Can the Ruiner 2000 Be Upgraded? A Comprehensive Guide

The short, direct answer is: no, you cannot directly upgrade your personal Ruiner 2000 in the traditional sense of adding performance modifications or increasing its missile capacity. While you might be able to drive it into a Los Santos Customs (LSC) shop for cosmetic changes, the core capabilities of your personal Ruiner 2000 remain fixed. It will always have a limited number of missiles and be vulnerable to explosives. However, the Ruiner 2000 has a unique characteristic: the ability to unlock its “Fully Loaded” variant during a specific VIP work, which provides substantial enhancements. Let’s delve deeper into the nuances surrounding the Ruiner 2000 and its apparent “upgrades.”

The Dual Nature of the Ruiner 2000

The confusion surrounding Ruiner 2000 upgrades stems from the existence of two very distinct versions of the vehicle:

• The Personal Ruiner 2000: This is the vehicle you purchase from Warstock Cache & Carry for a hefty sum of $5,745,600. This version, while powerful with its rocket launchers and machine guns, has limitations. It carries only 8 missiles, can be locked onto by other players, and is destroyed with a single explosive.

• The “Fully Loaded” Ruiner 2000: This variant appears exclusively during the “Fully Loaded” VIP Work, which is unlocked by owning the standard Ruiner 2000. This version is significantly superior to your personal vehicle. It is nearly invincible, armed with unlimited, highly accurate missiles, and is resistant to multiple explosives.

It’s critical to understand that the “Fully Loaded” Ruiner 2000 is not an upgrade to your personal Ruiner 2000. It’s a completely separate, temporary vehicle that you get to use for the duration of the VIP work.

The “Fully Loaded” VIP Work

The primary reason to purchase the Ruiner 2000 is to unlock the “Fully Loaded” VIP Work. This work allows you to pilot a red-tinted Ruiner 2000 with significant combat advantages, notably:

• Unlimited Missiles: You can fire rockets continuously without needing to restock, making it highly effective for combat scenarios.

• Enhanced Armor: The “Fully Loaded” version can withstand a significant number of explosives, making it incredibly difficult to destroy. The Ruiner 2000 in Fully Loaded can take around 25 Oppressor MK2 missiles and 9 RPG shots.

• Immunity to Lock-On: Other players cannot lock onto you with homing missiles, providing a significant tactical advantage.

The “Fully Loaded” VIP work typically lasts about 20-30 minutes, providing a good window of time to utilize the vehicle’s enhanced abilities. It’s a popular choice for countering griefers, particularly those using the Oppressor MKII.

Why There’s No Traditional Upgrade

The game is structured in a way that the personal Ruiner 2000 is not intended to be upgraded. Its purpose is to serve as the key to unlocking the “Fully Loaded” mission, where the overpowered version is meant to be a temporary, powerful tool. The standard vehicle’s vulnerabilities are a deliberate game design, intended to push players towards using the “Fully Loaded” option in structured scenarios.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 FAQs to clarify some of the common queries regarding the Ruiner 2000:

1. Can I upgrade the missile capacity of my Ruiner 2000?

No, your personal Ruiner 2000 will always have only 8 missiles. The only way to get unlimited missiles is through the “Fully Loaded” VIP Work.

2. Can I make my Ruiner 2000 invincible?

No, you cannot make your personal Ruiner 2000 invincible. However, during the “Fully Loaded” VIP work, the temporary Ruiner 2000 is incredibly resistant to damage, requiring many explosives to destroy.

3. Where can I store the Ruiner 2000?

The Ruiner 2000 can only be stored in a vehicle warehouse. It cannot be stored in personal garages.

4. Is the Ruiner 2000 worth buying?

If you’re looking for a way to counter Oppressor MKII griefers and want access to the powerful “Fully Loaded” VIP work, then yes, the Ruiner 2000 is worth the purchase.

5. How many missiles does the fully loaded Ruiner 2000 have?

The “Fully Loaded” Ruiner 2000 has unlimited missiles for the duration of the VIP work.

6. How many missiles does it take to destroy the Fully Loaded Ruiner 2000?

The “Fully Loaded” Ruiner 2000 can take approximately 25 Oppressor MK2 missiles and 9 RPG shots before being destroyed. This makes it extremely difficult to take down.

7. Can the Ruiner 2000 jump or fly?

The Ruiner 2000 has a Power Hop ability that allows it to jump a distance of four to five meters. However, it cannot fly.

8. Does the Ruiner 2000 have any other weapons?

Besides its powerful homing missiles, the Ruiner 2000 also hosts two powerful Machine Guns.

9. Can you sell the Ruiner 2000?

No, you cannot sell the Ruiner 2000 once purchased.

10. Can the “Fully Loaded” VIP work be done solo?

No, the “Fully Loaded” VIP work requires at least one other player in the lobby.

11. What is the main advantage of the Ruiner 2000?

The main advantage is that it unlocks the “Fully Loaded” VIP work, which provides a temporary, powerful vehicle with unlimited missiles and high durability.

12. Are the homing missiles on the Ruiner 2000 the best?

Yes, the homing missiles of the Ruiner 2000 are considered the best homing missiles in the game, being fast and very maneuverable.

13. Is the Toreador better than the Ruiner 2000?

The Toreador is arguably better than the standard Ruiner 2000 due to its unlimited missiles, heavy armor, boost, and submarine capabilities. However, the “Fully Loaded” version of the Ruiner 2000 remains a formidable contender.

14. What vehicle is best for destroying the Oppressor MKII?

While the “Fully Loaded” Ruiner 2000 is effective, vehicles like the MOC and Terrorbyte offer great protection and firepower to take down the Oppressor MKII.

15. Can the Ruiner 2000 be upgraded at Los Santos Customs?

You can take the Ruiner 2000 to Los Santos Customs for cosmetic upgrades, such as paint jobs and wheels, but you cannot upgrade its performance, missile capacity, or durability.

Conclusion

The Ruiner 2000, while not directly upgradable, provides players with an exciting gameplay dynamic through the “Fully Loaded” VIP work. The powerful, temporary Ruiner 2000 with unlimited missiles and enhanced armor makes it a valuable asset for combat and countering griefers. While the standard personal Ruiner 2000 has its limitations, it’s the key to unlocking its full potential during the VIP work. Understanding the distinction between these two versions is crucial for anyone considering purchasing this iconic vehicle.