Setups and Planning
Completing the setups (prep missions) will make the main show easier, giving you much needed intel on how to best overcome some of the hurdles that'll inevitably be rolled in your way. A setup will give you access to a very valuable airstrike call, while another will give you the chance to use a blowtorch to cut through some bars leading into an underwater sewer system for easy access.
You need a reliable location for all the planning work a heist of these proportions requires, and what better than a decommissioned nuclear submarine? Filling the role of the Mobile Operations Center and the Avenger this time around is the Kosatka submarine, your new home patrolling the waters between Cayo Perico and Los Santos.
Decked out with complete living amenities, a heist planning room and everything else a master criminal of your caliber needs, the Kosatka can further be expanded with a MK-II Weapons Workshop and a Moon Pool for quick deployment of your smaller submersibles.
During the planning stages of the heist you get to decide a number of factors that, alongside the setup missions, will greatly impact the way the mission plays out. Things like what kind of air support you can rely on, what time of day you conduct the raid, entry and exit points and mode. With all of these options at your fingertips, no two runs of the heist will be the same — that is, until the community figures out which configuration is the most "efficient" and that's the one absolutely everyone will choose.
There is also a bit of randomized procedural generation thrown into the mix, because when you finally choose to hit Cayo Perico, there will be a bunch of extra cash pickups scattered throughout the island. Some of these won't be simple to get to, and their locations as well as the locations of the tools you need to access them will change every time.
New Content
New Music
As is inevitable with an update this big, there are a bunch of other tidbits not necessarily related to the big caper itself. Music is in the forefront, and not just because a new club has opened — GTA Online is getting two new radio stations alongside the weekly addition of resident DJs, all of whom come with their own missions.
Interestingly enough, one of the new radio stations will be tied to a community challenge of sorts — Still Slipping is one of the two new stations, and will be pretty elusive initially. Whenever you manage to tune in, make sure to keep an eye out for broken radio antennae nearby, and fix them up. The more antennae are fixed, the more places Still Slipping will be available.
Civilist and MISBHV are two brand-new clothing brands, with entire collections of never before seen clothing items available across Los Santos and Blaine County, just waiting for droves of players to try out the freshest threads. If you want to look like you fit in at The Music Locker, your style had better be on point.
New Items
The Cayo Perico Heist also brings a wealth of new vehicles to GTA Online, because you can never have enough vehicles. These include the Sparrow helicopter and Kraken Avisa submersible which can be launched from the moon pool of the Kosatka, alongside a selection of other vehicles, both mundane and extraordinary.
New weapons are on the books as well — the Military Rifle is a versatile new bullpup gun available right off the bat, while completing the Cayo Perico Heist Finale and using the fearsome Combat Shotgun will unlock it for purchase and use in Los Santos too. While you're in the thick of heisting, keep an eye out for El Rubio's prized custom pistol — nobody knows where it may be, but it is a one of a kind hand cannon with a serious punch.
Phases
The Cayo Perico Heist involves several distinct phases:
- Purchasing the Kosatka Submarine: This is your mobile base of operations required to start the heist.
- Gather Intel (Scoping): Travel to Cayo Perico to identify infiltration points, escape points, points of interest, primary/secondary targets, and optional advantages like Cutting Powder. Thorough scoping unlocks more options.
- Setup (Prep) Missions: Completed in Freemode, these involve acquiring approach vehicles, essential equipment, weapons, and optionally disrupting El Rubio's operations.
- Finale Mission: Execute your plan, infiltrate the island and compound, secure the primary target and as much secondary loot as possible, and escape Cayo Perico.
The heist offers significant freedom in the approach you take, allowing players to mix and match infiltration points, equipment, and escape routes based on their intel gathering and prep work.
Starting The Cayo Perico Heist
To begin The Cayo Perico Heist, players must first meet Miguel Madrazo at The Music Locker nightclub located beneath The Diamond Casino & Resort. After the initial meeting, you need to purchase the Kosatka submarine from Warstock Cache & Carry if you don't have it already.
Once the Kosatka is purchased, players can access the heist planning screen inside the submarine to start the initial 'Gather Intel' mission and subsequent Setup missions.
Each heist attempt has a setup cost of GTA$100,000 that must be paid before prep missions can begin.
Key Stages & Guides
We have guides to every single part of the Cayo Perico Heist:
I. Gathering Intel (Scoping)
- Scope Out & Intel Guide (POIs): A complete guide to finding all Infiltration Points, Escape Points, Compound Entry Points, and crucial Points of Interest like Bolt Cutters, Guard Clothing, Grappling Equipment, and Supply Trucks.
- Secondary Targets Guide: Locations for all potential secondary loot (Cash, Weed, Cocaine, Gold, Artwork) across the island and within the compound.
- Cutting Powder Guide: How to find and use Cutting Powder to weaken guards.
II. Setup Missions
There are four main categories of setup missions, each containing mandatory or optional tasks that influence your final heist strategy, and we have walkthroughs to completing every single one of those setup missions, explaining which missions are required, which can be skipped, and which offer optional advantages. Navigate using the links below to find the specific guides you need:
III. The Finale
IV. Payouts & Rewards
- Payouts, Cooldowns & Targets Guide: Detailed information on primary/secondary target values, cooldown mechanics affecting payouts, hard mode bonuses, Elite Challenge rewards, potential max payouts for different team sizes, and more.
For a comparison with other heists in GTA Online, see: GTA Heist Payouts - Complete List
Tips for Success
- Thorough Scoping Pays Off: Finding more points during the Gather Intel phase unlocks more options, especially the Drainage Tunnel entry point, which is vital for stealth runs.
- Cutting Torch is Key: For stealth, the Cutting Torch prep is highly recommended as it allows silent entry via the Drainage Tunnel and access to locked secondary loot storage.
- Solo Stealth Strategy: The most common and often most profitable solo strategy involves using the Kosatka approach, Drainage Tunnel entry, acquiring the primary target, escaping the compound via the main gate or by climbing, grabbing secondary loot at the Main Dock or North Dock/Airport Hangar, and escaping via boat or swimming away.
- Suppressors are Mandatory for Stealth: Always purchase suppressors (GTA$5,000) on the planning screen if attempting a stealthy approach.
- Headshots Matter: Efficiently taking down guards with suppressed headshots is crucial for maintaining stealth.
With these resources, you are fully equipped to plan and execute the Cayo Perico Heist effectively. Good luck infiltrating El Rubio's fortress and securing your riches!
