How to Make Money in GTA 5 Story Mode? Is it Really Possible?
Yes, it’s absolutely possible to amass a significant fortune in GTA 5's Story Mode. While it's not as straightforward as the online mode with its various money-making schemes, strategic planning and exploiting the game's mechanics can lead to serious wealth for Franklin, Michael, and Trevor. The key is to understand the core gameplay elements that influence the stock market and to utilize the Lester assassination missions to your advantage.
Let's first address the most lucrative method: leveraging the stock market with Lester's assassination missions. These missions, strategically interwoven into the main storyline, aren't just side quests; they're opportunities to manipulate the market and reap enormous profits. There are five assassination missions in total. The crucial point is not to complete these missions as soon as Lester offers them. Delay them until after you’ve completed the main story, specifically the final heist, "The Big Score." This ensures you have a substantial amount of capital to invest with each character.
Here's the breakdown of how to maximize your earnings with each mission:
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The Hotel Assassination: This is the first mission and arguably the least impactful in terms of potential returns, but still important. Lester instructs you to kill the CEO of Bilkington. Before starting the mission, invest all of Franklin, Michael, and Trevor's money into Betta Pharmaceuticals (BET on BAWSAQ). After the mission is complete and BET stock peaks (usually after a day or two in-game), sell all your shares. Then, immediately buy shares of Bilkington (BIL also on BAWSAQ). Bilkington's stock will plummet after the assassination, but will rebound significantly afterward. Wait for it to reach its peak (typically after a few in-game days) and then sell all shares.
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The Multi Target Assassination: This mission involves taking out a group of jury members. Invest all of your characters' money in Debonaire Cigarettes (DEB on LCN) before starting the mission. After the mission, wait for Debonaire's stock to rise to its peak (around 80% return is possible) and sell everything. Next, buy Redwood Cigarettes (RWC on LCN). Wait for Redwood's stock to recover, which will take a good amount of in-game time. Patience is key here. When you are happy with the return (usually upwards of 300%), sell all shares.
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The Vice Assassination: This mission involves killing several key figures in a company. Before starting, invest all your money into Fruit Computers (FRT on BAWSAQ). After the mission, wait for Fruit's stock to rise significantly. When the return is satisfactory (often around 50%), sell all shares. You do not invest in a competitor stock after this mission.
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The Bus Assassination: Lester tasks you with eliminating a bus driver. Invest all your characters' money in Vapid (VAP on BAWSAQ) before starting the mission. Once the mission is complete, wait for Vapid’s stock to rise. When the return is good enough, sell.
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The Construction Assassination: This is the final assassination mission. Invest all three characters' money into Gold Coast (GCD on LCN) before starting the mission. After the mission, wait for Gold Coast's stock to rise to its peak. This can take a bit of in-game time, so keep checking back. Sell all your shares when you've reached a satisfactory return.
Several key considerations apply to these missions. First, save your game frequently. The stock market in GTA 5 is somewhat volatile, and external factors can sometimes influence the market unexpectedly. Saving allows you to reload and try again if you make a mistake or if the stock doesn't perform as expected. Second, patience is paramount. Don't get greedy and sell too early. Monitor the stock prices closely and wait for them to reach their peak before selling. Pay attention to the in-game news and radio for hints about stock performance. Finally, use all three characters to maximize your investments. Each character will have their own portfolio, so you can effectively triple your potential earnings.
Beyond the assassination missions, other methods can supplement your income, although they're less impactful.
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Heists and Robberies: While the main heists provide a substantial lump sum, random robberies and convenience store hold-ups can offer a steady stream of cash, albeit a smaller one. These are best done when you're in a tight spot or need some quick spending money.
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Finding Briefcases: Scattered throughout the game world are briefcases containing cash. While the amounts aren't significant in the grand scheme of things, they can provide a boost, especially early on. Explore the map and search thoroughly to find these hidden treasures.
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Competing in Races and Events: Street races, off-road races, and other competitive events offer payouts for winning. While not as lucrative as the stock market manipulations, they provide a fun and engaging way to earn extra cash.
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Property Ownership: After acquiring a substantial amount of money, invest in properties that generate passive income. Movie theaters, bars, and other businesses will provide a steady flow of revenue, albeit a relatively small amount compared to the stock market gains.
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Selling Cars: You can steal and sell vehicles at Los Santos Customs, but the payout is minimal, and there are limits to how often you can sell cars without raising suspicion. This method is more useful in the early game for getting some initial funds.
In conclusion, making significant money in GTA 5 Story Mode is definitely achievable, primarily through the strategic use of Lester's assassination missions and the stock market. By delaying these missions, investing wisely, and monitoring stock fluctuations, you can amass a fortune for each character. While other methods like robberies, races, and property ownership can supplement your income, they pale in comparison to the earning potential of the stock market manipulation. Remember to save frequently, be patient, and use all three characters to maximize your returns. With careful planning and execution, you can become a virtual millionaire in the world of Grand Theft Auto V.
