Developers of Payday 3 Dive into Combat Enhancements: Unveiling Alterations in Difficulty Levels, Weapons, Armor, and Enemies

The marketing campaign for Payday 3 is in full swing, as the release date approaches. Starbreeze is now releasing a weekly developer diary, with today’s video focusing on the combat changes made in Payday 2. One significant change is the team’s explanation of how difficulty works in the game.

Payday 3 offers four difficulty levels: normal, hard, very hard, and overkill. The intention is for new players to start with normal difficulty as they learn the ropes. Once they are comfortable, they can progress to hard mode, which is the default difficulty for leveling up. Very hard difficulty is for experienced players who have reached a certain level of progression and have a loadout they are comfortable with. Overkill difficulty is planned to be a brutal and unfair challenge.

In addition to difficulty levels, the game also makes changes to enemies. Unlike other games, Payday 3 doesn’t segregate enemies based on difficulty. Instead, enemy numbers, accuracy, and damage are adjusted. Health values remain consistent across difficulties to encourage players of different skill levels to play together without feeling bored or overwhelmed.

Players have the option to customize their character’s speed based on the equipment they choose to wear. Armor can be broken down and replenished with armor bags, while health does not regenerate.

However, certain enemies have the ability to directly damage a player’s health. Payday 3 categorizes enemies into three types: common (SWAT), uncommon (snipers or shield-wielding enemies), and specials like Bulldozers, Zappers, and Cloakers, all of which have received upgrades in this game.

Starbreeze has specifically highlighted the shield SWAT, as their AI allies now take cover behind them more effectively, making the shield enemy more formidable than in previous installments. Each weapon in the game has its own progression path, unlocking new options and ways to use it as the player gains experience.

Additionally, Payday 3 introduces preset weapons that come preconfigured with specific mods. Players can continue to level up these preset weapons. Overkill weapons can be unlocked during a heist as power-ups by completing certain objectives, providing an advantage in high-intensity combat situations.

Lastly, there are several gadgets available in the game, including an ECM Jammer that locks enemy alerts and a mini camera that can be strategically placed throughout the map.

Payday 3 will be launching on September 21st with cross-play and cross-progression. For leaked gameplay footage, click here.