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Missionmajor

The Big Score Setup

The final-heist planning stage selects the subtle or obvious Union Depository approach and unlocks its route-specific preparations.

RoleStory mission guide
Importancemajor
  • ModeStory Mode
  • TypeStory mission
  • Difficultymoderate
  • Walkthrough steps8

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 The final-heist planning stage selects the subtle or obvious Union Depository approach and unlocks its route-specific preparations.
  • 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

The final-heist planning stage selects the subtle or obvious Union Depository approach and unlocks its route-specific preparations.

The final-heist planning stage selects the subtle or obvious Union Depository approach and unlocks its route-specific preparations.

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 the crew at the Vanilla Unicorn planning board
Core objectiveFor the subtle route, acquire Stingers and prepare three Gauntlets
CompletionConfirm every preparation item before starting The Big Score
  1. 1The Bureau Raid SetuppreviousPrevious
  2. ●The Big Score SetupcurrentCurrent guide
  3. 3Short Trip - Seed CapitalnextNext

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. Meet the crew at the Vanilla Unicorn planning board
  2. Review the Union Depository convoy, vault, construction site, and escape information
  3. Choose the subtle armored-car deception or obvious tunnel assault
  4. Assign drivers, gunmen, and support roles with payout and skill in mind
  5. For the subtle route, acquire Stingers and prepare three Gauntlets
  6. For the obvious route, acquire the Driller and complete Sidetracked
  7. Prepare any required getaway vehicle and return to the board
  8. Confirm every preparation item before starting The Big Score

Detailed walkthrough

  1. 01

    Meet the crew at the Vanilla Unicorn planning board

    Meet the crew at the Vanilla Unicorn planning board

    Meet the crew at the Vanilla Unicorn planning board. Review the consequences before confirming: approach and crew choices can change preparation missions, difficulty, casualties, and payout. 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

    Review the Union Depository convoy, vault, construction site, and escape information

    Review the Union Depository convoy, vault, construction site, and escape information

    Review the Union Depository convoy, vault, construction site, and escape information. Break line of sight before hiding, avoid main roads where new units spawn ahead, and remain outside vision cones until the wanted level clears. Once the checkpoint registers, immediately orient toward the next marked objective.

    Checkpoint
  3. 03

    Choose the subtle armored-car deception or obvious tunnel assault

    Choose the subtle armored-car deception or obvious tunnel assault

    Choose the subtle armored-car deception or obvious tunnel assault. Review the consequences before confirming: approach and crew choices can change preparation missions, difficulty, casualties, and payout. Once the checkpoint registers, immediately orient toward the next marked objective.

  4. 04

    Assign drivers, gunmen, and support roles with payout and skill in mind

    Assign drivers, gunmen, and support roles with payout and skill in mind

    Assign drivers, gunmen, and support roles with payout and skill in mind. 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
  5. 05

    For the subtle route, acquire Stingers and prepare three Gauntlets

    For the subtle route, acquire Stingers and prepare three Gauntlets

    For the subtle route, acquire Stingers and prepare three Gauntlets. 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.

  6. 06

    For the obvious route, acquire the Driller and complete Sidetracked

    For the obvious route, acquire the Driller and complete Sidetracked

    For the obvious route, acquire the Driller and complete Sidetracked. 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

    Prepare any required getaway vehicle and return to the board

    Prepare any required getaway vehicle and return to the board

    Prepare any required getaway vehicle and return to the board. 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.

  8. 08

    Confirm every preparation item before starting The Big Score

    Confirm every preparation item before starting The Big Score

    Confirm every preparation item before starting The Big Score. Follow the marked route and wait for the objective prompt to update before leaving the area. 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 the crew at the Vanilla Unicorn planning boardCheckpoint 1
  • Review the Union Depository convoy, vault, construction site, and escape informationCheckpoint 2
  • Choose the subtle armored-car deception or obvious tunnel assaultCheckpoint 3
  • Assign drivers, gunmen, and support roles with payout and skill in mindCheckpoint 4
  • For the subtle route, acquire Stingers and prepare three GauntletsCheckpoint 5
  • For the obvious route, acquire the Driller and complete SidetrackedCheckpoint 6
  • Prepare any required getaway vehicle and return to the boardCheckpoint 7
  • Confirm every preparation item before starting The Big ScoreFinal 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