Starting out in GTA RP can be overwhelming… Learning new things in general can be confusing… at first, but it doesn’t have to be. And it certainly doesn’t need to be intimidating or frustrating. But, with these top ten tips you can easily become an RP pro in no time! Photo credit: Nyx
I’ve also got a complete beginner guide. Where I cover everything from emotes, commands and rules. Which servers to apply to and how to create a character with an amazing backstory. With tips on how to you get on some of the best ones like No Pixel, how to install FiveM and more.
Ready? Let’s get started!
Tip #1 – Get Familiar with Keybinds
Familiarizing yourself with keybinds early on will help set you up for success when it comes to RP. If you’re on PC, like myself, press Esc > Settings > Key Bindings.
Look over the list so you can learn how to do basic movements like walk, jump, sprint, and crouch. Note other common hotkeys you’ll use often. Like how to enter a vehicle, honk your horn or put your seatbelt. Or, how to throw your hands up, how to pick someone up or how to fall on the ground. Aka: ragdoll.
Remember every server is different. So feel free to change any keybinds you don’t like to something you’re more comfortable with. If you play on console, be sure to check under Settings > Gamepad to see your controls.
Keep in mind, you’ll likely find additional keybinds under other categories. Like Cars / Bikes / Boats and more under FiveM.
FiveM
Under FiveM, you’ll notice you can have up to 5 items in your hotbar. (Which may be referred to as your belt when speaking IC). Depending on which number you press, it will bring out the item you have slotted. For example. If I have my bat Lucille in slot 1 of my belt, when I press that hotkey, out pops Lucille.
Locate which hotkey opens your chat box so you can type out commands or use text RP. Commands can include anything from sipping a cup of coffee, putting on your mask or sunglasses. Showing off some dance moves, leaning against a wall, sitting down, doing a backflip… flipping someone off…and much, much more.
One of the coolest things about RP is that the possibilities are endless. There are SO many ways to convey what your character is doing, thinking or feeling. Which is one of the reasons roleplay can be such an immersive experience. And also an incredibly unique form of storytelling.
Remember, while in-game, you can also do something like /emotes. This will bring up all the emotes you have access to and can use. Then, you can hotkey your favorites from there. For easy access, or you know… muscle memory.
Chat Box
You can also use your chat box for Text RP. Text RP is something you’ll use when trying to convey something your character can’t otherwise say or show. At some points, there will be certain situations where you’ll want to communicate something without breaking character. But will need to do so by typing out what it is you’re trying to show.
Let’s go over a couple of examples.
Say your character is trying to read something far away or maybe the sun’s in their eyes. You may want to type something like /me squints to get that point across.
Text RP
Using Text RP can often enhance the RP, or the story you’re trying to tell. As long as it isn’t overused and doesn’t break any server rules.
Another way Text RP comes in handy is for Med RP. Let’s say your character is hurt and EMS needs to know your injuries in order to treat you. You can convey information by using text RP. When treating you, the EMS can also use Text RP when demonstrating what measure they are taking to treat you.
Note that Text RP can also be used in a permadeath situation, if your character can no longer speak. Even in moments that can be very emotional, Text RP is still extremely important. In order to convey information you can’t otherwise show or tell. It’s crucial to keep others informed on the gravity of the situation. This is so they know how to respond and how to proceed in order to keep the RP going.
Remember, whether you’re a veteran or someone brand new to RP, mistakes still happen. You’re going to accidentally punch someone. We’ve all done it. You may mean to pull out an item but accidently pick someone up instead… trust me. It happens to the best of us. That being said, being more familiar with keybinds, you’re less likely to hit the wrong button. And the more you use hotkeys for commands or emotes you plan on using often. And send yourself flying out of a car at maximum speed.
For more on keybinds and in-game settings, check out this guide.
Tip #2 – Learn Your Lingo
Communication is so important in RP. Not only when you’re brand new and trying to understand the common lingo, or different terminology. But also when it comes to the rules, and referring to things IC.
It’s important to know what it means to speak OOC, or have “a spider on your foot”. And being familiar with terms like Griefing and Fail RP are all crucial when it comes to roleplay. For instance, if someone tells you to take a cough drop, would you know what that means? If not, you’ll likely go around the entire day sounding like a robot whenever you open your mouth to talk. RPers will often communicate common tips and tricks for fixing things like your mic bugging out through RP.
The more familiar you are with the lingo, the more you’ll know and the better RP experience you’ll have. Every server will also have their own set of rules. It’s extremely important you do your research! Familiarize yourself with the rules of the server you plan to play on. BEFORE starting your roleplay journey. Make sure you understand them and take them seriously. And make no mistake, If you break any, you could find yourself with a trip to the Bahamas. Aka: a ban.
BTW, I have an entire video on ALL the RP terms and lingo. Along with the different server rules you absolutely need to know. You can also find it linked in this guide here.
Be in the Know – Act Like a Pro
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with being new. However, you don’t necessarily want to advertise it for a number of reasons. Your first few hours in a new city, you’re more likely to be robbed or held hostage in a heist. If it’s obvious you’re not familiar with things. An easy way to avoid this happening to you, is by blending in. As if you’ve been in the city for a while. Instead of sticking out as someone fresh off the street who doesn’t have a clue what they’re doing. Nor a means of self-defense to their name. B
The more you can communicate through RP, the more you can stay IC when asking questions. Being taught how to do something, or explaining how something works, all while keeping the RP in tact. Communicating through RP and staying IC while doing so is a MUST. It not only keeps the RP more immersive for everyone, but it’s also the best way to learn. AND the best way to teach others. Even when it comes to a strange mechanic or a super weird glitch. You can always find a way to do so IN character.
Tip #3 – Stay IC
As I mentioned, the quickest way to break immersion and compromise roleplay is by breaking character. Most servers will strictly forbid you from referring to things like Twitch or Discord while speaking IC.
Another thing you never want to do is say anything about logging out. Or referring to things that remind everyone that you’re playing a video game. RP is different. You’re playing a character, you’re telling a story. The more immersive you make the experience, the more believable the story will be. And the better roleplayer you’ll be.
Everyone Starts Somewhere
Now, if you’re someone brand new to roleplay, you’re going to have questions. You’re going to be confused. Some things won’t make sense at first and you’re going to need help figuring out how to do word things. And how to do things. But believe me when I tell you, you can always find a way to do so IC.
It keeps the RP in tact and your fellow RPers will respect you for doing so. We were all new once and we remember how overwhelming it can be to figure things out. Things like how to take food out of a register, how to pay a bill, or lockpick a car. Of course, you can likely find the answer online. And I have a TON of guides going over commands, emotes, and how-to’s to get you started. You can find the video linked in this guide here. But I still encourage you to find out most things through RP. Again, asking IC questions is the best way to learn.
A common way people will explain how to do something is by emphasizing certain words, or letters. For example, on one the brand new server I’m playing on PRP, the default keybind for your seatbelt is K. If someone is having trouble finding their seatbelt, I can communicate which hotkey to use by saying something like. “It’s there, just KEEEEP looking for it.”
Or, say your friend is “in their head” or afk and you want to put them in a vehicle. Someone might tell you to FORCE them in there. There are a ton of ways to communicate all types of information while staying IC. And the more you RP, the better you’ll get at it.
For more tips on IC dialogue, lingo, terminology and RP rules, be sure to check out my guide here.
Tip #4 – Don’t Screw Up your Set-Up
When it comes to setting up for GTA RP, there are some crucial Do’s and Don’ts for setup. That can make or break not only your RP experience, but the experience for others as well. Things like using a decent mic and avoiding background noise and distractions like people talking in the background. Dogs barking, or your significant other doing dishes whenever your character speaks. This can not only completely destroy the immersion but it can be incredibly frustrating for everyone you’re interacting with.
Using push-to-talk is another must for this exact reason. Having an open mic where everyone can hear you typing is a big NO. Or, talking to someone in the same room as you or your chat. (If you happen to be live) is also a NO.
Avoid This Rookie Mistake
Another thing you want to be sure to use is a decent pair of headphones or earbuds. If you’re not using headphones, it’s a guarantee that everyone you interact with will hear some sort of an echo. Whenever they speak or hear someone else speak near you.
Basically, whenever someone speaks, if you’re not using headphones, the sound is bouncing off the walls of your room. And traveling back into your mic which causes everyone else to hear an echo.
This can be extremely frustrating for other players and can even get you a temporary ban on some servers. But no need to worry. You don’t need any fancy equipment. It’s more about how you use your equipment. Knowing these setup do’s and don’ts can make a huge difference in the quality of your RP. For a full list of all my setup tips, check the guide. I’ve also included some of the equipment I use if you need some recommendations. For more setup tips, check out this guide.
Tip #5 – Get Something for Self-Defense
As I mentioned earlier, you’re likely to be held up at gunpoint or robbed. Or taken hostage in a heist especially if you’re new. But it’s LESS likely to happen, if you have a means of self-defense if someone threatens you.
Keep in mind, this doesn’t mean you have to necessarily carry a gun. Your means of self-defense can differ from others. But I highly recommend having SOMETHING to dissuade someone from hurting you. Or from using you as a pawn in their scheme.
Take a look at your map and look for a gun icon. Or something that looks like it’d be the symbol for an ammunition store. Once you arrive at the location, check out the different weapons and means of self defense they offer. If you’re looking for something higher tier, you can always find out through RP,. However, when you’re new, you don’t need anything fancy. Just something to make you feel safe and deter someone from using you for their own advantage.
Find What Works for You
On some servers, you can find anything from a bat, to a wrench, to a golf club. And on SOME servers, you can even spray paint these items. Or customize them to make them completely your own.
If you do want a gun, you may need to go to the courthouse to get a gun license first. Even if you’re not a fan of violence, I recommend having SOMETHING for self defense to protect yourself. Even from locals at the bare minimum. Yes, even locals can attack you if you accidentally run into them in a sketchy area. So it never hurts to be prepared. Just in case you find yourself in a situation where things are going south fast.
Tip #6 – Know Your Phone
There’s nothing more embarrassing than someone trying to get your number. And you having no idea how to even pull out your phone. Let alone how to add a new contact or share your own.
Every server is different. Find out WHICH hotkey brings out your phone and get familiar with how to use it. And all the features you have access to. Some phones may be simple, but allow you to easily take a selfie and share with others. While others may be a bit more complex but may offer a TON of customization. (contact color, sending emoji, save background – PRP) – share contact
Locate your own number and figure out how to share it, and how to add new contacts. Next, learn how to share your location by sending a PNG, and how to use Twitter, etc. Keep in mind, some phones may have apps you’re going to be using often. Like Twitter, or your bank, or even the dark web. So get to know all of them and what they do, and how they work. And when in doubt, don’t be afraid to ask others THROUGH RP.
Tip #7 – Who You Gonna Call
Speaking of getting familiar with your phone, it’s super important to know how to contact police, or EMS. Depending on the situation in case of an emergency, you or a friend may find yourself in critical danger. Perhaps in the middle of nowhere, and you’ll need to call for help FAST.
Keep in mind, as I mention in all my guides, every server is different. On some, you may use your phone to easily phone the police or EMS. On some, you may use a command like /911.
Quick Tip
If you’re in the water or in the mountains the EMS or police may have trouble finding you. In this case, you may need to “FLOP”. You can likely do this by flexing your “F” muscle to put yourself in their line of sight. In addition, sometimes you may need to carry a friend to a safe spot. Somewhere the police or EMS can reach them.
Or move them to safely out of harm’s way to a spot they can easily be treated. If you’re alone, depending on the server, you may be able to press your “life alert”. Or, you may have to wait to respawn. But remember, depending on the server rules, this may cause you to have temporary amnesia. Sometimes, you may wake in the hospital and get treated by the “local” doctor. If this happens, you may have no recollection of recent events leading up to you being there.
Tip #8 – Avoid Fashion Fails
When I was brand new to GTA RP, the most confusing aspect by far was figuring out the arms. Understanding how the “arms” work when changing your clothes was SO confusing to me. But like anything, the more you do it, the more you get the hang of it. And I’m happy to share some tricks on how it works.
Basically, whenever you change your clothes, you’ll likely have to change your arms too. Or you’re likely to find holes in your clothes that can be rather… revealing.
You’ll notice simply changing your shirt can sometimes leave you with unwanted holes. Or cause your wrists or shoulders or neck to disappear. Don’t ask me why- it’s just a thing in GTA. But don’t worry! I’m gonna teach you a little trick to make sure you’ve got the right arms every time.
Quick Tip
A good way to check is whenever you change your clothes, especially your shirt, check for holes. Even slight holes will be noticeable so assess carefully. When you exit out of the menu, you can try throwing up your hands with a default keybind “x”. Or try an emote such as /handsup to check for holes in the elbows or armpits. If you find one, you might need change your arms.
AFTER you’re satisfied with an outfit, make sure to save it. And give it a name so you can easily find it again later on. Some servers have TONS of clothing options. Trust me, the last thing you want is to fall in love with a look. Only to get it exactly the way you want it and forget to save it. Then have to put it together all over again.
Tip #9 – Make Dat $$$
Everything costs money. Things you need to survive like food and water as well as gas, and items like weapons, screwdrivers or lockpicks. Sometimes, you may need medical attention, and no EMS will be around. If this happens, you may have to pay the local nurse to get patched up. And if you’re all about that lux lifestyle, well, you better start saving up! Things like cars, businesses, and houses cost a small fortune and saving for one is no easy task.
On some servers, you’ll get passive income, just by being logged in and on the server. Granted, it’s not MUCH but every little bit helps, right? Especially when you’re to save thousands and thousands of dollars for a car, or a bomb-axe apartment. Other servers, however, have zero passive income and bills add up FAST.
Government Jobs
Getting a job or picking up a trade or two you can make decent money in. Even doing a little bit of work a day will add up fast and help you stay in the green and help fuel your coffee and donuts addiction.
Government jobs can include things like trash collectors, mining, hunting, or fishing. Others include delivering packages or giving taxi rides. Some player-owned business can be owning or working at a food place like Burger Shot. Or maybe the Casino, the Vanilla Unicorn or working as a mechanic.
Whitelisted Jobs
WL jobs can include being a trooper, or a cop, an EMS or a Lawyer. You can also make money by selling weed to locals. On some servers, you can even be unemployed. And just collect passive income but again, this isn’t something all servers have.
On most servers, the more you do something, the more experience you’ll gain. This means, the more your skills will level. And the higher up you get in your books – higher payout
On some servers, you can even do jobs together by joining a group, or starting your own. This quickly makes something like mining or picking up garbage around the city more fun. It can often be really grindy but this makes it a little more enjoyable because you can at least do it with friends.
Say you’re feeling confident. You’ve got a solid crew of criminals or you’ve been taught how to rob. You know what tools to use, and you think you have a good chance at getting away. You can try your hand at robbing a store, or even a jewelry shop, or a bank. But keep in mind, it’s more than likely, the higher the payout, the higher the risk. So do your research! Ask questions IC! And know what you’re doing before you go in unprepared or unfamiliar with how things can go down. Or you might wind up in BB with a hefty fine.
Ending up in the negative, especially early on is no fun and can make things really difficult. Not to mention awkward, if you’re always bumming money or food off of your friends.
Tip #10 – Learn the Map
One of the best things you can do early on, is get to know your way around the city. At the bare minimum, get familiar with where common places. Locations like the police station, and the hospital are easily located on the map. If one of your friends gets hit by a vehicle, you’ll need to rush them to the hospital. Especially if no EMS responds to your call. You’re going to want to know where to go and how to get there FAST.
Learn the general area for the different sections like Grapeseed, Sandy and Paleto. It will come in handy more often than you think. Especially when someone is describing where someone is or how to get to a particular location. A good way to do this is to PNG a destination on your map. Such as UwU cafe or The Casino and take note of landmarks you pass on your way. Pay attention so you recognize them later on. And so you can familizer yourself with the different routes you can take to get there.
Get a Job on the Go
There are a lot of ways you can remember locations and street names. One is by getting a job where you need to drive around the city. One of the first areas I became familiar with was Paleto. This is because I started working at the postal delivery service. Taking different routes to deliver packages around the area really helped. I started to learn my way around by navigating through that area. And it became much easier for me, the more time I spent doing it.
Whether it’s delivery packages for going postal. Picking up trash or becoming a cop, you’ll quickly learn how important it is to remember where places are. Whether it’s saving time on your delivery route, or outsmarting a criminal (or a cop) in a car chase. The more you know, the easier a time you’ll have getting around. And navigating to the various locations you’ll spend your time visiting in Los Santos.
Remember, the BEST thing you can do when you’re new or have questions is to find out in RP. You’re not only having an experience with another player. But you’re learning how to do it yourself. And later on, you can teach someone else how to do that same thing.
For more info, be sure to check out my other guides:
- Which Servers to Join
- How to Apply
- How to Develop your First Character with an Engaging Backstory
- Complete Beginner Guide – EVERYTHING you need to know to get started in GTA RP
If you’re looking for an awesome community who share our passion for RP, consider joining our subreddit. Where you can ask questions, share clips and jump into discussions all about GTA RP.
If you have any questions, feel free to pop into my live stream over on Twitch. Where you can watch me RP LIVE as DR DESHrespect. Or leave a comment on this video. I try to respond to every single one!
Remember, wherever you are in your RP journey, enjoy the experience. Great storytelling starts with YOU.
Drinker of Coffee, Lover of Games, Creator of Content