GTA Online beginner's guide
Despite being over a decade old, GTA Online beginner's guide is surprisingly one of the most searched terms in the gaming community. Rockstar Games released the multiplayer version of Grand Theft Auto 5 on October 1, 2013, and since then, many generations have played the game. However, new players often find it difficult to kickstart the game as it includes 10 years' worth of content and storyline.
This is the reason why a GTA Online guide for beginners is still relevant in 2024. Since Rockstar Games does not offer any official guide for new players, the community has to rely on third-party sources. This GTA Online beginner's guide will cover the most important things that every new player must know in 2024.
Note: Some parts of the GTA V Online beginners guide are subjective and only reflect the writer’s opinions.
GTA Online beginner's guide: An introduction to the basics
While the other games in the GTA series walk you through a beginner training stage before giving you full control, Grand Theft Auto 5 Online is slightly different. Rockstar Games expects you to learn the controls and features of the game in Story Mode so that you do not find the multiplayer experience overwhelming.
While most of the controls are the same, there are some expectations that were made as part of quality-of-life changes. Here are some basic things that GTA Online beginner's guide readers should know before joining the multiplayer game:
- You cannot pause Grand Theft Auto 5 Online. Since it is an online multiplayer game, everything happening on the map is live and cannot be paused like Story Mode.
- You cannot undo an event or action. In Story Mode, if you make a mistake, you have the option to reload the latest saved game file and do the things again. However, since Grand Theft Auto 5 Online is a live service game, anything you do is permanent and cannot be undone.
- You cannot use mods and scripts in Grand Theft Auto 5 Online. While Rockstar Games is very flexible with what you do with mods in Story Mode, if you bring them to the multiplayer game, your account will get banned.
Understanding these factors before joining the multiplayer game is very important for all GTA Online beginner's guide readers. The Grand Theft Auto 5 experience consists of both single-player and online modes. If you lose access to the latter, you will lose half the things the game has to offer.
Mistakes new players make in Grand Theft Auto 5 Online
Being a new player, it is very common to make some rookie mistakes and regret them later. We all have been through that stage and there is nothing to be embarrassed about. However, identifying the mistakes and actively avoiding them is a great way to kickstart your journey in the multiplayer game. The GTA Online beginner's guide outlines some of the popular mistakes new players frequently make in the game:
- Brawling with other players: While you are a new player to the game, it is not necessary that every other player in your lobby is also a beginner. Therefore, the GTA Online beginner's guide advises every player not to brawl with others until they have gained plenty of experience.
- Buying unnecessary things: Rockstar Games gives you some cash at the beginning of the game so that you can survive the first few days. However, players were often seen spending that money on useless and expensive things. The GTA Online beginner's guide actively advises you to hold your money until you find a steady source of income.
- Not doing proper research: Grand Theft Auto 5 Online has a lot of things to offer. Most of them have complicated functions and features that one must understand before buying. As mentioned before, you cannot undo an act in the multiplayer game. Therefore, the GTA Online beginner's guide advises everyone to do proper research before buying important things such as cars, weapons, businesses, etc. There are plenty of third-party guides and YouTube videos explaining these things.
- Not acquiring the free items: While the in-game economy of Grand Theft Auto 5 Online is pretty messed up, Rockstar Games is generous enough to offer players a handful of free things. However, many new players ignore them either due to negligence or a lack of knowledge. The GTA Online beginner's guide mentions a few important free things below that every player should collect.
Is there a storyline in Grand Theft Auto 5 Online?
The answer to this is very complicated as Rockstar Games is very inconsistent about whether the multiplayer game has a storyline. In the early days of the game, there were no stories or plots to follow. However, some of the previous DLCs included mini-storylines. These include both the popular and worst DLCs in Grand Theft Auto 5 Online.
For example, the GTA Online: The Diamond Casino & Resort DLC paved the way for the GTA Online: The Diamond Casino Heist update. Similarly, the GTA Online: The Cayo Perico Heist DLC teased Dr. Dre, who later returned to the game in the GTA Online: The Contract DLC.
However, GTA 5 Online beginners guide readers should not worry about following the timeline as Rockstar Games gives players the complete liberty to play the game as they see fit. You can play the most recent Bottom Dollar Bounties DLC and go back and explore the contents of the Beach Bum Update.
What is the main goal in Grand Theft Auto 5 Online?
The primary goal of Grand Theft Auto 5 Online is to become a millionaire. It is a rags-to-riches game where you commit various crimes, loot banks, do heists, kill people, and commit various other felonies to make money.
While you start as an amateur, you work hard, gain experience, rank up, and make money to become the kingpin of the State of San Andreas. During the journey, you acquire various vehicles, businesses, weapons, and other features. The GTA Online beginner's guide explains them below.
What are the best cars for beginners in Grand Theft Auto 5 Online?
At the time of writing this article, Rockstar Games offers above 700 vehicles in Grand Theft Auto 5 Online. However, it is obvious that most of the GTA Online beginner's guide readers will not have the money to get them all. Moreover, not every car is worth buying, as the studio offers vehicles belonging to different classes and categories.
Therefore, this GTA Online beginner's guide lists some of the most useful cars and vehicles that new players should acquire as soon as possible:
- Canis Terminus - $1,877,500
- Ocelot Virtue - $2,980,000/Also available for free
- MTL Brickade 6x6 - $1,450,000/Also available for free
- BF Weevil Custom - $980,000
- Enus Paragon R (Armored) - Can be collected for free
- Pegassi Toros - $498,000
- Karin Kuruma (Armored) - $698,250
- Shitzu Hakuchou Drag Bike - $976,000
- Pegassi Bati 801 - $15,000
- Nagasaki Buzzard Attack Chopper - $1,750,000
- Bravado Banshee - $105,000/Also available for free
GTA Online beginner's guide readers should initially focus on getting these vehicles for daily commutes. The Ocelot Virtue, Pegassi Toros, Karin Kuruma (Armored), etc. are some of the best freeroam cars in Grand Theft Auto 5’s multiplayer version.
What are the best weapons for beginners in Grand Theft Auto 5 Online?
Along with the cars, the GTA Online beginner's guide followers should also focus on acquiring the best weapons as soon as possible. Combats are an important part of the multiplayer gameplay. Whether it is with NPCs or other players, you will need a gun to fight others.
As of 2024, Rockstar Games has included 104 weapons in the game. However, some of them are expensive and others are not useful for intense combats. Therefore, the beginner's guide to GTA V Online suggests the following weapons to acquire:
- Tactical SMG - $325,000
- Up-n-Atomizer - $399,000
- Homing Launcher - $75,000
- Special Carbine - $14,750
- Sticky Bomb - $600 per unit
- Micro SMG - $3,750
These are some of the most useful weapons that you can unlock and acquire at very low levels. Some are also available from level 1. Once you become a pro at gunfights and gain experience, you can follow the GTA Online PvP guide to know and understand the best weapons Rockstar has to offer in the multiplayer game.
What are some of the best money-making methods for beginners in Grand Theft Auto 5 Online?
Rockstar Games offers a slew of jobs for new players to make money in Grand Theft Auto 5 Online. However, the community often complains that the payouts of most jobs are very low. Therefore, identifying the best jobs is crucial before doing it. For that, the GTA Online beginner's guide lists some of the best jobs that offer good rewards at the beginner stage:
- 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
It is worth noting that the last two missions unlock only after registering as a CEO. You can follow the GTA Online CEO guide to learn more about them.
What are some of the best businesses for beginners in Grand Theft Auto 5 Online?
While you can always make money by playing the Contact Missions, the GTA Online beginner's guide suggests establishing a few businesses so that you have a steady flow of income. As of 2024, Rockstar Games offers 10 types of businesses in the game that can help you become a millionaire in Los Santos.
However, these businesses require a sizable investment to start and become profitable. The GTA Online beginner's guide advises you to acquire the following businesses as soon as possible:
- Auto Shop
- Bunker
- Motorcycle Club Businesses
- Salvage Yard
The Grand Theft Auto 5 Bunker Guide explains everything you need to know about the business. You can earn around $1 million from the business every day if you grind properly. Similarly, the GTA Online biker business guide explains how you can make the MC Club businesses profitable. There are five businesses under this category that offer various amounts.
However, the best business for a new player would be the Acid Lab. It is situated at the back of the MTL Brickade 6x6 truck. You can get both the vehicle and the business for free by completing all six missions of the First Dose series.
What are the best free items in Grand Theft Auto 5 Online?
Rockstar Games offers various free items that you can collect. While some of them are directly available, others require certain conditions to be fulfilled. The GTA Online beginner's guide lists some of the best free items and how to acquire them:
- Ocelot Virtue - Complete First Dose and Last Dose missions
- MTL Brickade 6x6 - Complete First Dose missions
- Bravado Banshee - Included with the Criminal Enterprise Starter Pack
- Maze Bank West CEO Office - Included with the Criminal Enterprise Starter Pack
- Great Chaparral MC Clubhouse - Included with the Criminal Enterprise Starter Pack
- Counterfeit Cash Factory Grand Senora Desert - Included with the Criminal Enterprise Starter Pack
- Grotti Turismo R - Included with the Criminal Enterprise Starter Pack
- Compact Grenade Launcher - Included with the Criminal Enterprise Starter Pack
Whether you play the game solo or with other players, the GTA Online beginner's guide should help you survive the early stage of the game easily.