GTA 5 Beginner's Guide: Story Mode Tips
Officially confirmed by Rockstar Games.
Three protagonists, special abilities, and the stock-market trick that turns heist cash into billions.
- Category
- GTA 5 Guides
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Updated
- Jul 1, 2026
GTA 5 puts you in control of three protagonists you can switch between at will. Each has a special ability: Michael slows time during gunfights, Franklin slows time while driving, and Trevor deals extra damage while taking less — use the right character for the job.
The most valuable tip: save the big money plays for after the campaign. Finish the story first, hang onto your heist earnings, and only then do Franklin's Lester 'assassination' missions — each one crashes or spikes a specific stock. Buy the tipped stocks before the hit and sell after to multiply your cash dramatically.
Beyond that: upgrade weapons at Ammu-Nation, buy body armor before big missions, and invest in properties for passive income.