Payday 3: How to Perform Silent, Non-Lethal Takedown

Just like the earlier entries in the series, Payday 3 excels when you’re trying to do everything in stealth. A necessary part of that strategy is to keep things as quiet as possible. Here is how to perform a silent, non-lethal takedown in Payday 3.

How to Perform a Silent Takedown in Payday 3

The option to perform a takedown becomes available after you’ve taken a guard as a human shield. Just sneak up behind them after you’ve masked up, and the option to take them as a human shield will appear. The takedown option is the next step once you’re holding them. You’ll also be able to throw them over your shoulder and carry them after they’re knocked out.

This non-lethal takedown lets you knock them out without wasting a bullet or a throwable. It can’t be done before putting on your mask though, so make sure you’re ready to have your gun out. If you want to attempt stealth for a heist but don’t want to commit so far that you’re bringing a silenced weapon or throwable, this is also a viable option.

Related: How to Complete No Rest for The Wicked in Stealth

Taking a human shield, performing a non-lethal takedown, and carrying the body are all done with the Interact button. Keep in mind that the latter two require you to hold the button down. By default, these actions are tied to the following:

• PC (Keyboard & mouse): F Key
• PlayStation: Square
• Xbox: X

Remember, you still need to answer the guard’s radio. Their radio will start to ring soon after you grab them. You can’t answer it while choking them out, but you can while holding them as a shield or carrying their unconscious bodies. Either way, we recommend going through with the takedown sooner rather than later.

Now you’re ready to perform some silent takedowns in Payday 3. If you’ve been having issues connecting, our matchmaking error guide can help. For all other tips and tricks, check out our PD3 guides hub.