The mission “Rehearsal at Cherry” (The Big Score, option B) is one of the most intense and technically difficult stages in the storyline Grand Theft Auto V. This is where players first encounter a full-fledged bank robbery, which requires careful preparation, the right team selection and, most importantly, masterful driving. Unlike other tasks, there is no room for error here, since the final profit of all participants directly depends on the speed of delivery of the loot.
The essence of the operation consists of infiltrating the Cherry Bank on Del Perro Boulevard, blowing up the vault and quickly evacuating it in a van. The key point It becomes precisely the escape stage, where you have to overcome a dense ring of police resistance. Success depends not only on accurate shooting, but also on how well you know the map of Los Santos and how to maneuver in traffic.
In this guide, we will look at all the intricacies of preparation, choose the optimal transport and discuss behavioral strategies for each team member. Michael, Franklin and Trevor must act as a single mechanism to carry off millions of dollars and stay alive. Preparation for this moment begins long before the raid itself.
Choosing a strategy and preparing a team
Before starting the mission, the player needs to decide on an approach. In this case, only one main option is available - “Smart”, which involves the use of gas grenades and masquerading as security officers. This requires hiring specialists with high characteristics, which directly affects their survival and share of production.
Particular attention should be paid to the choice of driver. Since the final part of the mission is a race against time and survival, it is absolutely impossible to skimp on this specialist. Low driving skill will lead to frequent accidents, loss of time and, as a result, a decrease in the final amount. The best choice will be a driver with a skill level of 100%, even if his share is a significant part of the overall pie.
⚠️ Attention: Do not choose drivers with low health or shooting skill to play the role of shooters if you plan to complete the mission on difficulty above normal. Their death in a shootout will reduce your profit.
Accuracy is also important for shooters. During the operation, they will have to shoot back from SWAT special forces in the narrow corridors of the bank and on the city streets. Trevor and Michael They can compensate for weak partners with their shooting, but extra bullets in the back of the police will never hurt. It is recommended to choose characters with a balance between the cost of services and their skills.
- 🚓 Driver: Talaya Kaljian (Taliana Martinez) - the best choice, requires prior unlocking through a random event.
- 🔫 Shooter 1: Gurjit or Charlie Reed - optimal value for money.
- 💣 Shooter 2: Patrick McReary - if unlocked, or Darryl Jones.
- 🛠️ Technician: Rickie Lukens is the only hacking option available, but his share is fixed.
Purchasing equipment and choosing transport
The effectiveness of a robbery directly depends on the equipment chosen. For the “Smart” option, gas grenades are critically important, as they allow you to neutralize security guards and bank visitors without unnecessary shooting and noise in the initial phase. This gives you precious seconds to approach the storage facility.
When it comes to the getaway vehicle, the game offers several options, but not all of them are equally good. Bravado Buffalo (modified) is the most balanced choice. It has enough power to ram police courts and good handling to maneuver in traffic.
An alternative could be Declasse Granger or Karin Kuruma (if available), but classic muscle cars often perform better in urban racing conditions.
When choosing weapons, give preference to shotguns for close combat inside a building and machine guns with a high rate of fire for street shootings. Gas grenades are a must to quickly complete the first stage of the mission without attracting too much attention before the vault explodes.
| Equipment type | Recommendation | Impact on mission |
|---|---|---|
| Explosives | Thermite charges | Fast storage warm-up |
| Grenades | Gas | Putting guards to sleep without casualties |
| Weapons | Shotgun/SMG | Indoor efficiency |
| Transport | Bravado Buffalo | Speed and ramming power |
Beginning of the operation: infiltration and hacking
The mission begins with the team driving up to the bank. Your task is to act quickly and calmly. Immediately after entering the lobby, use gas grenades to put everyone present to sleep. This will prevent the police from calling special forces in the first seconds and will give you a head start in time.
Bye Michael and Trevor control the hall Franklin should head to the storage facility. This is where the mechanics of hacking come into play. You have to complete a drilling mini-game where you have to keep the pressure on the drill in the optimal zone. Drill overheating will lead to its breakdown and loss of time, which in the conditions of a robbery is similar to death.
When drilling a vault, try to take short breaks when the temperature indicator reaches 70-80% to prevent the tool from overheating.
After successfully opening the first door, the process is repeated for the second. Concentration is important here. Take your time, but don't hesitate either. Inside the vault, collect all the money from the stacks. Please note that time spent inside is directly converted into loot, so every extra second spent collecting increases your loot.
⚠️ Warning: If you fiddle with the drill for too long, the police may storm the building ahead of time, making it more difficult to exit the bank.
Evacuation: Race Through the City
The most difficult part of the mission “Rehearsal at Cherry” begins after leaving the bank. You have to get into a pre-prepared van and deliver it to your destination, located in an industrial zone. The route runs through busy streets where the police have already set up blocks and organized a pursuit.
Your job as a driver is not so much to reach maximum speed as to maintain momentum and avoid stopping. Police courts will try to block roads, so use sidewalks and narrow passages between buildings. The vehicle has good ramming potential; don’t be afraid to knock down light obstacles.
Gunners in the van must shoot pursuers on motorcycles and helicopters. The priority target is helicopters, as they can drop grenades directly into the back or shoot accurately at the driver. Constant fire by pursuing vehicles forces the police to slow down and maneuver, giving you an advantage.
- 🚔 Avoid head-on collisions: Ram the police at an angle to avoid losing speed.
- 🏎️ Use narrowness: In narrow alleys it is more difficult for large police vans to catch up with you.
- 🚁 Shooting at helicopters: Aim at the pilot or the engine to throw the vehicle off course.
- 🗺️ Map knowledge: Study the route in advance so you don't have to look for a turn at the last moment.
The route passes through tunnels and industrial areas. In tunnels, the police are less active in terms of ramming, but can create a traffic jam at the exit. Be prepared for sudden braking or maneuvering. If the van is heavily damaged, try to stay away from explosive objects such as fuel tankers.
Secrets of successful completion and getting gold
To receive a gold medal in this mission, you must fulfill a number of additional conditions. The main ones are delivering the van with the loot safe and sound, as well as minimizing the time spent on escape. Gold medal requires all team members to survive and the wanted level to be reset or the mission to be completed before maximum police forces arrive.
One of the main secrets is the use of alternative routes. Most players drive along the main route, where the police put up the most serious barriers. Try turning onto parallel streets or even driving into a construction site if this allows the shortest route to the finish.
Where can I find Talaiya Kaldjian?
She appears in the "Pickpocket" random event in the parking lot of the Premium Deluxe Motorsport dealership. You need to catch up with the stolen car and return it to its owner. After that, she will become available as a driver.
It is also worth remembering the distribution of roles during the race. If you're playing solo and switching between characters, do it strategically. Switch to gunner to shoot down the helicopter and immediately return to the driver for a tricky turn. Synchronization of actions is the key to success.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Many players fail due to simple ignorance of the route or incorrect assessment of transport capabilities. One of the common mistakes is trying to drive straight through a police cordon at high speed. This is almost guaranteed to cause the van to flip over and fail the mission.
Another mistake is saving on the driver. A cheap driver may get stuck at the first turn or crash into a wall, wasting critical time. Rememberthat the difference of 1-2% of the driver’s share is more than compensated by the successful completion of the mission without restarts.
⚠️ Attention: Do not ignore damage to the van. If the car starts to smoke and spark, its speed and controllability will drop sharply. Try to avoid large obstacles if the vehicle's health is critical.
Also, do not delay collecting money in the vault. Although every second adds up to money, staying inside too long increases the chances that the police will begin an assault before you leave. The optimal time is to collect the bulk and immediately move towards the exit.
Finish line and loot distribution
Once you reach the meeting point with the garbage truck, the final stage will begin. You need to transfer money quickly. At this point, the police may become active, so shooters need to be ready. After successful loading, the mission is considered completed.
The final screen will show the distribution of funds. Here you'll see how much each member earned, including equipment costs and shares of staff hired. If everything went perfectly, the amount will be impressive, which will allow you to buy new property or vehicles in the game.
☑️ Checklist before the start
Successfully completing “Rehearsal at Cherry” opens access to the final missions of the game, where the stakes will be even higher. The experience gained here will be invaluable for future operations. Careful preparation and cold calculation - this is the formula for success in the world of crime in Los Santos.
The main secret of success is not speed, but lack of stopping. It's better to drive slower but without braking at all, than fast but with the risk of getting stuck in a traffic jam or having an accident.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to complete the mission “Rehearsal at Cherry” alone?
Yes, the mission can be completed in single player mode, switching between three characters. However, this is much more difficult, as it requires perfect coordination between the driver and the shooters. In co-op (GTA Online), the task is simplified thanks to live partners.
What happens if the van with the money is destroyed?
If the van is destroyed or abandoned, the mission will fail. You will have to start the heist again. Therefore, keeping vehicles in working order is priority number one.
What bonus does choosing the “Smart” approach give?
The "smart" approach (option B) allows the use of gas grenades, which makes penetration quieter and faster. In addition, it often provides the opportunity to earn more money if you successfully complete additional tasks, such as keeping hostages alive (in some versions) or making a fast delivery.
Do I need to buy expensive weapons for this mission?
The standard arsenal available at this point in the game is quite sufficient. The main thing is to have gas grenades and, preferably, a shotgun or submachine gun with a good magazine. Buying the most expensive weapon does not provide a critical advantage.