Grand Theft Auto Online has been brimming with players since its launch in 2013. Rockstar Games has consistently supported the players with new maps, missions, and guns over the past seven years. While guns are often players' preferred method of combat, melee can be just as engaging. A well-placed melee attack can be the difference between life and death on your rise to the top of the GTA leaderboard.
Melee combat is the often overlooked mechanic of GTA Online that many players find to be difficult to master. Whether armed or unarmed, melee combat could be the best way to get yourself out of a sticky situation during a heist, especially when you want to go the non-lethal route. This guide will teach you everything you need to know about melee combat in GTA Online.
Hand to Hand Combat in GTA Online
The basics of melee combat come down to dodging and attacking. The key to surviving a hand-to-hand fight is in the dodge. Focus on an enemy and manage the dodge button to stay in the fight as long as possible. Most characters can take the player down with a few well-placed punches so focus on developing the proper timing for your dodges. For the most part, the game will allow players to mash the dodge button if need be.
After a well-timed dodge, counter immediately by pressing the attack button. This will result in one or two punches that have a chance of knocking your opponent off of their feet. A good tip is to spend time practicing combat with NPCs in the city. This will give players an opportunity to practice fighting before going up against other players.
Melee Weapons in GTA Online
The following weapons are available in the GTA IV base game:
- Knife
- Nightstick
- Hammer
- Baseball Bat
- Crowbar
- Gold Club
- Broken Bottle
- Antique Cavalry Dragger
- Hatchet
- Knucklebuster
- Matchet
- Flashlight
- Switchblade
- Pool Cue
- Pipe Wrench
- Stone Hatchet
- Battle Axe
More weapons are available through in-game purchases within GTA Online. For the most part, weapons are available in Blunt or Stabbing styles. Each style has unique animations that correspond to the type of weapon being used. Stabbing weapons are often one-hit kills whereas blunt weapons typically take 2 to 4 hits to take down an enemy.
Whether the player is unarmed or armed, dodging and countering is going to be the best method of approach. Remember to remain locked onto enemies at all times during the fight. Player characters are unable to dodge if they are not locked onto an enemy.
Grand Theft Auto Online is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.