Lamar Down - eXputer Wiki

Key takeaways

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

Primary goal Franklin, Michael, and Trevor rescue Lamar from a Ballas ambush at the Paleto Forest sawmill.
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

Franklin, Michael, and Trevor rescue Lamar from a Ballas ambush at the Paleto Forest sawmill.

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

PreparationMeet Tanisha and learn Lamar’s location

Core objectiveAdvance toward the center while preventing Ballas from surrounding Lamar

CompletionDrive Lamar home and complete the confrontation with Stretch’s betrayal

1Legal TroublepreviousPrevious
●Lamar DowncurrentCurrent guide
3MeltdownnextNext

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

Meet Tanisha and learn Lamar’s location
Travel to the sawmill and survey the three approach routes
Position the protagonists around the site
Begin the assault and use character switching to clear flanks
Advance toward the center while preventing Ballas from surrounding Lamar
Reach and secure Lamar
Fight back to the vehicles
Drive Lamar home and complete the confrontation with Stretch’s betrayal

Detailed walkthrough

01
Meet Tanisha and learn Lamar’s location
Meet Tanisha and learn Lamar’s location
Meet Tanisha and learn Lamar’s location. 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.
TipBefore triggering the opening marker, restock armor and ammunition if the mission is expected to involve combat.
Checkpoint
02
Travel to the sawmill and survey the three approach routes
Travel to the sawmill and survey the three approach routes
Travel to the sawmill and survey the three approach routes. 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.
Checkpoint
03
Position the protagonists around the site
Position the protagonists around the site
Position the protagonists around the site. 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.
04
Begin the assault and use character switching to clear flanks
Begin the assault and use character switching to clear flanks
Begin the assault and use character switching to clear flanks. 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.
Checkpoint
05
Advance toward the center while preventing Ballas from surrounding Lamar
Advance toward the center while preventing Ballas from surrounding Lamar
Advance toward the center while preventing Ballas from surrounding Lamar. 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.
06
Reach and secure Lamar
Reach and secure Lamar
Reach and secure Lamar. 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
07
Fight back to the vehicles
Fight back to the vehicles
Fight back to the vehicles. 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.
08
Drive Lamar home and complete the confrontation with Stretch’s betrayal
Drive Lamar home and complete the confrontation with Stretch’s betrayal
Drive Lamar home and complete the confrontation with Stretch’s betrayal. Use the minimap to anticipate turns, preserve the mission vehicle, and prioritize keeping visual contact over risky shortcuts. 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

Meet Tanisha and learn Lamar’s locationCheckpoint 1
Travel to the sawmill and survey the three approach routesCheckpoint 2
Position the protagonists around the siteCheckpoint 3
Begin the assault and use character switching to clear flanksCheckpoint 4
Advance toward the center while preventing Ballas from surrounding LamarCheckpoint 5
Reach and secure LamarCheckpoint 6
Fight back to the vehiclesCheckpoint 7
Drive Lamar home and complete the confrontation with Stretch’s betrayalFinal 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

GTA Base — GTA V missions list and walkthrough index — verified 2026-08-04 — GTA Base
GTA V Wiki — Story Missions — verified 2026-08-04 — GTA V Wiki
Codex model knowledge — detailed step expansion pending editorial gameplay review — Internal editorial