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This article is about the weapon mods. For general mechanics for weapon ammunition, see Weapons (Payday 2)#Total ammo.

Certain weapon types in PAYDAY 2 have specialized Ammunition mods as alternative options to their standard load to use in specific situations. Initially added for shotguns in Update #31, Update #64 added the first ammunition mods for a non-shotgun weapon: the Incendiary Rounds for grenade launchers.

Currently, only shotguns, grenade launchers (GL40, PigletChina Puff 40mm, Arbiter, and Compact 40mm), bows (Plainsrider Bow and English Longbow), and crossbows (Pistol Crossbow, Light and Heavy Crossbows) have ammunition mods.

Ammunition Types[]

Ammunition types are added and removed on a weapon just like any other weapon modification (Note that this means the ammunition type of a weapon cannot be changed once the heist begins). Ammunition not only changes the various published parameters of the weapon, but some ammo types also add abilities such as bullet penetration or incendiary effects.

Shotgun ammunition, depending on the type, is subject to different falloff rules. Shots do full damage out to a certain range (depending on the shotgun's clasification) and then damage falls off gradually to a minimum ammount. See the individual ammo types for exact ranges. Shotguns will deal full damage in one pellet that is not stackable with fall off.

00 Buckshot
N/A
DEFAULT
The 00 Buckshot, or "Double-Aught" Buckshot, is the standard shotgun ammunition type; used when none of the weapon modifications below are fitted.

The number of pellets fired depends on the shotgun used.

000 Buckshot
000 Buckshot
THIS IS A GAGE SHOTGUN PACK ITEM!

000 Buckshot

"Bigger pellets with more impact."
—Official description.

The 000 Buckshot, or "Triple-Aught" Buckshot, is essentially a straight damage boost for many shotguns, and can be helpful for increasing their firepower if the user lacks Shotgun Impact. Increases damage by +15. It is also helpful for weaker shotguns such as the M1014.

This ammunition type does not affect damage falloff.

The number of pellets fired depends on the shotgun used.

000 Buckshot is available to all players; those without the Gage Shotgun Pack receive 2 copies in inventory, whilst owners of the Pack have an unlimited quantity of it in stock.
HE Round
HE Round
THIS IS A GAGE SHOTGUN PACK ITEM!
"Fires one explosive charge that kills or stuns targets. This ammo type is harder to find."
—Official description.

HE rounds are single slugs filled with explosive material; they explode on impact, dealing +3 more damage at the cost of -12 accuracy, and their weight reduces total ammo count by ~10%. They are ideal for stunning groups of enemies and can be a potent counter to both Bulldozers and Shields, but cannot score headshots. Cloakers are also immune to the stunning/knockdown effect.

Do note that the explosion will easily kill civilians within the round's AoE, so caution is advised when firing it near hostages. They are fairly inefficient for getting actual kills, unless fired in salvos, but ideal for softening up multiple targets at once thanks to their blast radius. HE rounds can also destroy regular (wooden) doors by simply shooting them anywhere, rather than shooting the doorknob like traditional weapons. This has the added benefit of reducing the door to shattered chunks of wood, rather than having it just swing open.


Damage falloff starts and at the shotgun's regular range, but the falloff extends 40% farther before ending.

1 slug is fired with this ammunition type.

Only available to owners of Gage Shotgun Pack, who will receive an unlimited quantity of this modification.
Flechette
Flechette
THIS IS A GAGE SHOTGUN PACK ITEM!
"Long range armor piercing."
—Official description.

Flechettes are small, fin-stabilized projectiles (essentially, darts). Each shell is packed with several of these, increasing accuracy by +8, decreasing damage by -3 and increasing the maximum range. Flechettes can penetrate armour that would normally deflect shot and bullets (such as the vest of a Maximum Force Responder), but not a shield or other solid objects. Contrary to this ammo type's image, using flechette ammo does not increase the weapon's projectile count.

Flechettes increase maximum effective range (the range at which damage starts to fall off) by 100%, and increases the distance between the maximum effective and minimum damage range by 70%. Due to this, players may find flechette ammo to be the ammo which grants shotguns the most versatility, as it greatly helps in increasing a shotgun's damage at a distance, and may often prove to be the key component in deciding whether or not an enemy gets up again after being shot. Additionally, flechette shells are the only alternate ammo type besides 000 Buckshot which does not incur a total ammo penalty.

Damage falloff range is increased by 300%.

Only available to owners of Gage Shotgun Pack, who will receive an unlimited quantity of this modification.
AP Slug
AP Slug
THIS IS A GAGE SHOTGUN PACK ITEM!
"Fires a single lead slug that penetrates body armor, enemies, shields and walls."
—Official description.

AP Slug rounds are solid projectiles that increase damage by +15, accuracy by +8, maximum range, and decrease total ammo count by ~15%.

Slug rounds can penetrate obstacles, shields, the body armor of Maximum Force Responders, as well as other enemies.

Damage falloff range is increased by 1000%, and the rate that falloff applies is increased by 100%.


1 slug is fired with this ammunition type.

Only available to owners of Gage Shotgun Pack, who will receive an unlimited quantity of this modification.
Dragon's Breath Round
Dragon's Breath Round
THIS IS A BBQ WEAPON PACK ITEM!
"Fires pellets that go up in sparks and flames. Burns through shields and body armor."
—Official description.

Dragon's Breath Rounds fires pellets that will ignite enemies, dealing 100 damage every 0.5 seconds for 3.1 seconds, totaling 500 damage. There is a chance that enemy will be stunned, provided they are not immune to such effects. This is an alternative method to having a secondary for Muscle perk decks to use Disturbing the Peace for Enforcers. This makes weapons equipped with Dragon's Breath ideal for combining softer crowd control without sacrificing ability to hit multiple enemies. Dragon's breath rounds have a chance to crit every half second. Dragon's Breath Rounds deal -6 damage on impact and have -4 less accuracy, and reduce total ammo count by ~10%. The pellets cannot deal headshot damage, but are still able to apply the effects of Bullseye.

As described, Dragon's Breath rounds will penetrate armor and shields like AP rounds, but will not penetrate through walls or other enemies.

Dragon's Breath Rounds cannot be equipped with silencers.

This ammunition type does not affect damage falloff.

12 pellets are fired with this ammunition type.

Only available to owners of The Butcher's BBQ Pack, who will receive an unlimited quantity of this modification.
Tombstone Slug
Tombstone Rounds icon
Kill 100 enemies with the Viper Grenade throwable on Overkill difficulty or above.
"Poisoned bullet that deals damage over time and has a chance to interrupt enemies."
—Official description.

Tombstone Slugs fires pellets that will poison enemies, dealing 120 damage every 0.5 seconds for 4.5 seconds, totaling 1,080 damage. Enemies will be stunned for the entire duration of the effect, provided they are not immune to such effects. The poison effect can be applied at any distance. Enemies killed by the poison will not trigger Overkill. The poison will trigger on-hit skills like Grinder or Anarchist.

Tombstone Slugs deal -4 damage on impact and have +4 more accuracy, and reduce total ammo count by ~45%. Unlike Dragon's Breath Rounds, Tombstone Slugs can deal headshot damage.

Tombstone Slugs will penetrate armor and enemies like AP rounds, but will not penetrate through walls or shields.

While Tombstone Slugs do not change the falloff of the equipped weapon, the duration time of the poison effect will linearly decrease alongside damage falloff, rounding down to the nearest whole number.

The number of pellets fired depends on the shotgun used.

Only unlocked after completing the "Snake Charmer" achievement.

Incendiary Round
Incendiary Round
THIS IS A BBQ WEAPON PACK ITEM!
"Fires a round that causes a fire at point of impact."
—Official description.

Incendiary Rounds fire a round that creates a 2.5 meter-wide patch of fire on impact that lasts for 6 seconds (3 seconds for Arbiter), dealing 10 damage to enemies standing in the patch of fire every 0.5 seconds. Every time damage is dealt, there is a 35% for the enemy to take an additional 150 damage every 0.5 seconds for 6 seconds. This extra damage will also have a chance to cause the enemy to go into a stun animation that's 4.3 seconds long where they can't attack or move.

6 flames are created 1.5 meters from the point of impact, along with 1 in the center. The 6 outer flames have a damage radius of 0.75 meters, while the inner flame has a damage radius of 1.125 meters.

Once enemies leave the patch of fire (or it wears off), they will take additional damage from burning.

Only available to owners of The Butcher's BBQ Pack (or Gage Spec Ops Pack for the Arbiter), who will receive an unlimited quantity of this modification.

Restrictions: GL40, Piglet, China Puff 40mm, Arbiter, Compact 40mm, and Basilisk 3V only.

Viper Grenade
Viper Grenade Rounds
THIS IS A MCSHAY WEAPON PACK ITEM!
"Fires a round that creates a toxic cloud at point of impact."
—Description.

Viper Rounds fire a round that creates a toxic cloud on impact that lasts for 15 seconds. Enemies that enter the cloud will be stunned for 3 seconds, and be poisoned for a set duration.

See Poison for a full list of information.

Once enemies enter the cloud, they can not become poisoned by the same cloud again.

Only available to owners of the McShay Weapon Pack (or Gage Spec Ops Pack for the Arbiter), who will receive an unlimited quantity of this modification.
Sting Grenade
Sting Grenade Rounds
"Fires a burst of small-caliber rounds upon detonating."
—Description.

Sting Grenades perform exactly like a shotgun, and fire a shotgun round where the player is aiming.

Damage dealt is the same as the listed damage in the inventory. The round fires 6 pellets, and only one is required to hit to deal full damage. Damage falloff is applied.

Restrictions: Plainsrider Bow only.
Explosive Arrows
Explosive Arrows
THIS IS A WESTERN WEAPON PACK ITEM!

Explosive Arrows fires an arrow with an explosive tip that explodes on impact, making them irretrievable, in contrast to the Plainsrider Bow's standard arrows.

Only available to owners of The Butcher's Western Pack, who will receive an unlimited quantity of this modification.
Poison Arrows
Poisoned Arrows

Poison Arrows fires an arrow with a poison-coated tip that deal less damage on impact, but apply poison to enemies.

The poison deals 250 damage per 0.5 seconds for 5.5 seconds, totaling 2750 damage. It has a 100% chance to stun them for the duration.

Note: This ammo type was added after an update. While it is not tied to any paid DLC, it can only be used with the Plainsrider Bow.
Restrictions: English Longbow only.
Explosive Arrows
Explosive Arrow (English Longbow)
THIS IS A GAGE CHIVALRY PACK ITEM!

Explosive Arrows fires an arrow with an explosive tip that explodes on impact, making them irretrievable, in contrast to the English Longbow's standard arrows.

Only available to owners of Gage Chivalry Pack, who will receive an unlimited quantity of this modification.
Poison Arrows
Poison Arrow (English Longbow)
THIS IS A GAGE CHIVALRY PACK ITEM!

Poison Arrows fires an arrow with a poison-coated tip that deal less damage on impact, but apply poison to enemies.

The poison deals 250 damage per 0.5 seconds for 5.5 seconds, totaling 2750 damage. It has a 100% chance to stun them for the duration.

Only available to owners of Gage Chivalry Pack, who will receive an unlimited quantity of this modification.

Restrictions: Pistol Crossbow only.
Explosive Bolts
Explosive Bolts
THIS IS A GAGE NINJA PACK ITEM!

Explosive Bolts fires a bolt with an explosive tip that explodes on impact, making them irretrievable.

Only available to owners of Gage Ninja Pack, who will receive an unlimited quantity of this modification.
Poisoned Bolts
Poisoned Bolts
THIS IS A GAGE NINJA PACK ITEM!

Poisoned Bolts fires a bolt with a poison-coated tip that deal less damage on impact, but apply poison to enemies.

The poison deals 250 damage per 0.5 seconds for 5.5 seconds, totaling 2750 damage. It has a 100% chance to stun them for the duration.

Only available to owners of Gage Ninja Pack, who will receive an unlimited quantity of this modification.
Restrictions: Light Crossbow only.
Explosive Bolts
Explosive Bolt (Light Crossbow)
THIS IS A GAGE CHIVALRY PACK ITEM!

Explosive Bolts fires a bolt with an explosive tip that explodes on impact, making them irretrievable.

Only available to owners of Gage Chivalry Pack, who will receive an unlimited quantity of this modification.
Poisoned Bolts
Poisoned Bolts
THIS IS A GAGE Chivalry PACK ITEM!

Poisoned Bolts fires a bolt with a poison-coated tip that deal less damage on impact, but apply poison to enemies.

The poison deals 250 damage per 0.5 seconds for 5.5 seconds, totaling 2750 damage. It has a 100% chance to stun them for the duration.

Only available to owners of Gage Chivalry Pack, who will receive an unlimited quantity of this modification.
Restrictions: Heavy Crossbow only.
Explosive Bolts
Explosive Bolt (Heavy Crossbow)
THIS IS A GAGE CHIVALRY PACK ITEM!

Explosive Bolts fires a bolt with an explosive tip that explodes on impact, making them irretrievable.

Only available to owners of Gage Chivalry Pack, who will receive an unlimited quantity of this modification.
Poisoned Bolts
Poison Bolt (Heavy Crossbow)
THIS IS A GAGE CHIVALRY PACK ITEM!

Poisoned Bolts fires a bolt with a poison-coated tip that deal less damage on impact, but apply poison to enemies.

The poison deals 250 damage per 0.5 seconds for 5.5 seconds, totaling 2750 damage. It has a 100% chance to stun them for the duration.

Only available to owners of Gage Chivalry Pack, who will receive an unlimited quantity of this modification.

Achievements[]

Knock, Knock Knock, Knock
Kill 50 Shields using any shotgun and slug ammo. Unlocks the Collapsed Stock for the M1014 shotgun.
Clay Pigeon Shooting Clay Pigeon Shooting
Kill 10 snipers using any shotgun and flechette ammo. Unlocks the Long Barrel for the Raven shotgun, "Clint" mask, "Leaf" material and "Monkey Skull" pattern.
Shock and Awe Shock and Awe
Hit 4 enemies simultaneously using any shotgun and HE rounds. Unlocks the Tactical Stock for the M1014 shotgun.
Bang for the Buck Bang for the Buck
Kill 10 Bulldozers using any shotgun and 000 buckshot ammo. Unlocks the Long Barrel for the Street Sweeper shotgun, "Steven" mask, "Sparks" material and "Chief" pattern.

Disco Inferno Disco Inferno
Have 10 enemies burning simultaneously. Unlocks the "Graug" mask, "Coal" material and "Fireborn" pattern.
Stick a Fork in Me, I'm Done Stick a Fork in Me, I'm Done
Set an enemy on fire and kill him with the "Motherforker" melee weapon. Unlocks "The Gas Mask" mask, "Candlelight" material and "Flammable" pattern.
OVERGRILL OVERGRILL
Set a Bulldozer on fire for at least 10 seconds. Unlocks "The Chef" mask, "Toast" material and "Hot Flames" pattern.

Fugu Fighter Fugu Fighter
Have at least 3 enemies poisoned at the same time with your poisoned weapons. Unlocks the "Shirai" mask, "Origami" material and "Hanabi" pattern.

Trivia[]

  • In the Crimewave Edition, every ammunition has to be obtained from card drops like regular mods, rather than just having an infinite amount of them on the inventory.
  • In the Crimewave Edition the Aced effects of the Fully Loaded skill (enemies drop 75% more ammunition) does not apply to custom ammo types.

000 Buckshot[]

  • Shotguns loaded with 000 Buckshot in game fire the same number of projectiles as they would if they were equipped with 00 Buckshot, despite the fact that these shells hold less pellets in reality due to them being bigger than standard.

HE Rounds[]

  • Equipping a shotgun with HE Rounds creates a makeshift grenade launcher, with a significantly smaller and weaker explosive effect that can be used to quickly destroy basic wooden doors, blasting them into fragments with a single hit.
  • Gameplay-wise, it is rather pointless to use HE Rounds in conjunction with a silencer, since the shot is silent while the resulting explosion is not, and thus will still cause it to be heard. However, it can be used in conjunction with the The Professional aced skill in order to remedy the hefty accuracy penalty that HE rounds applies when used. It can be also used for comedic effect.

AP Slugs[]

  • Using AP slugs turns a given shotgun into a quasi-sniper rifle, as the shots no longer spread and are instead focused into a single target, albeit with worse damage fall-off.
  • Printed onto the casing of every AP Slug is the line "G4G3", which is leetspeak for "Gage".

Flechette Rounds[]

  • In reality, flechettes do not always increase a shotgun's effective range. They do, however, marginally improves pellet grouping due to the flechettes' aerodynamic shapes while also offering a limited degree of armor penetration, and markedly increased accuracy down range in the case of tungsten carbide flechettes. The armor piercing effect is only noteworthy on personal body armors, though, as specialized plates and reinforced steel shields are usually dense enough to stop the projectiles dead in their tracks.

Dragon's Breath[]

  • The usage of Dragon's Breath shells with semi/fully-automatic shotguns in the game is highly unrealistic, as the real-life equivalent of these shells are specialized low-pressure shotshells, thus will not produce enough gas pressure to operate a full cycle. These shells are realistically used with manual-action (pump, break, lever, etc.) shotguns only.
    • The behavior of the Dragon's Breath shells in-game was most likely based on the misconceptions surrounding the ammo type that are commonly featured in videogames. Unlike standard buckshots, Dragon's Breath shells do not fire any "real" projectile out of a shotgun's barrel, they turn the shotgun in question into a mini-flamethrower instead. While each Dragon's Breath shell do contain several magnesium pellets, these are ignited to produce fireballs that shoot out the weapon's muzzle rather than acting as actual projectiles.
    • Due to their tendency to foul the breech and barrel of the shotgun with chemical residue, Dragon's Breath shells are impractical to utilize as they can impair the weapon in question's performance after prolonged use.

  • Other than due to arbitrary balancing, it is not clear how and why would poisoned arrows and bolts do less damage than usual while the bow draw weights and crossbow string tensions remain unchanged.
    • The English Longbow's poison arrow has what appears to be three poison dart frogs taped to the tip judging by the coloration of their skin. The lethality of their poison is downplayed greatly, however, as in reality a single dart frog's poison is capable of outright killing a fully-grown adult in minutes without proper medical treatment.
  • It is unclear how the explosive tips of the arrows detonate in-game, as there's no visible primer or contact fuse. The Plainsrider Bow's Explosive Arrows only has a bundle of mini dynamite sticks roped to the tip and the English Longbow's variant is only a single pack of C4 moulded directly onto the impact end; in reality both explosives are dense and highly insensitive to low-velocity mechanical shock and thus will not explode on impact. The crossbow bolts are exempted, however, due to their grenade-like design.

  • Bugs[]

    • Dragon's Breath rounds have a chance to do double damage.


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