Watch Dogs 2 Game Tips guide screenshot

Game Tips

Watch Dogs 2: Game Tips Guide



Mastering San Francisco as Marcus Holloway requires more than just a sharp wit. This guide covers essential tips across all aspects of the game—from combat and exploration to resource management and advanced hacking. Use these insights to become the ultimate DedSec operative.

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General Tips for All Players



1. Always Use Your Phone Scanner


Marcus’s phone can profile every NPC, vehicle, and object. Keep it out constantly to reveal side missions, collectibles, and hackable points (like city infrastructure). Profiling also shows a target’s income, faction, and potential loot drops.

2. Invest in the Multitool Upgrades Early


Your in-game multitool lets you hack cameras, doors, and more. Prioritize the “Remote Control” upgrade for the Jumping Drone and the “Quadcopter” upgrade for the RC Car. These gadgets unlock countless shortcuts and stealth options.

3. Save Often and Use Multiple Save Slots


The game auto-saves frequently, but manual saves let you experiment with different approaches. Before a major mission, create a save so you can revert if things go wrong.

4. Switch Characters Occasionally


Each DedSec member has a unique skill and weapon loadout. Wrench has a powerful taser, Sitara has her drone, Josh has hacking boosts, and Horatio has a grenade launcher. Use them to match your play style for specific missions.

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Combat Tips (Stealth & Lethal)



Beginner: Hide and Hack


Don’t rush into gunfights. Use cameras to scout enemy positions, then hack environmental hazards (explosive barrels, transformers) to take out groups silently. The “Blackout” hack (unlocked via the Botnet skill tree) can disable all electronics in a large area, giving you a temporary advantage.

Intermediate: Use the RC Car as a Distraction


When enemies are searching, deploy the RC car near an object (like a vehicle) and make it emit a “hacking sound” or cause a small alarm. This draws guards away from their posts. Combine with the Jumping Drone for vertical distractions.

Advanced: Chain Hacks for Multi-Kills


Hack a gas pipe near one guard, then hack a junction box near another while the first guard is stunned. With the “Chain Hacks” skill (Engineering tree), you can trigger multiple environmental attacks in quick succession, eliminating an entire patrol without firing a shot.

Lethal Combat: Use the Heavy Weapons


Once you unlock the “Heavy Revolver” or “Shotgun” (becoming available after story missions), use them indoors or in tight corridors. The revolver is a one-hit kill on most enemies up to medium range. However, loud weapons attract reinforcements—always have an escape route.

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Exploration Tips



Beginner: Unlock Fast Travel Points Early


Each district has a hidden fast travel location (usually a sewer entrance or a specific building). Use your phone’s map and ride a drone over unknown areas to reveal them. Fast travel saves immense time.

Intermediate: Collect All Research Points (Tech Points)


Tech Points are scattered everywhere: on rooftops, in restricted areas, inside locked rooms. They are essential for unlocking new skills. Use the “Technology” perk (from the Botnet tree) to mark Tech Points on your map. Prioritize collecting them early to unlock powerful hacks.

Advanced: Use the Bug-out Bag to Loot Safely


The Bug-out Bag is a buyable item that instantly teleports you to a safehouse if you’re carrying illicit items (like stolen cars). Great for high-risk runs where you need to escape quickly after looting a valuable item from a restricted zone.

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Resource & Hacking Tips



Beginner: Hack Everything That Moves


Hack traffic lights, bridges, and lift systems. Not only do they distract guards, but they also increase your “Hack Score” which unlocks bonus abilities. Always hack police drones and cameras to get eyes on objective locations.

Intermediate: Manage Your Battery Meter


Your phone has a limited battery for hacking (shown as a meter top-right). Use small hacks (like unlocking doors) sparingly; save battery for large hacks (Blackout, Mass Blackout). Recharge by staying near electrical sources or using the “Battery Regen” skill (Botnet tree).

Advanced: Create a Hacking Route


For complex missions, plan a path of accessible cameras and drones that gives you a full view of the target area. Mark them by scanning and then executing hacks in a sequence (e.g., camera 1 → door → camera 2 → distract guard). This perfects a silent run.

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Economy & Skill Build Tips



Beginner: Spend Tech Points on Essential Skills First


  • Botnet: Battery upgrades and Blackout hack.

  • Engineering: Chain Hacks and Remote Control for gadgets.

  • Social Engineering: Increase follow distance and reduce detection. Get “Shadows” (move faster while in crowds).

  • Stealth: Silent takedown and prone movement.


    • Do NOT waste points on vehicle health or weapon damage early—stealth is king.

    Intermediate: Sell Extra Weapons and Clothes


    You’ll accumulate many duplicate weapons and outfits. Sell them at gun shops or clothing stores for quick cash. Cash is used to buy cars, upgrades, and some gadgets.

    Advanced: Farm Money with Co-op Missions


    Criminal Profiling side missions are repeatable and pay well if you complete them with a partner. Use the money to buy the “RC Jumper” drone upgrades, which are expensive but invaluable for stealth.

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    Vehicle Tips



    Beginner: Use the “Remote Hacking” on Enemy Vehicles


    When chased by police, hack the trunk latch of a cop car to release a flashbang effect that disables the vehicle for a few seconds. Alternatively, hack a bridge or bollard to create sudden obstacles.

    Intermediate: Own Multiple Vehicles for Different Terrain


    Buy a fast sports car (like the “Cayenne Turbo” from the Autospot app) for open roads, and an off-road buggy for hill climbs. Upgrade vehicles with armor and speed at the mechanic located in each district.

    Advanced: The Stealth Vans


    Once unlocked via story, use DedSec’s mobile command van (the one with the large antenna) to remotely control drones and cameras from a safe distance. Park it near a mission area for a safe command post.

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    Stealth & Detection Tips



    Beginner: Stay in Prone and Use the Environment


    Going prone reduces your visibility dramatically. Crouch walk behind walls, cars, and foliage. Most guards have a 30-40m detection range; stay outside that when possible.

    Intermediate: Use the “Double Tap” Quick Hack


    Quick Hacks (e.g., unlocking a door) can be performed faster by double-tapping the interaction button. This prevents you from standing in the open while hacking.

    Advanced: Fool Enemy AI with “Fake Phone Call”


    Use the phone’s “Fake Call” ability (accessed via the radial menu) to create a distraction. Guards will investigate the source of the phone ring, giving you a clear path around them. Works best if you place the call from a hiding spot.

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    Multiplayer & Co-op Tips



    Beginner: Join Bounty Hunter Mode for Quick XP


    Bounty Hunter invades another player’s world. You can net up to 5,000 research points per successful hunt. Great for accumulating Tech Points fast.

    Intermediate: Cooperate on “Criminal Profiling” Co-op Missions


    These bring in extra cash and research. Each player can hack different objectives simultaneously, reducing mission completion time. Use voice comms to coordinate.

    Advanced: Counter-Intrusion Tactics


    If another player invades your world as a Bounty Hunter, go to a crowded public area (like Pier 39) and blend in using the “Follow” function with NPCs. Activate your phone’s “Hide in Plain Sight” (skill from Social Engineering) to make your outline invisible to their scanner. Then wait for them to pass before ambushing.

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    Advanced Optimizations



    1. Master the “Wall Hack” Glitch (Safe Exploit)


    If you position a drone behind a thin wall and then transfer to a camera on the other side, you can view enemies through solid objects. Useful for planning an assault with zero risk.

    2. Use the “Nitro” Boost for Vehicles


    Hold the brake and accelerate simultaneously (or press a specific button combination) to perform a nitro boost at low speeds. This instantly accelerates past cops or through tight spots.

    3. Optimize Your Skill Tree for Your Playstyle


  • Pure Stealth: Max Botnet (Blackout, Battery) and Stealth (prone movement, silent takedown).

  • Aggressive Hacker: Engineering (Chain Hacks, Gadgets) + Social Engineering (quick hacks, follow speed).

  • Runner/Gunner: Stealth + Social Engineering + Combat (weapon skills).


Reset your skill points at any DedSec safehouse via the “Reset Perks” option—costs a small amount of cash but allows infinite re-speccing.

4. Fastest Way to Collect Tech Points


Use the “Quadcopter” drone to survey high rooftops from the air. Mark all visible Tech Points on your map via the drone’s scanner. Then fast travel to each safehouse near the point for a quick ground run. Combine with the “Double Jump” skill (from Stealth tree) to reach tricky ledges.

5. Efficient Money Farming


After unlocking the “Auto-Theft” ability (Engineering tree), you can remotely drive any civilian car within range. Steal expensive cars (e.g., luxury brands) and sell them at the garage in Oakland or Palo Alto. You can earn up to $5,000 per car with minimal effort.

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Final Thoughts



Watch Dogs 2 rewards creativity. The more you experiment with gadgets, hacks, and environmental interactions, the more effective you become. There is no single “right” way to play—choose the tips that match your preferred style and adapt as you learn the map and AI behavior. Happy hacking!