Duke O’ Death vs. Armored Kuruma: Which Reigns Supreme in GTA Online?
The question of whether the Duke O’ Death is superior to the Armored Kuruma in GTA Online is a nuanced one, with no single clear-cut answer. It depends entirely on your specific needs and play style within the game. The Armored Kuruma is a staple for many players due to its early game accessibility and protection from bullets, while the Duke O’ Death offers superior explosive resistance and ramming capability.
Ultimately, the Duke O’ Death is better for enduring explosions and acting as a battering ram, while the Armored Kuruma is better for bullet protection and having more seating capacity. If you’re frequently dealing with missiles or need a vehicle to crash through obstacles, the Duke O’ Death is the clear winner. However, if your main concern is surviving gunfire and transporting a team, the Armored Kuruma is the better choice. Let’s delve deeper into their strengths and weaknesses.
Performance and Durability
Duke O’ Death: The Explosive Tank
The Duke O’ Death is renowned for its exceptional durability, particularly against explosives. This muscle car can withstand a barrage of rockets, taking approximately three RPGs and four homing missiles before being destroyed. This makes it an ideal vehicle for missions or free roam where explosives are a frequent threat. Its significant weight and robust build allow it to act as a formidable battering ram, capable of smashing through roadblocks and other vehicles with ease. This feature is invaluable for clearing paths or simply causing chaos.
However, the Duke O’ Death isn’t without its flaws. While its acceleration is impressive for a muscle car, its top speed is relatively low, making it less suitable for long highway chases or races. It’s also worth noting that while the Duke O’ Death is bulletproof from the sides, there are gaps in its armor plating through which a skilled player can inflict damage. Finally, it only has two seats, which can be a limitation for team-based missions.
Armored Kuruma: The Bulletproof Fortress
The Armored Kuruma, on the other hand, is famed for its bulletproof nature. Though it has gaps that can allow bullets to hit the driver and passengers it offers solid protection against gunfire from NPCs, making it a popular choice for many. It’s particularly effective in missions where you need to move through areas swarming with enemies. The Armored Kuruma stands out with its four-seat capacity, allowing an entire squad to travel safely.
However, the Armored Kuruma is incredibly vulnerable to explosives, typically being destroyed by just a single missile or sticky bomb. This weakness makes it less suitable for high-intensity situations where explosive weaponry is common. Additionally, while it is faster than the Duke O’ Death in top speed, it’s acceleration is slower than the Duke. This gives it less overall speed in city driving and makes turning harder,
Mission Suitability
Duke O’ Death
The Duke O’ Death excels in missions that involve aggressive tactics and high-explosive environments. Its ability to withstand multiple missile hits makes it a viable choice for missions involving helicopters or other vehicles equipped with explosive weapons. Its ramming power is particularly useful for missions with roadblocks or vehicle chases. It is also useful for missions where you need to travel through areas with lots of NPC vehicles as you can easily ram your way though traffic.
Armored Kuruma
The Armored Kuruma shines in missions where avoiding direct confrontations and gunfire is a priority. Its bulletproof windows make it a safe haven against NPC gunfire allowing you to complete many missions quickly by ignoring enemy NPCs and simply driving through them. It’s also ideal for transporting a full crew safely, making it useful for group activities and heists. However, its vulnerability to explosives means that the user needs to be careful.
Other Considerations
Cost and Availability
The Armored Kuruma can be acquired by completing the Fleeca Job Heist which unlocks it for sale at a discounted price of $525,000 rather than the full price of $698,250. The Duke O’ Death is obtainable by completing the “Duel” Random Event and it is not a purchasable vehicle. This makes the Duke harder to get.
Customization
Both vehicles can be customized at Los Santos Customs to improve aspects such as visual style, armour, and performance. However, the performance of the cars is limited to upgrading engine power, and there is not a significant increase in performance to make the cars able to compete with a standard super car. The Duke O’ Death comes stock with bulletproof tires and they cannot be removed.
Weaponization
Neither the Armored Kuruma nor the Duke O’ Death are capable of being weaponized. They do not have any built-in offensive capabilities aside from the Duke’s battering ram ability. They also cannot have any weapons attached to them. This is in contrast to many other armored vehicles, like the Insurgent or Nightshark, that can be fitted with machine guns or other weapons.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the Armored Kuruma truly bulletproof?
The Armored Kuruma has bullet-resistant windows and armor panels that protect against most types of conventional gunfire. However, players can still be shot through the gaps in the armor, especially in the side windows. This makes the car useful against NPCs and players who can’t aim precisely through the gaps.
2. Can the Duke O’ Death be destroyed by a single explosive?
No, the Duke O’ Death can withstand multiple missile hits and sticky bombs before being destroyed. It typically takes three RPGs or four homing missiles to completely destroy the car. This makes it significantly more resilient to explosives than the Armored Kuruma.
3. Can you shoot out of the Armored Kuruma?
Yes, you can shoot out of the Armored Kuruma, but only from the front half of the car. The rear passengers cannot use weapons from inside the car.
4. Is the Insurgent better than the Armored Kuruma?
The Insurgent is much more durable than the Armored Kuruma due to its resistance to both bullets and explosives, it’s generally slower than the Kuruma. The Kuruma is more for low intensity missions with lots of NPCs.
5. How does the Nightshark compare to the Duke O’ Death and Armored Kuruma?
The Nightshark is more durable than both the Duke and the Kuruma. It can take dozens of missiles, unlike either of the other vehicles. However, the Nightshark does not have bulletproof windows and it is not quite as good as the Duke in regards to ramming.
6. What is the Duke O’ Death good for?
The Duke O’ Death is excellent for smashing through roadblocks, soaking up attacks, and enduring multiple explosions. It is very durable and can be used in many aggressive play styles.
7. How many seats does the Duke O’ Death have?
The Duke O’ Death only has two seats, making it unsuitable for transporting a full crew.
8. What class is the Armored Kuruma?
The Armored Kuruma is a Sports class car.
9. Can you sell the Duke of Death?
Yes, you can sell the Duke of Death at Los Santos Customs for around $12,500. The game assumes the bulletproof tires as aftermarket modifications, providing you a slight profit
10. What is the best armored car in GTA Online?
The “best” armored car is subjective and depends on user requirements. The Imani tech vehicles with missile lock-on blockers and full armor plating are considered the most resilient, followed by vehicles like the Nightshark, Insurgent, and the Duke O’ Death.
11. Does the Duke O’ Death have bulletproof tires?
Yes, the Duke O’ Death comes standard with bulletproof tires. They cannot be removed or modified.
12. How many sticky bombs can the Armored Kuruma take?
The Armored Kuruma is destroyed by one sticky bomb, or any explosive. This is one of its major weaknesses.
13. Is the Kuruma still worth it?
Yes, the Armored Kuruma is still a worthwhile vehicle. It is not as good as high-end armored vehicles but it is still a viable option for its low cost and accessibility. It’s particularly useful for players starting out in GTA Online.
14. Can you modify the Duke O’ Death?
Yes, the Duke O’ Death can be modified at Los Santos Customs with upgrades such as engine upgrades, spoilers, custom bumpers, etc.
15. How to obtain the Duke O’ Death?
The Duke O’ Death is obtained by completing the “Duel” random event in the game. It is not a purchasable vehicle like the Kuruma.
Conclusion
Both the Duke O’ Death and the Armored Kuruma are valuable assets in GTA Online, each with unique strengths and weaknesses. The Duke O’ Death is better for players who need explosive resistance and ramming capabilities, while the Armored Kuruma is ideal for those seeking bullet protection and increased seating capacity. The choice between them ultimately boils down to your preferred playstyle and the specific mission you’re undertaking. Consider your needs carefully before deciding which vehicle to prioritize.