GTA Online strategy guide

gta online strategy guide
A beginner's guide to learn the GTA Online gameplay style. (Image via Rockstar Games)

If you are new to the multiplayer version of Grand Theft Auto 5, this GTA Online strategy guide will help you understand the basics of the multiplayer game, and how you (as a beginner) can get familiarized with the gameplay. Unlike Grand Theft Auto 5 Story Mode, the multiplayer game has no definite path. You can go in any direction from day one.

However, whatever path you choose, it is important to know the ifs and buts of it so that you do not have to take a U-turn in the middle of the journey. This GTA Online strategy guide will talk about some of the major aspects of the multiplayer gameplay and provide you with suggestions to help in your journey.

Note: Some parts of this GTA Online strategy guide are subjective and only reflect the writer’s opinions.


GTA Online strategy guide: An overview of the multiplayer journey

The GTA Online strategy guide is packed with important information for absolute beginners. (Image via Rockstar Games)
The GTA Online strategy guide is packed with important information for absolute beginners. (Image via Rockstar Games)

The main goal of GTA 5 Online is to go from rags to riches. It is a tough journey where you will have to commit countless crimes and do several things repeatedly. While there is no threshold to become a rich player in the multiplayer game, the day you find yourself not struggling to buy the in-game things and services offered by Rockstar Games is the day you would know you made it.

At the time of writing this article, Rockstar Games offers the following two versions of Grand Theft Auto 5 Online:

  • Expanded and Enhanced version on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S.
  • Enhanced version on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

Your journey will be different depending on the version you play. However, both versions help you establish at least one business at the beginning so that you get a steady source of income.

The GTA Online strategy guide will provide you with brief details about the following things:

  • Best businesses
  • Best jobs
  • Best heists
  • Best side hustles
  • Best vehicles
  • Best weapons

Using the best things the game has to offer will help you progress quickly and efficiently. It is also worth noting that if you do not prefer something suggested by this GTA Online strategy guide, you have the full freedom to go for alternative options. The main goal of playing the game is to have fun and you can use any method for the purpose.

You can also follow the Grand Theft Auto Online beginner's guide for more details about the multiplayer game.


What are some of the best businesses in Grand Theft Auto Online?

The GTA Online strategy guide advises players to get familiarize with all types of in-game businesses. (Image via Rockstar Games)
The GTA Online strategy guide advises players to get familiarize with all types of in-game businesses. (Image via Rockstar Games)

Rockstar Games offers 18 money-making businesses in Grand Theft Auto Online. They include:

  • Agency
  • Arena Workshop
  • Auto Shop
  • Bail Enforcement Office
  • Los Santos Airbase Bunker
  • Executive Office
  • Hangar
  • Cocaine Lockup
  • Meth Lab
  • Counterfit Cash Factory
  • Weed Farm
  • Document Forgery Office
  • MC Clubhouse
  • Nightclub
  • Retro Arcade
  • Salvage Yard
  • Special Cargo Warehouse
  • Vehicle Warehouse

While you should aim to acquire these businesses in the game, the GTA Online strategy guide advises you to get the following ones at the beginner stage:

  • Auto Shop
  • Los Santos Airbase Bunker
  • Executive Office
  • Cocaine Lockup
  • Meth Lab
  • Counterfit Cash Factory
  • MC Clubhouse
  • Special Cargo Warehouse
  • Vehicle Warehouse

It is worth noting that none of these businesses are cheap and you will need to make a sizable investment to make them profitable. However, PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One players who have the Criminal Enterprises Starter Pack can get the Los Santos Airbase Bunker, Executive Office, MC Clubhouse, and the Counterfit Cash Factory free of cost.

Rockstar Games offers various location choices for each of these businesses and the Criminal Enterprises Starter Pack includes one location from each of the business categories.

Also read: Grand Theft Auto Online Executive career guide


What are some of the best jobs in Grand Theft Auto Online?

The GTA Online strategy guide readers should also explore the jobs Rockstar Games has to offer. (Image via Rockstar Games)
The GTA Online strategy guide readers should also explore the jobs Rockstar Games has to offer. (Image via Rockstar Games)

Along with the businesses, Rockstar Games also offers freemode jobs for players. These jobs are typically given by some particular NPC characters. GTA Online strategy guide readers should look out for the following jobs in the multiplayer game:

  • Direct Action - $70,000
  • Whistleblower - $51,500
  • Working Remotely - $50,000
  • Blow Up IV - $23,100
  • Trash Talk - $22,860
  • Defender - $22,200
  • Sightseer ~ $20,000
  • Headhunter ~ $20,000

The Los Santos Drug Wars DLC was the best for low-level and new players to get jobs without investing in anything significant. Rockstar Games provided 11 story-based Contact Missions and five Free Mode jobs that offer great rewards for a beginner player. Readers are advised to follow the Grand Theft Auto Online Los Santos Drug Wars guide for more details about them.


What are some of the best heists in Grand Theft Auto Online?

The GTA Online strategy guide readers should play the heists occasionally. (Image via Rockstar Games)
The GTA Online strategy guide readers should play the heists occasionally. (Image via Rockstar Games)

Till December 2020, Rockstar Games added eight heist missions in Grand Theft Auto Online. It’s been nearly four years since the multiplayer game has not received any new heist gameplay. As a result, the player base continues to play the old heists. The GTA Online strategy guide readers should note that heists pay the highest reward compared to businesses and jobs.

However, not all the heist missions are suitable for beginners or solo players. Here are some of the best heists that you should try:

  • The Cayo Perico Heist
  • The Fleeca Job
  • The Humane Labs Raid
  • The Pacific Standard
  • Series A Funding
  • The Prison Break

Followers of the GTA Online strategy guide should note that The Cayo Perico Heist is the only heist that can be played solo. The other heists in the list will mandatorily need three more players. You can follow the Grand Theft Auto 5 Online Cayo Perico Heist guide to know more about the solo playable heist.


What are some of the best side hustles in Grand Theft Auto Online?

The GTA Online strategy guide filters out the best side hustles for you. (Image via Rockstar Games)
The GTA Online strategy guide filters out the best side hustles for you. (Image via Rockstar Games)

Side hustling is also a fun sport in Grand Theft Auto Online and we suggest every player try them at least once. The side activities not only offer money as rewards, but they also unlock extra perks for you at times. The following are some of the best side hustles that you should try:

  • Pizza This… pizza delivery
  • Madrazo Hits
  • Vincent’s Dispatch Work
  • Shoot Animals Photography Challenge
  • Tow Truck Service
  • Junk Energy Time Trials
  • Junk Energy Skydives
  • Stash Houses
  • Taxi Work
  • Ammu-Nation Contract
  • Payphone Hits
  • Exotic Exports
  • Auto Shop Client Jobs
  • English Dave’s DJ Requests
  • RC Time Trials
  • Treasure Hunt
  • VIP/CEO Work & Challenges
  • Time Trials
  • San Andreas Flight School
  • Armored Truck Robberies
  • Store Robberies

The GTA Online strategy guide advises you to do these periodically when you wait for a mission to spawn (during the cooldown period) or while waiting for a business to generate a full stock of products.

If you love engaging in fights with other players, you can also do PvP matches. Follow this Grand Theft Auto Online PvP guide to be fully prepared for such intense activities.


What are some of the best vehicles in Grand Theft Auto Online?

The GTA Online strategy guide readers must invest in good vehicles in the game. (Image via Rockstar Games)
The GTA Online strategy guide readers must invest in good vehicles in the game. (Image via Rockstar Games)

While there are over 700 vehicles in Grand Theft Auto Online, all of them are not worth owning. Vehicles are an important part of the gameplay as they become your companion along with weapons. Rockstar Games offers 24 categories of vehicles. The following is a list of the important categories and some of their best vehicles:

Supercars (sorted by top speed):

  • Principe Deveste Eight - 131.75 mph (212.03 km/h) or 131.75 mph (212.03 km/h) (HSW)
  • Overflod Entity MT - Overflod Entity MT or 150.50 mph (242.21 km/h) (HSW)
  • Pegassi Torero XO - 131.00 mph (210.82 km/h)
  • Bravado Banshee 900R - 131.00 mph (210.82 km/h)
  • Grotti Turismo Omaggio - 122.50 mph (197.14 km/h)

Motorcycles (sorted by top speed):

  • Western Reever - 163.00 mph (262.32 km/h)
  • Maibatsu Manchez Scout - 139.75 mph (224.91 km/h)
  • Western Powersurge - 130.00 mph (209.21 km/h)
  • Shitzu Hakuchou Drag Bike - 126.50 mph (203.58 km/h) or 157.50 mph (253.47 km/h) (HSW)
  • Western Zombie Chopper - 113.75 mph (183.06 km/h)

Sports cars (sorted by top speed):

  • Ocelot Pariah - 136.00 mph (218.87 km/h)
  • Grotti Itali RSX - 135.30 mph (217.74 km/h)
  • Grotti Itali GTO Stinger TT - 132.00 mph (212.43 km/h) or 168.50 mph (271.17 km/h) (HSW)
  • Invetero Coquette D10 - 130.00 mph (209.21 km/h)

Muscle cars (sorted by top speed):

  • BF Weevil Custom - 137.50 mph (221.28 km/h)
  • Vapid Pißwasser Dominator - 126.50 mph (203.58 km/h)
  • Bravado Buffalo STX - 126.25 mph (203.18 km/h)
  • Declasse Vigero ZX - 125.00 mph (201.17 km/h) or 157.50 mph (253.47 km/h) (HSW)

Off-road cars (sorted by top speed):

  • Maxwell Vagrant - 122.50 mph (197.14 km/h)
  • Vapid Ratel - 113.00 mph (181.86 km/h)
  • Declasse Draugur - 112.00 mph (180.25 km/h)
  • Maibatsu MonstroCiti - 109.75 mph (176.63 km/h) or 135.75 mph (218.47 km/h) (HSW)
Some of the best vehicles for the GTA Online strategy guide readers. (Image via Rockstar Games)
Some of the best vehicles for the GTA Online strategy guide readers. (Image via Rockstar Games)

Coupe cars (sorted by top speed):

  • Fathom FR36 - 121.50 mph (195.53 km/h)
  • Enus Windsor Drop - 118.00 mph (189.90 km/h)
  • Übermacht Sentinel XS - 117.25 mph (188.70 km/h) or 137.75 mph (221.69 km/h) (HSW)

Spots Utility Vehicles (sorted by top speed):

  • Pegassi Toros - 127.50 mph (205.19 km/h)
  • Übermacht Rebla GTS - 123.50 mph (198.75 km/h)
  • Gallivanter Baller ST-D - 118.25 mph (190.30 km/h)
  • Karin Vivanite - 105.50 mph (169.79 km/h) or 128.00 mph (206.00 km/h) (HSW)

Tuner cars (sorted by top speed):

  • Dinka Jester RR - 125.00 mph (201.17 km/h)
  • Pfister Comet S2 - 123.00 mph (197.95 km/h)
  • Karin Futo GTX - 119.75 mph (192.72 km/h)
  • Vapid Dominator ASP - 119.00 mph (191.51 km/h)

Armored vehicles:

  • MTL Brickade 6x6
  • HVY Nightshark
  • HVY Insurgent Pick-up Custom
  • Canis Terminus (Image Tech)
  • Ocelot Virtue (Image Tech)
  • TM-02 Khanjali Tank
  • Pegassi Toreador

Readers should note that Rockstar Games also added some rare cars in the game that are worth collecting. Follow this Grand Theft Auto Online car locations guide to know more about them.


What are some of the best weapons in Grand Theft Auto Online?

The GTA Online strategy guide advises you to get the best weapons as soon as possible. (Image via Rockstar Games)
The GTA Online strategy guide advises you to get the best weapons as soon as possible. (Image via Rockstar Games)

Similar to the vehicles, weapons are also divided into various categories. There are eight slots in the weapon wheel and the arms are also divided into these slots. For the benefit of players, the GTA Online strategy guide lists some of the best weapons from each category:

Handguns:

  • Up-n-Atomizer
  • Double-Action Revolver
  • Heavy Revolver Mk II
  • Pistol Mk II
  • Stun Gun

Shotguns:

  • Sweeper Shotgun
  • Heavy Shotgun
  • Assault Shotgun

Machine Guns:

  • Tactical SMG
  • Combat MG Mk II
  • Combat MG
  • SMG
  • Micro SMG

Assault Rifles:

  • Service Carbine
  • Military Rifle
  • Bullpup Rifle Mk II
  • Special Carbine Mk II
  • Assault Rifle MK II

Sniper guns:

  • Heavy Sniper Mk II
  • Sniper Rifle

Heavy Weapons:

  • Compact Grenade Launcher
  • Homing Launcher
  • Minigun
  • RPG (Rocket Launcher)
  • Grenade Launcher

Throwables:

  • Proximity Mine
  • Molotov
  • Sticky Bomb
  • Granade

Melee Weapons:

  • Stone Hatchet
  • Flashlight
  • Knuckle Dusters
  • Baseball Bat
  • Knife

The GTA Online strategy guide readers should note that the Mk II weapons are not available for purchase by default. You must first own the base variant of the weapon and upgrade it to the Mk II in a Special Weapons Workshop inside the Agency Armory, Avenger Weapons Workshop, or Terrorbyte Weapons Workshop.

The GTA Online strategy guide covers all the fundamental things of the multiplayer game. (Image via Rockstar Games)
The GTA Online strategy guide covers all the fundamental things of the multiplayer game. (Image via Rockstar Games)

The aforementioned things should help you thoroughly in your rags-to-riches journey. Your first target should be to acquire some weapons, followed by a personal vehicle. After that, you can get started with the contact missions and side activities.

Once you make enough money, the GTA Online strategy guide advises you to acquire some of the business to create a stable flow of cash. In the meantime, you should also upgrade your weapons and vehicles. Repeating these things will surely make you a millionaire in the multiplayer game.


Also read: GTA Online buying guide

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Edited by Jito Tenson
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