Payday 2
Payday 2

Mallcrasher

Maximize your earnings in the Payday 2 Mallcrasher heist. Our guide details efficient assault strategies for destroying property and securing loot.

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Mallcrasher

The "Mallcrasher" heist is a high-octane smash-and-grab operation focused on maximum destruction and quick extraction. Your primary objective is to cause a specific amount of property damage within the mall to trigger the escape. This guide will walk you through the most efficient ways to achieve this, whether you're playing solo or with a crew.

Loadout Recommendations

  • Weapons: For pure destruction, shotguns are king. The IZHMA 12G Shotgun or the Reinfeld 880 Shotgun with high-capacity magazines and damage modifications are ideal. Pair it with a high-fire-rate secondary like the Akimbo SMGs or a powerful pistol for dealing with law enforcement.
  • Equipment:
    • Ammo Bags: Essential for sustained destruction, especially on higher difficulties.
    • Doctor Bags: Crucial for keeping your crew in the fight as the police presence escalates.
    • Grenade Launcher (Optional): The China Puff 40mm Grenade Launcher can quickly rack up damage in crowded areas, but be mindful of friendly fire.
  • Perk Decks:
    • Muscle: Provides health regeneration and increased health, allowing you to tank more damage while smashing.
    • Anarchist: Offers armor gating and armor regeneration, excellent for aggressive playstyles.
    • Grinder: If you can consistently deal damage, Grinder's health regeneration can be very strong.

Walkthrough Steps

Phase 1: Initial Infiltration & Damage Accumulation

Upon spawning, your immediate goal is to begin destroying property. The mall is filled with easily breakable items that contribute to your damage meter. The faster you hit the required damage threshold, the sooner your escape vehicle arrives.

  1. Main Atrium Blitz: Start by clearing out the main atrium. Focus on the large glass displays, kiosks, and storefront windows. These offer significant damage points.
  2. Electronics Store: Head into the electronics store (often located near the main entrance). Smash all the TVs, computers, and display cases. This area is a goldmine for quick damage.
  3. Clothing Stores: Enter any clothing stores. Destroy mannequins, clothing racks, and display shelves. While less impactful per item than electronics, they are plentiful.
  4. Food Court Frenzy: The food court is another excellent area. Break tables, chairs, food stands, and any glass partitions.

Strategy Tip: Spread out your crew if playing with others. Assign each player a section of the mall to maximize damage output and cover more ground quickly. Communicate your progress on the damage meter.

Phase 2: Sustained Destruction & Police Engagement

As you accumulate damage, the police response will intensify. Expect more aggressive units like Tasers, Cloakers, and Shields.

  • Prioritize High-Value Targets: Continue to focus on electronics, large glass displays, and anything that breaks easily. Don't waste time on small, low-damage items if more lucrative targets are available.
  • Defensive Positions: As the police swarm, establish temporary defensive positions. The clothing stores or the back rooms of larger stores can offer some cover.
  • Manage Ammo & Health: Deploy Ammo Bags and Doctor Bags strategically. Don't wait until you're completely out of ammo or health to resupply.
  • Watch for Special Units:
    • Tasers: Prioritize these units as they can incapacitate a player, making them vulnerable.
    • Cloakers: Listen for their distinctive audio cues and be prepared for their charge attacks.
    • Shields: Use explosives, flank them, or use armor-piercing rounds if available.

Important Note: The damage meter will slowly tick up as you destroy items. Keep an eye on it to know when you're nearing the objective. The escape will only be triggered once the damage requirement is met.

Phase 3: Escape

Once the damage objective is complete, Bain will announce the escape plan. The escape vehicle's location can vary, but it's typically either:

  • Front Entrance: The van will pull up directly outside the main mall entrance.
  • Parking Lot: The van might be located in the parking lot, requiring you to exit through a side door or the main entrance and navigate through the lot.

Escape Strategy:

  1. Consolidate: Regroup with your team and move as a unit towards the escape zone.
  2. Clear a Path: Use your remaining ammunition to clear a path through any remaining law enforcement. Don't linger to fight unnecessary engagements.
  3. Sprint to Safety: Once you reach the escape zone, interact with the vehicle to secure your escape.

Pro Tip: On higher difficulties, the escape can be the most challenging part due to the sheer volume of enemies. Consider throwing a few grenades or using a well-placed sentry gun (if you brought one) to create a momentary clear path to the escape vehicle.