The briefing
The first major heist introduces choices of approach and hired specialists. Lester coordinates the operation, while Michael and Franklin perform the robbery and escape. Make a separate save before selecting the plan if you want to compare approaches. Crew quality and the share each specialist demands affect the job; a low percentage is not automatically the strongest choice for a first playthrough.
Walkthrough: complete the preparation missions appropriate to your selected approach. The Smart plan uses sleeping gas, while the Loud plan enters by force. During the robbery, keep moving from display to display and listen to the hacker’s remaining-time warnings. Leave when prompted instead of losing the entire attempt while chasing one more case. As Franklin, follow the motorcycle escape route closely, looking through turns and managing speed in the tunnels. The later switch to Michael changes both vehicle and responsibility, so read each new instruction.
Story spoilers — reveal narrative details
the successful robbery brings Michael back into major crime and puts Franklin inside his professional orbit. It also creates consequences beyond the immediate payout. Different plans lead to different preparations and details, but they are alternatives within the same story milestone. Mission replay allows experimentation; it should not be mistaken for a method of repeatedly adding the original heist payout to the current 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.