GTA V Heists Guide: How to Pull Off Every Heist

GTA V Heists are one of the best ways to earn big money and rewards. Whether you’re playing the single-player campaign or GTA Online, heists are challenging but fun missions. They involve planning, teamwork, and careful execution. In this guide, we will walk you through every heist in GTA V, step by step.

Each heist has different setups and unique challenges. The better you plan and work with your team, the more successful you will be. Completing these heists can make you millions in GTA dollars. Ready to master them? Let’s get started.

GTA V heists - Setup, Tricks, Rewards, Crews

Overview of GTA V Heists

Heists in GTA V are multi-part missions. They start with setup tasks, followed by a final big mission. In GTA Online, you need a team to complete these missions. Each player is assigned a different role, like driving or hacking.

In single-player mode, the heists are part of the story. You switch between the main characters: Michael, Franklin, and Trevor. Each character has special skills that help during the heist.

In GTA Online, you need to own a high-end apartment to host heists. You will be the leader and need to pay for the setup. But the bigger the risk, the bigger the reward.

Now that you understand how heists work, let’s dive into the first heist.

Heist #1: The Jewel Store Job

The Jewel Store Job is the first heist in GTA V’s single-player mode. Michael leads this mission, and Franklin helps. There are two different approaches for this heist: Smart and Loud. Your choice will affect how the mission plays out.

Setup:

Before the heist, you need to complete two setup missions:

  • Scouting the Jewelry Store: Michael visits the store and uses a camera to take pictures of the security system.
  • Getting the Equipment: You need to steal a van with the tools necessary for the heist (drills, gas, etc.).

Approach Options:

  1. Smart Approach:
    • Use gas to knock out everyone in the store before taking the jewels.
    • You’ll need to recruit a gunman, a driver, and a hacker. The better their skills, the smoother the heist.
  2. Loud Approach:
    • Enter the store aggressively, using guns to intimidate everyone. This method draws more police attention.

Execution:

In both approaches, Franklin breaks into the store through the roof while Michael controls the situation inside. After collecting the jewels, Franklin rides a motorcycle to escape through the sewer system, avoiding the cops. If you’re looking for new ways to enjoy GTA, you can Download GTA Mzansi for fresh, exciting content that enhances your heist experience.

Rewards:

  • The payout depends on your chosen approach and the skill level of the crew you hired. Typically, you can make around $4 million from this heist.

Heist #2: The Merryweather Heist

The Merryweather Heist is the second major heist in GTA V. This time, Trevor takes charge of the mission, and it involves stealing valuable cargo from the private military company, Merryweather Security. There are two approaches: Freighter or Offshore.

Setup:

Before the heist, Trevor and his crew need to gather information. This involves:

  • Stealing a Submarine: You’ll need this for the Offshore approach.
  • Stealing a Cargobob: This helicopter helps transport the submarine.

Approach Options:

  1. Freighter Approach:
    • In this approach, you infiltrate a Merryweather cargo ship and plant bombs to blow it up. Michael uses a sniper rifle to provide cover from a distance while Trevor plants the explosives. After detonation, you dive to retrieve the cargo from the wreck.
  2. Offshore Approach:
    • In this approach, Trevor uses the stolen submarine to find the cargo underwater. The Cargobob then lifts the cargo out of the water and delivers it to the destination. This approach is more stealthy and less confrontational than the Freighter approach.

Execution:

  • Freighter Approach: Trevor infiltrates the ship while Michael provides cover. After blowing up the ship, Trevor retrieves the cargo from the water.
  • Offshore Approach: Trevor uses the submarine to locate and steal the cargo while the Cargobob assists in airlifting it out.

Rewards:

  • The Merryweather Heist is unique in that there is no financial payout. After completing the mission, the team realizes the cargo they stole is too risky to sell, so they have to return it.

Heist #3: The Paleto Score

The Paleto Score is a high-stakes heist in GTA V, where Michael, Trevor, and Franklin rob the small bank in Paleto Bay. This heist is famous for its intense shootout with the military.

Setup:

Before the heist, the crew needs to:

  • Scout Paleto Bay Bank: Michael checks out the security system to understand the best way to break in.
  • Get the Equipment: You’ll steal a powerful military hardware, including body armor and heavy weapons, which will be needed for the shootout.

Execution:

  • The crew enters the bank with heavy armor and powerful weapons. The aim is to take as much money from the vault as possible.
  • After blowing open the vault door, the crew grabs over $8 million in cash. However, things go wrong when the police show up. A massive shootout begins as the team fights their way out of the bank.
  • The National Guard and military also arrive, making the escape even more dangerous. The crew must use their heavy armor to withstand the gunfire while trying to escape.
  • Eventually, the crew hijacks a bulldozer and fights through the waves of police and military vehicles. After a long chase, they escape in a getaway helicopter.

Challenges:

  • This heist is difficult due to the overwhelming police and military forces. Players must use heavy weapons and armor to survive.
  • The key to success is sticking together as a team and using cover effectively.

Rewards:

  • The payout for this heist is around $1.2 million. Despite stealing $8 million, a large portion goes to paying back Lester’s debts and covering costs for the heist.

Heist #4: The Bureau Raid

Overview

The Bureau Raid is the fourth major heist in GTA V’s story mode. The goal of this mission is to infiltrate the FIB (Federal Investigation Bureau) headquarters and steal valuable files. This heist has two distinct approaches for players to choose from: the Covert Approach and the Loud Approach. Each path requires different preparation and strategy, but both lead to the same outcome.

Setup

There are two main setups for The Bureau Raid, depending on the approach you choose:

  1. Covert Approach (Fire Crew Method):
    • This method involves using stealth. You’ll infiltrate the FIB building disguised as firemen and trigger a fire alarm to enter.
    • Setup missions include stealing fire trucks and getting the necessary tools for the heist.
  2. Loud Approach (Roof Entry Method):
    • This method is much more action-packed. You enter the FIB building from the roof and fight your way through.
    • Setup missions involve getting a helicopter and explosives.

Execution

  1. Covert Approach:
    • Infiltrate the FIB building as part of a fire crew.
    • Use the elevator to access the server room where the data is stored.
    • Plant the bomb, trigger the fire alarm, and escape as firefighters once the alarm goes off.
    • Avoid drawing attention, as keeping the mission quiet is crucial.
  2. Loud Approach:
    • Enter the FIB building from the rooftop using a helicopter.
    • Fight your way down through armed guards to access the server room.
    • Plant explosives, collect the data, and escape via helicopter.

Challenges and Tips

  • Choosing the Right Crew: Make sure to assign the right gunmen and drivers to maximize efficiency and minimize casualties.
  • Avoiding Mistakes in the Covert Approach: Stay low-key and avoid unnecessary combat. Triggering the fire alarm correctly is key to avoiding detection.
  • Managing Chaos in the Loud Approach: Prepare for heavy combat and ensure you have enough firepower and health supplies.

Rewards

  • Completing The Bureau Raid successfully earns significant money for the player’s team, with a split between Michael, Franklin, and the hired crew.
  • The heist outcome will also impact the final mission and can increase Michael’s and Franklin’s earnings depending on crew choices.

Heist #5: The Big Score

Overview

The Big Score is the fifth and final heist in GTA V’s story mode. It’s the largest and most lucrative heist, where the goal is to rob the Union Depository, Los Santos’ biggest bank. Like The Bureau Raid, this heist also offers two approaches: the Subtle Approach and the Obvious Approach.

Setup

Each approach has its own setup missions:

  1. Subtle Approach (Smart Method):
    • The crew will try to sneak into the bank without raising alarms, using strategic tactics to pull off a quiet and efficient heist.
    • Setup missions include acquiring armored cars, hacking equipment, and drilling tools.
  2. Obvious Approach (Loud Method):
    • This approach is more aggressive, with the crew using heavy weaponry to storm the bank.
    • Setup missions for this method involve gathering the necessary firepower, vehicles, and explosives for the raid.

Execution

Subtle Approach (Smart Method):

  1. Disguise as Security: The crew will enter the Union Depository disguised as a security team using armored vans.
  2. Disable the Vault Alarm: A hacker will disable the vault security, allowing access without triggering alarms.
  3. Drill the Vault: The crew uses drilling equipment to open the vault and retrieve the gold bars.
  4. Getaway: After securing the gold, the team drives the armored vans to a drop-off point. To avoid suspicion, the team switches vehicles halfway through the escape.
  5. Decoy: A decoy truck will be used to distract the police while the main team escapes with the gold.
  6. Final Escape: After shaking off the cops, the team meets at a safe location to divide the loot.

Obvious Approach (Loud Method):

  1. Storm the Union Depository: The crew enters the bank with heavy weapons, fighting their way to the vault.
  2. Explosives to Open the Vault: The team plants explosives to blow open the vault, retrieving the gold in the process.
  3. Fight Through Police Resistance: As the crew leaves the bank, they must fight through waves of police and SWAT units.
  4. Escape by Helicopter: The team will use a helicopter as their getaway vehicle, flying out while being pursued by the authorities.
  5. Final Escape: After avoiding the police, the crew lands at a safe spot where they can divide the gold and finish the job.

Challenges and Tips

Subtle Approach (Smart Method):

  • Precise Timing: Disabling the vault security and getting through without raising alarms requires precision. A skilled hacker is essential to ensure the security systems are shut down smoothly.
  • Crew Management: Hire an experienced driver to ensure the armored van switch goes smoothly. The decoy needs to be convincing to pull the police away from your real escape route.
  • Avoiding Detection: If your team is spotted during the vault entry or exit, the entire heist can go south quickly. Keep your movements quiet and avoid unnecessary confrontation.

Obvious Approach (Loud Method):

  • Heavy Resistance: The police and SWAT teams will swarm the bank once the heist begins. Bring plenty of firepower and health supplies to survive the onslaught.
  • Helicopter Escape: Hiring a good pilot is crucial for the helicopter getaway. A less skilled pilot can crash or fail to evade the pursuing helicopters.
  • Managing Firefights: Keep the team together and communicate clearly during gunfights to ensure that no one gets left behind. Stay mobile and avoid getting pinned down by the police.

Tips for Both Approaches:

  • Hiring the Right Crew: For both approaches, hiring skilled members (especially the driver and hacker) can prevent mistakes and maximize your payout.
  • Preparation is Key: Stock up on weapons, armor, and snacks before starting the heist. You’ll need them, especially for the loud approach.
  • Don’t Rush: Take your time during the execution of the heist. Rushing can lead to mistakes, which could jeopardize the entire mission.

Reward

he rewards for The Big Score depend on the approach you choose and the quality of the crew you hire.

  1. Subtle Approach:
    • If executed successfully, this method gives you the maximum payout.
    • Total Take: $201,600,000.
    • Michael, Franklin, and Trevor’s share: Approximately $41 to $48 million each, after paying off the crew and other expenses.
  2. Obvious Approach:
    • The take is slightly less in this method due to the higher risk and more aggressive strategy.
    • Total Take: $201,300,000.
    • Michael, Franklin, and Trevor’s share: Around $34 to $42 million each.

Crew member performance also impacts your final payout. Hiring more skilled (but expensive) crew members reduces mistakes but costs more, while cheaper crew may increase risks but leave you with a higher share.

How to Maximize Heist Money?

Tips to Get the Highest Possible Payout

To ensure you earn the maximum payout in The Big Score (and other heists), here are a few important strategies:

  1. Hire the Best Crew:
    • Skilled crew members (especially hackers and drivers) reduce mistakes and ensure a smooth heist.
    • While expensive, high-skilled crew members help you complete the job more efficiently, resulting in a larger cut for the main characters.
  2. Minimize Crew Deaths:
    • If a crew member dies, their share of the loot will be reduced, but this can hurt your overall efficiency.
    • Skilled crew members are less likely to die during the heist and will perform their roles better, leading to fewer complications.
  3. Keep Damage Low:
    • In heists where you need to transport goods or vehicles, keep damage to a minimum. The more damage you take, the more expenses you’ll incur, cutting into your final payout.
  4. Efficient Escape:
    • In both subtle and loud approaches, the escape phase is crucial. Choosing the best getaway route and using a skilled driver can help you avoid police roadblocks and increase your chances of a clean escape.
  5. Communication and Planning:
    • In GTA Online, coordinating with your team via voice chat can significantly improve efficiency. Assign roles clearly, and ensure everyone knows their tasks during the heist.
  6. Complete Bonus Challenges (Online Heists):
    • In GTA Online, completing bonus challenges, such as finishing the heist with no deaths, can grant extra money and rewards.

Conclusion

Heists are some of the most exciting and rewarding missions in GTA V, offering players a chance to plan and execute large-scale operations while earning massive payouts. Successfully completing each heist requires preparation, teamwork, and strategy, whether you’re playing in single-player or GTA Online.

From the stealthy infiltration of The Bureau Raid to the high-stakes robbery of The Big Score, mastering heists involves choosing the right crew, planning carefully, and executing with precision. By following the tips outlined for each heist, you can maximize your rewards and minimize the risks.

Practice makes perfect, so don’t be afraid to replay heists to refine your strategies and increase your payout. With the right planning and execution, you can pull off every heist in GTA V like a pro and walk away with millions.

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