GTA 5 Gangs Guide – What You Need to Know

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Tommy Verrcity

Tommy is a penman for Grand Theft Fans, and a GTA maniac. His addiction to the series kicked in when he played GTA San Andreas for the first time. He fell in love with the game, the graphics, the characters, and the story. It became a haven, an escape from reality, and an adventure for the soul.

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The gaming industry reached crazy milestones no one expected it would hit. This billion-dollar industry is the newest form of entertainment getting more popularity than movies and music combined. Among all the available games, open-world and RPG are the most popular.

The latter became a genre and took gaming to a whole new level. These games feature massive maps, multiple characters, and loads of optimization options. What is more, you get to roam free and do whatever you like.

Rockstar Studios is one of the top creators in the gaming industry. Over the years, this gaming mammoth released an elite series of games. Yes, you guessed it, my friend. It’s the Grand Theft Auto series. GTA was the pioneer in the 3D open-world games with the release of GTA III, which paved the way to what might be the penultimate GTA.

I am talking about Grand Theft Auto 5 (GTA V).

It is an open-world action video game developed by Rockstar North and the fifteenth chapter in the Grand Theft Auto series. The game was released on September 17^th, 2013, exclusive to PS3 and Xbox 360 gaming consoles. Rockstar released an Enhanced version in 2014 for the PS4, Xbox One, and the PC a year later. Another Expanded and Enhanced edition is set for release on March 5^th of the current year for the PS5 and Xbox Series X.

Really? Another GTA 5 version? Come on, give us GTA 6!

Back on track, the storyline takes place in the city of Los Santos, and it includes three characters: Trevor Philips, Michael De Santa, and Franklin Clinton. The player can control and switch between these protagonists during the gameplay. The characters will get involved in confrontations with armed groups and organizations scattered across the map.

• But who are these groups?
• Where can you find them?
• What is your connection with them?

In this GTA 5 Gangs Guide, I will try to answer all those questions and provide you with everything you need to know about GTA 5 Gangs.

Gangs are an essential pillar in the GTA series. They add diversity to the characters and make the game more enjoyable. These gangs are often found in groups walking down a street or casually hanging out in a specific area. Hostility and aggression are some of their main characteristics. Meaning, if you pass by their territory, there is a high chance that you will be attacked. Not to mention, gang members (aka gangsters) are armed with knives, pistols, and rifles. So try not to provoke anyone if you want to see the next sunrise.

Some gangs are friendly and offer to help you during missions or when you get in trouble with the police. After finishing the storyline missions, particular mobs will turn hostile and will attack the player on sight if he visits their territory.
At different points down the storyline, the player (You!) will interact with these gangs randomly, choose which one to join, or as part of a mission.

These criminal organizations are scattered across the map and have their own territory of influence. Some occupy larger and multiple areas, while others huddle up in hard-to-spot places and stay off the radar.

Los Santos Vagos

• Location: Rancho and Cypress Flats.
• Weapons: knife, baseball bat, pistol, SMG, and assault rifle.
• Colors: Yellow.
• Vehicles: Baller, BMX, Cavalcade, Manana, Peyote, Tornado, and Saber Turbo.
• Enemies: Families, Ballas, Lost MC, Aztecas.

The Los Santos Vagos, aka LSV or simply Vagos, is a large Mexican street gang starring in GTA 5 story mode and GTA Online. In the city of Los Santos, words have it that the Vagos are the biggest Hispanic criminal group with ties and connections to the mafia criminal organizations.

The Vagos are fans of the LS Pounders, and you can see it in their attire. The outfit features the Vagos logo in its signature color Yellow. The Vagos follow a decentralized and flat chain of command. In other words, if one of the leaders gets put to sleep, many will step up to fill his shoes.

Vagos are a massive group that occupies several territories in the city of Los Santos. Their main hotspots for criminal activities are the neighborhoods of Rancho, Jamestown Street, and many back alleys in Cypress Flats. The Vagos is split into three factions spread across their influence area.

The first faction is located on the north side of Rancho and may appear in north Jamestown Street occasionally. This faction is more likely to be at war with the Aztecas’ gang because north Rancho is their territory too. The second faction controls the south side of Rancho and can be seen in the south Jamestown Street area as well. It often engages in armed warfare with the Ballas because their territory is close to the Vagos territory in south Rancho. Lastly, the third faction is located on the east side of Rancho and the center of Cypress Flats.

You will find the Vagos in the Vespucci Beach area, but only during the mission Repossession. After the mission is completed, the Vagos will disappear, and the Marabunta Grande will take their place.

The LSV members are easy to spot thanks to their bright yellow outfits. They can be hanging out smoking cigarettes, weed, drinking the famous Piβwasser, or casually driving around. They typically drive standard cars like the Peyote, Manana, Cavalcade, Baller, Emperor, Buccaneer Custom, Saber Turbo, Tornado, Vigero, Virgo Classic, and a BMX bike. In GTA Online, they get additional vehicles. The list includes:

• Phoenix
• Contender
• Granger
• Voodoo
• Huntley S
• PCJ 600
• Baller ST
• Cargobob
• Buzzard
• Armed Tampa
• Frogger
• 5-seater Velum
• Dinghy
• Tropic
• SuperVolito

That is a sick collection! If you ask me.

The Vagos are armed and carry a set of devastating weapons. They often fight back with a knife, baseball bat, or pistol. However, Vagos have a bundle of heavy weapons. To name a few:

• Sniper rifle
• Assault rifle
• Pump shotgun
• Carbine rifle
• Micro SMG
• Minigun!

The LSV business revolves around forgery, contrabands, and trafficking (drugs, weapons, and vehicles). Their business deals feature the Lost MC and Madrazo Cartel. Edgar Carlos is the Vagos shot-caller. However, he dies later in the Desperate Times Call For … mission from the Lowrider update.

My favorite Vagos feature is the excitement and suspense they add to the game. Rockstar included the LSV in several Storyline (Rampage) and Online (no smoking) missions, in addition to Heists (Prison Break and Casino heist) and DLC updates such as the Lowrider and After Hours.

The Families

• Location: Forum Drive, Strawberry, Chamberlain Hills, Carson Ave, Davis, Grove Street (previously).
• Weapons: knife, pistol, micro SMG.
• Colors: Green.
• Vehicles: Nemesis, Baller LE, Tornado, Buccaneer, Emperor.
• Enemies: Ballas, Vagos, Aztecas, Lost MC.

Every die-hard fan of the GTA series knows about this gang. The families are probably the most recognizable group since the days of GTA San Andreas. They are a massive African-American gang swarming south Los Santos areas. It is highly believable that Rockstar created the Families based on a real-life criminal group called Crips in south-central Los Angeles.

The signature color of the Families is green, which appears to be inspired by the Los Santos Corkers and Feud Baseball Teams. Their attire, tattoos, and haircuts are available for purchase in the shops. The Families gained control over massive turfs covering Chamberlain Hills, Carson Ave, Strawberry, Forum Drive, and parts of the Davis area.

Unfortunately, the famous Grove Street is not included within the Families territory. According to Lamar, the leaders of the Grove Street set left the gang lifestyle behind them and moved forward to become wealthy upper-class executives. As a result, Grove Street was left defenseless and eventually invaded by the Ballas.

The chunkiest active set of the Families is the Chamberlain Hills set. They are dubbed as Killer Hills or simply the Hills. This set has authority over the entire Chamberlain Hills area and around the project buildings of Crystal Heights and Strawberry. Since Strawberry zone is inspired by Inglewood hood in Los Angeles, the Chamberlain Hills faction could also be inspired by the Rollin 60s (part of the Crips in southwest LA). Their attire consists of black, white, and green jackets, caps, and tank tops with Corkers and Feud logos. The particular set made an appearance in a shootout in the Long Stretch mission.

Forum Drive Families faction is part of the Chamberlain Hills. It occupies Forum Drive (hence the name) and almost all the Strawberry area. The Families have another set on Carson Ave, and it is the most hostile faction of the bunch. It controls a part of Carson Avenue, Strawberry, and idles around Chamberlain Hills quite often.

The last faction on the list is the Davis neighborhood known as Dirty Davis Devils or Davis Devils. Their main territory is Davis, but they sometimes roam around Chamberlain Hills and Strawberry. You can identify them by their Dust Devils jersey designs. Their source of income comes from drugs, weapons, and vehicles trafficking. heir arch-nemesis, the Ballas and Vagos in constant warfare because their zones are close.

The Families drive cars like Buccaneer, Tornado, Cavalcade, and Baller matching rival gangs. And the same goes for guns. Their weapons include

• Pistols
• Sniper rifles
• Minigun
• SMG
• Pump shotgun

Franklin Clinton is a member of the Families gang. He is associated with Trevor Philips, Michael De Santa. Other affiliates include Lamar Davis, Benny, and Gerald. Characters that will ask you to complete jobs and missions. The Families appear on several occasions: Hood Safari, The Long Stretch, and Fresh Meat missions, and the Lowriders and Contract updates.

Trevor Philips Enterprises/ Industries

• Location: Strawberry, Sandy Shores.
• Vehicles: Bodhi, Blazer, Frogger, Cargobob, Cuban 800, Dune Buggy.
• Weapons: Pistol, AK-47, Carbine Rifle, Pump shotgun.
• Leader: Trevor Philips
• Enemies: Ballas, Vagos, Triads, Aztecas, FIB, Lost MC, O’Neil brothers, Marabunta Grande, LSPD.

Trevor Philips Enterprises (Trevor Philips Industries during missions) and often referred to as T.P.Inc. It is a criminal syndicate involved in drug deals, weapons smuggling, vehicle theft, heists, and prostitution. Trevor is famous for his irrational behavior, aggressiveness, and loose tempers.

Alongside Trevor (CEO) are his associates Ron Jakowski, Chef, and Wade Herbert to help run the business. Trevor is also affiliated with Michael De Santa, Franklin Clinton (the Families), Lamar Davis, Lester Crest, and Madrazo Cartel. The corporation has bad blood with many rival gangs named the Lost MC, Vagos, Ballas, Triads, Aztecas, and O’Neil brothers.

Trevor makes an appearance is a mission dubbed Trevor Philips Industries. His reckless attitude during the mission costs him a deal with the Triads. In the beginning, Trevor meets the Triads boss and his translator in Sandy Shores to seal a partnership deal. During the meeting, Trevor receives a phone call from Chef saying that the Aztecas are coming after the meth lab.

Trevor later arrives at the lab and locks the Triads in a freezer. After defeating the enemies, Trevor fails to reopen the negotiations and loses the deal with the Triads. The latter decides to partner up with the O’Neil brothers instead. Infuriated by the Triad deal, Trevor attacks the O’Neil Ranch and blows up everything in retaliation. T.P.I got involved with the Lost MC after Trevor got caught having an affair with the club leader girl. However, Trevor manages to escape and kill the members of the Lost MC.

Trevor uses Ace Liquor, Sandy Shores airfield, McKenzie hanger, Vanilla Unicorn, and his own trailer as fronts for the corporation. Bodhi is the legendary Trevor vehicle, but he also owns the Blazer, Dune Buggy, and Cuban 800.

Trevor is my favorite character because of his bad attitude and the things he says in general. Plus, his insults and interactions with the NPCs are hilarious. Not to mention, he surrounds himself with a loony crew.

The Ballas

• Location: Davis, Chamberlain Hills, Grove Street Court.
• Color: Purple.
• Vehicles: Faction, Chino Custom, Primo, Jackal, Ruffian, Oracle XS.
• Weapons: MG, micro-SMG, Minigun, Pump shotgun.
• Enemies: Families, Vagos, Trevor Philips Enterprises.

The Ballas are very hard to miss in the streets of Los Santos. They are an African American gang that possibly refers to the Bloods gang in real life LA. The Ballas signature color is Purple. They wear the Panic basketball team and Boars baseball club attire. The Ballas have three groups spread across the map to cover more territory.

The first group is known as the original covenant Ballas, and they control Grove Street Court and Covenant Ave. The second group is located on the east side of Davis. Their hotspot is Brogue Avenue and parts of Davis Avenue. This faction is at war with the Families because Davis is under their influence. The last group is around the South Rancho area. They often get into fights and shootouts with the Vagos because their territories are close to each other.

Alongside Families and Vagos, the Ballas are enemies with motorcycle clubs and Trevor Philips Enterprises. Interestingly, they often refrain from attacking you if you happen to pass by their turf. However, they become very hostile if you provoke them, brandish a weapon at them, or fire a gun inside their territory.

You can see them casually drinking, smoking, driving, riding bikes, and walking their dogs. Most of them like to hang on the sidewalk in a group of four or five and chat about street life. The Ballas have a wide range of heavy guns that cause colossal damage. Among these guns:

• MG
• Combat MG
• Pump shotgun
• Assault Shotgun
• Assault Rifle
• Carbine Rifle
• Sniper Rifle
• Minigun
• Rocket Launcher

Trust me, it is not fun being blown into million pieces.

They also own a massive car collection including:

• Virgo classic
• Moonbeam
• Frogger
• Faction
• Chino Custom
• Saber Turbo
• Voodoo
• Speedo
• Bati 800
• Baller
• Felon
• Buccaneer Custom
• Tornado Custom

The Ballas street deals revolve around drugs and weapons trafficking and use Grove Street and Paleto Forest Sawmill as fronts.

They appear in a series of storyline missions as well as online. They are featured in:

• Lamar Down
• The Third Way
• All in the Game
• Weed Killer.

In addition, they are part of heists, survivals, Lowrider DLC, and the Contract update.

Marabunta Grande

• Location: East Vinewood, Grand Senora Desert, Vespucci Beach, El Burro Heights.
• Color: Blue and White.
• Weapons:  MG, Molotov, Minigun, Assault rifle, Pump shotgun.
• Enemies: Vagos, Aztecas, Trevor Philips Enterprises, Ballas, O’Neil brothers.
• Vehicles: Saber Turbo Custom, Virgo Classic Custom, Faction (Donk).

The Marabunta Grande is a criminal syndicate from Salvador. They are not as big as the Ballas, Vagos, or Families, but you cannot miss them when you see them. Marabunta Grande may be based on a gang from El Salvador or a similar Central American country.

Their main business includes contrabands, drugs, and weapons trafficking with other gangs. They have an affiliation with the Lost MC and bloody rivalries with other criminal groups like Varrios Los Aztecas, Vagos, Ballas, Families, O’Neil brothers, and Trevor Philips Enterprises.

The members have tattoos all over their faces, and they usually wear a bandana on their heads, around their necks, wrists, or faces. Blue and white are their signature colors, but blue is more dominant than white is.

Their territory is located in El Burro Heights, south of Murrieta Oil Fields. But it is not their only territory because you can find them roaming free around the Vespucci Beach area. You can find them in East Vinewood near Mirror Parks and around Los Santos River. In addition, they like to do street racing in North East Rancho.

Here is a list of the vehicles they usually drive:

• Virgo Classic Custom
• Sabre Turbo Custom
• Faction Custom Donk
• Tornado
• Peyote
• Buzzard
• Cuban 800
• Manana
• Rebel
• Emperor

Regarding their territory, the Marabunta Grande are very hostile and will attack if you provoke them. Some of the weapons they carry to defend themselves include:

• Machine Gun
• Pump Shotgun
• Molotov Cocktails
• Knife
• Pistol
• Assault Rifle
• Minigun
• Sniper Rifle
• Micro SMG
• SMG

You will encounter the Marabunta Grande as buyers in the Father/Son mission. During the mission, Jimmy tries to sell his boat to impress Michael. But the gang steals the boat instead with Jimmy on board. Marabunta Grande also appears in a couple of weapons-related side missions named Arms Trafficking Ground.

They have a role in the Diamond Casino Heist, Survivals, Potshot mission, and gang attacks in GTA Online. If you defeat them five gang attacks, you will receive a text from a person called the Boss threatening to put a bounty on your head.

The Madrazo Cartel

• Location: La Fuente Blanca, Senora Road.
• Leader: Martin Madrazo
• Enemies: Ballas, Lost MC, Michael De Santa, Trevor Philips.
• Vehicles: Baller, Cavalcade.
• Weapons: Pistol, SMG, Baseball Bat, Sniper Rifle, Assault Rifle.

Known as the Madrazo Crime Family or simply the Cartel. They are a Mexican-American family led by Martin Madrazo. You can find them alongside Senora Road just north of Los Santos in Vinewood Hills. La Fuente Blanca, meaning the White Fountain, is their main Headquarters. It is a ranch that features an entire golf course, massive pool, Jacuzzi, and a white fountain at the main entrance.

The Cartel is not hostile when you first interact with them. However, they will attack you if you roam around their vicinity for too long. Don’t worry! The Cartel will give you a couple of verbal warnings before shooting you in the face. They do not have a signature color, but they often wear flying bravo polo shirts with Liberty, Andreas, and Santos written in the front with numbers on the shoulders.

They carry a variety of guns. The list features:

• Pump Shotgun
• Sawed-Off Shotgun
• Assault Rifle
• Baseball Bat
• Pistols
• Micro SMG
• SMG
• Combat MG
• Advanced Rifle
• Sniper Rifle

In single-player/ story mode, you will notice them driving ordinary cars like the Baller and Cavalcade. On the other side, they own a distinctive set of vehicles in GTA Online. That includes:

• Buccaneer Custom
• Caracara
• Huntley S
• Maverick
• Buzzard
• Frogger
• Rogue

They are heavily involved in contrabands, prostitution, drug deals, and arms trafficking. They have connections with the Triads, Vagos, and Kkangpae.  Michael De Santa and Trevor Philips are their enemies alongside the Lost MC and the Ballas.

In GTA Online, Martin hires the player (you) to do his dirty work. Such illegal actions include theft and murder. The Cartel has a role in Michael De Santa’s mission of Marriage Counseling. The Cartel goes after Michael for destroying a property that Martin was interested in. The situation between the two escalates even further when Martin refuses to pay Michael and Trevor for their favor.

Both Michael and Trevor are exiled to Blaine County, but they return after the mission Monkey business.

The Cartel is part of the After Hours and Diamond Casino updates, Cayo Perico Heist, and Smuggler’s Run.

Honorable Mentions

The Lost MC

The Lost MC is an outlaw motorcycle club involved in almost every illegal activity that happens on the Lost Santos map. Their business revolves around contract killing, hijacking, prostitution, heist, and drugs. They wear black leather outfits most of the time and drive motorbikes. The Lost MC members are armed with a ridiculous set of heavy weapons. They own:

• Miniguns
• Molotovs
• Grenades
• Grenade Launcher
• Pipe bombs
• MGs
• Shotguns
• Rifles

The Lost MC owns multiple clubs based in East Vinewood in Los Santos, Stab city in Blaine County, and can be seen around Grapeseed, North Chumash, Sandy Shores airfield, and Hookies.

Varrios Los Aztecas

The Aztecas are a relatively small gang in the city of Los Santos. They can be found in the North Rancho area. They are enemies with their former affiliates, Trevor Philips, Vagos, and Marabunta Grande. Their signature color is turquoise, and they are involved in manufacturing and trafficking drugs, arms, vehicles, and contrabands. They may not be as big as the Vagos or Ballas, but they pack extreme heat. They carry all sorts of guns like SMGs, Rifles, Shotguns, and a Minigun. They drive cars like the Picador, Phoenix, Rancher, Sultan, Rebel, Dubsta, and Kuruma.

The Triads

Los Santos Triads are a Chinese criminal group led by Wei Cheng. Their hotspot is located in Little Seoul, Los Santos. Their signature color is red, and they are involved in drug deals, slavery, kidnapping, gambling, and arms trafficking. This crime syndicate has altercations with Michael De Santa, Trevor Philips, and Franklin Clinton.

Their vehicle collection consists of ordinary cars like The Fugitive and bison alongside planes and boats. The Triads weapons stock contains rocket launchers, Rifles, Shotguns, and Pistols.

FAQs

Final Words

Grand Theft Auto 5 has been and will always be gamers’ favorite. It became a hit and flew off the shelves since it was released. GTA 5 took the gaming world to a whole new level with its gameplay and graphics. The best key feature of the game is the gangs.

The best moments revolve around gang wars and shootouts in free mode, story mode, or Online. They bring more action and excitement to the missions. Plus, it is funny to interact with gang members. One more thing, completing gang attacks will unlock new perks in the game, increase your stats, and help you rank up.