Watch Dogs Combat Skills

In a game like Watch Dogs, when violence is unavoidable, it’s important to know your combat upgrade system in order to form your plan of attack. It’ll cost you 59 points to access all of the combat skills upgrades and your attack approach will determine whether they’re worthwhile or not. We’ve grouped the skills according to their emphasis, making it easier for you to find your place. Continue with our Hints and Tips to maximize your destruction abilities in a flash.

 

How to optimize your time

 

Focus: Immediately Available | Costs 1 Point

Temporarily slow down time in Aiden’s world with this combat skill. Everything will slow down to just 10% of the usual speed, allowing you an extra moment to perform actions. This is a must have skill; get it as soon as you can!

 
Stealth Sprint: Available after Main Mission Act I/5 Open Your World | Costs 4 Points

When sprinting normally enemies will be able to hear you from a distance of 20 meters, but with this combat upgrade the detection distance is just 2 meters while sprinting.

 
Critical Focus: Available after Main Mission Act I/5 Open Your World | Costs 5 Points

You may feel down and out, waiting for Aiden’s life to end, but it doesn’t have to be that way. The Critical Focus combat skill refuels Aiden’s Focus ability by 35% every second while his health is low.

 
Improved Focus: Available after Main Mission Act I/5 Open Your World | Costs 2 Points

At first Aiden’s Focus ability will last for 4 seconds, this improved Focus skill extends that to 5.5 seconds instead. You’ll also be able to turn Focus on and off in quick succession more often after getting this upgrade.

Slowed Focus: Available after Main Mission Act I/5 Open Your World | Costs 3 Points

If you thought time was slow during Focus, you haven’t experienced anything yet! The Slowed Focus combat upgrade reduces time to just 5% of normal speed. The extra time gives you the chance to take out even more enemies. That can’t be a bad thing for 3 points.

Maximised Focus: Available after finishing 10 Chess Challenges | Costs 5 Points

The duration of Aiden’s Focus abilitiy is once again extended after the Maximised Focus skill. You’ll be able to use the skill for 7 seconds as a time.

How to become a weapons master.

Quick Switch: Available after catching one criminal with the Crime Detection System | Costs 1 Point

You’ll feel the benefits of this combat upgrade when in the midst of battle and need to attack someone fast. Equip yourself 25% quicker with the Quick Switch, so if you normally need 2 seconds to draw your weapon it’ll only take 1.5 after the upgrade.

Pistol Expert: Available after Main Mission Act I/5 Open Your World | Costs 2 Points

As expected, this upgrade is best suited to those who are pistol-friendly. Fire shots from your single-handed guns 25% quicker once you’ve acquired this combat skill.

Shotgun Expert: Available after Main Mission Act I/5 Open Your World | Costs 3 Points

Once again you’re presented with the option to upgrade your skills with a particular weapon, but this time it’s the shotgun. Fire shotguns at cars and lorries during combat and you’ll find they take more damage than normal. If you want the math, vehicles will suffer 25% more with this combat skill.

Sniper Rifle Expert: Available after Main Mission Act I/5 Open Your World | Costs 5 Points

When using a sniper your priority is normally accuracy, which can easily falter when aiming from long distances. The Sniper Rifle Expert combat upgrade will reduce sway by 20%, helping you take better aim at targets.

Auto Weapons Expert: Available upon attaining Wave 5 in NVZN | Costs 5 Points

Not to leave out any of the gun groups, this upgrade focuses on the automatic weapons. Although you may not prioritise accuracy when using an automatic gun, probably because you’re just trying to mow down any enemies in sight, that doesn’t mean it should be weak. This combat upgrade will improve precision when firing in bursts.

How to improve your fight

Steady Aim: Immediately Available | Costs 1 Point

This low cost combat upgrade will improve your weapon usage, whatever the gun. Once acquired, you’ll feel weapon recoil reduce by 25%.

Demolitionist: Available after Main Mission Act I/5 Open Your World | Costs 3 Points

The crafting skills in Watch Dogs enable you to build some impressive projectiles like the IED and Frag Grenades. Take full advantage of your crafting skills by increasing the number of projectiles you can carry with this combat upgrade, you’ll be allowed 2 more IEDs and grenades or 5 more Lures.

Expert Demolitionist: Available after Main Mission Act I/5 Open Your World | Costs 4 Points

This takes the previous skill one step further. Expert Demolitionist permits a total of 8 Frag Grenades.

Enforcer Combat Take Down: Available after Main Mission Act I/5 Open Your World | Costs 5 Points

One of the most dreaded enemies is the armored Enforcer and this combat skill helps you defeat them! It is better suited to those who prefer stealth rather than explosives, because it enables you to defeat the Enforcer with melee attacks as you can with other foes.

Bullet Resistance: Available after Main Mission Act I/5 Open Your World | Costs 2 Points

It’s inevitable that you’ll take gun wounds in Watch Dogs. Consider your weapons range, then imagine all of your enemies with that and you’ll get an idea of how many gun shots you’ll have to face. This combat skills upgrade will reduce the damage you take from bullets, which is particularly useful if you like going in guns blazing.

Blast Resistance: Available when you score 3 Gold ratings in Cash Run | Costs 3 Points

Walk away from explosions 25% less harmed with this combat skill. Whether it’s an enemy bomb or the steam pipe that you set off and stood too close to, this upgrade is bound to come in good use.

Rapid Reload: Available after completion of 5 Gang Hideouts | Costs 5 Points

As the final upgrade of this combat skills tree branch, we’re expecting something worth using our points on. If you’re keen on using guns this upgrade is certainly one to save up for as it increases the rapid reload rate for ALL WEAPONS.

Have you got any Hints and Tips for moving up the Watch Dogs Combat Skills tree? Share them in the comments below.

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