Payday 2
Payday 2

Secondary Weapons

Payday 2 secondary weapons: pistols, SMGs, akimbo, and special. Choose for backup, stealth, or close-quarters combat to complement your primary.

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Secondary Weapons

In Payday 2, your secondary weapon is far more than just a backup; it's a crucial component of your loadout, often defining your playstyle or filling critical gaps left by your primary. Whether you're a stealth operative needing maximum concealment, a loud enforcer demanding overwhelming firepower, or a support player requiring specialized utility, the right secondary can elevate your game significantly. This section will delve into the various secondary weapon types, highlight key examples, and discuss how to best integrate them into your builds.

Understanding Secondary Weapon Roles

Before diving into specific weapons, it's essential to understand the primary roles a secondary can fulfill:

  • Concealment & Stealth: Many pistols excel here, allowing you to reach critical detection risk breakpoints (e.g., 3 detection risk for Low Blow/Sneaky Bastard perks).
  • Close-Quarters Battle (CQB) DPS: SMGs and Akimbo weapons can shred enemies at close range, often compensating for a primary weapon that's less effective in tight spaces.
  • Specialized Utility: Weapons like the 5/7 AP Pistol offer unique capabilities such as shield penetration, while others might provide high accuracy for picking off specials at range.
  • Ammo Efficiency: Some secondaries can serve as a primary ammo-efficient option, allowing you to conserve more precious primary weapon ammunition for high-threat targets.
  • Panic Button: A high-damage, fast-firing secondary can be a lifesaver when you're overwhelmed and need to clear a path quickly.

Weapon Types and Notable Examples

Pistols

Pistols are the most versatile secondary type, offering a wide range of stats and utility. They are often the go-to for stealth builds due to their inherently high concealment.

  • 5/7 AP Pistol:
    • Use Case: Absolutely essential for dealing with Shields. Its armor-piercing rounds ignore shield protection, allowing you to shoot through them directly. Also decent against Tasers and Medics.
    • Build Archetype: Loud builds where shield penetration is paramount. Can be used in stealth, but its concealment isn't top-tier.
    • Key Mods: Flash Hider (concealment), Micro Laser (accuracy/stability).
  • Bernetti 9 / Chimano 88:
    • Use Case: Top-tier concealment for stealth builds, easily reaching 3 detection risk. Reliable for taking out guards silently.
    • Build Archetype: Pure stealth or hybrid builds where low detection risk is critical for perks like Low Blow or Sneaky Bastard.
    • Key Mods: Roctec Suppressor (concealment), Ergo Grip (stability), Micro Laser (accuracy/stability).
  • Crosskill Guard:
    • Use Case: A strong all-rounder with good damage and decent concealment. Can be a viable option for both loud and stealth, offering a balance.
    • Build Archetype: Versatile builds that need a reliable secondary without extreme specialization.
    • Key Mods: Custom Barrel (damage/accuracy), Flash Hider (concealment), Micro Laser.

Submachine Guns (SMGs)

SMGs are designed for rapid-fire engagements, excelling in close to medium range. They often have high rates of fire and decent magazine sizes, making them excellent for crowd control or quickly dispatching high-priority targets.

  • Micro Uzi (Compact 5):
    • Use Case: High rate of fire, good stability, and surprisingly decent concealment for an SMG. Can be modded for critical hit builds.
    • Build Archetype: Loud crit builds (e.g., Anarchist, Rogue) that need a fast-firing secondary to proc crits and deal sustained damage.
    • Key Mods: The Bigger The Better Suppressor (damage/concealment), Straight Magazine (stability), LED Combo (accuracy/stability).
  • Mark 10:
    • Use Case: High damage per shot for an SMG, making it effective against heavily armored units. Can be a solid alternative to akimbo SMGs for a single-wield option.
    • Build Archetype: Loud DPS builds, especially those focusing on headshots and burst damage.
    • Key Mods: The Bigger The Better Suppressor, LED Combo, Extended Magazine.

Akimbo Weapons

Akimbo weapons allow you to dual-wield two identical secondary weapons, dramatically increasing your raw damage output and suppression capabilities. This comes at the cost of higher ammo consumption and often lower accuracy/stability compared to single-wielded options.

  • Akimbo SMGs (e.g., Akimbo Krinkov, Akimbo Micro Uzi):
    • Use Case: Unparalleled close-range DPS. Excellent for shredding Dozers, Tasers, and large groups of enemies. Requires careful ammo management.
    • Build Archetype: Loud DPS builds (e.g., Grinder, Anarchist, Stoic) that prioritize raw damage output and can manage ammo effectively. Often paired with a primary that handles longer ranges or special targets.
    • Key Mods: The Bigger The Better Suppressor (damage/concealment), LED Combo (accuracy/stability), Extended Magazine.
  • Akimbo Pistols (e.g., Akimbo Castigo .44, Akimbo Crosskill):
    • Use Case: High burst damage, often with better accuracy than Akimbo SMGs. Can be modded for high concealment or high damage.
    • Build Archetype: Crit builds or builds that need a powerful secondary for quick enemy elimination. Akimbo Castigo .44, in particular, offers immense damage per shot.
    • Key Mods: Roctec Suppressor (concealment for crit builds), Flash Hider (damage/concealment), Micro Laser.

Special Secondary Weapons

This category includes unique weapons that don't fit neatly into the other classifications, often offering specialized utility.

  • Compact 40mm Grenade Launcher (Commando 101):
    • Use Case: Area-of-effect (AoE) damage, excellent for clearing groups of enemies or stunning Dozers. Limited ammo, so use strategically.
    • Build Archetype: Loud builds that need crowd control or a way to quickly deal with clustered enemies. Pairs well with single-target primary weapons.
    • Key Mods: Short Barrel (concealment), Compact Grip (stability).
  • Arbiter Grenade Launcher:
    • Use Case: Similar to the Compact 40mm but with slightly different stats. Often preferred for its higher damage potential.
    • Build Archetype: Loud builds requiring AoE damage and crowd control.
    • Key Mods: Short Barrel, Compact Grip.

The Impact of Weapon Mods

Weapon modifications are paramount in Payday 2, allowing you to tailor your secondary to your exact needs. Here’s a brief overview of how mods affect key stats:

  • Concealment: Crucial for stealth and for reaching detection risk breakpoints (e.g., 3 or 23) to activate perks like Low Blow and Sneaky Bastard. Suppressors and certain grips often provide the highest concealment bonuses.
  • Accuracy: Determines how tight your bullet spread is. Higher accuracy means more reliable headshots at range. Barrels, sights, and certain lasers boost accuracy.
  • Stability: Affects recoil control. Higher stability means less weapon kick, making sustained fire more manageable. Grips, stocks, and certain barrels improve stability.
  • Damage: Directly impacts how quickly you down enemies. Some barrels and suppressors can increase damage, often at the cost of concealment or stability.
  • Rate of Fire: How quickly the weapon fires. Primarily fixed per weapon, but some skills can influence it.
  • Magazine Size: How many rounds before reloading. Extended magazines are common and highly beneficial for sustained engagements.
  • Ammo Pickup: How many rounds you recover from ammo drops. Important for sustained combat.

When modding, always consider the primary role of your secondary. Are you aiming for maximum concealment for stealth, or are you sacrificing concealment for raw damage and stability in a loud build? Use the weapon preview in your inventory to see how each mod affects your stats and detection risk.

Integrating Secondaries into Your Build

The best secondary weapon is one that complements your primary and your chosen perk deck. Here are some common synergies:

  • Stealth Builds (Ghost/Burglar/Hacker): Prioritize high-concealment pistols like the Bernetti 9 or Chimano 88. Your goal is to reach 3 detection risk.
  • Crit Builds (Rogue/Anarchist/Grinder with Crit Skills): Akimbo SMGs (e.g., Akimbo Krinkov) or high-RoF single SMGs (e.g., Micro Uzi) are excellent for quickly proc'ing critical hits and shredding enemies. Pair with a primary that can handle longer ranges or specific threats.
  • Shield-Busting Builds: The 5/7 AP Pistol is non-negotiable if your primary struggles with Shields.
  • Dodge Builds (Rogue/Sicario): Often benefit from high-concealment, high-damage secondaries to maintain low detection risk for dodge bonuses, while still offering significant firepower. Akimbo pistols or powerful single pistols can work well.
  • Tank/Armour Builds (Armorer/Stoic/Kingpin): Can afford to run heavier, lower-concealment secondaries like Akimbo SMGs or grenade launchers, as they don't rely on low detection risk for survivability. Focus on maximizing DPS or utility.
Secondary Weapons - Payday 2 screenshot
A well-modded secondary can be just as deadly as your primary, offering specialized utility or overwhelming firepower.