If you’re the kind of player who loves squeezing out every possible drop of efficiency in progression systems, Update 7 for Payday 3 is your dream come true. With a complete overhaul to the way Infamy Points (IP) are earned, the grind has never been more rewarding—or more strategic. Gone are the days of farming bathrooms endlessly. Now, IP is earned primarily through heist completions, and the numbers can be downright massive if you know what you’re doing.

In this guide, we’ll break down the fastest methods of leveling in Payday 3 post-update, covering solo stealth routes, loud team strats, glitchless techniques, and optimal farming builds across all difficulty levels—with an Overkill focus.

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Understanding Update 7: The New IP System

• IP now scales with loot secured, stealth or loud completion, and heist-specific bonuses.
• Challenges no longer affect leveling.
• Completing heists efficiently—rather than simply grinding—is the new meta.
• XP gains per minute vary drastically depending on the strategy.

Let’s dive into the highest-yield options.

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🔸 Honorable Mentions: High IP per Minute, Low Complexity

Touch the Sky (Loud)

• Avg Time: 7 mins
• Total IP: 1,695 (with favors and all loot)
• IP/Minute: ~242
• Great for solo or chill group runs. Loot is grouped, thermite speeds it up, and no tricks required.

Golden Shark (Loud)

• Avg Time: 12 mins
• Total IP: ~2,800
• IP/Minute: ~243 (with battering ram shortcut)
• The battering ram skips circle hacks. Just stash a drill in loud and go. Best done in a squad.

Road Rage (Loud)

• Avg Time: 6.5 mins (with three favors)
• Total IP: 1,620
• IP/Minute: ~249
• Very efficient and still one of the best money farms. Can get overwhelming solo.

99 Boxes (Loud)

• Avg Time: 8 mins
• Total IP: 2,190
• IP/Minute: ~274
• Battering ram skips Wi-Fi hacks. Slightly trickier objectives, but manageable in a squad.

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🔸 Solo Friendly Strat: Rock the Cradle (Stealth Rush)

• Avg Time: 2.5 mins
• Total IP: 522 (with 2 coke bags)
• IP/Minute: ~209

Solo stealth rush using civilians to open the crypto gate is still efficient. Great for a monotone, grind-focused experience or weapon XP runs.

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🔸 Squad Loud Rush: Under the Surface (All Bags)

Painting Rush (4 bags only)

• Avg Time: 3 mins
• Total IP: ~890 to 1,000
• IP/Minute: ~297
• Fast, simple, requires coordination. Excellent cash, too.

Full Loot Clear (20 bags)

• Avg Time: <5 mins
• Total IP: 2,191 (with final charge bonus)
• IP/Minute: ~438
• Easily the most efficient loud strategy with a practiced squad. Low risk, great flow.

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🔸 Golden Shark (Stealth – Optimized)

Using battering ram in stealth removes the vault guard entirely, drastically reducing complexity.

• Solo Time: ~8 mins → 257 IP/min
• Squad Time: <4 mins → 514 IP/min

You’ll want at least one masked teammate. Use elevator favors or move money carefully. Solo stealth is safer and easier than high-risk loud.

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🔸 THE META: No Rest for the Wicked (Speed Stealth, All Bags)

The original beta heist now reigns supreme as the ultimate level farming method—but it’s high effort.

• Avg Time: ~2.5 mins
• Total IP: 1,910
• IP/Minute: ~764

Requires a coordinated squad with defined roles. Let’s break them down:

Roles:

1. Sto (Support)

• Manages slipups
• Moves bodies
• Delivers bags
• Optional: Finds QR phone

2. Destroyer

• Rushes in
• Opens back door
• Silently kills first-floor security guard
• Hides body

3. Keycard Carrier

• Locates red keycard (favor, downstairs guard, or patrolling guard)
• Finds control room (roof, toilet, or first floor)
• Calls out power switch color
• Runs to office computer to reveal codes

4. Hostage Taker

• Pulls lever
• Locates manager
• Uses QR code door
• Ties and commands manager
• Guides him to vault (bait with throwing knives if needed)

Final Phase:

• Input code (based on worn keys)
• Disarm dye packs (3 crew)
• Search safety boxes for extra IP loot (1 crew)

Glowing outline method: Face each set at a right angle and look for pulsating glows. Time is tight, but 8 bags minimum nets the full 400 IP bonus.

• Escape with Transporter build
• Loop cameras, use ECMs

CommanderCH and top crews average ~2:15 runs, which blows other methods out of the water. Their guides and video links are essential if you want to learn the method.

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Final Notes:

• Some strats may be patched (e.g., battering ram exploits).
• Update 7 increased IP across the board, making all content more rewarding.
• If risk or restarts bother you, stick to loud rushes like Under the Surface.
• Full optimization isn’t for everyone—but for stat junkies, it’s an addicting loop.

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Whether you’re chasing max Renown like CommanderCH or just looking for smarter ways to grind, Update 7 delivers. Stealth, loud, solo, squad—pick your poison. The numbers are in your favor.

More guides to come as patches evolve. Good luck out there, heisters.