The Third Way keeps Franklin, Michael and Trevor alive and playable after the story. Its gold checklist requires a fast completion, accurate headshots and three specific target eliminations: a sticky bomb for Cheng, a headshot for Haines and a melee attack for Stretch.
Step-by-step walkthrough
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Bring Lamar to the foundry
Choose C and visit Lester as Franklin. After discussing the plan, collect Lamar and drive to the foundry in Murrieta Heights. Enter to meet Michael and Trevor while Lamar stays outside.
Take cover at the assigned position and begin the ambush when ready. You can switch between the protagonists as the fight develops, using Michael’s ability for accurate headshots and Trevor’s ability when a position comes under heavy pressure.
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Respond to the calls for help
When Lamar calls from outside, take Franklin out to help him. Clear the attackers threatening his position rather than continuing to shoot from inside the building. Later, switch to Michael and reach Trevor’s last known position when he stops responding.
Once the interior is clear, join the others outside and finish the remaining enemies. Regroup at the main doors. Keep the twenty-headshot and 70% accuracy targets in mind throughout the battle: short, deliberate shots are more useful than spraying into distant cover.
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Kill Stretch with a melee attack
Michael handles Stretch at the B.J. Smith Recreation Center. Identify Stretch among the Ballas, approach and use a melee weapon or melee attack for Stretched Out. Shooting him fails this specific objective even if the mission continues.
Deal with or escape the remaining Ballas as directed. Keep the melee target separate from the surrounding enemies when choosing where to aim.
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Headshot Haines and use a sticky bomb on Cheng
Trevor finds Steve Haines on the Ferris wheel at Del Perro Pier. Stay at a distance, use a sniper rifle and line up a headshot for Lead Lobotomy. Clear the wanted level afterwards. Approaching too close can alert Haines before you have a clean shot.
Franklin handles Wei Cheng near the country club. Attach or throw a sticky bomb onto the target vehicle and detonate it to meet Stick, Tick… Boom! If the convoy leaves, pursue it and use Franklin’s driving ability to create a controlled throwing opportunity. Escape the surviving Triads once Cheng is dealt with.
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Kidnap Devin and reach the final meeting
After the three hits, Trevor heads to Devin’s house in Tongva Hills. Clear the Merryweather guards, find Devin hiding near the pool and follow the kidnapping prompt. Drive the car to the rendezvous on the cliffs while the final conversation plays.
Meet Michael and Franklin, then complete the prompted action at the cliff. The credits follow, and all three characters remain available in the post-story world. For the 21:30 medal, skip scenes and avoid unnecessary fighting or detours; handling the separate hits as Michael, Trevor and then Franklin is a useful route.
Gold medal checklist
- Time: Complete within 21:30.
- Headshots: Kill twenty enemies with headshots.
- Accuracy: Finish with at least 70% shooting accuracy.
- Stick, Tick… Boom!: Kill Cheng with a sticky bomb.
- Lead Lobotomy: Kill Steve Haines with a headshot.
- Stretched Out: Kill Stretch with a melee attack.
Common questions
Does Deathwish kill Franklin?
No. Ending C allows all three protagonists to survive.
Can I finish the gold conditions over separate replays?
Yes. The medal objectives can be accumulated across successful replays, so a dedicated accuracy attempt can be separate from the fastest route.
What happens next
Use the post-story freedom to finish Lester’s four optional assassinations, the 100% checklist and remaining gold medals.