GTA Online combat rewards players with the right tools and not the most tools. PvE missions and PvP fights are very different, so your loadout should include crowd control, vehicles, and fast player movement without slowing down.
This guide presents to you the best PvE and PvP loadout, describes the reason for each weapon’s effectiveness and also helps you not to waste money on weak upgrades.
Differences Between PvE and PvP Loadouts
In PvE fights, you have to use control and consistency. NPCs overwhelm you, take cover very badly, and often come in large numbers. You need guns with large magazines, low recoil, and fast reloads.
In PvP fights, you need to be fast and put pressure on your opponent. Real players sink, roll, fly, and attack from vehicles. You need weapons that punish mistakes, destroy vehicles, and finish the fight quickly.
A good loadout can be used in both modes but each mode has its preferred tools.
Best PvE Loadout (Missions, Heists, NPC Combat)
Core PvE Weapons
| Weapon | Why You Use It |
| Combat MG Mk II | High fire rate, large ammo pool, strong against groups |
| Special Carbine (base) | Drum mag + low recoil = reliable mission rifle |
| Assault Shotgun | Clears interiors and close-range rushes instantly |
| Heavy Sniper Mk II | Deletes helicopters and armored enemies |
| AP Pistol | Fully automatic backup, perfect while driving |
| Up-n-Atomizer | Pushes enemies, flips vehicles, fixes bad positioning |
PvE Explosives
- Sticky Bombs – for mission vehicles and chokepoints
- Homing Launcher – for helicopters during sell missions
This setup lets you clear rooms fast, hold objectives, and survive long missions without constant reloads.
Best PvP Loadout (Freemode, Player Fights)
Core PvP Weapons
| Weapon | PvP Purpose |
| Combat MG Mk II | Sustained fire and pressure on moving players |
| Heavy Revolver Mk II | High damage, breaks armored glass |
| Heavy Sniper Mk II | Destroys vehicles, knocks players down |
| Marksman Rifle Mk II | Faster firing sniper for close PvP |
| Pump Shotgun Mk II | Explosive slugs = close-range vehicle killer |
PvP Vehicle Counters
- Railgun – deals one-shot damage to the vehicle but takes time to reload
- Homing Launcher – gets easy lock-on against jets and Oppressors
- Sticky Bombs – they are bombs that are fixed to the vehicles and players or just cause explosions in circles around the vehicles and players
This loadout is designed to finish fights fast, not to trade bullets.
One Universal Loadout (PvE + PvP)
If you are looking for one setup that is good everywhere, take:
- Combat MG Mk II
- Special Carbine
- Heavy Sniper Mk II
- Assault Shotgun
- AP Pistol
- Sticky Bombs
- Up-n-Atomizer
This setup is suitable for:
- Missions
- Heists
- Freemode fights
- Surprise attacks
And keeps your weapon wheel neat and tidy.
Best Weapons to Upgrade First (Mk II Priority)
Upgrade these first for the best return on money:
| Weapon | Why Upgrade It |
| Combat MG | Better recoil + special ammo |
| Special Carbine | Armor-piercing rounds |
| Heavy Sniper | Explosive rounds + scopes |
| Assault Shotgun | Higher damage consistency |
The upgrades on these are the only compulsory things that need to be done. Involving more guns in your arsenal may not necessarily add to your prowess; on the contrary, having the right ones will do just that. PvE gives rewards in the form of control, max ammo, and stability, while PvP gives rewards in the form of damage, pressure, and vehicle counters. The Combat MG Mk II and Heavy Sniper Mk II are still the reigning champions as they help in solving the actual issues rather than just being showy.
