Franklin in GTA 5: Why He’s the Best Character to Start With
So you’ve just booted up Grand Theft Auto V for the first time. The opening cutscene drops you into a bank heist in a snowstorm, then flashes forward nine years to sun-baked Los Santos – and there he is: Franklin Clinton, chilling in his aunt’s house in Strawberry, just waiting for his shot. For a lot of players, Franklin in GTA 5 is the character they connect with most right off the bat. And honestly? That makes sense. He’s grounded, street-smart, and his story arc is one of the most satisfying in the whole game.
But here’s the thing – a lot of new players don’t get the most out of him. They rush through missions, ignore his special ability, and leave serious money on the table. This guide covers everything you need to know about playing as Franklin effectively, from his early-game hustle to the late-game decisions that shape everything.
Franklin’s Backstory – And Why It Actually Matters
Before we get into mechanics, it’s worth understanding who Franklin is, because his background directly shapes how his story plays out. He grew up in Strawberry, south LS, running with the Families gang. By the time the game starts, he’s working as a repo man for a shady car dealership called Premium Deluxe Motorsport – basically doing dirty errands for his sleazy boss, Simeon Yetarian.
The whole early game is about Franklin trying to climb out of a rut while everyone around him – his friend Lamar, his aunt Denise, his gang ties – keeps pulling him back. Then he crosses paths with Michael De Santa, a retired heist man living in Rockford Hills under witness protection, and everything changes.
His arc is genuinely compelling. Don’t skip the cutscenes. They’re short, sharp, and they give you real context for why you’re doing what you’re doing.
Getting to Know Franklin’s Special Ability
Every protagonist in GTA 5 has a unique skill tied to their background, and Franklin’s is arguably the most useful for new players. His special ability slows down time while driving, giving you a brief window to make sharp turns, dodge traffic, or nail high-speed getaways without smashing into a barrier for the fifth time in a row.
Here’s how it works in practice:
- Hold L3 + R3 on PlayStation (LS + RS on Xbox) simultaneously while driving to activate it.
- The effect lasts a few seconds and drains a meter in the bottom-left corner of the HUD.
- The meter refills automatically over time, and faster if you drive recklessly – yes, the game rewards chaos.
- You can upgrade this ability at the in-game gym, which extends both its duration and recharge speed.
This ability is genuinely powerful during chase sequences, time-sensitive delivery missions, and especially during races. New players tend to forget it’s even there. Don’t be that person.
Franklin’s Starting Stats and What to Focus On
When you first take control of Franklin, his stats are already skewed in a particular direction. He’s the most naturally athletic of the three protagonists, which shows up immediately in how he plays.
| Stat | Starting Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shooting | Low | Needs work – practice at the shooting range |
| Strength | Medium | Improves through melee combat and sport activities |
| Stealth | Low | Useful for certain missions; improves through crouched movement |
| Driving | Medium-High | Boosted by his special ability |
| Flying | Very Low | Not a priority early; Michael is better here |
| Lung Capacity | Low | Swim underwater to level this up passively |
| Stamina | Medium | Running and cycling build this quickly |
The biggest mistake new players make? Ignoring the Shooting range at Ammu-Nation. Get in there early and run through the bronze/silver/gold challenges. Even reaching silver on most events will bump Franklin’s shooting stats noticeably, which makes the mid-game missions way less frustrating.
The Early Missions – What You Should Know
Franklin’s opening missions ease you in, but they’re teaching you things even if it doesn’t feel like it. Here’s a breakdown of what to pay attention to:
- Repossessions – This is your first real mission, sent by Lamar. You’re stealing a motorcycle from a gang member. It’s simple, but it introduces the core tension: every job Franklin takes has some angle where someone’s getting played. Pay attention to the dialogue. The banter between Franklin and Lamar is genuinely funny, and it sets up their dynamic for the rest of the game.
- Complications – This is where you first meet Michael. You repo his son Jimmy’s car, Michael wakes up, chaos ensues. It’s the inciting incident for everything. After this mission, the world opens up considerably.
- Chop – You get a dog. Chop the Rottweiler becomes a semi-permanent companion for Franklin, and you can actually level him up through the iFruit mobile app if you want. Not essential, but a fun side activity.
The thing to know about Franklin’s early missions is that most of them involve vehicles in some way – driving, chasing, escaping. This is intentional. The game is training you to rely on his special ability. Lean into it.
Money, Properties, and What Franklin Should Buy First
Franklin starts the game broke. Like, genuinely broke – living in a cramped house in Strawberry with his aunt complaining at him constantly.
Getting money flowing early is important, and there are a few reliable ways to do it without straying too far into spoiler territory:
- Armored trucks show up randomly on the map marked with a small truck icon. Ram or blast open the back and grab the cash – usually $3,000-$8,000 per truck. It takes some heat off your Wanted level, but it’s steady income.
- Convenience store robberies are low-effort. Walk in, point a gun at the cashier, grab the register cash, leave. You’re looking at a few hundred dollars each time, but it adds up and keeps the heat manageable.
- Strangers and Freaks missions – these show up as colored icons on the map and often come with decent payouts plus unique content. Franklin gets some particularly good ones tied to characters like Tonya (tow truck missions) and the street races that unlock after you meet Hao.
- Street races are easily the best early money-maker for Franklin specifically. Once Hao’s races unlock, you can clear $500-$2,000 per race, and Franklin’s driving ability means you’ve got a real edge on AI opponents. Run these repeatedly. Invest the winnings in better weapons and body armor before anything else.
As for property – don’t rush it. Early properties in GTA 5 cost a lot and pay back slowly. The Los Santos Customs garage that becomes available to Franklin at some point during the story is one worth grabbing because it gives you free repairs and modifications, which saves you more money in the long run than most other purchases.
Franklin’s Best Weapons for Early and Mid-Game
Franklin doesn’t start with anything impressive, but you can build a solid loadout quickly. Here’s a practical tier rundown of what to prioritize:
Tier 1 – Get these immediately:
- Pistol (already owned, free upgrades at Ammu-Nation).
- Micro SMG or SMG – flexible, good for drive-bys and on-foot firefights.
- Combat MG – expensive but worth saving for.
Tier 2 – Get these when you can afford them:
- Assault Rifle (AK-style) – workhorse weapon for most missions.
- Pump Shotgun – devastating in close quarters, cheap.
- Sniper Rifle – opens up a huge tactical advantage in outdoor missions.
Tier 3 – Late game:
- Special Carbine.
- Heavy Sniper.
- RPG (use sparingly – police response is brutal).
One tip that doesn’t get enough attention: always buy armor at the start of a mission. It costs around $500 for basic body armor and it can eat several bullets that would otherwise down you. Always. Buy. The armor.
Switching Between Characters – How Franklin in GTA 5 Fits In
Once Michael is unlocked and then Trevor later on, you’ll be jumping between all three characters. Franklin occupies an interesting role in the trio. He’s the street-level operative – the one who handles the legwork while Michael does the planning and Trevor does the unhinged stuff.
| Character | Strengths | Special Ability |
|---|---|---|
| Franklin | Driving, athleticism, adaptability | Slow-motion driving |
| Michael | Shooting, tactical planning, connections | Bullet time (on foot) |
| Trevor | Raw damage output, explosives, intimidation | Rampage mode (reduced damage taken, increased damage dealt) |
You can switch between characters freely in open-world play by holding down on the D-pad (console) and selecting from a radial menu. Each character has their own location and ongoing life in Los Santos, so it’s worth checking in on Franklin even when you’re grinding with the others – ambient events happen around him even when you’re not in control.
Story Missions Specific to Franklin – Don’t Skip These
Several missions are Franklin-centric and optional in the sense that you can push the main story past them without engaging – but you really shouldn’t:
- The Los Santos Freeway Races with Hao aren’t just fun – they’re tied to unlocking faster vehicles and developing Franklin’s driving stat. Complete all four of Hao’s races before you hit the mid-game missions.
- Tonya’s Tow Truck Missions are a series of Strangers and Freaks missions that tell a quiet, surprisingly touching side story about addiction and loyalty. Not much money, but they add real texture to Franklin’s character.
- The Epsilon Program missions – technically available to all characters but Franklin gets a unique chain of them. These are strange, satirical, and quite long. Worth doing once for the payoff, which is either cash or a rare vehicle depending on your choices.
- The Assassination Missions from Lester deserve special mention. These become available to Franklin after a certain story point, and they’re some of the best-designed content in the game.
There are five of Assassination Missions total:
- The Hotel Assassination.
- The Multi Target Assassination.
- The Vice Assassination.
- The Bus Assassination.
- The Construction Assassination.
Important: The first one, the Hotel Assassination, you have to do to progress the story. For the remaining four – hold off until you’ve completed the final heist. There’s a brilliant money strategy tied to the in-game stock market (BAWSAQ and LCN) that lets you turn the assassination targets into massive passive income. Invest before the mission, complete it, then sell high. Players have used this to hit the in-game billionaire threshold. It’s not a glitch – it’s intentional. Just don’t burn those missions early.
Franklin’s Ending – The Choice That Actually Matters
Without spoiling every detail: at the end of GTA 5, there’s a decision point that involves all three protagonists. The choice you make directly determines which ending you get, and it has major consequences for Franklin’s future.
There are three possible outcomes tied to this decision:
- Option A – triggers a specific ending where Franklin acts on Michael’s behalf.
- Option B – triggers a different outcome tied to Trevor.
- Option C – Franklin chooses a third path, teaming up with both to take on the antagonists.
Most veteran players recommend Option C for your first playthrough. It’s the most satisfying narratively, it keeps all three characters alive, and it results in a significant cash payout that sets up your post-story open world experience well. The other two endings are shorter and, frankly, less rewarding – though they’re worth seeing on a second run if you’re curious.
FAQ
What is Franklin’s special ability in GTA 5?
Franklin can slow down time while driving, giving you tighter control in high-speed chases or tight turns. Activate it by pressing L3 + R3 (PlayStation) or LS + RS (Xbox) while in a vehicle.
Is Franklin the best starting character in GTA 5?
For new players, yes. His driving-focused ability is the most consistently useful early on, and his story arc is the most straightforward to follow as an introduction to the game.
How do I increase Franklin’s stats quickly?
Driving recklessly builds his special ability meter. Running and swimming improve stamina and lung capacity passively. Visit the shooting range at Ammu-Nation regularly for shooting stat gains, and do melee combat (or play sports activities) to build strength.
Can Franklin buy properties in GTA 5?
Yes. Several properties become available to Franklin as the story progresses, including garages and businesses. The Los Santos Customs garage is one of the most practically useful early purchases.
When should I do the Assassination Missions?
Do the Hotel Assassination when it becomes available (it’s required). Hold off on the other four until after you complete the final heist. Then use the BAWSAQ/LCN stock market system to make serious money off each target.
What’s the best weapon loadout for Franklin early in the game?
An SMG for drive-bys, an assault rifle for most missions, a pump shotgun for close quarters, and always body armor equipped before any mission starts. Upgrade your pistol at Ammu-Nation early – it costs little and helps more than you’d think.
Which ending should I pick for Franklin?
Option C on your first playthrough. It keeps everyone alive, pays out well, and gives the most satisfying conclusion to the three-character story arc.
Final Thoughts
Franklin Clinton doesn’t get as much spotlight as Michael’s existential crisis or Trevor’s unhinged rampage, but he’s arguably the most relatable character in GTA 5. His story is about ambition, loyalty, and the gap between where you come from and where you want to be – and Rockstar told that story well.
If you’re new to the game, give his arc the attention it deserves. Upgrade his driving ability early, use the stock market trick for the assassination missions, and don’t rush the ending. Los Santos is massive, and Franklin’s got a lot of ground to cover.
Take your time. Enjoy the ride.
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