GTA 5 Online is it’s own beast with a completely separate progression and reward system from the single player campaign. After creating your first character you will be dropped into a lobby map, which is just the same as the regular Los Santos map, only there are other real players running around here too. From here you can join Jobs, create your own Jobs, purchase property, or just run around causing havoc.

As you complete activities you’ll earn RP (Reputation). Earn enough RP and you’ll gain a level. As you gain levels new items will unlock for you, including new vehicles, Jobs, and customization options.

Earning RP and making your way in the Online world can be a bit of a challenge though, especially if you’re new to the game or just used to the carefree single player experience. Other players will constantly be gunning for you and chances are they’re better experienced and better equipped. To level the playing field a little, here are some tips for the new GTA V online players out there.

Make Your First Car a Good One

The first car you steal and drive to a customs shop will become your first default car (loads when you initially join the game), so make sure it’s something you like and are comfortable driving. To change your default car afterwards you’ll have to shell out some cash for a new tracker (and the car itself if you buy it), money that is much better put towards weapons or a garage.

Watch the Mini Map

You really have to become comfortable using the minimap and keeping an eye on it at all times, especially for the dots that represent other players. There aren’t a lot of folks that will pass you buy with just a friendly wave in GTA Online, so make sure you keep your distance if you’re not looking for trouble.

Red Dots are also player indicators you’ll find on the map, only these players currently have a bounty placed on their head. If you fancy yourself a bounty hunter, you can try your luck at scratching them off the list, there’s a cash reward in it for you if you succeed.

Join a Crew

GTA 5 Online is meant to be a social experience, so head over to the Rockstar Social website, login with your account and join a crew. Not only will you be gaining a new group of players to help you out and complete jobs with, you’ll also receive bonuses to reputation gained while completing jobs with those other members.

You can also look for crews to join by using the in game menu. It’s also important to note that not only crews are open to join freely; some require an invitation so dress to impress!

Put Your Cash in the Bank

You have two types of cash in the online game, the cash you’re carrying with you and the balance in your bank. As you would imagine the cash in the bank cant be touched by other players, the balance you carry on your person however will drop if you are killed and can then be picked up by other players.

As soon as you get any sum of money from Jobs or other events, stash it in the bank. Luckily in GTA V this doesn’t mean running to your nearest ATM, just pull out your phone and use online banking to move that wad from your pocket magically to the vault.

Get a Decent Gun ASAP

The semi automatic pistol you start your online career with isn’t going to hold up against the AK’s and rocket launchers you’ll be running across. One of the best investments you can make with your money early on is in a new weapon that’s up to Los Santos standards.

A good pick as soon as you reach the required reputation is the Micro SMG. It’s fully auto, it’s bullets are cheap, and while it wont get you the same stopping power as the AK or M16, it’s enough to keep you going until you have the rep and cash to unleash to bigger guns.