The sun never sets on Grand Theft Auto V. A decade after launch, the game keeps topping charts, thanks to its living city, cinematic story, and ever-evolving Online mode. Maybe you grabbed the free Epic copy, saw the next-gen upgrade, or need a refresher before GTA VI. Whatever pulled you in, this guide will fast-track you from tourist to kingpin, no boring lecture required.
You will learn how to blaze through the main story, earn legal (and not-so-legal) cash, dominate shoot-outs, tune dream cars, and avoid rookie Online mistakes that waste hours. Ready? Grab a Pißwasser, switch to widescreen, and let’s hijack success.
Getting Started: Settings, Controls, First Cash
Optimize Options First
- Set targeting mode to Assisted Aim (Partial) for smoother console gunplay, or Free Aim if you plan to excel on PC mouse.
- Turn on subtitles; character banter gives heist hints.
- Lower brightness until night scenes look dark, not grey. It boosts atmosphere and stealth visibility.
Prologue to Franklin’s First Car Repo
Finish the mandatory intro, then with Franklin complete “Repossession.” Steal every unattended sedan you pass, store two in his garage, and sell extras at Los Santos Customs for quick startup cash ($500-$900 each).
Story Mode Walk-through Essentials
Three Characters, Three Skill Sets
- Franklin: Driving focus. Use his slow-mo skill to escape cops early game.
- Michael: Bullet-time shooting. Perfect for bank corridors and story missions with tight interiors.
- Trevor: Rage mode doubles damage and halves income pain from hospital bills by keeping you alive.
Best Heist Approaches (Low-Spoiler)
- The Jewel Store Job: Pick “Smart” approach. Hire cheapest gunman (Norm) for XP, he levels up for later.
- Merryweather Heist: Choose “Offshore” to unlock the cargobob—handy for free tank deliveries later.
- Paleto Score: Everyone goes loud; buy full armor and pick the minigun as soon as it appears.
- The Big Score: Take “Subtle” if aiming for max payout; just be sure gunmen have leveled enough to avoid fatal drops.
Must-Do Side Missions
- Dom’s Parachute jumps: unlock free parachutes at every shop.
- Beverly’s Paparazzo line: yields passive income from a photo app.
- Michael’s Epsilon quest: completion nets $2.1 M or a gold Truffade Z-Type depending on choice.
Open-World Mastery: Exploration & Hidden Loot
Collectibles That Actually Matter
- Submarine Parts (Michael): $10,000 bonus and Kraken sub unlock for ocean treasure hunts.
- Letter Scraps: earn a new mission that drops an exclusive ’50s hotrod.
- Spaceship Parts: gives Franklin the slick Rocket Voltic-like “Space Docker.”
Weekly Routine for Easy Money
- Buy a scuba suit at Vespucci for $1,200.
- Dive for Hidden Packages near sunken planes—each worth $5-$25K.
- Swap to another character before oxygen runs out; the packages respawn.
- Repeat until first million earned in two hours real-time.
Combat & Weapons: Shoot and Survive
Early-Game Loadout
- Pistol .50: high damage, cheap ammo.
- Assault SMG: obtained in “Nervous Ron,” good until you afford the Carbine Rifle.
- Sticky Bombs: buy five before every heist setup; versatile for roadblocks and safes.
Mid- to Late-Game Upgrades
- Special Carbine or Bullpup Rifle: balanced recoil, 30-round mag.
- AP Pistol: shoots from car windows, outclasses Micro SMG.
- Heavy Sniper MK II (Only in Next-Gen): explosive rounds make vehicles trivial.
Five Golden Gunfight Rules
- Always wear Super Heavy Armor; it stacks over health.
- Use cover but move every 5-7 seconds to avoid grenade AI.
- Roll (X + left stick / Spacebar) to reset targeting reticle faster.
- Shoot tires of police SUVs to stall rear pursuit lines.
- Headshots with suppressed weapons delay SWAT arrival by one wanted level.
Vehicles: From Stock Sedan to Hypercar
Top Budget Cars You Can Steal
- Benefactor Schwartzer: free sports coupe found in Vinewood Hills.
- Karin Kuruma (Armored, Story Only): win it after “The Fleeca Job”; almost bulletproof for random events.
- BF Injection: dune buggy at Sandy Shores; perfect for off-road stunt jumps.
Custom Upgrades That Matter
- Armor 100%: best bang for buck.
- Turbo: adds 15 km/h top speed universally.
- Bulletproof tires: unlock after level 20 Online, but story mode has them day one.
Money & Economy: Make, Save, Multiply
Stock Market Basics (Story Mode)
Before each Lester assassination, pour all three protagonists’ money into the target company’s rival:
- LFI → Bet on Debonaire, cash out at 80% rise.
- Murder on the Coast → Buy Facade, wait for 30%.
- Vice Assassination → Bet on Fruit, exit at 50%.
Do NOT do these until you finish The Big Score to invest tens of millions, turning into 2 B+ per character.
Passive Income Properties
- Downtown Cab Co. (Franklin) – $2000 weekly for $200K, plus free taxi rides.
- Sonar Collections Dock (Michael) – pays per nuke barrel, doubles as submarine base.
- Tivoli Cinema (Michael) – pricey $30M, but $142K weekly. Buy when your net is huge.
GTA Online Primer (2025 Edition)
First 10 Hours Checklist
- Finish Tutorial Race, Mission and Clothes.
- Claim free Karin Elegy RH8 (linked to Social Club) for races.
- Complete Gerald’s “Violent Duct” repeatedly: 15 K cash in 3 minutes, great starter grind.
- Spin Lucky Wheel daily at Diamond Casino—chance at podium supercar.
- Buy High-End Apartment (Del Perro Heights 7, $200K) to unlock original Heists.
Essential Businesses to Own
- Kosatka Submarine: unlocks Cayo Perico Heist solo; fastest 1.1 M per hour income.
- Agency: Dr. Dre contracts give 1 M for short story plus passive safe cash.
- Auto Shop: short mini-heists, 200 K+ each, plus client deliveries while AFK watching TV.
Griefing Defense 101
- Enable Passive Mode while banking or menu surfing.
- Carry Up-N-Atomizer to flip personal vehicles after rocket spam.
- Consider Invite-Only sessions for business supply runs; payouts unchanged.
Mods & Extra Fun (PC Only)
Install OpenIV and ScriptHookV (single-player only) to unlock community mods such as:
- LSPDFR – become the police instead of running from them.
- NaturalVision Evolved – next-gen visuals with ray-traced lighting.
- Chaos Mod – Twitch-style random events every minute for endless laughs.
Remember: disable mods before Online to avoid bans.
Conclusion: Your Road to Legend
Grand Theft Auto V offers Hollywood story beats, authentic radio chatter, and endless Online hustle. Set up smart controls, push through main heists with leveled crew, invest your paydays, and grab those hidden underwater packages for rainy-day money. In Los Santos, every minute can earn dollars or headlines—often both. Keep armor stocked, tires bulletproof, and backups saved to the cloud. Now hit “Start,” rob the city blind, and—most important—enjoy the mayhem. See you on the Vinewood sign!
Quick Tips Recap
- Use Franklin for getaway driving, Michael for headshots, Trevor for crowd control.
- Don’t touch Lester’s stock murders until endgame.
- Cayo Perico solo equals best Online cash-per-hour.
- Bulletproof tires + armored Kuruma = mission easy mode.
- Backup save before every heist choice to test both payouts.
