Sentry builds are a popular play style in the cooperative first-person shooter game, Payday 2. In this playstyle, players equip their character with sentry guns, automated turrets that can defend an area and suppress enemy attacks.
In this discussion, we will delve into the details of the sentry build playstyle in Payday 2, examining various aspects such as its diverse types, the optimal weapons and modifications to employ, and useful tips for maximizing your gameplay effectiveness.
Sentry Gun Build
Infamy
To unlock the Infamy Tree and access the Set of the Corrupted in Payday 2, you must reach the second infamy level.
Sentry Skills
Sentry Skills (Non Infamy)
Sentry Perk Deck
This perk is often considered one of the weaker perks in the game, but it can be useful in certain situations.
The Anarchist perk provides a unique benefit in that your armor will regenerate over time, even while taking damage. In a suit, you will regenerate 10 armor points every 2 seconds. Additionally, for every enemy you damage, you will regenerate 10 armor points with a 1.5-second cooldown.
This can be a powerful benefit in combat, especially when paired with weapons that deal fire damage. However, it’s important to note that the Anarchist perk does not work with sentry guns, which can limit your defensive capabilities. As a result, you may need to play more actively to make up for this weakness.
Sentry Weapons
Primary – Izhma: It is a powerful semi-automatic shotgun that can deal high damage at close range.
Modifications:
- AK Rubber Grip
- Compact Laser Module
- Donald's Horizontal Leveller
- Fire Ammo
- Big Brother Magazine
- Hollow Handle
- Auto Fire
- Concealment Boost
- Short Barrel
- Skeletal Stock
Secondary – Grimm 12g: It is a versatile weapon that can be used effectively at both close and medium ranges.
Modifications:
- Compact Laser Module
- Fire Ammo
- Big Brother Magazine
- Donald's Horizontal Leveller
- Little Brother Foregrip
- Auto Fire
- Concealment Boost
With these modifications, you can enhance the performance of your Grimm 12g shotgun in a variety of ways.
Equipment
Melee Weapons
- Electrical Brass Knuckles
- Buzzer
- Knives
Throwable
- Flashbang
- Javelin
Armor
- Suit
Deployables
- 2 Med Bags
- 2 Sentry Guns
With this equipment loadout, you have two powerful shotguns for dealing damage at close range, while the Electrical Brass Knuckles, Buzzer, and Knives provide melee options. The Flashbang and Javelin are throwable weapons that can stun and damage enemies, respectively.
The Suit armor provides mobility, while the 2 Med Bags and 2 Sentry Guns deployables give you healing and defensive options in combat.
How To Execute a Sentry Gun Playstyle
Take Cover
This can greatly increase your chances of surviving in combat. To take cover effectively, look for areas that can provide cover, move between cover, use cover to reload and heal, be aware of enemy positions, and always stay aware of your surroundings.
By following these tips, you can increase your survivability and reduce your chances of being taken down in combat.
Utilize Mobility
To use your mobility to your advantage, move quickly, use dodge skills, jump and climb, use sliding, and be aware of your surroundings. By using your mobility effectively, you can avoid enemy fire, gain an advantage in combat, and stay on the move.
Remember to stay aware of your surroundings and use your abilities to their fullest potential.
Utilize Your Weapons
It’s important to remember that you cannot solely rely on sentries for defense in Payday 2, as there may be situations where you are far away from your sentries or teammates. Therefore, you must be capable of defending yourself using your weapons, even with sentries deployed.
More Playstyle Tips
- Share your ammo with your teammates and balance your usage between yourself and your sentries. This will ensure that you have enough ammo for self-defense and to keep your sentries operational.
- Use grenades to deal with groups of enemies quickly and efficiently.
- Stick to your teammates and provide cover for them using your sentries. As a support player, your role is to help your team complete the heist successfully.
- If you're using your ammo bag for your teammates, take advantage of your high ammo pickup rate by picking up most of the ammo boxes dropped.
- If you find that ammo boxes are insufficient for both you and your team, don't hesitate to deploy your ammo bag. This will help ensure that you and your teammates have enough ammo to complete the heist successfully.
Strategies And Tricks
Micromanage Your Sentries: Always Pick Them Up When Damaged or Out of Ammo
Your sentries are not invincible and picking them up to repair and refill ammo is crucial to maintain overall firepower.
Use AP Ammo for Your Sentries
AP ammo is efficient, very damaging, and can penetrate armor and shields.
Don't Leave Your Sentries Behind
Always pick up your sentries when you’re done using them and place them somewhere close to your teammates, objectives, and areas of high traffic to avoid losing firepower.
Other Strategies
- Manage sentries carefully, they can still be targeted even without ammo.
- Place sentries near walls or corners for wide coverage. Avoid open areas.
- Consider multiple sentries for extra firepower.
- Sentries are good against specials, and struggle against snipers. Use your primary weapon for snipers.
- Bulldozers can destroy sentries, use sentry, weapon, or team to take them down.
- Be careful of SWAT Van Turrets, sentries can't destroy them.
Conclusion
If you prefer a more supportive role and want to provide cover and extra firepower for your team, a sentry build can be effective. However, if you prefer a more aggressive playstyle, a sentry build may not be the best fit for you.
Additionally, certain heists may not have areas that are suitable for sentry placement, making a sentry build less effective. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide if a sentry build aligns with your gameplay [1] and the specific heist you’re planning to play.
