💡 Tips & Tricks
Community-sourced tips and strategies from experienced players, verified against game data.
Early Game
| Tip | Details |
|---|
| Start with marijuana + amphetamine | Both unlock at Lv 1 with decent margins. Weed has 100% margin, amp has 71%. |
| Buy a backpack ASAP | Small backpack ($50) at Amy's doubles your carrying capacity |
| Spray territories early | No clients = no money. Spray West Old Town first, then expand |
| Sell at night | 30% less exposure. Wait for dusk before dealing |
| Save before big buys | If you get busted carrying product, you lose everything on you |
Money & Economy
| Tip | Details |
|---|
| Weed seeds are legal | Checkpoints don't flag weed seeds — carry freely |
| Suitcases nest 10 deep | You can put suitcases inside suitcases up to 10 levels. Massive storage. |
| Use garages for stash | Raid-immune, cheap, and can hold lab equipment |
| ATM unlocks at $600 earned | First $600 must be physical cash exchanges |
| Laundering at $1,000 | Start investing in the bar chain early for clean cash flow |
Sales Optimization
| Tip | Details |
|---|
| Weekends = double orders | 2× quantity and 25% faster orders on Sat/Sun |
| Decline first orders to remove clients | If an area has unwanted clients, decline their initial order — they leave permanently |
| Areas demand specific drugs | Each territory has drug demand preferences. Check phone orders to see what sells best where. |
| 1g orders are possible | New demand system allows single-gram client orders |
| Dealers order 20g+ at start | New dealers immediately place bulk orders |
Gangs
| Tip | Details |
|---|
| Ballena = small orders (8–25g) | Lower risk, lower reward. Good for newer players. |
| Keiji = bulk orders (20–110g) | Higher risk, much higher reward. Need good infrastructure. |
| Gang choice matters | Pick based on your current level and carrying capacity |
| Rep = 80 per delivery | Consistent deliveries are more important than size |
Exploration & Secrets
| Tip | Details |
|---|
| ~35 loot locations | Scattered across the map — cash, items, and valuables |
| Jump-sprint for speed | Jump while sprinting for slightly faster movement |
| Bobby pins ($5) = free lockpicking | Cheapest investment for accessing locked areas |
| Electric box keys | $200 at Jay's — opens utility rooms in buildings |
| Pitcoin at pawn shop | $19 — cryptocurrency item for the lore |
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Why It's Bad | Fix |
|---|
| Carrying too much cash | Over $2,500 gets confiscated on arrest | Launder or deposit regularly |
| Ignoring exposure | High exposure = DEA raids + constant police | Rotate areas, sell at night |
| Storing drugs in save-station hideouts | These can get raided | Use garages or secure locations |
| Not diversifying drugs | Demand varies by area | Match drug types to area demand |
| Mixing too hot | Toxicity > 3.84 = dead clients | Always test small batches first |