Understanding the special enemies in Payday: The Heist is crucial for surviving and succeeding in your heists. These aren't your run-of-the-mill cops; they possess unique abilities and tactics that can quickly turn the tide against your crew. This guide will provide you with comprehensive information on each special enemy, their behaviors, and effective strategies to deal with them.

1. Cloaker

The Cloaker is arguably one of the most dreaded special enemies in Payday: The Heist. Cloakers are notorious for their ability to quickly close the distance and incapacitate players with a single, powerful kick. They often hide in dark corners or behind cover, waiting for the opportune moment to strike. Their presence is usually indicated by a distinct, high-pitched noise, giving alert players a brief window to react. Cloakers are a major threat, so being able to identify them and take them down quickly is very important.

Identifying a Cloaker

Cloakers are equipped with night-vision goggles and typically wear dark SWAT gear, making them difficult to spot in dimly lit areas. Listen for their telltale electronic screech, which intensifies as they get closer. This audio cue is your best early warning system. Always be aware of your surroundings, especially in areas with limited visibility.

Cloaker Behavior

• Ambush: The Cloaker's primary tactic is to ambush unsuspecting players. They will remain hidden until a player is within striking distance, then launch themselves forward with incredible speed.
• Incapacitation: Upon reaching their target, Cloakers deliver a swift kick that instantly downs the player, leaving them vulnerable to further attacks from other enemies.
• Strategic Positioning: Cloakers often position themselves in locations that offer them a tactical advantage, such as elevated platforms or blind spots.

Strategies for Dealing with Cloakers

• Stay Alert: Constantly scan your surroundings and listen for the Cloaker's distinctive sound.
• Team Communication: Communicate potential Cloaker locations to your team. Call out when you hear one approaching.
• Flashbangs: Flashbang grenades can disorient Cloakers, giving you and your team a chance to eliminate them before they can attack.
• Close-Quarters Combat: Shotguns and high-damage weapons are effective against Cloakers at close range. Aim for the head for maximum damage.
• Keep Distance: Maintaining distance from potential hiding spots can reduce the risk of being ambushed.
• Use Cover: Utilize cover to limit the angles from which a Cloaker can attack.

The Cloaker is a formidable enemy that requires constant vigilance and coordinated teamwork to counter effectively. Don't underestimate their speed and ability to quickly turn the tide of a heist. By following these strategies, you can significantly reduce the threat they pose.

2. Taser

The Taser is another special enemy in Payday: The Heist known for its ability to disrupt and immobilize players. Tasers use a ranged weapon that delivers an electrical shock, causing the targeted player to convulse uncontrollably and become unable to fire their weapon or perform actions. The Taser's presence can quickly lead to chaos, as the affected player becomes an easy target for other enemies. Being able to quickly identify a Taser and eliminate them is essential.

Identifying a Taser

Tasers are typically dressed in blue SWAT uniforms and carry a distinctive Taser gun. They often emit a buzzing sound when they are charging their weapon, providing an audio cue to their presence. Visually, they are relatively easy to spot due to their unique attire and equipment.

Taser Behavior

• Ranged Attack: Tasers engage players from a distance, using their Taser gun to deliver debilitating electrical shocks.
• Disruption: The electrical shock causes the targeted player to convulse, making it impossible to aim or fire their weapon accurately.
• Immobilization: While being tased, players are unable to move or perform most actions, leaving them vulnerable to attack.
• Suppression: Tasers often work in conjunction with other enemies, using their Taser to suppress players while other units move in for the kill.

Strategies for Dealing with Tasers

• Prioritize Targets: Make Tasers a high-priority target. Eliminate them as quickly as possible to prevent them from disrupting your team.
• Accurate Aim: Aim for the head to quickly neutralize Tasers. Headshots deal significant damage and can quickly take them down.
• Team Coordination: Communicate the location of Tasers to your team. Coordinate your attacks to eliminate them efficiently.
• Use Cover: Utilize cover to avoid being tased. Pop out to fire at the Taser, then quickly retreat to cover.
• Ranged Weapons: Use ranged weapons to engage Tasers from a safe distance. Assault rifles and sniper rifles are particularly effective.
• Stay Mobile: Avoid staying in one place for too long. Tasers can easily target stationary players.

The Taser is a dangerous enemy that can quickly disrupt your team's coordination and leave players vulnerable. By prioritizing Tasers as targets and using effective strategies, you can minimize the threat they pose and maintain control of the heist.

3. Bulldozer

The Bulldozer is the heavy hitter of the Payday: The Heist special enemies. Bulldozers are heavily armored units equipped with powerful shotguns and an intimidating presence. They are designed to soak up damage and relentlessly push forward, making them a significant threat in close-quarters combat. Overcoming Bulldozers requires teamwork, focused firepower, and strategic positioning.

Identifying a Bulldozer

Bulldozers are easily recognizable by their distinctive appearance. They wear a heavily armored suit, including a full faceplate that obscures their identity. Their imposing size and slow, deliberate movements make them stand out on the battlefield. The sound of their heavy armor clanking as they move is a clear indicator of their presence.

Bulldozer Behavior

• Heavy Armor: Bulldozers are heavily armored, making them resistant to most types of damage. Focus fire and armor-piercing weapons are necessary to take them down effectively.
• Close-Range Combat: Bulldozers excel in close-range combat. They wield powerful shotguns that can quickly incapacitate players at close range.
• Relentless Advance: Bulldozers will relentlessly push forward, ignoring most forms of suppression. They are designed to overwhelm the enemy through sheer force.
• Suppression: Bulldozers often use their heavy armor and firepower to suppress players, allowing other enemies to advance.

Strategies for Dealing with Bulldozers

• Focus Fire: Concentrate your team's firepower on the Bulldozer. Coordinated attacks are essential to break through their armor.
• Armor-Piercing Weapons: Use armor-piercing weapons to penetrate the Bulldozer's heavy armor. These weapons deal increased damage to armored targets.
• Strategic Positioning: Maintain distance from the Bulldozer. Use cover to protect yourself from their shotgun blasts. Flank the Bulldozer to exploit their blind spots.
• Flashbangs: Flashbang grenades can temporarily disorient Bulldozers, giving you and your team a chance to reposition or deal damage.
• High-Damage Weapons: Use high-damage weapons, such as sniper rifles and grenade launchers, to inflict significant damage on Bulldozers.
• Teamwork: Coordinate your attacks with your team. Focus fire, communicate positions, and support each other to take down Bulldozers effectively.

The Bulldozer is a tough and relentless enemy that requires a coordinated and strategic approach to defeat. By focusing your firepower, using armor-piercing weapons, and working together as a team, you can overcome their heavy armor and eliminate them from the battlefield.

4. Shield

The Shield enemy in Payday: The Heist can be a tough obstacle, but with the right tactics, they can be managed effectively. Shields are equipped with ballistic shields that protect them from frontal attacks. They often advance in groups, providing cover for other enemies and disrupting your team's line of sight. Dealing with Shields requires strategic positioning, flanking maneuvers, and the use of explosives.

Identifying a Shield

Shields are easily identifiable by their large ballistic shields, which they use to protect themselves from frontal attacks. They typically wear standard SWAT gear and carry pistols or submachine guns. Their shields are emblazoned with a police emblem, making them easy to spot in a firefight.

Shield Behavior

• Frontal Protection: Shields provide excellent frontal protection, making them resistant to most types of gunfire from the front.
• Mobile Cover: Shields advance in groups, using their shields to provide cover for other enemies and disrupt your team's line of sight.
• Close-Range Combat: Shields prefer to engage players at close range, using their pistols or submachine guns to inflict damage.
• Suppression: Shields often use their shields to suppress players, forcing them to take cover and limiting their ability to return fire.

Strategies for Dealing with Shields

• Flanking Maneuvers: Flank Shields to expose their vulnerable sides and backs. Coordinate with your team to create opportunities for flanking attacks.
• Explosives: Use explosives, such as grenades and grenade launchers, to disorient or eliminate Shields. Explosions can knock Shields off balance and expose them to gunfire.
• Penetrating Weapons: Use weapons with high penetration values to shoot through the Shield's shield. Some weapons can penetrate the shield and damage the enemy behind it.
• Melee Attacks: Melee attacks can stagger Shields, creating an opening for follow-up attacks. Use melee attacks to disrupt their formation and create opportunities for your team.
• Strategic Positioning: Maintain distance from Shields to avoid being caught in close-quarters combat. Use cover to protect yourself from their gunfire.
• Teamwork: Coordinate your attacks with your team. Focus fire on Shields and communicate their positions to each other.

Shields can be a challenging enemy to deal with, but by using strategic positioning, flanking maneuvers, and explosives, you can overcome their frontal protection and eliminate them from the battlefield. Teamwork and communication are essential for effectively dealing with Shields.

5. Sniper

The Sniper in Payday: The Heist can pose a significant threat due to their ability to inflict high damage from long distances. Snipers are typically positioned in elevated locations, providing them with a clear line of sight on the battlefield. They can quickly eliminate unsuspecting players with a single shot, making them a high-priority target. Dealing with Snipers requires awareness, quick reflexes, and the use of cover.

Identifying a Sniper

Snipers are typically positioned in elevated locations, such as rooftops or windows, providing them with a clear line of sight on the battlefield. They are often difficult to spot, as they blend in with their surroundings. Look for the glint of their scope or the muzzle flash of their sniper rifle to identify their location.

Sniper Behavior

• Long-Range Attacks: Snipers engage players from long distances, using their sniper rifles to inflict high damage.
• Elevated Positions: Snipers typically occupy elevated positions, providing them with a clear line of sight on the battlefield.
• Precise Aim: Snipers are highly accurate, able to quickly eliminate unsuspecting players with a single shot.
• Cover Usage: Snipers will often take cover between shots, making them difficult to hit.

Strategies for Dealing with Snipers

• Locate and Eliminate: Prioritize locating and eliminating Snipers as quickly as possible. Their high damage output can quickly turn the tide of a firefight.
• Use Cover: Utilize cover to protect yourself from Sniper fire. Move strategically from cover to cover to avoid being targeted.
• Counter-Sniping: Use sniper rifles to counter-snipe Snipers. A well-placed shot can quickly eliminate them from the battlefield.
• Flanking Maneuvers: Flank Snipers to catch them off guard. Coordinate with your team to create opportunities for flanking attacks.
• Smoke Grenades: Use smoke grenades to obscure Snipers' vision, making it difficult for them to target you and your team.
• Team Communication: Communicate the location of Snipers to your team. Call out their positions and movements to help your team avoid being targeted.

The Sniper is a dangerous enemy that can quickly eliminate unsuspecting players from long distances. By using cover, counter-sniping, and flanking maneuvers, you can minimize the threat they pose and eliminate them from the battlefield. Teamwork and communication are essential for effectively dealing with Snipers.

By mastering these strategies, you'll significantly increase your chances of survival and success in Payday: The Heist. Good luck, and happy heisting!