/ _MELEE STRIKES, WEAPONS, AND VEHICLES

This section covers all the offensive capabilities you possess, from your trusty baton to the exceptionally entertaining grenade launcher to every firearm. We also detail the vehicles you utilize.

// MELEE STRIKES

No guns? No problem; one of the safest, quietest, and most proficient ways of taking down an enemy is a melee strike. Simply move to melee range, tap the Melee button and Aiden quickly dispatches the foe with a takedown animation. Depending on where you approach from (behind, in front, to the side), the takedown could involve a strangle, throttle, baton smack, or other incapacitation. But there are several ways to tackle a foe with just your baton:

// MELEE STRIKES /// Dashing In

Simply rush your opponent from any direction and grab them. Even if you’re quick, your foe still may raise the alert but not fire off a shot, allowing you to stay stealthy rather than switch to a gun battle. This is often the best way to remove a foe even if you’re engaged in a battle, as it saves ammo and you can remove a threat if reloading is taking too long.

// MELEE STRIKES /// Stepping Out

This works in the same way as a dash, except you’re in cover. An icon appears over the foe’s head when you’re in range, or you can detach yourself from the scenery first. This is even more clandestine, as you’re out of cover only for a second, providing you duck back into cover afterward.

// MELEE STRIKES /// Vaulting Over

If the obstacle you’re using as cover or running at is below thigh height, you’re likely to vault over it. If a foe is standing on the other side, you can knock him over with a quick (and automatic) kick. This way you don’t need to maneuver around an obstacle and can more immediately silence a foe. Low cover shouldn’t stop you from tackling a foe who believes he’s safe behind an obstacle.

// MELEE STRIKES /// Dropping In

Like some kind of heavy-booted assassin, you can peer down from a roof or other high platform, and either drop or vault off and land on the foe’s head, knocking them unconscious if you land with accuracy. Often overlooked, this is most helpful if you need to reach a different area and can’t take out a patrolling foe by any other means.

// MELEE STRIKES /// Melee Executions

If you’re fighting faction enemies (not the police) and carrying a weapon, you can step up and execute the foe instead of melee-striking them. You take your chosen weapon (providing it fires bullets or shells; grenade launchers can’t be used), and blast the enemy at close range in a visceral and spectacular takedown. Have you attempted one with every type of weapon and from every direction?

You can use this during gun battles instead of aiming at nearby enemies in locations you want to reach (and probably use as cover).

When fighting the police, you use melee strikes, but you can auto-swap between baton and gun.

Expect your foes to periodically counter you; simply try the takedown again until you achieve it.

If you use Spec-Ops weaponry, these takedowns are almost as silent and offer an alternative to melee strikes for the stealthy operative.

// MELEE STRIKES /// Enforcer Takedowns

The most difficult type of enemy to neutralize is the heavily armored Enforcer. Though it’s better to tackle this beast using grenades, explosive scenery, or high-powered weaponry (and a couple of vehicle hit-and-runs would help), if you’ve unlocked the Enforcer Combat Take Down skill, you can batter him to death. Don’t try grabbing an Enforcer without this skill—he’ll cut you to ribbons in seconds!

/ WEAPONS

There are 44 firearms of various lengths in nine different categories, from small pistols to outlandish sniper rifles. Learning how to use all of them, and what their specific statistics are helps you navigate Chicago with a better sense of protection:

// WEAPONS /// Locating Weapons

Weapons are collected in many ways. You begin with your trusty P-9mm pistol, but you should soon graduate to more potent firearms, taken from the following locations:

//// Dispatched Enemies

Any time you defeat a foe, he drops his weapon. You can pick it up if you haven’t acquired it before. Usually, ammunition is picked up as well, which is most helpful during protracted firefights (and means you don’t have to buy as much ammunition between missions). The main missions, Gang Hideouts side missions, and Investigations are the best for obtaining new weaponry in this manner.

//// During Missions

Study the maps throughout this guide, as certain missions introduce new weapons, specifically designed for the mission in question. The advantage of picking up, say, the AC-AR rifle from T-Bone’s junkyard during Act III is that the gun is great for subsequent battles and is free, and you avoid a sizable purchase at a gun shop.

//// Gun Shops

At any time, you can visit one of the six fine hunting establishments (one gun shop per district), and check out the firearms for sale there. You can also buy ammunition for your weapon types and “refill” ammunition for one single price instead of picking through the bullets and checking them against your emptied guns.

//// Items of Interest

There are a variety of bags (satchels, bowling bags, paper bags) scattered randomly throughout Chicago. There are also bags that you can find during your missions, while infiltrating a restricted area. Access these bags, and there’s a (random) chance you could uncover a weapon.

//// Progression Rewards

It’s worth checking your Progression Tree branches for each of the tasks to do across the city; some (such as the QR Codes Investigation) unlock special “Signature” and “Spec-Ops” weapons (such as the gold version of the M1 SMG, called the “Gangster”), if you complete a task within this branch.

//// Exclusivity

Some of the more lavish or entertaining weapons are in the “Exclusive” category. These are only available in special packs (usually accessed during the game’s preorder or via Uplay. This only applies to Exclusive weapons.

// WEAPONS /// Equipping Weapons

You equip weapons automatically when you find and pick new ones up, or buy them from a vendor. Once you unlock a weapon, it becomes available from the Weapon Wheel. If you have more than one type of weapon, access the Weapon Wheel to cycle through your available guns.

You carry four types of weapons: one in your support (upper) slot, one in your primary (right) slot, one in your secondary (left) slot, and one in your specialty (bottom) slot. Check the weapon table to see the type of weapon, and look in the appropriate slot to find it.

// WEAPONS /// Using Weapons

Aiden holds a weapon in his right hand until it comes time to fire. With a gun in hand, citizens may notice and call the cops. So it’s best to keep weapons holstered until you’re in a restricted area (or you want to coax the police out).

/// Using Weapons //// Aiming, Headshots, and Cover

Once your gun is raised and ready to fire at a target, sprinting is no longer viable. Your reticle turns red when a human target is lined up; there are red streaks out from a white reticle if the target is at long range and will be more difficult to hit.

Aim at a target’s head to ensure you’re striking with maximum damage, and the enemy won’t survive. Armored enemies are especially tough (some can survive an entire clip into their torsos), but shooting one in the head is usually an instant kill. When combat goes crazy, use your Focus to help line up your headshots.

You can fire from cover. If you’re behind a piece of cover that obstructs your aim, quickly shuffle to a new cover point. Here’s how firing from cover should be done, if you want to minimize bullet expenditure:

Use the camera thumbstick to move to line up a target’s head while you’re still in cover. When you’re ready to fire, aim to bring the weapon (and yourself) out of cover slightly, and fire just as you fully aim; this essentially fires the round off at the earliest possible point while still being accurate. Then release and duck back into cover.

// WEAPONS /// Weapon Types

Learn the main advantages and uses of each major weapon type before employing them in the combat zone. Then, simply cross-reference the statistics pages to come, and compare the various elements of each weapon (either within a type or across all types) to determine which one you want to pick.

//// Pistols

These are compact weapons that fire one bullet at a time and offer flexibility across most missions. A favorite of those who prefer stealth over slaughter, they offer the same distance of fire as most other nonscoped weapons, good accuracy, and can easily be brought up and fired at a target. Useful if the number of foes you’re facing isn’t large, you can surreptitiously set up a headshot and drop back into cover. Pistols are less effective if chaos reigns and you’re surrounded by enemies; it’s then time to pick some more robust firepower options.

//// Assault Rifles

These offer devastating power at longer ranges than SMGs, though in general they don’t fire quite as quickly. Some assault rifles, such as the AK-47 and ACR, punch through light cover (like glass and wooden or light metal fences), making it more difficult for enemies to hide and widening the options you have for taking enemies down. In general, assault rifles are the most well rounded of your available weaponry and should be employed in most situations.

//// Shotguns

These close-assault weapons don’t have the range of other weaponry, but they are devastating at close range, before the shells used reach their maximum range limits. Use them to step out and demolish a foe who’s within spitting distance of you, and return to cover. These aren’t able to blast multiple foes at once (unless one is standing behind another) with a horizontal rake of fire, but they can easily drop a single foe with minimal aiming; just shoot in the general direction and let the pellet spread do the rest! Also use shotguns for close assaults on vehicles (there’s even a skill that helps to this effect); blast doors, hoods, and trunk lids and easily reach occupants inside as you lay waste to their cars. Just be wary of lengthy reload times for this weapon; swap to another gun instead of reloading if the situation is critically dangerous.

//// Submachine Guns

While assault rifles are better for longer ranged firefights, submachine guns are excellent for cutting down multiple foes at closer ranges, though they tend to rattle through ammunition clips a little faster. Inspect the Damage on the charts to come, and you can see a significant drop-off in damage caused at around 15 to 20 meters for a submachine gun, compared to around 20 to 30 meters for an assault rifle. More compact SMGs fit into your secondary slot, though, which effectively allows you to carry two rapid-fire weapons instead of a pistol. When enemies are close by, and a situation is about to turn violent, bring out an SMG.

//// Sniper Rifles

Sniper rifles are built for extreme-range takedowns. They have the longest range of any weapon type (one and a half times the range of a shotgun), and they are extremely accurate at any distance, as this M107 takedown demonstrates. There are some downsides, though; you look through a scope and are therefore more susceptible to flanking attacks. You need to be in a safe place (ideally high up, such as a water tower, platform, or roof) or far enough away that it will take a while for foes to reach you. Use these rifles to drop a high-value target, such as the driver or mission-critical faction member in a Convoy mission. Add in Focus, and this helps remove the slight wobble and shaking inherent in this scoped weapon.

//// Grenade Launchers

If there’s something sizable that you want to remove, bring out the grenade launcher; these short-range cannons are absolutely deadly within eight meters, but useless at longer ranges. Think of these are grenade-punting machines; instead of lobbing a frag grenade manually, punt a grenade at a group of foes, enemies behind breakable cover, foes close to explosive objects, or enemies just exiting a vehicle. These are exceptional for taking out vehicles if you aim for under the engine or into the engine block. Fire at a foe’s feet so they are blown skyward; anywhere higher and the grenade may overshoot.

//// Signature Weapons

These are special guns you can purchase during the game. Be sure to try them all out.

Chrome: Fires in 3-shot bursts and can pierce cover like assault rifles.

Wildfire: Shoots very quickly (as fast as the fastest SMG).

Piledriver: 30 pellets, super wide angle, higher damage, but 3 rounds per clip.

Gangster: Identical to the M1SMG, but this gold variant is available in the base game!

Destroyer: Highest damage of any weapon, and pierces almost anything. Destroys most vehicles in one shot, and can even destroy multiple vehicles if they are lined up (like in a convoy). When you use this weapon, you will understand its name!//// Spec-Ops Weapons

//// Spec-Ops Weapons

Spec-Ops weapons, such as the SO Vector 45ACP, have similar statistics to their non Spec-Op counterparts, but with one important addition: silencers! This means that takedowns are quieter, allowing you to mix up stealth and violent plans during infiltrations without alerting the entire crew of foes you’re facing. Only takedowns that are either very close or fully visible will alert the enemies, making these extremely handy if you care about subtle infiltration.

//// Exclusive Weapons

This selection of weapons are only available to players who have unlocked them via a code, usually given as part of a preorder bonus, downloadable content, or Uplay reward. All the weapons have exceptional abilities; for example, the biometric rifle is an impressive combat rifle cloned to your specific grip. The Gold D50 is a garish hand cannon with thoroughly satisfying one-shot takedown potential. And the Auto-6 is pretty red, dropping foes in three-shot bursts with no problem.

// WEAPONS /// Ammunition

Obviously, each weapon requires a number of bullets, shells, clips, or grenades to function as ammunition; otherwise you’ll be firing no more than harsh words and wielding an occasional baton against the enemy. The following ammunition types are available; find it in the same manner as weapons. The following are the costs at a gun shop:

* Some weapons only become available once you encounter them in a mission.

/// Weapons Statistics Table

The following table gives absolute specifics on every firearm available to you. In order to figure out which weapon gives you the best “bang for the buck,” simply compare the stats between each of them and choose the one you’re happiest with. Of course, practice makes perfect, too, so experiment with the weapons under a variety of trying conditions. Here’s what the following statistics mean:

Effectiveness: An at-a-glance rating of how impressive the weapon is in trained hands.

Cost: The cost to purchase the weapon.

Available from Gun Shop?: Whether you can purchase this at a gun shop or obtain it by other means.

Tier:A number from one to five, based on when the weapon becomes accessible in the game.

Damage:How much damage (HP) the weapon inflicts over distance (meters).

Weapon Slot Used:Whether this fits into the support, primary, secondary, or specialty weapon slot of your Weapon Wheel.

Firing Type:How the weapon fires, from the following criteria:

• Semiauto:the weapon requires manual trigger pulling for each bullet or burst.
• Auto:Constant trigger pressing results in continuous fire.
• 3-shot Burst:Each trigger pull results in three rounds expended.
• Pump:Some shotguns need to be pumped between blasts.
• Bolt:Some sniper rifles needs to be reloaded between shots.
• Single Shot:One grenade launcher fires a single shot, before a lengthy reload.
• High ROF: Ammunition expenditure is extremely fast, and frequent reloading is required.
• Piercing: This can pass through one foe and hit a second, or hit a foe through their cover, if the trajectory allows it.

Rate of Fire:How quickly you can fire a bullet or round of this weapon, in rounds per minute. This changes during Focus time.

Magazine:How big the clip, chamber, or bullet reservoir is; the maximum it can hold before reloading.

Max Ammo:How many of the ammunition type can be carried at once.

Vehicle Dmg Modifier:The damage (in HP) the weapon inflicts into foes inside vehicles, multiplied by the modifier. So an M107 fired at a vehicle 20 meters away would inflict 60 HP (120HP x 0.5).

Muzzle Velocity:The speed at which the ammunition leaves the gun’s muzzle, in meters per second. The higher the number, the faster the ammunition travels.

Recoil:Some weapons have a recoil. This diamond shows the spread if bursts or sustained fire is used. The numbers in the diamond are in meters.

Pierce Strength:There are three ratings for weapons, depending on how far they pass through objects:

• 9–5:This will pierce chain-link fences and glass, but nothing else.
• 15–5:This will pierce most fragile surfaces, including plastics and thin metal.
• 100–5:This will pierce anything.

Number of Pellets:Certain weapons (like shotguns) create a multitude of pellets instead of a single impact wound. This is how many impacts an enemy should expect to receive.

Pellet Spread:This is how well the pellets stay clustered together when hitting a foe. The larger the number, the more spread out the pellets are, meaning some might miss their target, especially at range.

Precision Range:How far you can fire the weapon before it becomes inaccurate.

Shoot Spread:How far apart the bullets stray from where you aim, after precision range is reached.

Headshot Multiplier:What the damage is multiplied by if shot at a human in Multiplayer modes. Single-player enemies receive an automatic x5 multiplier.

Upper Body Multiplier 40m:What the damage is multiplied by at 40 meters range (if anything).

//// Pistols

P-9mm

$250

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: Yes, Cash Run: Minigames Reward

PX4

Initial Weapon

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: Yes

1911

$3,750

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: Yes

MP-412

SPECIAL

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: No, Available as Acquired Content (Exclusive Pack Reward)

R-33

$7,500

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: Yes

D50

$15,000

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: Yes

M8-M

$15,000

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: Yes

//// Assault Rifles

OCP-11

$600

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: Yes, Online Hacking: Online Contracts Reward

416

$1200

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: Yes

AK47

$7,500

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: Yes

417

$7,500

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: Yes, Gang Hideouts: Side Mission Reward

Goblin

$15,000

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: Yes

ACR

$30,000

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: Yes

U100

SPECIAL

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: No, Dropped By Some Enforcers.

//// Shotguns

SG-90

$1,000

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: Yes, Online Tailing: Online Contracts Reward

D12

$500

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: Yes, Audio Logs: Collectibles Reward

RSG-12

$6,250

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: Yes

M1014

$12,500

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: Yes

ACS-12

$40,000

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: Yes

//// Submachine Guns

SMG11

$400

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: Yes, ctOS Towers: Collectibles Reward

M-9mm

$800

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: Yes, Online Hacking: Online Contracts Reward

R-2000

$5,000

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: Yes

MP5

$15,000

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: Yes

Vector .45ACP

$30,000

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: Yes

//// Sniper Rifles

SR25

$4,000

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: Yes

SVD

$8,750

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: Yes

AC-AR

$17,500

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: Yes

M107

$45,000

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: Yes

//// Grenade Launchers

G-106

$4,000

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: Yes

GL-94

$45,500

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: Yes

//// Signature Weapons

Chrome

SPECIAL

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: No, Crimes Detected: Side Mission Reward

Wildfire

SPECIAL

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: No, Missing Persons: Investigation Reward

Piledriver

SPECIAL

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: No, Drinking Minigames Reward

Gangster

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: No, QR Codes: Investigation Reward

Destroyer

SPEciAL

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: No, Criminal Convoy: Side Mission Reward

//// Spec-Ops Weapons

Spec Ops 1911

$5,000

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: Yes

Spec Ops Goblin

SPECIAL

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: No, Weapons Trade Investigation Reward

Spec Ops SMG11

$22,000

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: Yes, Also Gang Hideouts: Side Mission Reward

SO Vector 45ACP

SPECIAL

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: No, Online Tailing: Online Contracts Reward

//// Exclusive Weapons

Auto-6

SPECIAL

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: No. Only as part of Cyberpunk Pack

Biometric Rifle

SPECIAL

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: No. Only as part of Signature Shot Pack

M1SMG

SPECIAL

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: No. Only as part of Untouchables Pack

Gold D50

SPECIAL

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: No. Only as Acquired Content (Uplay Reward)

R33b

SPECIAL

Effectiveness:

Available from Gunshop?*: No. Only as Acquired Content (PSN Pre-order Reward)

// WEAPONS /// Weapon Combinations

You can equip any weapon at any time using your Weapon Wheel. However, we found some complementary weapon combinations that are effective in a firefight. Test out some of our favorite combinations! We kept the fourth slot optional, so equip any weapon you like!

/// Weapons Damage Table

Now that you have a good working knowledge of every weapon available to you, consult the following table for more statistics! These show (in Hit Points), the number of shots it takes to defeat each type of enemy you encounter in the game (by rank), as well as the average time to defeat them (in seconds).

Shots/Time to Kill Reference

Pistols

Assualt Rifles

Shotguns

Submachine Guns

Sniper Rifles

/ _VEHICLES

If getting around town as a pedestrian isn’t quite your speed, it’s worth commandeering or even ordering one of the large number of vehicles available to you. Many are significantly better at one type of activity than others. But all are covered in the following section.

// Vehicle Appropriation

There are 64 road vehicles available to you (7 heavy vehicles, 5 motorcycles, 11 muscle cars, 11 performance vehicles, 7 sports cars, 4 trucks, and 19 budget vehicles), 4 types of police vehicles (which aren’t available on your Car on Demand App), and 3 types of boat. There are also Faction and other variants only available on the streets of Chicago.

// Car on Demand App

Bring up your smartphone tile app menu and select the Car on Demand App; this fantastic tool enables you to call a vehicle to your location between missions (but not during them; new cars will not be driven to the middle of a firefight). This allows you to choose from a list of vehicle types and summon any unlocked vehicle to a nearby location, usually for a small fee. Why? So you have your preferred vehicle to drive or ride on prior to a mission start, giving you the advantage of a vehicle you’re comfortable in, or one tailored to a specific action. But how do you unlock vehicles in the first place?

// Vehicle Appropriation /// Unlocking a Vehicle

You don’t want to spend your time just driving around in a Bogen 200 (though this is a surprisingly agile vehicle), so unlocking vehicles should be a top priority, until you find a car or bike that performs to your satisfaction. Here’s how you can unlock vehicles:

Hot-wiring: Before you have the Car Unlock skill, any vehicle you want to drive that you find on the streets needs to be unlocked with a swift elbow to the window and a manual unlock. This usually results in a citizen calling the police and is dangerously slow if enemies are engaging you at the same time.

Hack Unlocking: Once you have the Car Unlock skill, you simply highlight the vehicle you want to drive, hack it, and the alarm and locks are automatically disengaged. This is the method you’ll unlock most vehicles with. With hot-wiring or Hack Unlocking, you then add this vehicle to your Car on Demand App and usually find a small amount of cash or other valuables (which you should bring to a pawnshop) in the glove compartment.

Hacking Civilians: When you’re wandering around town, be sure to hack any citizens you can, as there’s a chance one of them owns a vehicle you haven’t unlocked yet. With the Profiler Optimization skill, these citizens are highlighted with a blue cursor. Hack them, and you might receive a new vehicle unlock; you can now access the vehicle mentioned onscreen after the hack, from your Car on Demand App.

Progression Activities: Consult the Progression Tree for all your activities, and cycle through the information, as some vehicles can only be unlocked (in the App) if you complete a particular mission. For example, the Vespid LE can be unlocked normally, but costs cash to summon the first time you want it. However, once you discover seven Burner Phones during this Investigation, you can summon it for free. So quickly take the Progression Tree for a spin, look for the vehicles you want to own, and finish their associated mission. Or pay up a single, sometimes exorbitant, fee.

Exclusive Vehicles: Certain vehicles, such as the Papavero Stealth Edition, are only unlocked as a pack bonus for preordering the game, ordering from a certain retailer, completing a mission available as a preorder bonus, or unlocking via Uplay. This only applies to a few vehicles, and this Papavero Stealth Edition is the only one with any specific advancements not available to other vehicles (its stealth capacity reduces the rate of enemy detection during escapes).

// VEHICLES /// Vehicle Types

Before you kick some tires and inspect all the specific vehicles, it’s worth learning the main differences between vehicle types.

//// Budget

When escaping the police or chasing the Club around Chicago, don’t expect rampant success at the wheel of these machines: They have poor toughness (a real problem during a jostling) and appalling acceleration (meaning you can’t get away or reach a fleeing target as easily). But the subcompact vehicles like the Bogen 200 and the Lithium SP are narrow enough to be rather pleasing to weave through traffic in. Plus, the vans and the Relegater are good for parking and climbing onto the roof of when looking for a way into a restricted area or they can act as movable cover.

//// Sports Car

Thoroughly recommended: Compact enough to work well in tight turns and around slower traffic and with enough oomph to reach a fleeing suspect or escape the police, these sports cars are utilized often by the discerning driver-for-hire. These cars have impressive acceleration coupled with spectacular handling and a top speed that’s more than adequate for most situations. Try out the Zusume R, which is a great all-rounder, or the infamous Luciano, the cream of the crop. However, these vehicles don’t do well with repeated battering, so be ready to change vehicles if you plan to ram and chase foes or survive a mass of police swarming after you.

//// Heavy-Duty

Large and bulky vehicles are terrible when you need to move nimbly around narrow streets or off-road climbs where they can get stuck easily. But if you have enough space, and you’re seeking to ambush the enemy or ram one off the road, these can be extremely handy—as long as you know which one to pick. The toughest of all the vehicles, these trucks can take a huge amount of punishment and can break through barricades and strike into enemy cars with ease. The handling is surprisingly adequate, too, as is the top speed in most cases. Only the acceleration (with the exception of the ambulance) is subpar. But if you need to run over or smash something, pick one of these monsters, like the fire truck.

//// Off-Road

The four off-road trucks offered here are excellent choices, and not just when you’re driving around the hills of Pawnee; they provide average or above ratings in all four driving categories, with particularly adept acceleration and handling. This is helpful, as they are quite bulky to maneuver, and you need the precision steering to swerve through narrow gaps. Don’t expect lithe bike or sports car–like handling, though. Where these vehicles really shine is their off-road capabilities; they don’t lose traction, so you can take them on any dirt trails they can fit down, or on the grass and railroad tracks, or through industrial gravel yards of the Wards and Brandon Docks, without fear of losing control. Get yourself a Tributary 1500 and try out the more wild of rides.

//// Muscle

Your first experience with muscle cars might be the 571 or Vespid models, which have rather tail-happy handling. Though they can be difficult to steer into a tight alley and require extra concentration when you’re going flat-out, they have exceptional top speed and acceleration; just watch out when you try to corner or handbrake. Practice your turns to avoid spinning out. Outside of heavy vehicles, these have a good toughness and are great to use in car combat tasks.

//// Motorcycle

Motorbikes are a thoroughly recommended mode of transportation, unless any kind of ramming is involved. They have incredible acceleration, meaning you should use them to reach locations as quickly as possible. Their small size means they can squeeze through gaps (such as raised bollards) that no other vehicle can manage. Move between traffic with ease. Take ramps and pitch the vehicle down slightly so both wheels land to minimize damage. Amaze yourself at the handling and top speed of the Sayonara bikes. And when you’re in Pawnee, use the Kuruhawa, as it has off-road capabilities.

//// Performance

These have enough top speed and acceleration to pin your head back in your seat; they are the best at long, straight highway driving. Performance vehicles have the very best ranking for these two statistics and have higher-than-average handling in most cases. The only time these vehicles suffer is their toughness, which isn’t good at all, making these the vehicle to chase a foe, but not one to take on a bunch of foes in vehicles. Though these vehicles have arguably better stats than sports vehicles, they are more expensive to purchase in your App, so you may wish to steal them instead, or use sports vehicles. Certain performance vehicles are also quite tail-happy and are sometimes wider than sports cars, making them a little trickier to control at the very limits of speed and handling. The Rosewood has the highest statistics of any vehicle, so it’s well worth obtaining just to try out.

//// Police

The police have five vehicles, but only four are accessible (you can’t pilot the helicopter): the ubiquitous patrol car, which offers reasonable acceleration, a good degree of handling, and a slightly faster Interceptor variant; the rebadged Polar (SUV) in white and blue; and the SWAT team SUV. Obviously, these vehicles won’t be available on your App, so you only get the chance to drive them when you steal them during a felony, when your Heat level is sufficiently high, and when you’re likely to be in danger. You’re more easily spotted driving a stolen cop car too!

//// Boats

There are three boats you can pilot on the water. Two of them are extremely good at maneuvering you from land mass to land mass, and the third is the water taxi, which is a slightly laborious process (though this vessel is extremely tough). The speedboat is wide and fast, while the patrol boat is slower but narrower. However, either of the latter craft are more than adequate for any water-based activities you have planned, and they certainly beat swimming!

/// Vehicles Statistics Table

The following table details the maneuverability of every vehicle you can drive, ride, or pilot. Here’s what everything means:

Car on Demand Price:The cash you need to pay to order this vehicle, once you unlock it.

Top Speed:How fast the vehicle will travel after acceleration. The higher, the faster.

Acceleration:How quickly the vehicle increases in speed. The higher, the quicker.

Toughness:How much damage the vehicle can take from ramming or enemy fire. The higher, the tougher.

Handling:How adept and nimble the vehicle is at turning, skidding, and remaining on all wheels. The higher, the better.

Off-road:Whether this vehicle is capable off-road. If it isn’t, expect to spin your wheels and lose control more often.

//// Budget

Bogen 200

Price: Free

Cavale

Price: Free

Cavale Taxi

Price: Only available in Chicago

Crosscountry Series

Price: Free

Crosscountry Taxi

Price: Only available in Chicago

Fasto

Price: Free

Kigan AWD

Price: Free

Koln 500S

Price: Free

Koln 500S Club Variant

Price: Faction Vehicle

Landrock Van 1500

Price: Free

Landrock Van 1500 Workman

Price: Only available in Chicago

Landrock Van 1500 Camper

Price: Only available in Chicago

Landrock Van 1500 Taco Truck

Price: Only available in Chicago

Landrock Van 2500

Price: Free

Landrock Van 2500 ctOS

Price: Only available in Chicago

Landrock Van 2500 Workman

Price: Only available in Chicago

Landrock Van 2500 WKZTV

Price: Only available in Chicago

Leo

Price: Free

Lithium SP

Price: Free

Philandra

Price: Free

Relegate V6

Price: Free

Relegater

Price: free

Relegater Ice Cream

Price: Only available in Chicago

Sculptor 2.5R

Price: Free

Sumitzu Auto 1.6

Price: Free

Talos

Price: Free

Talos Club Variant

Price: Faction Vehicle

Vessel

Price: Free

Vessel Viceroy Variant

Price: Faction Vehicle

Vessel Taxi

Price: Only available in Chicago

Woodie

Price: Free

Zusume

Price: free

//// Heavy

Flatbed Truck

Price: free

Flatbed Box Truck

Price: Only available in Chicago

Flatbed Dump Truck

Price: Only available in Chicago

Flatbed Fuel Tanker Truck

Price: Only available in Chicago

Garbage Truck

Price: Free

WKZ-TV Truck (Box Truck)

Price: $500

Box Truck

Price: Only available in Chicago

Cement Truck

Price: $1,000

Ambulance

Price: $2,000

FireTruck

Price: $2,000

Convoy

Price: $3,000

Convoy (Bank Truck)

Price: Only available in Chicago

//// Motorcycle

Kodachi

Price: Free

Sayonara LE

Price: PROGRESSION REWARD

Kuruhawa Motorsport 450

Price: $2,000

Special: Offroad

Chopper

Price: $5,000

Sayonara

Price: $10,000

//// Muscle

571

Price: Free

571 Militia Variant

Price: Faction Vehicle

Adamant S-Series

Price: Free

Gambino

Price: PROGRESSION REWARD

Magnate LE

Price: PROGRESSION REWARD

Vespid LE

Price: PROGRESSION REWARD

3.9T

Price: $5,000

3.9T Viceroy Vatiant

Price: Faction Vehicle

Haikal R

Price: $15,000

Vespid HMI

Price: $15,000

Magnate

Price: 25,000

Sonarus LX

Price: $25,000

Vespid 5.2

Price: $25,000

//// Performance

Boxberg LE

Price: PROGRESSION REWARD

Livraga LE

Price: PROGRESSION REWARD

Papavero Stealth Edition

Price: SPECIAL REWARD

Special: stealth

* This car has stealth capacity; reduces the enemy rate of detection vs the player

Rosewood

Price: PROGRESSION REWARD

Amargosa Turbo

Price: $8,000

336-TT

Price: $20,000

550S

Price: $20,000

Boxberg R1

Price: $20,000

Papavero

Price: $50,000

Scafati GT

Price: $50,000

Livraga 350

Price: $200,000

//// Sport

Core-T

Price: Free

Kirscher

Price: Free

Luciano

Price: PROGRESSION REWARD

Rotor

Price: $2,000

Zusume R

Price: $10,000

Carrozza

Price: $15,000

Sunrim

Price: $15,000

//// Truck

Steadfast 3000

Price: Free

Special: Offroad

Steadfast 3000 Camper

Price: Only available in Chicago

Special: Offroad

Steadfast 3000 Militia Variant

Price: Faction Vehicle

Special: Offroad

Tributary 3500

Price: $1,000

Special: Offroad

Polar

Price: $3,000

Special: Offroad

Polar Viceroy Variant

Price: Faction Vehicle

Special: Offroad

Tributary 1500

Price: $5,000

Special: Offroad

//// Boats

Speed Boat

Price: ONLY AVAILABLE IN CHICAGO

Special: WATER ONLY

Fishing Boat

Price: ONLY AVAILABLE IN CHICAGO

Special: WATER ONLY

Water Taxi

Price: ONLY AVAILABLE IN CHICAGO

Special: WATER ONLY

//// Police

Patrol Car (Cavale)*

Price: Only available in Chicago

Patrol Car (Vessel)*

Price: Only available in Chicago

Police Interceptor (Sonarus LX)*

Price: Only available during Police Chase

SUV (Polar)*

Price: Only available during Police Chase

Special: Offroad

SWAT SUV (Polar)*

Price: Only available during Police Chase

Special: Offroad

Police Helicopter

Price: Not available

*Police vehicles have these statistics when you hijack and use them. They have numerous and different statistics — not available — when driven by the police

// TOP TEN VEHICLES

The sheer number of vehicles may make it difficult to choose. Drive at least the following vehicles during your adventure. Particular attention (and kudos) has been given to vehicles that are easily and cheaply available. These may not be your top ten, and your opinion may vary, but this provides a good starting point for vehicle acquisition:

//// 10 / Rotor

Strengths: Cheap, compact for narrow navigating, good top speed, acceleration, and handling.

Weaknesses: Not tough at all.

//// 09 / Steadfast 3000

Strengths: The quintessential off-road vehicle. Free to summon. Reasonably tough with good handling. Can go off-road without handling problems.

Weaknesses: Top speed isn’t great.

//// 08 / Tributary 1500

Strengths: Statistically the best Truck available. Good to great stats in all four categories. Very tough.

Weaknesses: Quite bulky, so pay extra attention when dodging or entering narrow areas.

//// 07 / Ambulance

Strengths: As tough as an armored truck but with better handling. Amazing toughness, great top speed, and good acceleration. Can be climbed on to reach higher areas. Cheap price.

Weaknesses: Handling isn’t precise, bulky.

//// 06 / Sayonara

Strengths: Nothing is more nimble on the roads. Insane acceleration and handling. Great for squeezing through gaps in scenery.

Weaknesses: Terrible toughness. Easy to get knocked off or fall from one.

//// 05 / Luciano

Strengths: The best acceleration, fantastic top speed and handling. Very purple.

Weaknesses: Moderate toughness. Not available until later in the game.

//// 04 / Gambino

//// 03 / Rosewood

Strengths: Maximum top speed and acceleration. Above-average toughness and handling; arguably the best all-round option for any situation.

Weaknesses: Quite long and not supremely nimble. Not available until later in the game.

//// 02 / Zusume R

Strengths: Statistically the best vehicle to use until end-game vehicles are unlocked. Sublime handling and great acceleration.

Weaknesses: Toughness isn’t great. Easy to confuse with the budget model; steal the one with the spoiler!

//// 01 / Papavero Stealth Edition

Strengths: Maximum top speed and acceleration, coupled with great handling. A unique stealth ability reduces detection by enemies!

Weaknesses: Only average toughness. With great power comes great responsibility; easy to crash if you’re irresponsible or less than skilled.