up from their body.
      • Desk Loot: Check the manager's desk for potential loose cash or small valuables.

III. Server Room Access and Security Disablement

With the manager's keycard in hand, your next objective is the server room to disable the bank's security systems.

  1. Locating the Server Room: The server room is typically located on the second floor, often near the manager's office or further down a hallway. It's usually a small, nondescript room.
  2. Using the Keycard: Approach the server room door and interact with it. The manager's keycard will automatically be used to unlock it. This is a quick and silent entry method.
  3. Disabling Security: Inside the server room, you'll find a server rack with a blinking light. Interact with it to disable the bank's security.
    • Security Measures Disabled: This action will permanently disable all remaining cameras in the bank, making subsequent movements much safer. It also disables laser grids if they were active, and most importantly, it unlocks the vault door.
    • Important Note: Disabling security does NOT affect pagers. You still need to answer any pagers from eliminated guards.

IV. Vault Access and Looting

With security disabled, the vault is now accessible. This is where the real payday begins.

  1. Vault Location: The vault is on the ground floor, usually behind the teller line or in a back room. It's a large, unmistakable metal door.
  2. Opening the Vault: Since security was disabled via the server room, the vault door will now be open. There's no drilling or thermite required for stealth.
  3. Looting the Vault:
    • Cash Stacks: The vault contains numerous stacks of cash. Grab these quickly.
    • Deposit Boxes: There will also be a large number of deposit boxes. These require lockpicking. This is where ECM Jammers can shine to speed up the process.
    • Gold/Jewelry: Occasionally, you might find gold bars or jewelry inside the vault, which are high-value items.
  4. Loot Bag Management:
    • Discreet Movement: Once you have loot bags, move them carefully. Avoid line of sight from any remaining civilians or guards (if you haven't tied them all down or eliminated them).
    • Escape Route: The escape vehicle typically arrives at the front of the bank. You'll need to move bags from the vault, through the lobby, and out the front door. Consider throwing bags over the teller counters to shorten the path.

V. ECM Jammer Usage and Advanced Tips

ECM Jammers are your best friend for a stealth run on First World Bank.

  • Pager Delay: A placed ECM Jammer will delay pagers from going off for a short duration (usually 20-30 seconds depending on skills). This is invaluable for eliminating multiple guards in quick succession without immediately needing to answer pagers.
  • Door Opening: ECM Jammers can instantly open certain electronic doors, though this is less critical on First World Bank as most doors can be lockpicked or keycarded.
  • Deposit Box Speed: With the "ECM Overdrive" skill (Ghost skill tree), ECM Jammers can be used to instantly open deposit boxes. This is a massive time-saver in the vault.
  • Team Coordination: Communicate ECM usage. Don't waste them. Use them strategically when you have multiple guards to take down or a cluster of deposit boxes to open.
  • Common Pitfalls:
    • Unseen Civilians: Always check behind counters, in offices, and on the second floor for stray civilians. One civilian calling the police can ruin your run.
    • Camera Blind Spots: While you aim to disable cameras, be aware of their coverage before they are down. Don't linger in their sight lines.
    • Guard Pathing: Guards have somewhat randomized patrols. Observe their routes before engaging.
    • Rushing Pagers: Don't rush to answer pagers if you're in a dangerous spot. Use an ECM if necessary to buy time.

By following these detailed steps and coordinating effectively with your crew, you'll be able to consistently pull off a clean stealth heist on the First World Bank, securing maximum loot and experience without firing a single bullet (beyond silenced eliminations).