Status

⚠️ Work in progress / TEST BUILD (not a finished release).

Hostage Commander adds a tactical hostage command system to PAYDAY 2: squads, formations, roles, trade policies, and optional automation.

WIP / test build note

• Expect bugs and balance changes.
• Some mechanics may change or be removed.
• Use at your own risk (recommended: don’t use on “serious” runs yet).

Key features

• Commands (QuickMenu + keybind)
  • Follow / Stay / Release
  • Formations: Column (follow), Line, Circle, Perimeter (multi‑ring), Column (static)
  • Safe Spot: set position + move hostages to it (circle/perimeter)
  • Scout / Distract
• Squads
  • Assign hostages to Squad 1 / Squad 2
  • Issue commands to active squad (or All)
• Roles (civilian hostages)
  • Medic / Lookout / Hacker / Shield / Distractor
• Trade policies (any hostage)
  • Normal / Protected / Priority (influences which hostage is traded first)
• Visuals / UX
  • Role-based colored contours (optional)
  • Target highlight + small target HUD label near crosshair (optional)
• Host-only safety
  • Server-side command logic (clients won’t force hostages around)

Default keybinds

• H — Open menu
• K — Cycle Role (current interaction target)
• L — Cycle Squad (current interaction target)
• P — Cycle Trade Policy (current interaction target)

Notes

• Some behaviors depend on stealth vs loud and hostage compliance.
• If something feels off: Menu → Settings → Toggle debug → Dump diagnostics and share mods/saves/hostage_commander_debug.txt.