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How many heists are in GTA 5 story mode?

Published in GTA 5 Heists 3 mins read

There are five major heists that players undertake during the Grand Theft Auto V story mode. These significant missions are central to the game's narrative, providing players with opportunities for substantial earnings and progressing the intertwined stories of Michael, Franklin, and Trevor.

The Five Heists of GTA V Story Mode

Each heist is a multi-stage operation, often involving meticulous planning sessions led by the character Lester Crest, followed by the execution of the chosen strategy. Players have the crucial role of determining the approach for each heist and selecting the crew members, which directly impacts the mission's outcome and the cut taken from the score.

The heists vary in their objectives, scale, and the challenges they present. From high-stakes robberies to infiltrating secure government facilities, each one offers a unique gameplay experience.

Here is a breakdown of the five heists:

Heist Name Primary Target/Objective Key Characteristics
The Jewel Store Job Robbing a jewelry store in Rockford Hills The first major heist, allowing players to choose between a "Loud" (direct assault) or "Smart" (stealthy) approach. It introduces the crew selection mechanic, where different drivers, gunmen, and hackers can be hired, affecting performance and payout.
The Merryweather Heist Retrieving a specific device from a Merryweather cargo plane This heist focuses more on acquiring a specific item rather than cash, though the true value of the device is debatable. Players can choose between a "Freighter" (infiltrating a ship) or "Off-shore" (submersible extraction) approach.
The Paleto Score Robbing the Blaine County Savings Bank in Paleto Bay A large-scale, high-octane heist involving a massive shootout against law enforcement and military forces. This mission is less about stealth and more about overwhelming firepower, featuring heavy armor and weapons.
The Bureau Raid Infiltrating the FIB building to steal evidence This heist involves navigating the complex internal politics of the FIB and IAA. Players can opt for a "Fire Truck" (stealthy infiltration via fire alarm) or "Rooftop" (direct assault from the top of the building) approach to gain entry into the FIB tower.
The Big Score Robbing the Union Depository gold reserves The final and most lucrative heist in the game. Players can select between a "Subtle" (using armored trucks as a Trojan horse) or "Obvious" (drilling into the vault and escaping with a helicopter) approach to steal the massive gold reserves.

These pivotal missions are masterminded by Lester, with the player characters—Michael De Santa, Franklin Clinton, and Trevor Philips—taking on the roles of executing the plans, making critical decisions about tactics, and assembling their teams from a pool of available specialists. The choices made during the planning stages, such as the approach and the quality of the hired crew, directly influence the difficulty, the success of the mission, and ultimately, the profit shared among the crew.

For more detailed information on GTA V heists and their various approaches, players can refer to comprehensive guides and wikis available online, such as the IGN GTA 5 Wiki on Heists.