Getting gold medals in Grand Theft Auto V requires more than completing a mission successfully. Each eligible mission has specific objectives, such as finishing within a time limit, achieving a particular shooting accuracy, landing headshots, avoiding damage, or completing a special action. This guide covers the major GTA 5 story heists, their alternative approaches, and important heist preparation missions.
Whether you are replaying missions on PC, PlayStation, or Xbox, understanding the gold medal requirements before starting can save time and prevent unnecessary retries. Some requirements change depending on your selected heist approach, so always check the objectives displayed on the mission replay screen.
How Gold Medals Work in GTA 5
Gold medals are awarded when you satisfy every listed objective for an eligible mission. These objectives may include a time limit, headshot count, shooting accuracy, or a unique challenge. Completing the mission alone does not guarantee gold.
- Open the pause menu and select Game, then Replay Mission.
- Choose the mission you want to improve.
- Review its gold medal objectives before starting.
- Use the replay screen to check which objectives you have already completed.
- Replay difficult missions and concentrate on the objectives you still need.
Gold medal objectives can be accumulated across separate replays of the same mission. This means you can complete one objective during one attempt and another during a later attempt. You do not necessarily have to satisfy every objective in a single run. For the Solid Gold, Baby! achievement or trophy, you need gold medals on any 70 eligible missions, rather than every available mission.
1. The Jewel Store Job
The Jewel Store Job is Michael and Franklin’s first major robbery. You choose between the Smart approach and the Loud approach, and the preparation missions available to you depend on that choice.
Gold medal objectives
- Mission Time: Complete the heist within 6 minutes and 30 seconds.
- Clean Getaway: Escape the police without losing any of the getaway motorcycles.
- All 20 Display Cases: Smash every display case during the robbery.
- Quick Escape: Meet the approach-specific escape requirement when it appears in your mission objectives.
Tips: For the Smart approach, move through the jewelry store efficiently and smash the display cases without wasting time. During the escape, follow the intended route and avoid crashing into traffic. For the Loud approach, focus on the escape objective shown for that version of the mission. Crew selection affects the robbery, but the gold medal requirements should be checked against the specific version you replay.
Important preparation missions
Depending on the approach, you may complete missions such as Bugstars Equipment, BZ Gas Grenades, or Carbine Rifles. These are separate missions, each with its own requirements where applicable. Do not assume that earning gold in a preparation mission automatically gives gold for the finale.
2. The Merryweather Heist
The Merryweather Heist is Trevor’s ambitious operation involving Michael and Franklin. You can choose the Freighter approach or the Offshore approach. The final mission’s objectives differ significantly between the two plans.
Freighter approach gold medal objectives
- Headshots: Kill 12 enemies with headshots.
- Accuracy: Finish with at least 80% shooting accuracy.
- Ninja: Kill 12 enemies using stealth attacks.
- Container Hunter: Find the target container within 1 minute.
- No Alarms: Reach the ship’s interior without being detected.
Tips: Use stealth attacks on isolated guards and avoid firing before the game permits you to proceed. Aim carefully when controlling Franklin, and keep an eye on the container search timer. Use cover and deliberate shots rather than spraying ammunition at distant enemies.
Offshore approach gold medal objectives
- Show No Mercenary: Eliminate all pursuing Merryweather enemies.
- Salvager: Find the container within 2 minutes.
- Mission Time: Complete the mission within 14 minutes and 30 seconds.
- Weathering the Storm: Escape the pursuing Merryweather forces in less than 4 minutes.
Tips: Keep moving through the underwater section and learn the route to the container. During the escape, switch to the appropriate character when enemies appear and eliminate pursuing boats and aircraft efficiently. Avoid unnecessary detours, since the mission has both an overall time requirement and a separate escape challenge.
Preparation missions
Scouting the Port and Minisub are important preparation missions. The Offshore approach also requires the Cargobob preparation mission. Cargobob has a gold objective to complete it within 5 minutes and 30 seconds. Select your approach carefully because the other approach’s exclusive preparations will not be available on the same story path.
3. Blitz Play
Blitz Play is an FIB operation that functions like a major heist mission. Michael, Franklin, and Trevor work together to stop an armored vehicle and escape the police response.
Gold medal objectives
- Hawk Down: Shoot down the helicopter as Trevor.
- Headshots: Kill 12 enemies with headshots.
- Accuracy: Finish with at least 60% shooting accuracy.
- Switcher: Switch characters 10 times.
Tips: Use Michael’s special ability to line up headshots and preserve your accuracy. Count your character switches rather than waiting until the end. When the helicopter appears, switch to Trevor and shoot it down. Use cover during the police and NOOSE assault so you can survive long enough to complete every objective.
Blitz Play preparation missions
The five main preparation missions are Boiler Suits, Getaway Vehicle, Masks, Trash Truck, and Tow Truck. Some offer straightforward gold opportunities:
- Boiler Suits: Purchase all outfits within 30 seconds and buy a different color for each character.
- Masks: Buy the required masks quickly and choose different masks for the three protagonists when required by the displayed objectives.
For every preparation mission, check the replay screen for the exact objective names and conditions. The Getaway Vehicle mission is primarily about selecting and stashing the escape vehicle, while the truck-related preparations require you to complete their assigned tasks without unnecessary delays.
4. The Paleto Score
The Paleto Score is a heavily armed bank robbery involving all three protagonists. The escape features intense gunfights, military-style weapons, and substantial destruction across Paleto Bay.
Gold medal objectives
- Let It Rain: Fire more than 4,000 bullets.
- Accuracy: Finish with at least 50% shooting accuracy.
- Mission Time: Complete the mission within 16 minutes.
- Collateral Damage: Cause $1,000,000 in damage in Paleto Bay.
Tips: The ammunition requirement and accuracy requirement can conflict if you fire carelessly. Keep shooting during the heavily scripted combat sections, but use controlled bursts and aim at enemies instead of firing randomly. Destroy vehicles and nearby objects during the escape to work toward the collateral damage objective. Skip optional delays and move directly between objectives to meet the time limit.
Preparation mission
Military Hardware is the key preparation mission for The Paleto Score. During the setup, follow the convoy route and complete the required objective without getting distracted. Review the mission’s gold conditions before replaying it, as preparation objectives are separate from those in the main robbery.
5. The Bureau Raid
The Bureau Raid is a major FIB operation with two possible approaches: Roof Entry and Fire Crew. Their gold medal requirements are different, so this section separates the two versions.
Roof Entry gold medal objectives
- No Innocents: Do not kill any innocent civilians.
- Headshots: Kill 20 enemies with headshots.
- Accuracy: Finish with at least 70% shooting accuracy.
- Hacker: Hack the system within 45 seconds.
- Mission Time: Complete the mission within 19 minutes.
- Perfect Drop: Land perfectly on the main section of the roof.
Tips: Practice the parachute landing before attempting a gold run. Use precise shots during combat and avoid shooting civilians, even when enemies are close to them. The hacking section has a short time limit, so familiarise yourself with the interface before replaying the mission.
Fire Crew approach
The Fire Crew version uses a different sequence of tasks and gold medal conditions. Follow the displayed objectives for that approach, especially any requirements involving the escape, the stolen evidence, or the characters’ actions. Do not use the Roof Entry checklist for a Fire Crew replay, because the two versions do not share all of their medal requirements.
Preparation missions
Architect’s Plans determines the approach. The Fire Crew plan involves additional preparation, including the fire truck and equipment-related tasks. The Roof Entry plan does not use the same set of preparations. Complete the missions associated with your selected plan and check each preparation’s individual gold medal objectives.
6. The Big Score
The Big Score is the final major heist and one of the most demanding missions for players pursuing gold medals. You can choose the Subtle approach or the Obvious approach. Each version has its own timed tasks and special challenges.
Subtle approach gold medal objectives
- Headshots: Kill 20 enemies with headshots.
- Signal Man: Perform fewer than 10 traffic light changes.
- Accuracy: Finish with at least 60% shooting accuracy.
Tips: Avoid unnecessary traffic light changes while driving the escape route. Use accurate shots during the combat sections, and take advantage of cover to line up headshots. Learn the driving route before attempting to combine all the objectives into one run.
Obvious approach gold medal objectives
- Headshots: Kill 20 enemies with headshots.
- Mission Time: Complete the mission within 16 minutes.
- Cha-Ching: Drop the gold onto the train within 30 seconds.
- Accuracy: Finish with at least 60% shooting accuracy.
Tips: Keep the helicopter and drilling sections moving smoothly to protect your overall time. During combat, prioritise headshots and avoid firing at targets that are already falling or out of reach. For Cha-Ching, learn the timing and position needed to release the gold at the correct moment.
The Big Score preparation missions
The preparation missions depend on the approach you select:
- Driller: Steal the cutter without being detected and complete the mission within 5 minutes.
- Stingers: Steal the police transporter and escape within 2 minutes, then deliver it without damage.
- Sidetracked: Steal the train without being detected and finish within 4 minutes and 30 seconds.
- Gauntlet missions: Deliver the specific vehicle shown in Lester’s email, avoid damage, and spend the required amount modifying it.
The three Gauntlet locations are Pillbox Hill, Rockford Hills, and Mission Row. Each version has similar objectives. Match the correct vehicle to Lester’s reference, drive carefully, and complete the modifications before delivery. Some preparation missions only appear for one approach, so plan your replay list accordingly.
Best Tips for Earning Gold Medals Faster
1. Skip cutscenes when possible
Many timed medal objectives count mission time, so skip skippable cutscenes during replay attempts. This is especially useful for The Paleto Score, The Bureau Raid, and The Big Score.
2. Use character special abilities
Michael’s special ability makes precision shooting easier, while Franklin’s driving ability can help with difficult escape routes. Trevor’s combat ability can also help during intense gunfights. Use each character’s strengths to meet the mission’s specific objectives.
3. Learn the route before attempting a gold run
Time limits are easier when you already know where to drive, which enemies to eliminate, and when to switch characters. Complete a practice replay first if a mission has a difficult escape or a special timed action.
4. Do not sacrifice accuracy for speed
When a mission requires both a time limit and shooting accuracy, aim for headshots and use cover. Blindly firing hundreds of bullets may hurt your accuracy percentage, even when the mission encourages heavy combat.
5. Replay individual missions instead of restarting the story
You do not need to restart GTA 5 to improve your heist medals. Use the Replay Mission menu and work on missing objectives. Remember that some approaches and preparations are mutually exclusive within a single story path.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need gold medals in every GTA 5 heist to finish the story?
No. Gold medals are optional challenges. You can complete the main story without earning gold in every heist. The Solid Gold, Baby! achievement or trophy requires 70 gold medals across eligible missions.
Can I earn heist gold medals on separate attempts?
Yes. Gold medal objectives can carry over between replays of the same mission. For example, you can complete a time objective in one attempt and meet the accuracy requirement in another.
Can I complete both approaches for the same heist?
You choose one approach during the main story, and the alternative approach’s exclusive preparation missions will not appear on that same story path. You can use mission replay to access available mission variants, but you should check the replay menu for the options available in your game.
Are heist preparation missions included in gold medal hunting?
Yes. Eligible preparation missions have their own gold medal objectives. If you want gold medals for every heist-related mission, remember to check the setups as well as the main heist finale.
Does GTA Online use the same gold medal requirements?
No. This guide covers GTA 5 Story Mode. GTA Online heists use separate challenges and awards, and their requirements should not be confused with Story Mode mission medals.
Conclusion
Getting gold medals in GTA 5 story heists is much easier when you understand the objectives before starting each mission. Focus on the required headshots, accuracy percentages, time limits, stealth actions, and special challenges. The Jewel Store Job, Merryweather Heist, Blitz Play, Paleto Score, Bureau Raid, and The Big Score all require different strategies, and the chosen approach can change the requirements.
Use the Replay Mission menu to improve your results one objective at a time. With a little route practice and careful shooting, you can collect the gold medals you need without replaying the entire story.