Wei Shen starts out as a force to be reckoned with and he only becomes more deadly as the game progresses. Throughout the course of the story, different types of upgrades become available to our undercover cop depending on play style and player’s involvement in side missions.
This guide* will detail all upgrades for the Cop, Triad, Melee and Face categories. Take some time to browse through each so you can get an idea of where you’ll be spending your skill points to create the ultimate cop or the deadliest gangster.
*The information for this guide was taken from the PlayStation 3 version of Sleeping Dogs, therefore, all button prompts reference the DualShock 3 controller layout.
Cop Upgrades
In order to increase level and gain skill points in the Cop skill tree, Wei will have to take on police cases and must avoid both property damage and civilian casualties during missions.
Phone: Receive the phone.
Fast Disarm: Wei can disarm gun-wielding enemies without a struggle.
Slow Motion Follow Up: While holding a firearm, Wei can enter Slow Motion aiming by holding L2 after disarming an enemy or hitting them with a melee attack.
Recoil Compensator: Firearms have slightly reduced recoil, allowing faster follow up shots.
Increased Focus: Slow Motion from vault shooting and disarming lasts longer.
Overpressure Ammo: Firearms are loaded with +P rounds, giving you increased shooting damage.
Slim Jim: Use a Slim Jim to quickly break into cars without setting off the alarm of breaking the window.
Action Dismount: Wei can enter Slow Motion aiming while leaping from a vehicle at high speed while armed.
Action Hijack Reduced Heat: Performing an Action Hijack while being chased by police reduces Wei’s heat level.
Increased Ramming Damage: All damage done when ramming another vehicle is increased.
Police Trunk Key: Wei can obtain firearms from the trunks of police cars.
Triad Upgrades
To maintain his cover as a Triad, Wei will have to partake in some heinous acts. Violent actions such as lethal kills (ex: deadly environmental kills) accrue Triad points. If the cops look down upon it, chances are it’ll help you level up the Triad section.
Counters: Counter enemy attacks.
Strike Damage Bonus: Extra damage for all striking attacks.
Surprise Exchange: Lock on and press X to roll over an enemy to face their back.
Melee Weapon Sprint Attacks: Unlocks the ability to perform powerful weapon attacks while sprinting.
Charge Kick Follow Up: Unlocks a quick follow up to the basic heavy thrust kick. HOLD Square, Square.
Melee Weapon Boost: Melee Weapons do more damage and have more durability in combat.
Strike Resistance: The player takes reduced damage from enemy unarmed strikes.
Rising Kick: Perform a rising strike when knocked down.
Melee Weapon Resistance: The player takes reduces damage from melee weapons.
Counter Recovery: Wei recovers faster from a failed counter attempt.
Climbing Elbow Strike: Climb up your enemy and execute a devastating elbow smash. HOLD L2 + HOLD Circle.
Melee Upgrades
Jade statues are hidden throughout Hong Kong. Collect these and return them to the martial arts teacher to learn a move each time a statue is found
Sweep Kick: Your Sweep Kick knocks down multiple opponents. Square, HOLD Square.
Charge Knee Stun: Your Charge Knee stuns opponents. Square, Square, HOLD Square.
Stun Strike Follow Up: A follow up strike on stunned opponents. Square, Square, HOLD Square, Square.
Spinning Heel Kick: Spinning Heel Kick knocks down opponents. Press Square, Square, Square HOLD Square.
Jumping Power Roundhouse Kick: Jumping Roundhouse Kick has increased damage and power. Square, Square, Square, Square, HOLD Square.
Double Jump Kick: A follow up combo from the regular jump kick. X + Square, Square.
Tackle Strike: Strike after tackling the enemy. HOLD X + Circle, Square.
Leg Break: Leg break grapple combo. Causes surrounding enemies to wince. Circle, Square, HOLD Square.
Disarm Tackle: disarm the enemy after tackling them from a sprint. HOLD X + Circle.
Stun Grapple Follow Up: A follow up strike on stunned opponents. HOLD Circle.
Arm Break: Stunning arm break grapple follow up. Circle, Square, Square, HOLD Square.
Dim Mak: An aggressive counter attack that sends an enemy flying back. Circle + Triangle.
Face Upgrades
Look out for the yellow side missions scattered throughout the streets of Hong Kong. These are missions given by normal civilians. Completing these various tasks will increase the Face’s progress bar.
Face Meter Unlocked: Filling this meter in combat intimidates enemies and regains lost health.
Fine Food & Drink: the regenerative effects of all food items lasts twice as long, herbal tea is twice as potent and energy drinks are 50% more effective.
Disarm: While the Face Meter is activated, Wei can disarm melee weapons by grappling or countering an enemy.
Car Valet: A lackey will bring you your car, anytime, anywhere.
Toughness: While the Face Meter is activated, Wei takes reduced damage from attacks.
Extra Special Massages: Massages do 50% more to build your Face Meter up.
Uninterruptible: While the Face Meter is activated, Wei’s attacks are uninterruptible.
Everything Just Got Better: Regeneration from food lasts three times longer. Energy Drinks, Herbal Tea and Massages are twice as effective.
Unstoppable: While the Face Meter is activated, Wei’s attacks do more damage, enemy class bonuses are disabled and Wei can Ground ‘n Pound.
Dai Lo: 40% Discount when buying all cars and clothes.
