The Best Saints Row Perks And How To Unlock Them

The perk system in Saints Row is quite complicated though, because you need to unlock perk slots with one method before unlocking perks themselves comes via challenges. We’ve got all the details on how to unlock perks and perk slots at the bottom of this guide, after our picks for the absolute best Saints Row perks you need to equip yourself with and the complete list of all perks in the game.

The best Saints Row perks by tier

Perks are split into three tiers — Minor, Major, and Elite — which gives a general idea of how powerful each one is. This is also reflected in the amount you can equip at once. While it’s possible to equip two Minor and two Major perks at all times, you can only have one Elite.

Minor

Dead Eye – This lets you reload faster after a headshot kill, which is incredibly useful for weapons with a slow default reload speed. Pairs well with most combat-related perks. Close Call – Nitrous boosting is something you should be doing on all vehicles once unlocked, and this perk allows you to do it even more often. All it takes is some dangerous driving. In the Flow – Flow is used for all skills (and is needed for a handful of perks), so having it stay with you between battles is incredibly helpful.

Major

On the Down Low – Notoriety can potentially build quickly, especially on higher difficulty levels. On the Down Low helps mitigate this by lowering notoriety gain when causing general mayhem. Dual Wield – SMGs can feel a little weak, so having 2 of them is more than welcome. This perk also goes well with the slow, high damage pistols. Eagle Eye – The takedown reduction of this skill is significant, essentially allowing you to instant kill a regular enemy after a few headshot kills. Pairs well with Dead Eye and takedown-related perks.

Elite

Surgical Strike – Another headshot perk, and one of the earliest Elite perk unlocks. Chaining headshot kills allows you to deal a lot of damage quickly. Rampage – An alternative to Surgical Strike, trading high burst damage for more consistent firepower — assuming you don’t want to use skills at least. Ride Eternal – Makes vehicles almost immortal, especially if they’ve been upgraded a few times.

Full Saints Row perk list

This is the full list of Saints Row perks, from Minor through to Elite.
Minor Major Elite

How to unlock perks and perk slots

While perk slots can be bought with money, actually unlocking perks requires skill bank balance. Saints Row perks are unlocked as you complete challenges, with a specific number of challenges required for each. Challenges are accepted from your cell phone menu, under Missions, and are small tasks that can be completed alongside larger missions, such as finding and photographing Saints Row fast travel locations.

Minor Perk slot one: “Making Rent” mission completion Minor Perk slot two: Spend $10,000 Major Perk slot one: Spend $25,000 Major Perk slot two: Spend $100,000 Elite Perk slot: Spend $250,000

Now that your boss is kitted out with the best perks, you’re ready to take on all of the challenges found dotted across the Saints Row map, or hunt down one of the best Saints Row cars from our list.