The Subtle Big Score uses stolen security vans to enter the Union Depository, followed by a traffic-control sequence and a Gauntlet escape. It has no overall time medal. Focus on preserving the take, changing fewer than ten traffic lights and landing accurate headshots during the Merryweather fight.
Step-by-step walkthrough
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Choose a crew that protects the take
This approach needs two drivers, two gunmen and a hacker. Use a reliable first driver and first gunman: weak choices can lose gold during the transfer or crash during the escape. An untrained Karim is a risky first driver; previous successful heist experience changes his usefulness.
Taliana is a strong low-cut driver if you have unlocked her. Chef or Packie provides dependable gunman skill. The hacker controls the delay between traffic commands: Paige responds immediately, while a less experienced Rickie takes longer. Check each member’s experience as well as the percentage cut.
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Stop the vans and enter the depository
Meet the team at the Vanilla Unicorn and drive to the tunnel entrance before 8:00 a.m. Deploy the stinger when prompted, move out of its path and wait for the security vans. Cover the guards while the crew replaces the punctured tyres.
Take Casey with the team, drive to the Union Depository and follow the manager through the security routine. Stay with the group, collect the gold carts and return them to the vans. The objective is to maintain the cover story, not start a fight inside the vault.
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Guide the vans with the traffic lights
When control switches to Franklin, read the traffic map before issuing commands. Open the route for the gold vans and hold Merryweather vehicles at intersections that would bring them into contact. Signal Man requires fewer than ten changes, so avoid repeatedly toggling the same junction.
Account for your hacker’s delay. Make the next useful change before the vans reach the junction, then watch the result before issuing another. A calm sequence of purposeful changes works better than trying to make every light green.
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Defend the transfer at Mission Row
The crew moves the gold into the Gauntlets while Merryweather attacks. Use cover and switch between the protagonists to handle enemies on different approaches. Michael’s ability is useful for the twenty headshots and 60% accuracy targets.
Let an enemy enter a clear firing lane before shooting. Long bursts into vehicles or obstructed targets damage the accuracy result. Keep defending until the transfer and the remaining attackers are dealt with.
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Follow the Gauntlets into the trucks
As Franklin, follow the crew through Los Santos. Use his driving ability for difficult turns and gaps, but stay on the convoy’s route. An inexperienced first driver can crash and lose a share of the take; simply driving Franklin’s car perfectly does not prevent that crew failure.
On the freeway, follow the team into the tunnel and drive onto the waiting truck ramp. Keep the car aligned rather than approaching diagonally at full speed. After the escape transition, complete the final drive to Michael’s house.
Gold medal checklist
- Headshots: Kill twenty enemies with headshots.
- Signal Man: Make fewer than ten traffic-light changes.
- Accuracy: Finish with at least 60% shooting accuracy.
Common questions
Does Subtle pay more than Obvious?
Usually the opposite: Subtle has a larger crew, Casey’s gold-bar payment and the Gauntlet preparation costs. The final payout also depends on crew losses.
Do I need to rush for a time medal?
No. This approach’s gold checklist is headshots, traffic changes and accuracy.
What happens next
The story proceeds to Franklin’s final decision. Make a separate save before choosing A, B or C if you want to preserve access to every outcome.