Whether you’re new to Watch Dogs or just looking to sharpen your street skills in Chicago, these five quick tips are the perfect launchpad. Straight from the seasoned voice of Cowboy, this guide focuses on tried-and-tested tricks that’ll kickstart your progress, net you powerful gear, and turn you into a money-making machine. All this comes with the authentic, gritty voice you’d expect from a true Watch Dogs veteran.
1. Use Uplay Rewards to Your Advantage – Instantly
If you’ve played any Ubisoft titles before, chances are you’ve already accumulated some Uplay points. Don’t let them sit idle—cash in on rewards right at the start of Watch Dogs. Through the Uplay system, you can unlock a powerful four-star pistol—the Gold D50—and the Papavero Stealth Edition vehicle. Both are exceptional starting assets.
The Gold D50 isn’t just flashy—it’s deadly efficient. One headshot or two body shots is usually enough to put down enemies, and it boasts an extremely fast fire rate. It’s one of those weapons that make you feel overpowered from the beginning. Then there’s the Papavero Stealth Edition car: black, sleek, tinted windows, great acceleration, and max top speed. It’s more than just eye candy—it’s a real utility vehicle when you need to flee or cruise in style.
If you’ve already got the points, there’s literally no reason not to claim these. It’s one of those rare cases where free actually means better.
2. Outrun the Cops with Style (and a Blackout)
Police chases are inevitable in Watch Dogs. Whether you accidentally hit a pedestrian or deliberately provoked the law, you’ll be in hot pursuit more often than not. Sure, the game gives you multiple tools—bridge lifts, spike strips, even vehicle disablements—but nothing compares to the sheer effectiveness of a blackout.
When triggered, the blackout shuts down the city’s entire power grid for about 20–30 seconds. This might sound more like a dramatic set piece than a tool, but don’t be fooled: it’s your golden ticket out of any chase. Even in broad daylight, the moment you activate it, your visibility drops off the grid. Cops lose line of sight, and even with less-than-stellar driving, you can zip down an alley and vanish.
Mastering the blackout is like having an “instant win” button during heat. It’s not just a crutch—it’s strategy at its finest.
3. Get Early XP with the Shell Game Trick
The Shell Game—a classic hustle brought into digital form. Found as a mini-game on the map, it’s represented by a cup-shaped icon with a dot in the center. It may look simple, but once you hit level three, the difficulty ramps up fast.
So why bother? Because completing it gives you a nice early-game XP bonus, which means faster stat unlocks and a head start on progression. If you’ve already unlocked Focus (and you should), you can slow down time during the shell shuffle. Just press the right trigger while the cups are moving to make the guy’s sleight of hand a lot more manageable.
It’s a small diversion with big returns. Knock it out early, and you’ll be ahead of the curve by Act III, with most of your stats already unlocked.
4. Buy the Right Guns: ACR and GL-94
Forget wasting your early funds on gimmicky weapons. If you’re looking to dominate shootouts, two weapons stand out: the ACR assault rifle and the GL-94 grenade launcher.
The ACR, available as soon as you can scrape together $30,000, is a laser beam of destruction. Minimal recoil, high damage, and quick kills—this rifle chews through enemies with ease, even during intense stand-offs with the police. Headshots drop enemies in one shot; body shots only need two. Even helicopters don’t stand a chance if you land a few solid hits.
Pair that with the GL-94, and you’re ready for the bigger missions. It’s particularly brutal during criminal convoy missions. Instead of dealing with tricky shootouts, one well-placed grenade will wipe out enemy-filled vehicles in seconds. Efficient, explosive, and immensely satisfying.
5. Max Out Your ATM Hack Boost ASAP
Focus is useful, no doubt, but once you’ve got a point or two in it, shift your attention to the ATM Hack Boost path. Ultimately, your goal is to unlock ATM Hack Boost Plus—the final tier. This upgrade turns random citizen hacks into jackpots, generating $10,000–$15,000 per high-value target.
Once you’ve got the perk, every walk down the street becomes a money-making opportunity. The best part? These hacks don’t require elaborate missions—just scan and collect. Once you’ve profiled enough targets and hit up a few ATMs, you’ll have enough cash for the best cars, weapons, and gear in the game without breaking a sweat.
It’s a no-brainer: prioritize this path early, and you’ll be financially set for the rest of your playthrough.
Final Thoughts
There you have it—five concise, high-impact tips that will dramatically improve your Watch Dogs experience from the very beginning. From optimizing your loadout and escape tactics to playing smarter with XP and cash flow, these strategies will carry you from rookie to legend in the streets of Chicago.
So plug in, hack smart, and we’ll see you on the grid.
My Gaming Tutorials 
Leave a comment