Discover the power of an SMG build in Payday 3! Become a force to be reckoned with at close range, but beware of the consequences of reckless handling and neglecting ammo control. Our ultimate guide will equip you with the knowledge to create the perfect SMG loadout in Payday 3. Join us for an unforgettable journey through the world of Payday 3 and unleash the full potential of your submachine gun arsenal. Let’s dive in!
Factors to Consider for a Submachine Gun Build in Payday 3
Before starting this guide, let’s cover some key factors that determine if you will have a fun match with an SMG build in Payday 3. Consider these variables before jumping in, especially in higher difficulties.
Civilians And Hostages
One thing to consider when using Sub-machine guns in Payday 3 is that you will have a high rate of fire, meaning that you will rain bullets on enemies. It is vital to be mindful of your location to ensure you don’t mow down civilians and hostages, which will cost you money at the end of the match.
Ammo Reserves
With a Sub-machine loadout, you will be wasting a lot of ammo due to the nature of SMGs. Because of this, you must consider this and equip the proper favors, deployables, and skills to help you fulfill your ammo reserves.
Enemy Types
Sub-machine guns have low damage but make up for it with a high rate of fire. While effective against most enemies, they can struggle against special ones like dozers. Ensure your teammates are equipped for these situations or have a reliable sidearm to deal significant damage to tougher enemies.
Range Capabilities
Having a reliable sidearm, like the J&M Castigo 44, is crucial for a build like this. SMGs excel at close range but may lack effectiveness at longer distances, especially against snipers. So, having a versatile sidearm to handle enemies at different ranges is highly valuable.
Difficulty Options
In Payday 3, higher difficulties pose more significant challenges with formidable enemies in larger quantities. Good decision-making, timing, and a solid build are essential to overcome these tougher difficulties, such as Very Hard and Overkill.
Related: A Full Payday 3 Turret Build for Laid-Back Carnage
Our Top Loadout for an SMG Build in Payday 3
While submachine guns are not considered META in Payday 3, they can still be effective in skilled hands and with a competent team. SMGs allow you to unleash a hail of bullets on enemies, making it easier to take down large groups.
This article will guide you in shaping your build and optimizing the use of any SMG in Payday 3. We also encourage you to explore all the options Payday 3 offers and create your own customized build variations.
Best Skill Trees in Payday 3 for SMG Builds
- Mower: Perfect for new players or those needing to unlock other skill trees. It enhances combat performance with reload speeds, stagger abilities, and more.
- Ammo Specialist: Prevent ammo shortages with this skill tree! Increase reserves and boost ammo pick-ups for prolonged combat effectiveness without running out of bullets.
- Escapist: High mobility is crucial when using an SMG in Payday 3 for fast map traversal, repositioning, enemy clearance, and escaping dangerous situations. The Escapist skill tree enhances your mobility and vaulting speed, making you a harder target to hit.
- Enforcer: Sub-machine guns in Payday 3 excel at close-range combat, requiring you to engage enemies up close. The Enforcer skill tree boosts your damage, reload speed, and more.
- Gunslinger: The Gunslinger skill tree complements the Enforcer perfectly by rewarding you for staying on the frontline. It significantly improves hip fire accuracy and provides other buffs when shooting from the hip.
18 Best Skills for a SMG Build in Payday 3
All these skills are incredibly convenient and advantageous when it comes to efficiently handling and maximizing the potential of sub-machine guns in the highly anticipated game Payday 3. Whether it’s mastering recoil control, optimizing reload speed, or enhancing accuracy, having a well-rounded skill set will undoubtedly give players a competitive edge in their exhilarating heist adventures.
- Mower: Mower
- Recoil Handling: Mower
- Suppressive Fire: Mower
- Ammo Funnel: Mower
- Ammo Specialist: Ammo Specialist
- Fully Loaded: Ammo Specialist
- Top Up: Ammo Specialist
- Escapist: Escapist
- Move and Cover: Escapist
- Swift: Escapist
- Enforcer: Enforcer
- Quick Reload: Enforcer
- Face to Face: Enforcer
- Solid: Enforcer
- Shock & Awe: Enforcer
- Gunslinger: Gunslinger
- From the Hip: Gunslinger
- Heavy Hipfire: Gunslinger
Related Article: How to Use a Controller in Payday 3 on PC
The Best Submachine Guns fro this SMG Loadout in Payday 3
- SG Compact-7: The SG Compact-7 is hands down the best sub-machine gun in Payday 3. It offers a very high rate of fire while still being very accurate and having very easy-to-control recoil. This SMG offers minor damage but helps you deal severe damage through volume.
- FIK PC9: If you are looking for a lower rate of fire but slightly more damage, then the FIK PC9 is a great option. This weapon is an assault rifle and submachine gun variant that balances damage, accuracy, and rate of fire.
For more information on these SMGs and more, check out our complete ranked tier list of all guns and other weapons in Payday 3. We will help you pick the best weapon for any loadout and play style.
Sidearms to Use
- J&M Castigo 44: The J&M Castigo 44 is an early-game revolver and has everything you need for your sidearm. This extremely powerful revolver offers a decent range, allowing you to take down far-away enemies and, with good aim, even snipers.
- Sforza Bison: The Sforza Bison is another great revolver with better recoil, accuracy, and handling than the J&M Castigo 44. It has slightly reduced damage, making it a great option for defeating more formidable enemies.
Best Equipment for Your Submachine Gun Build in Payday 3
What Favors and Deployables to Equip in Payday 3 for an SMG Build Ammo Bags
All favors are good as they replenish necessary supplies, but when using a submachine gun with a high rate of fire, you want to have a way to quickly refill your ammo. We recommend equipping the Ammo Bag so you don’t run out of ammo and find yourself in a nasty situation.
Best Throwables to Use in a Payday 3 SMG Build
- Flashbang Grenade: The Flashbang grenade will help you stun enemies and get close to them to finish them off with low risk.
- Frag Grenade: The Frag Grenade is a great option to damage or take down large groups of enemies quickly.
- Smoke Grenade: Smoke Grenades are excellent for large open areas or nasty situations where you have to lose sight of enemies.
What Tools to Use For Your Submachine Gun Build in Payday 3
- Infrasonic Mine: The Infrasonic Mine is a great tool to place at choke points and stun enemies when activated.
Related Article: How to complete the best sniper build in Payday 3.
Best Armor in Payday 3
Here, we recommend the light armor that offers better speed. However, using stronger armor is also a good option if you prefer a more stationary playstyle.
- Light Ballistic Lining: The Light Ballistic Lining armor offers limited protection, allowing for faster player movement.
- Standard Lining: The Standard Lining armor offers low protection but is higher than the Light Ballistic Lining armor while keeping decent movement speed.
Best Overkill in Payday 3 – The Marcom Mamba MGL
The Marcom Mamba MGL is the ultimate weapon to mob down large groups of hostiles, especially enemies of the more challenging types for SMG loadout to take down, such as armored foes.
Final Thoughts on the Best Loadout for Your Payday 3 SMG Build
This Payday 3 SMG build offers an exciting blend of high damage volume, rapid-fire rates, and impressive mobility – a perfect match for those who prefer close-quarters combat and rapid battlefield traversal. By carefully selecting your skills, weapons, sidearms, throwables, and armor, you can optimize your build to suit your frenetic playstyle and ensure you always have the edge in your thrilling heist missions.
No matter whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, remember that the key to success in this game is to adapt and evolve your build as you progress. As new skills and gear become available in Payday 3 to you, don’t be afraid to experiment and tweak your SMG loadout. After all, the game’s dynamic nature is what makes it a truly immersive and endlessly engaging experience.
For another great guide that will help you get better at this game, check out our Payday 3 tips for beginners.
FAQs about SMG Loadouts in Payday 3
The best submachine guns for an SMG build in Payday 3 are the SG Compact-7 and FIK PC9. The SG Compact-7 stands out due to its extremely high rate of fire, accuracy, and easily manageable recoil. Its damage may be minor, but its rapid-fire capability allows players to deal substantial damage through volume.
On the other hand, the FIK PC9 balances a lower rate of fire with slightly increased damage. This weapon successfully merges the features of an assault rifle and a submachine gun, offering a balanced blend of damage, accuracy, and fire rate. These two SMGs significantly enhance a player’s advantages and contribute to an efficient and powerful Payday 3 SMG build.
The J&M Castigo 44 for its power and range, and the Sforza Bison for better recoil, accuracy, and handling.
Ammo Bags are recommended for high rate of fire guns. You will need a lot of ammo to keep them stocked up and yourself in the fight. You don’t want to have to go run around scraping up ammo from fallen enemies. Also, consider using flashbangs, frag grenades, and smoke grenades.
Choose the Light Ballistic Lining for faster player movement, allowing you to swiftly navigate the field with agility and precision. Alternatively, opt for the Standard Lining, which provides a balance between protection and movement speed, ensuring decent mobility without compromising on safety.
The Marcom Mamba MGL serves as the optimal Overkill for an SMG build in Payday 3. This weapon shines when dealing with large groups of enemies or armored foes, making it a perfect solution for those challenging scenarios. When the SMG loadout’s effectiveness wanes against tougher opponents, the Marcom Mamba MGL steps in, providing a powerful tool to ensure your victory.
Building your loadout around SMGs in Payday 3 is a very in-your-face playstle. The most similar and powerful builds you should also consider include a full shotgun loadout and our awesome loud build in Payday 3. Both are very effective in close range.
