Meeting Lester Crest: Your Guide to the Mastermind in GTA V

Lester Crest, the cerebral strategist and mastermind behind many of the heists and significant events in Grand Theft Auto V, is a crucial character you’ll encounter early in the game. You first meet Lester during the mission “Complications.” This mission becomes available after you’ve completed the initial missions with Franklin and Lamar. Specifically, after finishing “Franklin and Lamar,” switch to Franklin, and you’ll receive a text message from Lester, signaling his availability. Head over to the Del Perro Pier to trigger the initial encounter. His location will be clearly marked on your map with a green “L” icon, making it easy to find him. This meeting initiates the first set of assassination missions, pivotal for both the storyline and, later, for maximizing your profits through strategic stock market manipulation.

Understanding Lester’s Role in GTA V

Lester Crest isn’t just another character in the sprawling world of Los Santos; he is integral to the core gameplay and financial strategies. Understanding when and how you interact with him is essential for progressing through the story and mastering the game’s economic aspects. He’s a key resource for planning heists, providing intel, and, perhaps most importantly, influencing the stock market for immense financial gain. Meeting him at the Del Perro Pier is just the beginning of a lucrative and often morally questionable partnership. His character adds a layer of depth and strategy that elevates GTA V beyond a simple action game, something that is increasingly being explored by organizations such as the Games Learning Society, who research the learning potential of games.

The Significance of the First Meeting

The initial meeting with Lester at Del Perro Pier is more than just a simple story progression point. It introduces the assassination missions, which are unique in that they can be used to significantly manipulate the stock market. Lester tasks Franklin with eliminating specific targets, and each assassination directly impacts the stock prices of competing companies. By carefully investing your money before and after these missions, you can amass fortunes that will be crucial for purchasing properties and maximizing your earning potential throughout the game. Essentially, this first meeting sets the stage for strategic gameplay beyond just completing missions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lester in GTA V

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to deepen your understanding of Lester Crest and his role in Grand Theft Auto V:

1. Where exactly is Lester’s location at Del Perro Pier for the initial meeting? He’s located at the base of Del Perro Pier. Look for the green “L” icon on your map, which will guide you directly to him. He’s usually standing near the entrance.

2. What triggers Lester to call for the first heist setup in GTA Online, and is it the same as GTA V? The mechanics differ between GTA V (story mode) and GTA Online. In GTA V, the missions with Lester are a part of the storyline progression. In GTA Online, you need to reach a certain level, own a high-end apartment with a heist planning room, and wait for Lester to contact you. Make sure your phone is enabled to receive calls from contacts.

3. What is the first assassination mission Lester gives, and how can it impact the stock market? The first assassination mission is “The Hotel Assassination.” Before starting the mission, invest all your money from all three characters into Betta Pharmaceuticals (BET) on the BAWSAQ stock exchange. After completing the mission, sell your BET stocks for a profit.

4. Can I skip Lester’s missions in GTA V? You cannot skip “The Hotel Assassination” as it is a mandatory mission to progress the story. However, you can choose when to do the other assassination missions. Strategic timing is key to maximizing your stock market gains.

5. What are the best stocks to invest in before and after Lester’s assassination missions? This depends on the specific mission. Generally, you want to invest in the target’s competitor before the assassination, and then sell after the price spikes. The GTA V guides and forums offer detailed breakdowns of the stock impacts of each mission.

6. Why hasn’t Lester called me for another heist in GTA Online? Ensure you’ve completed the prerequisites for triggering the heist. This often includes completing previous heists as the leader, and having a high-end apartment with the heist planning room. Try switching sessions, restarting the game, or completing other activities in free roam to trigger the call. Sometimes, patience is the key.

7. What happens if I fail an assassination mission given by Lester? Failing an assassination mission in GTA V usually just requires you to restart the mission. There are no significant long-term consequences, other than the time it takes to retry.

8. Does Lester have any personal relationship with any of the main characters? Yes, Lester has a particularly strong bond with Franklin. He serves as a mentor and provides guidance, particularly in the context of Franklin’s criminal enterprises.

9. What are the benefits of calling Lester for his services during gameplay? Calling Lester can provide several benefits, including removing wanted levels, locating vehicles, and temporarily disabling the police. These services come at a cost but can be invaluable in difficult situations.

10. How do I unlock Lester’s contact missions in GTA Online? You need to reach Rank 14 in GTA Online and then call Lester to request a mission.

11. Where does Lester live in GTA V? Lester’s house is located at Amarillo Vista, El Burro Heights, East Los Santos.

12. What is Lester’s number in GTA V? Lester’s phone number is 346-555-0102.

13. What specific apartment do I need to trigger Lester’s heists in GTA Online? You need a high-end apartment with a heist planning room. This feature is not available in basic or mid-range apartments.

14. What is the most profitable heist Lester offers in GTA Online? While payouts vary depending on the approach and targets, The Diamond Casino Heist is widely considered the most potentially profitable heist Lester facilitates.

15. Does Lester’s physical condition affect his abilities? Lester suffers from a wasting disease that limits his mobility. While his physical limitations prevent him from participating in direct combat, his intellect and strategic abilities make him an invaluable asset. Despite his limitations, Lester’s keen intellect makes him an indispensable member of the team. More and more research is going into ways that games can help assist people with disabilities as documented at GamesLearningSociety.org.

By mastering the interactions with Lester, you unlock a deeper, more strategic level of gameplay in Grand Theft Auto V, transforming you from a simple player into a true financial mastermind within the game’s complex world.