HUD, Emotes, Commands, How-To’s

Getting Started HUD, Emotes, Commands, How-To’s and more!

Everything you need to get you started! HUD, Emotes, How-To’s, Commands and more!

Be sure to note your default keybinds by pressing Esc > Settings > Key Bindings

Take a quick glance so you know how to walk, jump, sprint, enter a vehicle or crouch. I play with a mouse + keyboard so it’s pretty standard, W-A-S-D to move, space to jump, shift to sprint, “C” to crouch, etc. Yours may be slightly different by default. I recommend you adjust anything to what you’re used to or more comfortable with.

Looking for more keybinds, Set-Up TIps or In-Game Settings? Click here!

Delete

The delete key can stop an emote or an animation abruptly. (Such as hacking a register). 

Mouse Control

Sometimes you may need to turn on mouse control in order to do certain functions such as retrieving items from a counter or taking a selfie. This feature might be something you need to enable. (Likely found in phone settings).

Chat Box

In your chat box, you can type out commands, emotes, bind emotes and even Text RP. Some commands you can do by simply typing something like /pry (to pry open a cash register) or /glasses (to put on or take off your glasses.)

Emotes

Emotes

As you can imagine, there are a massive amount of emotes that will allow you to RP various situations to your heart’s content. You can likely access your server emote list by typing a command in your chat box or through your character menu. 

Emotes can be anything from things like /sit to /dance to /chicken. The more familiar you are with emotes, the more you can have fun RPing different situations and create an immersive experience for you and everyone you interact with. You can also hotkey emotes you use often by typing something like /ebind flipoff in the chat box.

Shared Emotes

Some emotes can be shared/performed at the same time. Like a hug, for example. In your character menu, you should be able to ‘request’ say, a high five from another player. 

Prop Emotes

Prop emotes can be a lot of fun. Let’s say your character is obsessed with coffee. In your text box, try typing  /coffee for instance, to always have one in hand. Or say you’re at a club and want to show off your dance moves. You can try things like /dance 1 /dance 2 or even /glowstick pride to bust out some color-changing glow sticks.

Text RP

As mentioned earlier, in certain situations, you may want to communicate something without breaking character. You can do this in Text RP. In general, Text RP should not be overused. But sometimes, it’s the best way to convey necessary information. In certain situations, it can even add to the RP!

For example: Say you drown. This means you’re down. (You need EMS to revive you). The EMS may use Text RP by typing /me checks pulse into their chatbox. This is a how to check you want to be revived. (And this is not a permadeath). Remember, your character is down. You most likely can’t speak. (Or shouldn’t) By using Text RP, you can convey this information by typing /me has a pulse.

Note: On some servers, you can access your emotes and shared emotes lists in your character menu as well. Depending on your character, say a cop or EMS for example, you may have additional options such as swab for evidence, revive, or cuff.

Scenes

Scenes can also be used to relay information. For example: Say you rob a store and want to leave a piece of evidence behind for the cops to find. In your text box, you would type something like /scene strand of wavy teal hair and place it on the ground of the crime scene. 

You can also choose the color of your scene. Let’s say you’re driving and someone cuts you off and steals your parking spot. You could leave a nasty note on their car by doing /scene red FUG U and placing it on their windshield. You may also be able to delete scenes by radius by typing something like /scenedel 1, /scenedel 2 or /scenedel 3.

(Remember, the hotekeys or commands may vary slightly, depending on your server)

Map

On your map, (maybe referred to as your GPS, IC) you’ll find several icons on the right, sorted alphabetically to help you navigate around Los Santos. Note your apartment if you have one or nearby garages so you can access your vehicle, and other points of interest. Typically, you’ll know a business is open if their icon appears on the map. 

You can also click anywhere on the map and “ping” a destination, which will show up on your mini-map when inside a vehicle or on a bike. You can also share your GPS coordinates to a friend via text by using your phone.

Phone

The keybind to bring up your phone will vary per server but get familiar with what it is because you’ll likely be using it OFTEN. In your phone you can access apps like Twitter and the Darkweb as well as add contacts, access your bank account and even share GPS coordinates and photos via text. 

On Twitter, you can promote things like city events or your business. You can also inquire about vehicles being sold, and post photos of you and your friends. With most servers, you can even create animated gifs and upload them to imgur so you can share them in-game. 

For some servers, you may have to go to your phone settings and turn on mouse control to do certain actions like this or to take photos with your phone. You should also have both PD and EMS on speed dial if you need to report a crime or in case of emergency. 

Again, most of this can be learned through RP. These are just some of the basics to help get you started.

Vehicle

When it comes to vehicles, every server is different. Some will give you a starter vehicle right from the start while others will require you to take a drivers test and pass before you can even buy one.

Accessing your vehicle can vary per server as well. On the server I play on, TRP, I can do so at any parking garage. By opening my player menu, I can retrieve or store my vehicles. 

Be sure to unlock your car before getting inside. And always lock it when not using it so no one can steal it or so it doesn’t get impounded. Trust me, it happens. Keybinds may vary per server, but you can do things like honk your horn, open your trunk to store items or hop in for a ride when they’re aren’t enough seats. 

Vehicles can be upgraded, customized, or repaired (when damaged). Repairs can be done by a mechanic, with a repair kit or at a mech hub.

Gas

When in a vehicle, you’ll see the gas gauge, usually at the bottom left near your status bar. Keep an eye on this because when it’s out – it’s OUT. Your car will eventually not be able to move. You can refill your tank at a gas station or purchase a jerry can to use for later or in dire circumstances.

Seat Belt

When in a vehicle, it’s a good idea to buckle up! If your seat belt isn’t fastened and you get in an accident, you may fly out resulting in some serious injuries. You’ll notice when you’re in a vehicle, a seat belt icon will show at the bottom left of your screen. Usually green when on and red when off. A hotkey like “B” will likely toggle your belt on/off when in a vehicle or on a bike. (Again, this keybind may vary per server.)

Housing

On some servers, you’ll be given an apartment when you first enter the server. While with others, you’ll have to purchase one with in-game money. Some even have in-depth housing where you can decorate and rearrange furniture. You can also give players a “key” so they can visit your apartment as long as they know the passcode. 

In most housing units you can change your clothes/apperance for free without having to visit a clothing store. 

Gangs

As you probably guessed, gangs (sometimes referred to as families) are a popular component on most RP servers. However, it is not required you join one. Simply join a gang if it makes sense for your character and it’s something you want to explore. 

Note that gang rivalries can get pretty intense in RP. Some gangs will shoot on site if you cross their territory while others will require you to dress in their specific color scheme.

HUD

Now we’ll cover the UI, HUD and Menu systems as well as other essentials you’ll absolutely want to know before jumping straight into RP. As always, every server is different so the UI or Menu systems may look slightly different, but this will still give you an idea on how they work.

On most servers, you’ll usually see your status icons in the bottom left.  Note that icons may vary per server (ex: hunger may be a knife and fork or sometimes a burger)

Voice Icon

Locate the microphone icon in your status bar. You can toggle between whispering, normal and yelling. On my server, the default hotkey is “Z”, but yours may be different. The microphone will likely change color as you toggle between whisper (white), normal (green) and yell (red). 

In general, you want to stay on green and speak normally. A good tip is to cycle through all the options when you first log on before setting it to “normal”. Some people refer to this IC as “warming up your vocal chords”. 
Note: In some situations you want to yell if you’re trying to talk to someone far away or in another room, and you may want to whisper whenever you’re in a vehicle or discussing criminal activity, say plotting to rob a bank.

Health

Health is something every player must be conscious of. Different circumstances will cause different injuries and the severity of those injuries may vary. But beware, if your health gets low enough, you will become downed and need EMS to revive you.

On some servers, serious injuries can cause effects in-game like blurry vision or slowed movement.

Hunger / Thirst

Yes, you can die from lack of food or water. Make sure to stay hydrated and eat whenever your hunger/thirst status is running low. Note that SOME foods are more filling than others. 

Food or drink can be purchased at stores, traded with players and crafted. (If you have the necessary skills.)

Armor

Not every player will wear armor but sometimes cops may depending on the circumstance.

Stress / Oxygen

Some servers have stress and oxygen icons you can choose to show when relevant, such as swimming underwater.
Note that swimming is likely the exact opposite of walking. Think W-A-S-D in reverse. Try using “S” to swim upwards and “W” to swim downwards.

Gas / Seat Belt

Both your gas gauge and seat belt icons should show in your status bar whenever you’re in a vehicle. Refer to the previous section for additional details on both.

Minimap

Your minimap will likely only appear when inside a vehicle. It’s most handy when following a pinged destination. See the previous section for more details regarding your map.

Player Menu

In your player menu, likely “G” by default (possibly referred to as your “G phone”, IC), you’ll have access to everything from your inventory, to your vehicle, character interactions and more.

Interactions can include paying a bill, or billing another player for instance, while you can also access your clothing accessories like say, put on a mask or a hat.  

Most servers will encourage you to learn things through RP itself, and I would encourage that as well. You learn a TON just by being on the server and interacting with others and I wouldn’t want to rob you of that experience, but what I will do is share some general info on some of the key categories, just to help you get started.

Inventory

You can access your inventory through your player menu or with a hotkey, likely “I” by default. Here you can store, stack, use items. You can also drop items on the ground or give them to other players. Right click any item to see your options.

Note: If you can’t receive an item from another player, you may be full on inventory slots or overencumbered. 

Jobs

Each server will have a variety of jobs you can choose from. You can even choose to be unemployed! Jobs may include state jobs such as taxi, delivery or player-run businesses such as car dealer, mechanic or realtor. You can even do peti crime and sell weed to the locals for some quick cash.

Most servers will even let players submit business proposals to open their own businesses such as restaurants or cannabis stores where they can hire other players to work there. To get hired, visit the job center or the corresponding job icon on your map.

Some jobs such as State Trooper (cops), EMS (Emergency Medical Services) or lawyer are whitelisted and will require you to apply, IC, and possibly even have an interview for a position. You can apply for these at the DOJ (Department of Justice).

Note: These jobs may take more of an investment on your part, as being knowledgeable about what you do will not only help you get hired but will only further your RP potential and gain you respect in the community.

For example: If you want to be a lawyer, have basic knowledge of the law and how court cases work, the terminology, etc.

Hobbies

There are a ton of activities you can do with large groups such as fishing, hunting, go-karts, jet-skiing, and more. Certain hobbies will require you to use an item in your inventory or “rent” before use while some can be done by shortcut for example /fish. Most items for hobbies (or crime activities) can be found at Supply Stores. Some servers may have bowling alleys or even casinos where you can gamble.

Another common mini game is dice roll or death roll. This can be used in bets, for events or in-game giveaways like if a dealership is giving away a vehicle.

Money

You can earn paychecks from working your job or get cash from selling items to other players or by doing criminal and illegal activities. Money can also be traded with other players. 

Some UI will show your money, job status and other info on the screen while on other servers you may have to check in your wallet. You can also access money in your bank account by going to a bank or visiting an ATM and using your debit card. 

If you’re missing your debit card, you should be able to pick up a new one from the bank.

Crim Activities

Criminal activities also known as heists can include robbing stores, banks, or running illegal business operations. 
Quick tip: For these types of activities, some places you may want to visit are the Ammunition shop (for weapons and ammo), the Supply Shop (for crowbars and lockpicks), or the Digital Den (for things datapads or walkie-talkies).

Heists

You can create or join a heist or squad group, in your wheel (or “G” menu) by selecting Crime > Heists > Create / Join and create or enter the password.

In a heist you will typically only be allowed a max of 4 players (6 for larger jobs). This is mostly to keep the server “balanced” and to ensure police or EMS do not become overwhelmed. 

If you tend to run with the same crew often, it may be a good idea for each person to focus on a different “skill” to ensure they each have a specific “job” such as: Lockpicking (crowbar/ lockpicks) Hacking (datapad), Plundering (bank safe mini-game), or Hustling (laundering money). Technically, the hustler doesn’t have to be at the heist itself, but will need to have the necessary skills to help launder your money after a successful heist. Also note that both a hacker and a lockpicker can tamper with the register and this can be done solo without a heist. 

Remember in RP, your actions have consequences. If you get caught breaking the law, know that you may likely be arrested, detained, searched, fined, or sent to prison. It may vary per server, but for prison time, minutes will usually equate to months. For example: if you got sentenced to five months in jail, it would equal five minutes. One year would likely be one day, etc.

Skills

Many activities or even jobs may require you to have a certain level of skill in that particular area. Go to Character Menu > Profession > Skills, you can see how leveled you are in a certain skill set. To level a specific skill, be sure to practice something relating to that skill set. 

For example: hacking falls under Science. To level this skillset, practice hacking! Try using a crowbar and /pry at a cash register, or use a lockpick to break into a vehicle and try to hotwire it.  
You can refer to your skill level IC but saying something like “so far, I’ve read one book on hacking and I’m on the second page of my next book”. This could relay that you are level one in hacking and have 2 experience toward your next level.

Looking for in-game settings and keybinds? Click here. Or click here to learn how to install FiveM.

Desh Please

Drinker of Coffee, Lover of Games, Creator of Content