eXputer

Missionmajor

Crystal Maze

Trevor attacks the O’Neil ranch and destroys its meth laboratory after losing the Cheng partnership.

RoleStory mission guide
Importancemajor
  • ModeStory Mode
  • TypeStory mission
  • Difficultyhard
  • Walkthrough steps7

Time and medal conditions vary by route, approach, player count, replay state, and game version.

Key takeaways

Prepare before the opening marker and treat each objective update as a checkpoint.

  • Primary goal Trevor attacks the O’Neil ranch and destroys its meth laboratory after losing the Cheng partnership.
  • Protect mission-critical assets Avoid unnecessary vehicle damage, friendly fire, or abandoning a required target outside the objective radius.
  • Use protagonist abilities Use Franklin for precision driving, Michael for controlled gunfights, and Trevor for high-damage combat whenever the mission makes them available.
  • Do not rush the final marker Clear pursuit conditions and keep required characters or vehicles together before entering extraction.

Overview

Trevor attacks the O’Neil ranch and destroys its meth laboratory after losing the Cheng partnership.

Trevor attacks the O’Neil ranch and destroys its meth laboratory after losing the Cheng partnership.

This Story Mode mission advances the protagonists’ connected storyline. Some neighboring missions can become available simultaneously, so the exact play order may vary.

The walkthrough below separates travel, setup, combat, pursuit, and extraction checkpoints so a failed section can be diagnosed without repeating the same mistake.

Characters in this mission

Where this sits

PreparationDrive to the overlook near the O’Neil ranch
Core objectiveClear the exterior and enter the farmhouse
CompletionIgnite the fuel from a safe distance and leave the area
  1. 1Nervous RonpreviousPrevious
  2. ●Crystal MazecurrentCurrent guide
  3. 3Friends ReunitednextNext

Branching heist preparations and simultaneous character missions can alter the playable order.

Requirements and recommended loadout

Enter with mission-appropriate ammunition, armor, and a vehicle that can survive the opening travel phase.

  • RequiredComplete the preceding story unlocks
  • RecommendedFull body armor and stocked ammunitionParticularly valuable for missions marked moderate or hard.
  • RecommendedAccurate mid-range weaponA rifle or stable automatic weapon handles most outdoor gunfights.
  • OptionalClose-range backupUseful inside buildings, alleys, and vehicles.
  • RecommendedSave the relevant protagonist abilityUse it for the most difficult chase, driving, or combat checkpoint.

Objectives

  1. Drive to the overlook near the O’Neil ranch
  2. Scout the property and identify armed defenders
  3. Approach using stealth or begin a direct assault
  4. Clear the exterior and enter the farmhouse
  5. Fight down to the basement laboratory
  6. Pour the fuel trail through the building
  7. Ignite the fuel from a safe distance and leave the area

Detailed walkthrough

  1. 01

    Drive to the overlook near the O’Neil ranch

    Drive to the overlook near the O’Neil ranch

    Drive to the overlook near the O’Neil ranch. Use the minimap to anticipate turns, preserve the mission vehicle, and prioritize keeping visual contact over risky shortcuts. Once the checkpoint registers, immediately orient toward the next marked objective.

    TipBefore triggering the opening marker, restock armor and ammunition if the mission is expected to involve combat.

    Checkpoint
  2. 02

    Scout the property and identify armed defenders

    Scout the property and identify armed defenders

    Scout the property and identify armed defenders. Center each required subject until the game confirms it; an unregistered photo or scan will prevent the next objective from appearing. Once the checkpoint registers, immediately orient toward the next marked objective.

    Checkpoint
  3. 03

    Approach using stealth or begin a direct assault

    Approach using stealth or begin a direct assault

    Approach using stealth or begin a direct assault. Approach from the safest side, clear immediate threats, and wait for the possession or collection confirmation before moving to extraction. Once the checkpoint registers, immediately orient toward the next marked objective.

  4. 04

    Clear the exterior and enter the farmhouse

    Clear the exterior and enter the farmhouse

    Clear the exterior and enter the farmhouse. Approach from the safest side, clear immediate threats, and wait for the possession or collection confirmation before moving to extraction. Once the checkpoint registers, immediately orient toward the next marked objective.

    Checkpoint
  5. 05

    Fight down to the basement laboratory

    Fight down to the basement laboratory

    Fight down to the basement laboratory. Move from cover to cover, remove exposed or elevated shooters first, and do not advance until the current flank is secure. Once the checkpoint registers, immediately orient toward the next marked objective.

    Watch outA failed push can expose the mission vehicle or protagonist to concentrated damage; reset behind cover instead of forcing progress.

  6. 06

    Pour the fuel trail through the building

    Pour the fuel trail through the building

    Pour the fuel trail through the building. Follow the marked route and wait for the objective prompt to update before leaving the area. Once the checkpoint registers, immediately orient toward the next marked objective.

    Checkpoint
  7. 07

    Ignite the fuel from a safe distance and leave the area

    Ignite the fuel from a safe distance and leave the area

    Ignite the fuel from a safe distance and leave the area. Break line of sight before hiding, avoid main roads where new units spawn ahead, and remain outside vision cones until the wanted level clears. Remain in the final marker until the mission-complete transition begins.

    Checkpoint

Difficult sections and useful strategies

Strengths

  • Frequent objective markers make the intended route readable
  • Character switching or team roles can divide pressure
  • Most combat checkpoints provide cover or a defensible angle

Weaknesses

  • Mission-critical vehicles and allies can fail the attempt
  • Police or enemy reinforcements punish slow extraction
  • Long pursuits can be lost by overcommitting to shortcuts

Best uses

  • Clear enemies from range before moving a required vehicle
  • Use special abilities during the hardest driving or combat segment
  • Restart from the latest checkpoint after a failed gold-medal attempt rather than improvising a damaged route

Completion checklist

  • Drive to the overlook near the O’Neil ranchCheckpoint 1
  • Scout the property and identify armed defendersCheckpoint 2
  • Approach using stealth or begin a direct assaultCheckpoint 3
  • Clear the exterior and enter the farmhouseCheckpoint 4
  • Fight down to the basement laboratoryCheckpoint 5
  • Pour the fuel trail through the buildingCheckpoint 6
  • Ignite the fuel from a safe distance and leave the areaFinal completion condition

Failure conditions and checkpoints

  • A required protagonist, ally, or protected target dies.Restart from the most recent mission checkpoint.
  • A mission-critical vehicle is destroyed, abandoned, or leaves the playable route.Use the restart option rather than continuing in an unmarked replacement.
  • The target escapes or a timed objective expires.Prioritize route discipline and the primary objective over optional combat.
  • The player is wasted or all shared team lives are exhausted.Story Mode reloads the latest checkpoint.

On failure

Major travel, combat, and transition phases generally create checkpoints, but exact restart placement can vary by approach and replay mode.

Rewards and aftermath

  • Mission completion and progression
    Unlocks the next related story activity, contact, property, or preparation where applicable.

Sources and verification