How to avoid griefers in Grand Theft Auto Online

Grand Theft Auto Online is easily one of the most popular online games of all time. Naturally, it helps that GTA 5 is so successful, and Rockstar’s decision to give players an online game they can play with their friends as soon as they finish everything in the single-player mode was genius.

However, as GTA 6 approaches, Rockstar Games has lightened its restrictions a little for players still playing GTA Online. To be more specific, the number of griefers has increased drastically in the game, ensuring the overall experience is worsened for players, especially newcomers. Fortunately, there are some ways to successfully avoid griefers, or at least not die to them nearly as much.

Without further ado, here are some tricks to help you avoid griefers in GTA Online.

What do griefers do in GTA Online?

Griefers are players in Grand Theft Auto Online who purposefully interfere with other players’ gameplay. This could be either for their own entertainment or to get a humorous response out of the victims. Attacking other players repeatedly without cause is one of their most popular strategies.

This frequently entails killing gullible players in free mode by using overwhelming weapons or vehicles like the Oppressor Mk II. By setting up camps near respawn locations, some griefers go one step further and give their victims little opportunity to protect themselves or flee the abuse. You can imagine how infuriating it can be to die as soon as you respawn, that too not just once but repeatedly.

Sabotaging missions and activities is another typical griefer behavior. They usually attack players who are on Sell Missions, destroying goods and resulting in losses. Griefers may purposefully fail goals or leave the quest at crucial points in cooperative tasks like heists, wasting everyone’s time.

Griefers not only cause physical disturbances but also harass people via voice and chat channels. They might utilize voice chat to yell profanities, blast loud music, or annoy other players. Alternatively, some more cowardly griefers opt to bombard text chat with taunts or insults. Players may be discouraged from interacting with the community as a result of this behavior, fostering a poisonous environment.

How to counter griefers in GTA Online

Now that you know what qualifies as a griefer in GTA Online, below are ways you can avoid or counter them.

Enter an invite-only lobby

Entering an invite-only lobby is a great way to avoid griefers. It doesn’t require you to activate passive mode or limit your activities, and you can complete missions and make money in peace. While you may still face some opposition from AI, griefers will be out of the picture, letting you focus without interruptions.

This method used to be impossible, as Rockstar previously ensured players couldn’t conduct businesses and activities in invite-only lobbies. However, the same doesn’t apply anymore. Players can simply make an invite-only lobby to play with friends, although playing in a public lobby has the advantage of giving players a 50% bonus on missions.

Use the sewer system

If a griefer is after you, the sewer system can be a game-changer. You can sneak away underground and even set up traps. Lure the griefer into the tunnels, where you can strategically place proximity mines to take them out. You’ll need some patience and map knowledge, but this method will take care of griefers while staying hidden.

This will allow you to sneak away alive while also potentially taking out the griefer in the process. However, the issue with this is that if you’re far from the sewer’s entrance like somewhere in San Andreas then this method may not be viable.

Use the Nightshark vehicle

The Nightshark is a solid choice if you want to take griefers head-on. This vehicle is durable and can take several missiles without going down. The machine guns can also take out enemies fast. You’ll need to invest a bit, but owning a Nightshark means you have a reliable way to push back against missile spammers.

Use the Ghost Organization ability

When you’re playing as a CEO and have a griefer on you, the Ghost Organization ability is very helpful. It removes your position from the radar which makes it harder for griefers to track you down. For around GTA $12,000 you’ll be protected long enough to finish your missions and get away from a hostile player.

The peace of mind it offers is also worth it when you’re trying to get things done without interruption. After all, in the grand scheme of things, $12,000 is nothing in the online GTA world compared to how much griefers can make you lose.

Utilize explosive sniper rounds

If a griefer is chasing you in a jet or armored vehicle, explosive sniper rounds are your best counterattack. With them, you can take jets down with accuracy, and they also do significant damage to armored vehicles. Keeping these rounds in your arsenal gives you a good option for fighting back from a distance in a long-range battle.

However, the issue with this method is that there’s a limit to how many times you can use it. As soon as you run out of rounds, the griefers can overtake you to restart the painful griefing process.

Install a missile lock-on jammer

Many griefers like using homing missiles, so investing in a Missile Lock-On Jammer for your vehicle is a great solution. This upgrade stops missiles from locking onto your vehicle and gives you a better chance of avoiding them. The jammer costs around GTA $400,000 but it’s a worthy investment if you want to avoid the hassle of being targeted.

Join a crew

Getting in a good crew can help you steer clear of griefers as a whole. A lot of crews have rules that keep players from griefing, that way you’ll be surrounded by players who want to work together.

With a crew that is backing you up, you will have allies that will help you take down hostile players, and you can avoid the random trolls who you might run into in solo lobbies.

Find friendly lobbies

Another smart way to avoid griefers is to search for friendly lobbies. You can do this by scanning for a few things that indicate a peaceful lobby. Look for ones with a player count of around 10 to 15 people, that way things won’t be as chaotic with fewer players running around. You can also check the map for a red MK2 or jet icon, indicating if the lobby has a potential griefer that may get in your way.

Use passive mode for protection

Activating passive mode is a quick way to stay safe. In this mode, you can’t shoot or interact with other players, making you invulnerable to griefers. This method is best for when you’re just trying to free roam, as you can’t complete missions or business operations while in Passive Mode.

Fly the Akula helicopter

The Akula helicopter’s stealth mode is great for staying off the radar. Upon activation, you go completely invisible to other players, making it much harder for griefers to spot you. You can still be seen visually, but not showing up on the radar drastically reduces the chances of getting attacked during a mission.

Use the Toreadeor for a quick escape

The Toreador is a great vehicle for making a quick run when griefers are on your tail. It’s fast and can drive on both land and water. It also comes equipped with homing rockets for self-defense. During a getaway, you can just drive straight into the water if possible and get an instant escape. The rockets also help you with offense in case a griefer is especially persistent.

Change NAT Type for Private Public Sessions

If you want to avoid going into a full private session, changing your NAT type is a useful trick. It can help you end up in a lobby with fewer players, meaning you’re less likely to run into griefers.

While a peaceful environment isn’t guaranteed, it offers a better chance of avoiding toxic players compared to regular public sessions. Hey, passiveness isn’t why players play Rockstar-made games.