Learn the essential technique of shouting to control civilians during heists in Payday 3.
Payday 3 is all about executing heists with precision, and sometimes, keeping civilians in check is vital for a smooth operation. However, if you’ve played the previous title in the series, you might find the controls for shouting a bit different this time around. Here’s a guide on how to effectively use the Shout command in Payday 3.
How to Shout in Payday 3

To shout at non-playable characters (NPCs) in Payday 3, you’ll need to use the same button that you use for marking targets. The default buttons for various platforms are as follows:
- PC (Keyboard & mouse): Middle mouse button
- PlayStation and Xbox: Up on the D-Pad
Shouting is particularly useful when dealing with multiple civilians simultaneously. A well-timed shout can make everyone in a room hit the floor, which is a great way to maintain control during a heist. After shouting, remember to secure them by using zip ties if you want to keep them in check. In Payday 3, there’s no limit to the number of civilians you can tie up, so feel free to immobilize them all. This strategy is crucial when attempting stealthy heists.

Keep in mind that you can only shout at civilians when they or everyone in the vicinity is alerted to your presence. If you’re still in stealth mode, pressing the shout button will only allow you to mark the civilians for your team. In such cases, you might need to position yourself in front of them and wait for them to become aware of your presence before you can shout at them.
As a more assertive approach, you can use melee attacks on civilians, even in stealth mode. This will cause them to immediately drop to the ground, making it easier for you to tie them up. However, when dealing with a group of civilians, shouting remains the more effective option.
Control is crucial in Payday 3, and mastering the art of shouting at civilians is an essential skill for any successful heist.