Conquering Los Santos: The Ultimate Guide to Territory Control in GTA San Andreas
So, you’re aiming to paint the entire map green in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas? You want to know what happens when the Grove Street Families rule supreme? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of complete territory domination in San Andreas.
What happens if you take over all territories San Andreas? In GTA San Andreas, if you successfully seize control of every territory from the Ballas and Vagos gangs before the mission “The Green Sabre,” you’ll enjoy a period of peace and unprecedented respect. However, this is short-lived. After “The Green Sabre,” all the territories are lost, and you’ll have to retake them. After completing the main storyline, if you conquer all territories, gang wars will cease entirely. This means no more constant attacks on your turf, allowing you to freely roam Los Santos without the threat of rival gangs. The world becomes your (green) oyster! This represents the ultimate achievement in street-level dominance within the game.
The Road to Total Domination: A Step-by-Step Guide
Achieving complete territory control is no easy feat. It requires patience, strategy, and a whole lot of ammunition. Here’s a breakdown of how to achieve it:
- Establish a Foothold: Start by securing a few key territories near Grove Street. This provides a safe base of operations and a reliable source of income.
- Gear Up: Invest in powerful weaponry. An SMG, Assault Rifle, and Shotgun are essential for surviving gang wars. Body armor is also a must.
- Target Weak Spots: Identify vulnerable territories with low enemy presence. These are easier to conquer and provide a momentum boost.
- Trigger Gang Wars: Approach enemy territory and provoke the rival gang members. This will initiate a gang war.
- Survive Three Waves: Successfully defend against three waves of enemies to claim the territory. Use cover effectively and prioritize targets.
- Expand Strategically: Conquer adjacent territories to create larger zones under your control. This makes them easier to defend.
- Prioritize Key Areas: Focus on taking over territories in strategic locations, such as near Ammu-Nation stores or safehouses.
- Repeat: Continue conquering territories until you control the entire map after the storyline missions are complete.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Complete Territory Control
While the prospect of ruling Los Santos is appealing, it’s essential to consider the pros and cons:
- Advantages:
- No More Gang Wars: Eliminate the constant threat of enemy attacks.
- Increased Respect: Command the respect of your fellow Grove Street members.
- Free Roaming: Explore Los Santos without fear of being gunned down.
- Sense of Accomplishment: Experience the satisfaction of achieving complete domination.
- Disadvantages:
- Repetitive Gameplay: Gang wars can become monotonous after a while.
- Time-Consuming: Conquering all territories requires a significant time investment.
- Limited Challenge: The game becomes less challenging once gang wars are eliminated.
FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Territory Control in San Andreas
Let’s tackle some frequently asked questions to provide a more comprehensive understanding of territory control in GTA San Andreas.
What is the minimum territory needed to take over to progress in the game?
You need to control at least 35% of the territories to trigger the final mission in the game. This ensures you’ve demonstrated sufficient strength and influence.
What happens if the Ballas take over all the territories?
If the Ballas take over all the territories, you’ll be at a significant disadvantage. You’ll constantly be under attack, and it will be much harder to regain control. The game becomes considerably more challenging. It essentially reverts Los Santos to its pre-game state where Grove Street is virtually non-existent.
Will gangs ever try to take back my territories?
After completing the main storyline, when you control all the territories, enemy gangs will no longer spawn, and therefore, they cannot retake your territory. Before completing the main storyline, gangs will continually try to take back the territories.
Does taking over all territories affect the story?
Taking over all territories before “The Green Sabre” has a temporary effect, granting you respect but ultimately leading to the loss of those territories. After completing the storyline, taking over all territories effectively ends the turf wars.
What happens if I join the Ballas?
You cannot truly “join” the Ballas. The mission where CJ pretends to join them is a setup, and you’ll quickly betray them. There’s no way to permanently switch allegiances.
Can Ryder and Big Smoke take back territories after the betrayal?
Ryder and Big Smoke, after their betrayal, become antagonists and don’t directly participate in gang wars. The Ballas and Vagos will still attempt to reclaim territories.
How can I make money quickly to fund my gang wars?
Complete missions, vehicle missions (taxi, firefighter, paramedic), burglar missions (during night), and kill drug dealers. Also, save before gambling and reload if you lose.
How does sex appeal affect gang wars?
Sex appeal doesn’t directly affect gang wars. It primarily influences your dating options. However, increased respect (earned through territory control) can make recruiting gang members easier, which is beneficial in gang wars.
What are the best weapons for gang wars?
The AK-47, SMG, and Combat Shotgun are highly effective in gang wars. They offer a good balance of range, damage, and fire rate. For crowd control, Molotov Cocktails are also useful.
Can I recruit more gang members as I take over more territory?
Yes, as you gain more respect (through territory control and completing missions), you can recruit more gang members. Look for Grove Street members and press the target button to recruit them.
What is the rarest car in GTA San Andreas, and where can I find it?
While opinions vary, the Hotknife is often considered one of the rarest cars. It can be obtained after winning all the bronze medals at the driving school. Others include the Phoenix and the Sandking.
How does lung capacity affect gameplay?
Increased lung capacity (obtained by collecting all 50 oysters) allows you to stay underwater longer. While not directly related to gang wars, it can be useful for escaping the police or accessing hidden areas.
What are the rewards for collecting all 50 horseshoes?
Collecting all 50 horseshoes increases your luck stat, boosts CJ’s sex appeal, and rewards you with $100,000. Additionally, an SMG, Satchel Charges, a Combat Shotgun, and an M4 will spawn in front of The Four Dragons Casino.
What happens if I spray all the tags in Los Santos?
Completing all 100 tag locations rewards you with increased respect and weapons (Molotov Cocktails, AK-47, Sawn-Off Shotgun, and Tec 9) spawning at the Johnson House. Grove Street NPCs also receive an upgrade.
Are there alternative endings to GTA San Andreas?
While the main storyline has a fixed ending, certain missions can be completed in different ways, leading to slightly different outcomes within those missions. There are no drastically different overarching endings, though.
Conclusion: The King of San Andreas
Taking over all territories in GTA San Andreas is a challenging but rewarding endeavor. It transforms Los Santos into your personal playground, free from the constant threat of gang violence. While it may require dedication and patience, the feeling of complete domination is unparalleled. Remember to strategize, equip yourself wisely, and expand your influence systematically. Soon enough, you’ll be the undisputed king (or queen) of San Andreas!
This control and understanding of game worlds is something studied by groups like the Games Learning Society, who seek to understand the connection between learning and playing video games. You can learn more about their efforts at GamesLearningSociety.org. Now go out there and paint the town green!