Should You Choose Michael or Trevor in GTA 5? A Deep Dive into the Final Choice

The climax of Grand Theft Auto V presents players with a morally challenging decision: eliminate Trevor Philips, eliminate Michael De Santa, or choose “Deathwish” and save them both. This article focuses on the first two options, particularly the consequences of choosing to eliminate either Michael or Trevor. The short answer? Choosing to kill Trevor is the better financial option for the player, while killing Michael offers little benefit and a more somber ending. Let’s break down the details.

The Core Choice: Trevor vs. Michael

The pivotal choice in GTA V hinges on a financial and emotional dilemma. Here’s a clear look at the outcomes:

• Killing Trevor: If you choose to have Franklin kill Trevor, Michael and Franklin will split Trevor’s share of the final heist. This means you’ll get a larger cut, estimated to be around $60 million, instead of the standard $30 million per character. However, Trevor is permanently removed from the game, and you cannot interact with him again. Moreover, while Michael and Franklin will still associate, the atmosphere becomes noticeably different as the group mourns the loss of a member.
• Killing Michael: If Franklin eliminates Michael, his share of the money goes to his family. You, as the player controlling Franklin, get no additional money beyond the standard share of roughly $30 million. You also lose the ability to interact with Michael and the ending is far more tragic. This option has no tangible gameplay benefit.
• Deathwish (Ending C): The final option allows you to save both Trevor and Michael by fighting off enemies together. This also gives each character the standard 30 Million dollar share of the heist, and leaves all three protagonists available for free-roam play afterwards.

The financial gain from killing Trevor makes it a strategically sound option, even if emotionally challenging. However, it’s important to consider the broader impact on the game’s world and your experience.

Impact on the Game World

Choosing to kill either character has lasting repercussions:

• Loss of a Protagonist: Both Trevor and Michael are key to the game’s dynamics. Eliminating either one removes a crucial element of the narrative and limits free-roam opportunities. You lose a considerable portion of character-specific interactions, dialogue, and random events. Killing Trevor will leave you with a less interesting world in some regards, due to the loss of his random encounters in the open world.
• Changing Dynamics: The group’s interactions drastically shift after the loss of either Trevor or Michael. Michael and Franklin seem like they have a strained relationship after Trevor’s death.
• No Continued Side Missions: You cannot continue the character-specific missions after death.
• Story Ending: Each ending is unique and affects how the story closes out and feels. The ending of Deathwish is considered by many to be the “happy ending”.

Choosing who to eliminate is a permanent choice and should be carefully considered by the player.

The Case for Killing Trevor

Despite the emotional cost, there are some pragmatic reasons for choosing to kill Trevor:

• Financial Reward: The significant increase in your share of the final heist makes a substantial difference in the game’s financial system, enabling you to purchase more properties and equipment.
• Story Arc: Some players find Trevor’s extreme nature abrasive or difficult to relate to, making his death easier to accept within the narrative’s context.
• Easier Gameplay: Many players believe Michael to be more helpful in Free-Roam.

The Case Against Killing Michael

There is less justification for killing Michael:

• No Financial Gain: Killing Michael results in no additional money for the player and is widely considered the most unfavorable outcome for the player.
• Most Tragic Ending: The ending when choosing this option feels extremely depressing and is generally considered the least-liked ending.
• Less Engaging Story: Killing Michael seems counterintuitive to the character arc that most players experience in the main storyline.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some commonly asked questions about this critical GTA V choice, with answers based on the available data:

1. How much money do you get for killing Trevor?

You get approximately $60 million when you kill Trevor, while the standard cut is around $30 million.

2. How much money does Michael get if you kill Trevor?

Michael receives approximately $30 million as his share of the cut from the final heist, and gets the remaining portion of Trevor’s cut.

3. Can you hang out with Michael after killing Trevor?

Yes, you can hang out with Michael after killing Trevor, but the dynamic is different and will lack the presence of Trevor. The player does feel some tension from his interaction with Michael.

4. Why can’t you hang out with Trevor if you kill Michael?

Trevor is no longer a part of the game if you choose to have Franklin kill Michael. You are not able to interact with Trevor if Michael is killed by Franklin.

5. Is killing Trevor worth it for the money?

From a purely financial standpoint, yes, killing Trevor is worth it for the larger cut of the final heist if you are focusing on collecting the most funds. However, it does come with narrative consequences.

6. Who is the true protagonist of GTA 5?

While there are three playable characters, Michael is arguably the central protagonist, as the narrative is primarily driven through his point of view.

7. Who is the most brutal GTA protagonist?

Trevor Philips is often cited as the most brutal protagonist in the series, due to his unpredictable behavior and violent actions.

8. Which GTA 5 protagonist is the weakest?

Franklin Clinton is often considered the weakest of the three protagonists due to his more cautious personality and less experience in criminal activity.

9. Who is the most handsome GTA protagonist?

Based on community consensus, Michael De Santa is frequently ranked among the most handsome protagonists.

10. Who is the smartest GTA protagonist?

Michael De Santa is often considered one of the smartest GTA protagonists, thanks to his strategic planning and experience in bank robberies.

11. Why is Trevor a liked character?

Despite his brutality, Trevor is a fan-favorite due to his unhinged nature, making him a more compelling and memorable character. He is not afraid to “do what the player wants”.

12. Why do they make you kill Trevor or Michael?

The game forces you into this decision as a culmination of the narrative’s themes of betrayal, loyalty, and consequences. The intent is to present players with a difficult choice that reflects the harsh realities of the game’s world.

13. Who gets Michael’s money if you kill him?

Michael’s share of the money goes to his family, and the player gets no additional monetary gain.

14. Can I redo the final mission?

You can redo the final mission, however it will load from your last save, so you should save before deciding which option to take.

15. What is the best choice in GTA V?

The “best” choice is subjective, but from a purely financial and game completion perspective, the Deathwish ending is the most rewarding. However, the final choice is up to the player to decide for themselves.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the choice between Michael and Trevor in GTA V is a personal one. While the financial incentive points toward eliminating Trevor, the game’s narrative nuances and character relationships may lead you to a different decision. Understanding the consequences of each path is crucial for making the choice that best suits your play style and desired story experience. The Deathwish ending is seen as the best choice for both players who want to keep all protagonists alive and for those who prefer to experience the game with all characters available for free-roam.