Achieving “3 Man Army” in Grand Theft Auto V: A Comprehensive Guide

The “3 Man Army” achievement/trophy in Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V) is a test of skill, coordination, and a little bit of mayhem. It requires you to cruise with all three main characters – Michael, Franklin, and Trevor – while simultaneously maintaining a 3-star wanted level for a minimum of three minutes without dying or being busted. This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of how to unlock this achievement, along with essential tips and tricks to ensure your success.

The Core Requirements

The primary goal is straightforward: gather all three characters in a vehicle, attain a 3-star wanted level, and survive for three minutes. However, several factors can complicate this seemingly simple task. Proper planning, vehicle selection, and strategic execution are key.

Step-by-Step Walkthrough

1. Unlock the Ability to Cruise: This is crucial. You must progress far enough in the main storyline to unlock the ability to freely switch between the three characters and invite them to hang out. This typically happens after completing several story missions that develop each character’s individual storylines and introduce them to each other.

2. Call Your Crew: Before picking up anyone, use your in-game phone to call both other characters. This is a crucial step. If you pick up one character and then call the other, you will likely get a “busy” signal, preventing you from completing the trio. Call both Michael and Trevor as Franklin, or vice-versa, before initiating the pickup process.

3. Choose Your Ride: Vehicle selection matters significantly. You need a durable vehicle that can withstand police pursuit. Armored vehicles are ideal, but if you don’t have access to one, a sturdy SUV like the Granger or a muscle car like the Duke O’Death (if unlocked) can suffice. Ensure the vehicle has enough space for all three characters.

4. Pick Up the First Character: After calling both, pick up one of the other characters. It doesn’t matter which one you pick up first.

5. Pick Up the Second Character: Drive to the location of the remaining character and pick them up. Now you should have Michael, Franklin, and Trevor all in the same vehicle.

6. Attain a 3-Star Wanted Level: This is where things get chaotic. There are several ways to quickly escalate your wanted level to three stars:

   • Shoot at Police Officers: The most direct approach, but also the riskiest.
   • Destroy Police Vehicles: More effective than shooting individual officers, but attracts more attention.
   • Rob a Store: A quick way to gain a 2-star wanted level, easily escalated to 3 with a few more infractions.
   • Enter Fort Zancudo: The military base is a surefire way to immediately get a 4-star wanted level, but surviving inside is difficult.

7. Survive for Three Minutes: This is the endurance test. Once you have the 3-star wanted level, the key is to avoid being busted or killed. Some strategies include:

   • Off-Road Driving: Police vehicles struggle on rough terrain. Use mountains, deserts, or beaches to your advantage.
   • Highways: Maintain a high speed to outrun pursuers, but be mindful of roadblocks.
   • Sewers: The Los Santos sewer system offers a network of tunnels that can confuse the police.
   • Strategic Driving: Constant maneuvering and evasive actions are crucial.

8. Track Your Progress: While there’s no explicit in-game timer, you can roughly estimate three minutes. Alternatively, use a stopwatch on your phone or another device to ensure you meet the time requirement.

9. Unlock the Achievement/Trophy: Once you’ve successfully maintained the 3-star wanted level for three minutes without dying or being arrested, the “3 Man Army” achievement/trophy should unlock.

Essential Tips and Tricks

• Choose the Right Location: Start the chase in an area that offers plenty of escape routes and open space. Avoid narrow city streets where you can easily get cornered.
• Vehicle Customization: If possible, upgrade your vehicle with armor and bulletproof tires to increase its durability.
• Weapons: While you’re focusing on driving, having a passenger equipped with a powerful weapon can help fend off pursuing police cars.
• Character Abilities: Utilize each character’s special ability strategically. Franklin’s driving ability can slow down time for precise maneuvers, Michael’s ability can slow down time during gunfights, and Trevor’s rampage ability reduces damage taken and increases damage dealt.
• Communication: If playing with friends, communication is key to coordinating your escape.

Why Games Like GTA V are More Than Just Entertainment

Beyond the thrill of achievements like “3 Man Army,” games like GTA V offer complex systems and emergent gameplay that can be incredibly engaging and educational. Studying how players interact with these systems, learn from their mistakes, and develop strategies to overcome challenges is a key focus of the Games Learning Society, a community dedicated to exploring the intersection of games and education. You can learn more at GamesLearningSociety.org. Games can be powerful tools for learning problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I miss the “3 Man Army” achievement/trophy?

Yes, this achievement is missable. If you progress too far into the story and reach the final missions, the ability to freely hang out with all three characters might be restricted, making the achievement impossible to obtain. Make sure to attempt it before reaching the final missions.

2. What happens if one of the characters dies?

If any of the three characters die, the attempt fails, and you must start over.

3. Does it matter which character I use to initiate the meetup?

No, you can start with any of the three characters. The important thing is to call the other two before picking anyone up.

4. What if I get a 4-star or 5-star wanted level?

That’s perfectly fine. As long as you maintain a wanted level of at least 3 stars for the required duration, the achievement will unlock.

5. Can I use cheats to make it easier?

Using certain cheats might disable achievements, so it’s generally not recommended. However, some non-gameplay-altering cheats, such as vehicle spawning codes, might be permissible. Check online resources and community forums to confirm which cheats, if any, are safe to use without disabling achievements.

6. What’s the best vehicle for this achievement?

A highly armored vehicle like the Insurgent or Kuruma (Armored) is ideal. If you don’t have access to those, a sturdy SUV or muscle car with upgraded armor and bulletproof tires can also work.

7. Where’s a good place to start the chase?

Areas with open spaces and plenty of escape routes are ideal. Consider starting in the Grand Senora Desert, on a highway outside of Los Santos, or in the hills surrounding the city.

8. What weapons should I equip?

Since you’ll primarily be driving, equip your passengers with powerful weapons like assault rifles or machine guns to fend off pursuing police vehicles.

9. How do I upgrade my vehicle?

Visit a Los Santos Customs shop to upgrade your vehicle with armor, bulletproof tires, engine upgrades, and other performance enhancements.

10. Can I do this in GTA Online?

No, the “3 Man Army” achievement/trophy is specific to the single-player story mode of GTA V.

11. What if I get stuck in a traffic jam?

Traffic jams are dangerous during a police chase. Try to avoid them by taking alternative routes or using a vehicle that can easily navigate through tight spaces.

12. Is it possible to lose the wanted level and then regain it during the three minutes?

No, the wanted level must be continuously at 3 stars or higher for the entire three-minute duration. If you lose the wanted level even momentarily, you must start over.

13. Can I use Franklin’s special ability to slow down time while driving?

Yes, Franklin’s special ability is incredibly useful for making precise maneuvers and avoiding obstacles during the chase.

14. Do I need to be connected to the internet to unlock the achievement?

No, you do not need to be connected to the internet to unlock the “3 Man Army” achievement in the single-player story mode.

15. What if the other characters keep getting out of the car?

This can be frustrating. Try to avoid crashing too much or driving erratically, as this might prompt the other characters to exit the vehicle. If they do get out, quickly stop and wait for them to get back in before continuing the chase.