Payday 3 skill tree explained – how skill points work

The skill tree in Payday 3 is interesting because it allows you to play in any way you want to. For players who like going loud, there are skills for that. For the ones who prefer hacking, well the game’s got you covered. The skills make the combat and other mechanics of Payday 3 fun and more lively. However, if you’re a newcomer to the series like I am, the skill tree is rather confusing. To help understand how this system works, this guide will explain the skill tree system in Payday 3, and how the skill points work. So read on below.

Payday 3: Skill tree explained and how skill points work

Understanding the progression system will take you far in Payday 3. Things may even become easier on the harder modes. Let’s break it down so you can get back to your heist. When you go into your loadout press it and you’ll see skills in a line. This is what many are calling a skill line. To unlock a skill line, research it. Once, the research bar is filled the skill line is available to use. This allows you to spend the skill points on the line. To use the skill you bought, equip it by pressing T on the skill you want. At the start, you can only equip 3 but that number can go up to at least 5 as you progress your Infamy. Note: The starting node in the line is also an equipable skill. When it’s on your loadout, it will count towards your skill count.

Screenshot: PC Invasion

How to earn skill points

Getting skill points is easy to do, all you have to do is level up your Infamy. The more you level up, the more points you can accumulate. To level up your Infanmy, simply play the heists and do everything each match asks of you. This is just one way to quickly level up in Payday 3. I often forgot the spend my skill points, the game does give an indicator of how many points you have, but you’ll have to remember it yourself. If you press and hold T, you can reset the skills and swap to other unlocked traits. I did this a few times to experiment with different builds. Resetting your skills is something many Payday 3 players will do because it can show you how to play in different ways. Which I believe you should be doing often.

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Payday 3 is available now via Steam.