Top 13 Saints Row BEST Perks

Learn the best minor, major, and elite perks that you should consider unlocking first so as to dominate fights!

The Saints Row series has always given players the opportunity to grow into immensely strong characters. In the reimagined version of Saints Row, players have access to a variety of different perks, which allow them to accomplish their goals via the use of ridiculous weapons or powers. That is why we have curated the Saints Row best Perks guide for the players to unlock these first and make the Boss overpowered in the game.

Key Takeaways
  • Saints Row offers you the opportunity to grow into strong characters and access various perks.
  • There are 34 different perks.
  • There are three levels of perks accessible in Saints Row: Minor, Major, and Elite. 
  • A fee is required in order to acquire slots for just one Elite perk and two of the remaining perks. 
  • The Best Minor Perks include Close Call, Loot Grab, In the Flow, Dead Eye, and Death Race.
  • Saints Row’s Best Perks under the Major category are On the Down Low, Eagle Eye, Fast Learner, Not Dead Yet, and Dual Wield.
  • The Best Elite Perks include Saving Throw and Rampage.
  • There are Five perk slots locked by default, but you can unlock each one by meeting some prerequisites.

Best Minor Perks 

Perks Saints Row
Minor PerksDescription
Close CallYour vehicle will receive boost time, while having a near miss
Loot GrabYou automatically reach the cash and ammo
In The FlowThe only time you lose flow is when you perform a talent or skill
Dead EyeYour Reload speed gets a direct increase, after having a headshot kill
Death RaceBeing very close to death, calls for a fast run

We have listed the top five Saints Row best Perks in the minor category that you should consider unlocking first so as to get an edge while playing main missions, side quests, or just causing casual mayhem on the streets.

Close Call

This perk provides an additional vehicle boost and increases your charge whenever you have a near miss. It’s perfect for those who enjoy reckless driving and close-quarters combat.

Loot Grab

While not the most powerful perk, Loot Grab is useful for drawing in cash and ammunition from a closer proximity. It’s handy when the game’s missions tease you with loot but interrupt your progress.

In The Flow

This early-game perk retains your flow at all times, preventing it from decreasing. It allows you to make better use of your abilities and special attacks. Great for those who love finisher combos and want more frequent access to special attacks.

Dead Eye

Similar to Destiny’s Outlaw perk, Dead Eye significantly improves your reload rate for a limited time after a precision kill. This makes it perfect for players who consistently score headshots, enhancing their weapon reload speed.

Death Race

This minor perk grants increased movement speed when your character is close to death. It activates passively and can help you escape dangerous situations when your character is at risk.

Best Major Perks 

Loot Grab Perk
Major PerkDescription
On The Down LowEach and every action of yours will cause less notoriety
Eagle EyeAt the time you get a headshot, try to lessen the cooldown
Fast LearnerYou'll be granted a full bonus on XP earned
Not Dead YetIn the Combat phase, you can easily get twice the health
Dual WieldHolding weapon in both hands while wielding SMGs and pistols can
gives you a heads up

If you want to have Saints Row’s best Perks under the major category, then our five listed entries here will surely give you a strategic advantage while playing the game.

On The Down Low

Reduces the notoriety you gain, making it easier to stay unnoticed when causing mayhem in the game. Perfect for focusing on important missions and challenges without attracting too much attention.

Eagle Eye

This perk significantly reduces the time it takes to reload takedowns after scoring headshots. With a few headshot kills, you can effectively perform instant-kill takedowns. It complements other takedown-related abilities and works well with rapid-firing weapons.

Fast Learner

Offers a faster experience gain, which is valuable in the game. However, its effectiveness depends on when you acquire it. If you get it early, it’s a great choice to level up quickly.

Not Dead Yet

Regenerates health at double the usual rate during combat, allowing you to survive longer and reduce the frequency of deaths. This perk is particularly useful in the midst of intense combat situations.

Dual Wield

This perk allows you to dual-wield Submachine Guns (SMGs). Using two SMGs makes eliminating enemies faster and more efficient. It’s especially helpful when dealing with large groups of enemies or using firearms with slower but powerful damage output.

Best Elite Perks 

Elite Perks
Elite PerkDescription
Saving ThrowThis can help you getting two more health bars with cooldown, at the
momemt of your health getting depleted
RampageThere's a chance of more damage, when your flow meter is completely
fillled up

Considering the limitation of equipping elite perks in Saints Row, we have narrowed down the two best Saints Row perks that you should try to unlock first so as to make the most of the elite perk slot in the game. 

Saving Throw

This perk provides a crucial second chance in battle. When you receive damage that should have killed you, Saving Throw activates, granting you a second life with two full health bars. There is a cooldown period before this ability can trigger again. It’s an excellent choice if you find yourself frequently on the brink of death, and it pairs well with maintaining takedowns and healing.

Rampage

This perk increases your damage output as long as your Flow meter remains at its current level. It’s particularly effective when you’re not constantly using special attacks and have the In the Flow perk equipped in a Minor slot. Rampage significantly boosts your damage when your Flow meter is full, and it complements other abilities that rely on the Flow gauge. If you prefer consistent firepower over high burst damage, you can replace Surgical Strike with Rampage.

How To Unlock Perks 

Saints Row unlocking best perks
unlocking best perks Saints Row

In Saints Row, you can unlock and manage perks by following these steps:

  1. Progress in the Game’s Plot: To unlock perks, make significant progress in the game’s plot by completing missions and objectives.
  2. Challenges: Complete various challenges throughout the game. Challenges can be accessed via your character’s smartphone under the “Missions” option. These challenges include a variety of tasks, some simple and some more challenging. Completing a challenge will earn you a new perk.
  3. Skill Balance: To equip perks, you need to maintain a specific skill balance. Your character must have a certain amount of skill balance to activate perks.
  4. Perk Slots: Use the Perks app on your character’s phone to manage your perk slots. You can shuffle your earned perks into active slots, but you need available slots of the right type to use your unlocked perks.
  5. Purchase Perk Slots: You can buy new perk slots in the Perks app when you have enough in-game money. Having more perk slots allows you to equip more perks simultaneously.
  6. Active Perks: Remember that you can’t use unlocked perks until you have at least one available slot to store them. As a result, you may need to prioritize which perks to equip if you have limited slots, especially in the early stages of the game.

Unlocking Perks Slots

In Saints Row, you have a total of five perk slots available to you, each of which may be filled with a specific kind of perk. On the other hand, perk slots are locked by default, but you may unlock each one by meeting the prerequisites that are specified below.

Perk Slot Cost
Minor Perk #1 Complete The Tutorial
Minor Perk #2 $10,000
Major Perk #1 $25,000
Major Perk #2 $100,000
Elite Perk $250,000

That is pretty much everything you need to know about Saints Row Best perks with all minor, major and elite ones. Let us know more of your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Irfan Ansari is a Senior Editor and Guides Writer on eXputer. He has seven years of Video Game Journalism experience and has been gaming for more than 22 years. Over his editorial career, he has gained experience at multiple sites, including TheGamer and VeryAli Gaming. Irfan has also earned a degree in Writing and Editing from the University of Michigan. Learn some more about Irfan's gaming journey on his Steam, PSN, and Xbox profiles.

Experience: 7+ Years || Worked for TheGamer and VeryAli Gaming

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