Evading the Long Arm of the Law: A Masterclass in Losing Cops in Watch Dogs

So, you’ve attracted the attention of the Chicago PD in Watch Dogs? Don’t panic! Losing the cops is a core mechanic of the game, and mastering it is crucial for your survival and enjoyment. The most effective methods involve a combination of hacking, driving skills, and strategic awareness. Here’s the lowdown:

The primary ways to lose the cops in Watch Dogs are:

• Breaking Line of Sight: This is your first and most important objective. Get out of the cops’ direct visual range. Use buildings, alleys, and tunnels to your advantage. The red zone on your minimap indicates their current search area; you need to exit this zone.

• Hacking the Environment: This is where Watch Dogs shines. Use your hacking skills to manipulate the environment to your advantage.

  • Traffic Lights: Changing traffic lights can cause chaos, creating obstacles and confusion for pursuing vehicles.
  • Roadblocks: Triggering roadblocks already in place can further slow down or completely stop the police.
  • Steam Pipes: Activating steam pipes can create visual obstructions and force pursuers to slow down.
  • Garage Doors & Gates: Quickly opening and closing garage doors or security gates can block pursuit.

• Going Off-Road: Police vehicles aren’t always the best off-roaders. Taking your vehicle through parks, construction sites, or other uneven terrain can give you a significant advantage. Be mindful of your vehicle’s capabilities, however.

• Blending In: Once you’ve broken line of sight and exited the red search area, find a place to blend in. This could be driving slowly and obeying traffic laws, entering your vehicle into a garage, or using a hackable hideout.

• Staying Silent: Avoid using weapons or performing any overtly suspicious actions while the cops are searching for you. Attracting attention will reset their search.

Remember, the heat level (indicated by stars) determines the intensity of the pursuit. Higher heat levels mean more aggressive tactics from the police, requiring more strategic and skillful evasion. Successfully losing the cops relies on a combination of these methods, adapted to the specific circumstances of each chase.

FAQs: Mastering the Art of Evasion

General Tactics & Strategies

1. What does the star rating signify, and how does it impact police behavior? The star rating represents your wanted level. Higher star ratings result in more aggressive police behavior, including roadblocks, helicopters, and specialized units like SWAT. They will also pursue you more relentlessly and coordinate their efforts more effectively.

2. Is there a “best” car for evading the police? It depends on your play style. Faster sports cars are great for high-speed chases on open roads. More rugged SUVs or trucks are better for off-road escapes. Generally, a vehicle with good acceleration, handling, and durability is ideal. Experiment to find a vehicle that suits your preferences.

3. How can I use the environment to my advantage beyond hacking? Pay attention to your surroundings. Use narrow alleyways to make tight turns, jump over fences to cut through backyards, and use the elevated ‘L’ train tracks for a temporary escape route. Knowledge of the city’s layout is invaluable.

4. Is it better to drive aggressively or defensively when being pursued? It depends on the situation. Aggressive driving (speeding, weaving through traffic) can help you gain distance initially, but it also makes you more visible. Defensive driving (obeying traffic laws, using cover) is better for blending in once you’ve broken line of sight. A combination of both is often the most effective approach.

5. What’s the deal with police helicopters? How do I avoid them? Helicopters make it much harder to break line of sight. The best strategies include going underground (tunnels, parking garages), seeking dense urban areas with tall buildings to break their visual range, or using your hacking skills to blackout the city for a short period.

Hacking Techniques

6. Which hacking skills are most useful for evading the police? Skills that disable vehicles (like the vehicle disable hack), cause distractions (like the blackout), or manipulate the environment (like traffic lights and steam pipes) are incredibly valuable. Invest in these early on.

7. How often can I use my hacking abilities during a police chase? Is there a cooldown? Yes, most hacking abilities have a cooldown period. The length of the cooldown varies depending on the specific hack. Manage your hacking resources wisely and prioritize your targets.

8. Can I hack police vehicles directly? Yes, you can use your hacking skills to disable police vehicles, causing them to crash or stall. This is especially useful against pursuing vehicles that are directly behind you.

9. Does the effectiveness of hacking depend on my hacking skill level? Yes, as you progress through the game and upgrade your hacking skills, the effectiveness of your hacks will increase. This can include longer durations for disabling vehicles or larger areas of effect for environmental hacks.

10. Are there any hacking skills specifically designed to counter police tactics? Some hacking skills, like jamming police communication, can disrupt their ability to coordinate and track you effectively.

Blending In & Losing the Trail

11. How quickly do the cops lose interest if I blend in effectively? The speed at which the cops lose interest depends on your wanted level and how convincingly you blend in. At lower levels, a few seconds of behaving normally after breaking line of sight may be enough. At higher levels, it can take significantly longer and require more careful maneuvering.

12. What constitutes “blending in”? Do I have to follow all traffic laws? Blending in involves behaving like a normal citizen. This means driving at a reasonable speed, obeying traffic laws (stopping at red lights, signaling turns), and avoiding any actions that might draw attention to yourself.

13. Can I use my safehouses to evade the police? Yes, entering a safehouse will instantly remove your wanted level. However, getting to a safehouse while being actively pursued can be challenging.

14. If I’m on foot, what are the best places to hide? Crowded areas, narrow alleyways, and climbing up scaffolding or drainpipes to reach rooftops can all be effective hiding spots. Remember to stay out of sight and avoid making any noise.

15. Does my clothing or appearance affect how easily I can blend in? No, your clothing or appearance does not affect how easily you can blend in. Blending in relies solely on your behavior and actions.

Losing the cops in Watch Dogs is a thrilling and rewarding experience. It requires a combination of skill, strategy, and a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics. By mastering these techniques, you’ll be able to navigate the streets of Chicago with confidence and outsmart even the most determined pursuers. Remember that learning through play is an important part of understanding complex systems, as explored by the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. So, experiment, adapt, and have fun!