Payday 3 Removes Skill Trees for Skill Lines, Introduces C-Stacks and Master Nodes

Players can now choose the upgrades they want after unlocking a Base Skill or take Mastery Nodes to benefit other builds.

Posted By | On 18th, Aug. 2023

payday 3

A new developer diary is available for Starbreeze Studios’ Payday 3, with the team discussing progression and skills. While Payday 2 had a Skill Tree for players to upgrade, the sequel does away with that, instead opting for Skill Lines.

As senior game designer Miodrag Kovačević explains, “Basically how they work is, we have a base node, you have upgrade nodes, and you have a Mastery Node. The upgrade nodes go from 3 to 5 depending on the skill, and then we have Mastery Nodes, which are weaker, but they don’t require you to equip any upgrades or base.”

Interestingly, you don’t need an upgrade to get the next in line. Players only need to unlock the Base Skill and can then choose the upgrades they want.

As for Crime Net Stacks or C-Stacks, they’re the secondary currency that players will use. You’ll still use cash for weapons and whatnot, but by converting them to C-Stacks, you can purchase special weapons, cosmetics and “high-end equipment.” They’re also essential to get the final upgrade for weapons.

It’s worth noting that the more cash is traded for C-Stacks, the more expensive the process becomes, but thankfully the cost resets weekly. Starbreeze clarifies that this isn’t a premium currency, and you can only earn C-Stacks by playing the game.

Payday 3 is out on September 21st for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC. Stay tuned for more details in the meantime.


Amazing Articles You Might Want To Check Out!

Share Your Thoughts Below  (Always follow our comments policy!)



Keep On Reading!

Half-Life 2 is Free on Steam Until November 18th, Receives Massive 20th Anniversary Update

Half-Life 2 is Free on Steam Until November 18th, Receives Massive 20th Anniversary Update

The update adds hours of developer commentary to the base game alongside support for Steam Workshop and improv...

10 Things Gamers Can’t Wait to Do in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

10 Things Gamers Can’t Wait to Do in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Are you ready to don your fedora and bust out your whip?

10 Amazing PlayStation 5 Pro Enhanced Games You Need to Play

10 Amazing PlayStation 5 Pro Enhanced Games You Need to Play

Dozens of current titles leverage Sony's latest console, but which are the best to play first? Check out our t...

PS5 At Four Years Later – PlayStation’s Dominance Continues

PS5 At Four Years Later – PlayStation’s Dominance Continues

After four years, Sony's eighth-generation console continues to dominate, delivering incredible first and thir...

PS5 Pro’s US Launch Sales Are Similar to PS4 Pro

PS5 Pro’s US Launch Sales Are Similar to PS4 Pro

Sony's mid-gen console refresh seems to have got off to a good start in the United Sales, with sales being com...

Assassin’s Creed’s Upcoming Animus Hub Won’t Have a Paid Battle Pass or Subscription

Assassin’s Creed’s Upcoming Animus Hub Won’t Have a Paid Battle Pass or Subscription

Following recent leaks, Ubisoft has offered a clarification on how Assassin's Creed's upcoming Animus Hub, pre...