Los Santos never sleeps. More than ten years after launch, Grand Theft Auto V still ranks in the top charts on every platform. Rockstar keeps polishing the world, adding new Online updates, ray-traced graphics on current consoles, and community-made mods on PC. As a result, both newcomers and returning players often feel lost in the ocean of choices. Want to blaze through the story, hoard millions, or dominate GTA Online heists with friends? This course-style guide gives you a clear roadmap from your first steps to advanced play—using easy English, short paragraphs, and no fluff.

Across the next ten sections you will learn how to set up your game, beat the main campaign, earn fast cash, tune vehicles, handle wanted levels, and carve a name for yourself in the ever-changing GTA Online scene. Let’s jump in.

Setting Up Your Game

1. Pick the right edition. The latest “Expanded & Enhanced” offers 60 FPS and faster loading on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. PC remains king for mods and high frame rates.
2. Adjust display settings. Turn on FidelityFX Super Resolution or DLSS for smooth performance; keep texture quality high for crisp streets.
3. Use a gamepad for driving and a mouse for shooting if you own the PC version; hybrid controls increase accuracy.
4. Install quality-of-life mods only after finishing the story. Script Hook V and OpenIV are staples, but they disable Online, so use a clean folder or the Rockstar launcher’s mod toggle.

Story Mode Walkthrough Essentials

GTA V’s campaign lasts about 30 hours, split between three playable heroes: Michael (shooter), Franklin (driver), and Trevor (wild card). Character skills influence mission success, so switch wisely.

• Yellow icons are main missions; strangers & freaks are light-blue side quests that unlock useful tools like the BZ Gas or new contacts.
• Save Lester’s assassination missions until the end. Completing the final heist first lets you invest in the stock market for a 50-80 % profit boost.
• During the “Jewel Store Job,” pick the stealth approach with hackers Rickie Lukens (4 % cut) and Karim Denz (8 %). Their low fees lead to bigger payouts later once they level up.
• Always grab hidden briefcases underwater near Paleto Bay (marked with a sunken airplane) for easy early cash.

Open-World Mastery

Los Santos rewards curious players. Each hour of exploration usually nets at least $20,000 in loot, upgrades, or collectibles.

• Collect 27 Spaceship Parts as Franklin to unlock the Rocket Voltic-like Space Docker.
• Random Events—blue-dot encounters—reset every real-time hour; help victims to receive up to $60,000 or unique weapons.
• When driving any cab as Franklin, press the horn to start taxi mini-jobs and earn quick, passive income between missions.
• Use Chop the dog’s iFruit companion app to improve his sniffing skills, revealing hidden collectibles on command.

Skill Trees and Stats

Each protagonist has eight core stats: Special, Stamina, Shooting, Strength, Stealth, Flying, Driving, and Lung Capacity. Raising them matters—better accuracy cuts ammo costs; higher stamina speeds up heists.

• Shooting: Visit Ammu-Nation’s shooting range. A single Gold medal increases the stat by 7 %.
• Driving: Drive against highway traffic for easy XP, but trigger Franklin’s Slow-Mo ability to stay safe.
• Stealth: Tap the stick (L3/LS) to enter stealth mode and punch pedestrians on deserted beaches; quick, harmless stat gain.
• Flying: Trevor’s flight school unlocks after “Friends Reunited.” Completing all lessons grants free parachutes and lowers plane insurance in Online.

Money Making and Economy

Even offline, GTA V offers Wall-Street-level profits.

Heists

Master setups for clean finales. The “Big Score” can pay up to $41 million per character if you choose the Obvious approach and skilled yet cheap crew.

Businesses

Buy the Downtown Cab Co. as Franklin for $200 k; it nets $2 k every in-game day, plus a one-time $100 k bonus for completing a VIP fare.

Stock Market


Before killing a target for Lester, invest in the rival company on BAWSAQ or LCN. Sleep three times to skip time and then sell high.

Side Jobs

• Armored Trucks: random blips that give $5-8 k each.
• Time Trials: complete within par time for $50 k.
• Hunting with Cletus: unlocks a railgun and free ammo pick-ups around Blaine County.

Vehicles and Customization

Los Santos Customs is more than paint and rims; performance upgrades affect getaway success.

• Top 3 early cars: Pegassi Bati 801 bike (fast, cheap), Karin Kuruma (armored, heist favorite), Obey 9F (handles like a dream).
• Add bulletproof tires first—they reduce police spike risk.
• Transfender Turbo upgrade increases top speed by roughly 7 %.
• Store precious vehicles in a purchased garage to prevent despawn.

Weapons and Combat Tactics

An organized arsenal saves lives—and dollars.

• Use the AP Pistol as your all-round sidearm; it fires from vehicles and pierces light armor.
• Carry Sticky Bombs for pursuers. Throw backward (right stick down + LB/L1) then detonate instantly.
• Marksman Rifle is perfect for midrange fights against NOOSE. Its semi-auto fire avoids recoil bloom.
• Learn snap-aim: lightly tap LT/L2 twice to auto-lock targets while keeping some manual aim freedom.

Surviving Wanted Levels

Staying alive during a five-star chase is an art.

1. Break line of sight—duck into alleys, underground tunnels, or riverbeds.
2. Watch the mini-map. Police cones represent search fields; move perpendicular to them.
3. Switch to Trevor. His Red Mist ability halves damage and doubles output for 30 seconds.
4. Change vehicles after two stars; helicopters lock onto plates, not players.
5. If needed, hop on a train near La Mesa. Cops rarely board it.

GTA Online Quick Start

Online is a separate install on current consoles but shares controls and physics with Story Mode. New characters now receive a free high-end apartment, a two-car garage, and $4 million to invest.

• Buy an Agency first. It unlocks Franklin in Online, pays passive income (up to $20 k every 48 min), and grants the Kanjali Tank discount.
• Join Contact Missions at level 1; Gerald’s “Last Play” series pays $20-25 k in five minutes on Hard.
• Use the Career Builder to get the Armored Kuruma and Micro SMG day one.
• Solo public session: open console settings, change MTU to 800 (PS/Xbox) or block ports on PC. You still earn public bonuses without griefers.

Role-Playing and Community Activities

Beyond money and rank, GTA Online is a social playground.

• Join a Crew on Rockstar Social Club. You receive a 10 % RP boost and cool liveries.
• Participate in weekly Event Playlists; Rockstar rotates double-money Adversary Modes each Thursday.
• Try FiveM servers on PC for strict RP rules, custom jobs, and modded maps like Liberty City.
• Use Rockstar Editor to capture stunts; the community votes on monthly short-film contests.

Conclusion: Your Roadmap to Legend Status

Grand Theft Auto V is massive, but you now own a cheat-sheet that covers the essentials: smart setup, profitable story progression, stat growth, money exploits, and Online dominance. Follow the steps in order—finish the campaign, tweak skills, invest wisely, then dive into Online economies. Within weeks, you will have maxed stats, garages full of supercars, and a network of friends to tackle the next big update.

Quick Takeaway Tips

• Save Lester’s hits for last; invest first, shoot later.
• Bulletproof tires and armor plates are the best first upgrades.
• Trevor’s flight school benefits all three characters.
• In Online, Nightclub + Agency combo = passive money machine.
• Explore! 50 % of hidden riches sit off the main roads.

Now start the engine, keep an eye on your six, and remember: in Los Santos, fortune always favors the bold.