Payday 2 is well known as well for its heisting and criminal gameplay as it is for the numerous and iconic masks the game contains. Choosing the perfect mask and customizing it to make it your own is almost just as fun as blasting your way through waves of enemies dead set on stopping your criminal shenanigans.
There are hundreds of masks in Payday 2, although many of these are slight variations on other masks or look extremely similar to others. A great mask in the Payday series is unique and stands out (although realistically this would be a terrible idea for any criminal).
Updated On January 8, 2022, By William Quick: Ther are games that are meant to be played with teammates and Payday 2 is one of them. You need to play with those you’re paired with to have any chance of success and survival. Still, you’ll want to have some flair to set yourself apart and these masks are the best way to do that.
15 Mask of the Moon
The Mask of the Moon is clearly inspired by the Legend of Zelda game Majora’s Mask as it is identical to the titular mask. The mask was part of the Humble Mask Pack 4, which is officially no longer available.
The Mask of the Moon is a vibrant and unique mask that stands out from the crowd. The mask has the same iconic and terrifying grimace and bulging eyes as it does from the source material, but it has not translated over to the world of Payday particularly well as it has an uncanny valley feel to it.
14 The Skull
Sometimes the best cosmetics are the classics. The original masks from the Payday 2 lineup are iconic, but they’ve continued to add to it with the wide range of Skull masks that the game has to offer.
Skull masks are one of the most straightforward to earn through gameplay. All you need to do is complete a heist on its respective difficulties and you’ll be rewarded with a Skull mask. The harder-to-earn masks definitely look more gnarly, but the Normal Skull is a classic that leaves plenty of room for customization.
13 Electrarodent
The Electrarodent is another mask inspired by a Nintendo game, this time the timeless Pokemon franchise and a certain electric yellow creature. The mask was part of the Humble Mask Pack 3, which is officially no longer available.
It’s another unique mask that has a different shape compared to most masks in the game, and it’s obviously a good choice for big Pokemon fans. However, the mask does feel similar to the one you would get if you ordered a Pokemon costume off of Wish. It has a hyperrealistic look to it, and it almost makes you think that a generic rat mask was purchased and painted over to turn it into a Pikachu mask.
12 The Anomaly
It’s always a gray area whenever a game decides to partner with a brand in order to promote them through in-game content. However, there’s always the chance that it will lead to some interesting or entertaining assets and designs.
An example would be the Anomaly mask, courtesy of Alienware. Though it was made available through the now-defunct Alienware Mask Pack DLC, it made an impact with its futuristic and ominous-looking appearance that would strike fear into civilians and cops alike.
11 War Balaclava
The War Balaclava is a mix between a balaclava and a winter bobble hat. The mask requires the Gage Russian Weapon Pack DLC and is unlocked when you kill 32 enemies without reloading the Tatonka Submachine Gun.
The mask would be ideal for colder climates and seasons as it would keep you perfectly warm, but in all other situations, it would be uncomfortable. The mask has a DIY feel to it as it is a bobble hat that has had someone cut the holes out of it to create a makeshift balaclava.
10 Hockey Heat
The Hockey Heat mask is inspired by the 1995 film Heat and was added alongside the Armored Transport DLC. It is unlocked by joining the official Payday 2 Steam Community Group.
It’s no secret that Heat was an inspiration for the Payday series. During the First World Bank Heist in both Payday: The Heist and Payday 2, there is a chance that AI crew members will quote Heat’s iconic bank robbery speech word for word. The Hockey Heat mask is the exact mask worn during a truck heist in Heat. While the mask itself is simple, it’s a great reference to one of the best crime films of all time.
9 Mega Kawaii
When you think about bank robbers, a number of images will flash through your head. Throughout films and games we’ve seen a number of different gangs wearing thematic masks and anything goes as long as it covers your face effectively.
Even so, you’re probably not expecting to see them wearing anime girl masks like the Mega Kawaii. As part of the Completely Overkill Pack DLC, putting on this mask would definitely make an impression even if it’s one of total bewilderment.
8 Shirai
The Shirai mask is part of the Gage Ninja Pack DLC and is unlocked by having three enemies poisoned by a poison weapon at the same time.
The Shirai mask is based on the men-yoroi Japanese facial armor that the samurai wore in feudal Japan. The Shirai only covers from the nose and below, leaving much of the face visible whilst concealing the mouth and parts of the nose. The mask has engravings and sharp teeth on it, giving it a lovely depth of detail. This is the perfect mask for you heisters that wish you could live out your samurai fantasy.
7 Judge
There are a lot of titles that command authority and they’re not easily earned. If you were to put on this intimidating mask, you would automatically be awarded the title of Judge.
This mask was added to the game through the Humble Bundle Mask Pack DLC which included several Judge masks that you could swap between to find whichever fits you best. No matter which one you select, you will be going into heists as a figure expected to punish those who are unlucky enough to get caught.
6 Sokol
If you own the Sokol character pack, you will immediately be given access to the Sokol mask. Before turning to his criminal career, Sokol played as a grinder in ice hockey, which taught him the importance of protecting his face.
His mask appears to be a modified hockey mask with a dripping red star on the front, referencing his Russian origins. The mask is intimidating as one can’t help comparing the dripping effect of the star to the vast amounts of blood that Sokol will spill.
5 The 37th
The 37th is an Armored Transport DLC mask that can be obtained via card drops. The mask is titled The 37th as it is a mask of the 37th President of the United States, Richard Nixon.
Richard Nixon is infamous for his “I’m not a crook” quote despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, which makes him the perfect politician to dress as during your crime spree. The mask is another homage to 90s crime films, with the film in question this time being Point Break, in which the heisters known as the Ex-Presidents dress as former Presidents whilst seeking their thrills. Patrick Swayze’s character Bodhi is also a playable character in Payday 2.
4 Sweet Tooth
The Sweet Tooth mask is named and designed after the character from the Twisted Metal series. It was a free download for the PS3.
Clown masks are an iconic part of the Payday games, so it’s only fair that one is included in the list. Sweet Tooth is the exact type of clown that gives people nightmares and lends more than a bit of relatable rhyme and reason to coulrophobia. The terrifying grin and red eye are enough to make anyone fear for their life. Unfortunately, as nice as the mask is (especially for the fans of Twisted Metal), it is only available on the PS3. It makes sense that it would be exclusive to Sony platforms, but not being on the PS4 is just a letdown.
3 Tane
The Tane mask was added as part of the Point Break DLC, and unlocking it is no easy task. You must get 10 unscoped headshots in a row with the Platypus 70 sniper rifle to unlock the Tane mask.
The Tane mask is a fearsome-looking wooden mask. The mask features complex patterns and engravings, which gives it an incredibly distinct aesthetic. The Tane mask is a great mask not only because of its looks, but because it demonstrates the skill necessary to land those no-scopes.
2 Ameonna
When a game has a detailed or unique design, it’s only natural to want to include elements of it in other titles. That’s exactly what happened to Shadow Warrior and Payday 2 with their big 130 Update in 2017.
This resulted in several masks being added into the game of which the most beautiful yet terrifying is Ameonna. Appearing as a powerful villain in Shadow Warrior, she lends her likeness to a mask that makes you feel like you rule the shadows while taking on dangerous missions in the middle of the day.
1 Mega Death Wish
The Completely Overkill Pack was available during the Hype Train Event, which ran from February 5 to March 12, 2015. This pack was sold to help fund the developers’ work on the event.
One of the reasons the Mega Death Wish mask is so valued is that it’s a mask that can no longer be obtained, and it’s rarely seen. 50,000 copies of the pack were sold in 2015, and some of those that bought the pack may no longer even play the game. The chances of seeing this mask during your time playing are slim, which just makes it that much cooler.
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