The Original Crew
The four original payday 2 heisters from PAYDAY: The Heist return as the core crew. These characters are available from the start and have the most developed backstories.
Dallas
Real Name: Nathan Steele
Role: Leader / Mastermind
Mask: Red-white-blue clown mask with star
Backstory: The de facto leader of the crew. A former criminal who worked his way up through the ranks. Calm under pressure and the strategist of the group.
Hoxton
Real Name: James Hoxworth
Role: Aggressor / Enforcer
Mask: Pink clown mask with British flag theme
Backstory: A volatile British criminal with a short temper. Was captured and imprisoned between PAYDAY: The Heist and PAYDAY 2, later rescued by the crew in the "Hoxton Breakout" heist.
Wolf
Real Name: Nicklas
Role: Technician / Demolitions
Mask: White clown mask with red eye makeup
Backstory: A Swedish former software developer who snapped after his business failed. The tech expert and demolitions specialist. Known for his unpredictable, manic behavior.
Chains
Real Name: Damien
Role: Enforcer / Heavy Weapons
Mask: Purple clown mask with gold grill
Backstory: A former military man turned mercenary. The heavy weapons expert and muscle of the crew. Disciplined and professional, with a background in special forces.
DLC Heisters
These heisters were added through paid DLC packs. Each comes with their own unique weapons, masks, and perk deck synergy.
| Heister | DLC Pack | Specialty | Unique Weapon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | Base Game (replaced Hoxton temporarily) | Balanced / All-rounder | — |
| John Wick | John Wick Weapon Pack | Aggressive / Pistols | Gruber Kurz, Chimano Compact |
| Clover | The Diamond Store Heist | Stealth / Irish | Bootleg rifle |
| Dragan | The Bomb Heists | Melee / Aggressive | Little Friend 7.62 |
| Jacket | Hotline Miami | Unpredictable / Loud | Jacket's Piece (SMG) |
| Bonnie | The Alesso Heist | Tank / Scottish | — |
| Sokol | The Goat Simulator Heist | Melee / Russian | Bootleg SMG |
| Jiro | Yakuza Character Pack | Melee / Katana | Subrosa (katana) |
| Bodhi | Point Break Heists | Aggressive / Surfer | Platypus 70 sniper |
| Jimmy | Hardcore Henry | Unpredictable / Chaotic | — |
| Sydney | Sydney Character Pack | Aggressive / Australian | — |
| Rust | Biker Heist | Heavy / Biker | Breaker 12G shotgun |
| Scarface | Scarface Character Pack | Aggressive / Iconic | — |
| Joy | Reservoir Dogs Heist | Tech / Hacker | — |
| Duke | Henry's Rock | Balanced / Veteran | — |
Free Update Heisters
These heisters were added through free game updates, no DLC purchase required.
- Houston: Added at launch as Hoxton's replacement while Hoxton was in prison. Remains playable after Hoxton's return.
- Old Hoxton: Rescued in the Hoxton Breakout heist (free update), unlocking the original Hoxton character model.
Signature Masks
Each heister has a signature mask that defines their identity. Masks are also fully customizable — you can unlock patterns, materials, and colors through card drops.
| Heister | Mask Design | Color Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas | Clown with star on forehead | Red, white, blue |
| Hoxton | Clown with stitched mouth | Pink, white, Union Jack |
| Wolf | Clown with wild eye makeup | White, red, black |
| Chains | Clown with gold teeth/grill | Purple, gold, black |
| Houston | Clown with scar across eye | Blue, white, black |
| John Wick | Suit-style balaclava | Black, white |
| Clover | Clown with shamrock | Green, white, gold |
| Jiro | Samurai-style menpo mask | Red, black, gold |
Masks in PAYDAY 2 are highly customizable. You can change the base mask, pattern, material, and colors. Rare masks and patterns drop as loot cards after heists. Some masks are exclusive to specific DLC packs or achievements.
Which Heister Should You Choose?
Character choice in PAYDAY 2 is primarily cosmetic — all heisters have the same stats and can use any weapon or perk deck. However, each character has unique voice lines, animations, and personality that can enhance your experience.
| Playstyle | Recommended Heister | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Stealth | Clover, Joy, Houston | Quieter voice lines, less likely to attract attention through personality |
| Aggressive Loud | Hoxton, Chains, Jacket, Sydney | High-energy voice lines, aggressive personality matches loud play |
| Tank / Support | Chains, Bonnie, Duke | Calm, professional demeanor fits support role |
| Melee Focus | Jiro, Sokol, Dragan | Themed around melee combat, unique melee animations |
| Beginner | Dallas, Houston | Classic characters, clear callouts, easy to identify with |
Important: All heisters have identical health, armor, speed, and can use any weapon or perk deck. Character choice is 100% cosmetic and personal preference. Pick the character whose personality and voice lines you enjoy the most — there's no meta advantage to any specific heister.
Key Characters in PAYDAY 2
Beyond the playable heisters, payday 2 characters include several important NPCs that drive the story and provide mission support.
Bain — The Contractor
Bain is the mysterious contractor who gives the crew their heist objectives. He's the voice you hear throughout every mission, providing intel, updates, and encouragement. Bain is the founder of the "Payday" gang and the mastermind behind all the crew's operations. His true identity and face are never revealed — he communicates exclusively through voice comms. The payday 2 bain character is voiced by Simon Viklund, who also composed the game's original soundtrack.
Bain is your mission control. He tells you objectives, warns about incoming police assaults, provides real-time intel on guard positions, and celebrates successful heists. Without Bain, the crew would have no direction — he's the strategist who plans every job and provides the intelligence needed to pull it off.
Notable Playable Characters
Dallas
dallas payday 2 — The de facto leader and most recognizable character. Real name Nathan Steele. Known for his calm demeanor under pressure, strategic thinking, and the iconic red-white-blue clown mask. Dallas is the face of the PAYDAY franchise and appears on most promotional material.
Chains
payday 2 chains — The heavy weapons expert and muscle of the crew. Real name Damien. A former military man with special forces background. Known for his purple clown mask with gold grill, disciplined approach, and proficiency with heavy weapons. Chains is the crew's anchor during intense firefights.
Houston
payday 2 houston — Hoxton's younger brother, who temporarily replaced Hoxton while he was in prison. Known for his blue clown mask with a scar across the eye. Houston is more level-headed than his brother and brings a professional, business-like approach to the crew. Remains playable after Hoxton's return.
Jacket
jacket payday 2 — A crossover character from the Hotline Miami games. Known for his signature colorful jacket, silent demeanor (communicates through a tape recorder), and brutal efficiency. Added with the Hotline Miami DLC. Jacket's unique voice lines are pre-recorded tape snippets, making him one of the most distinctive characters in the game.
The Joker Mask
The payday 2 joker mask is one of the most sought-after cosmetic items in the game. Inspired by the iconic Batman villain, the Joker mask features a green-haired, grinning clown design that stands out from the standard PAYDAY clown masks.
How to Get the Joker Mask
- Achievement Unlock: The Joker mask is typically unlocked by completing a specific achievement or event
- Card Drops: Some mask variations can drop as loot cards after completing heists
- Limited Events: Certain Joker mask variants were available during limited-time events (Halloween, collaborations)
- Mod Replacement: If you can't unlock it legitimately, you can use mod_overrides to replace a mask's texture with a Joker design (client-side only)
Even without the official Joker mask, you can create a Joker-inspired look using the mask customization system: choose a clown base mask, apply a green and purple color scheme, add a grinning pattern, and use a glossy material. The mask customization system is very flexible — experiment with combinations to create your perfect villain aesthetic.
Other Popular Mask Themes
- Horror Icons: Ghostface, Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees-inspired designs
- Movie Characters: Various film villain and hero masks from DLC collaborations
- Holiday Themes: Halloween, Christmas, and Easter special masks
- Anime/Game Crossovers: Masks inspired by other popular media franchises
- Custom Mod Masks: The modding community creates hundreds of custom mask designs