The briefing
The Third Way (Ending C) is a Story Mode mission for Lester Crest in Lester's House; Grand Banks Steel Foundry; Del Perro Pier; B.J. Smith Recreational Center; Pacific Bluffs Country Club; Devin Weston's Mansion; Paleto Cove.
Playable character: Michael De Santa; Franklin Clinton; Trevor Philips. The mission is classified as branching choice.
Objective route — story spoilers
1. Go pick up Lamar at his house.
2. Destination: the foundry.
3. Enter the foundry.
4. Ambush the FIB team when ready.
5. Destination: Lamar.
6. Eliminate the attackers.
7. Rescue Trevor.
8. Eliminate the attackers.
9. Go outside.
10. Eliminate the attackers.
11. Regroup outside the main doors.
12. Get rid of Mr. Cheng.
13. Escape the Triads.
14. Eliminate Stretch.
15. Escape the Ballas.
16. Bring down Haines.
17. Escape the wanted level.
18. Destination: Devin's house.
19. Eliminate the guards.
20. Kidnap Devin.
21. Destination: the rendezvous point.
22. Complete Devin.
Gold medal targets
Time: Time limit: 21:30.
Headshots: Eliminate 20 enemies with a headshot.
Accuracy: Complete with a shooting accuracy of at least 70%.
Stick, Tick... Boom!: Eliminate Cheng with a Sticky Bomb.
Lead Lobotomy: Eliminate Steve Haines with a headshot.
Stretched Out: Eliminate Stretch with a melee attack.
Gold targets can be accumulated across mission replays. A medal run is separate from the mission’s ordinary completion requirement.
Rewards and unlocks
The Big Score Payout (Maximum gross take: $201,600,000); To Live or Die in Los Santos Achievement/Trophy
Branches and alternatives
This record retains the named branch or preparation variant. Alternative heist plans and endings have separate pages; completing the campaign does not require playing mutually exclusive versions in a single save.
Sources & further reading
Read the game and edition listed in the facts panel before applying gameplay advice. Story outcomes are marked as spoilers. Read our corrections policy.