Grand Theft Auto III
Grand Theft Auto III

Mission Giver: Salvatore Leone

Work for Salvatore Leone, Don of the Leone Family, in Grand Theft Auto III. Engage with this powerful Mafia leader through missions in Portland.

Mission Giver: Salvatore Leone

Salvatore Leone is the Don of the Leone Family, one of Liberty City's most powerful and traditional Mafia organizations. As Claude, you'll find yourself working directly for Salvatore during your time in Portland, particularly after your initial encounters with the Leone family through Luigi Goterelli. Salvatore operates from his sprawling mansion in Saint Mark's, Portland, a heavily guarded compound that serves as the nerve center for his operations. He is a shrewd, often paranoid, and ruthless leader, deeply entrenched in the city's criminal underworld.

Working for Salvatore Leone is a pivotal part of the early-to-mid game progression in Grand Theft Auto III. These missions will introduce you to the inner workings of the Leone family, their rivals, and the treacherous nature of gang loyalty in Liberty City. Completing his missions is essential to unlocking new areas of the city and advancing the main storyline.

Salvatore Leone's Missions

Here's a detailed breakdown of the missions you'll undertake for Salvatore Leone, including strategies, tips, and potential pitfalls:

1. Chaperone
  • Objective: Drive Maria Latore, Salvatore's wife, to various locations around Portland.
  • Location: Salvatore's Mansion, Saint Mark's.
  • Strategy:
    • Maria will want to visit several spots: first, the pharmacy in Hepburn Heights, then the park in Portland View, and finally, a party in the Red Light District.
    • The key here is smooth driving. Maria is easily agitated, and reckless driving will decrease her mood, potentially failing the mission if it drops too low.
    • Avoid hitting other cars, pedestrians, or taking excessive damage.
    • At the park, you'll encounter a brief cutscene with some Colombian Cartel members. No combat is required here; just observe.
    • After the party, drive Maria back to Salvatore's Mansion.
  • Reward: $2,000
  • Tips: Take your time, use a reliable vehicle (your own or a sturdy sedan), and follow traffic laws as much as possible.
2. Cutting the Grass
  • Objective: Follow and eliminate a Forelli Family informant.
  • Location: Salvatore's Mansion, Saint Mark's.
  • Strategy:
    • Salvatore suspects a snitch within the Forelli family. You'll need to follow a car that picks up the informant from the docks.
    • Maintain a safe distance to avoid being spotted. The informant's car will drive through Portland.
    • Once the car stops at a secluded spot in the Portland View cemetery, the informant will exit.
    • Elimination: You can either run him over with your car, which is quick and efficient, or get out and shoot him. Be prepared for a small shootout if you choose the latter, as the driver will likely retaliate.
    • After the informant is dead, the mission is complete.
  • Reward: $3,000
  • Tips: A fast, durable car is recommended for the tailing sequence. If you opt for a shootout, make sure you have body armor and a decent weapon like the Uzi or Shotgun.
3. Bomb Da Base: Act I
  • Objective: Pick up 8-Ball and drive him to the Portland Docks to plant explosives on a Colombian Cartel ship.
  • Location: Salvatore's Mansion, Saint Mark's.
  • Strategy:
    • First, pick up 8-Ball from his bomb shop in Harwood.
    • Drive him to the designated spot at the Portland Docks.
    • Crucial Note: This mission is split into two parts. Act I is purely transportation. Act II will involve the actual bombing.
    • The main challenge here is getting to 8-Ball and then to the docks without attracting too much attention or damaging your vehicle, as you'll need it for the next part.
  • Reward: None (this mission leads directly into Act II)
  • Tips: Ensure your car is in good condition before picking up 8-Ball.
4. Bomb Da Base: Act II
  • Objective: Provide sniper cover for 8-Ball as he plants bombs on the Cartel ship.
  • Location: Portland Docks (after Act I).
  • Strategy:
    • After dropping 8-Ball off, you'll be given a Sniper Rifle. Position yourself on the rooftop overlooking the ship.
    • Your primary role is to eliminate any Colombian Cartel members who attempt to stop 8-Ball. They will appear from various points on the ship and the surrounding dock area.
    • Prioritize targets that are directly engaging 8-Ball. Watch for enemies on the ship's deck, gangways, and even those running along the dock.
    • The Sniper Rifle has limited ammo, so make your shots count. Headshots are instant kills.
    • Keep an eye on 8-Ball's health bar. If it drops to zero, the mission fails.
    • Once 8-Ball successfully plants the bombs, a timer will start. The ship will explode, and the mission will be complete.
  • Reward: $15,000
  • Tips: Take your time aiming. The sniper rifle can be tricky to use initially. If you run out of sniper ammo, you can try to descend and engage with other weapons, but this is far riskier. Practice your aim before starting this mission if you're not comfortable with the sniper.
5. Last Requests
  • Objective: Drive to a specific location to pick up a car, which turns out to be a trap.
  • Location: Salvatore's Mansion, Saint Mark's.
  • Strategy:
    • Salvatore, increasingly paranoid, will ask you to pick up a "special" car from a garage in the Portland Docks.
    • Drive to the garage. Upon entering the car, a cutscene will reveal that the vehicle is rigged with a bomb, set to explode once you drive it a short distance.
    • Crucial: Maria will call you just before you enter the car, warning you of the trap. DO NOT ENTER THE CAR.
    • Instead, abandon the car and run away. Maria will instruct you to meet her at the hideout in the Red Light District.
    • Head to the new marker. This effectively ends your association with Salvatore Leone for now and marks a significant turning point in the story.
  • Reward: None (story progression and survival)
  • Common Pitfall: Many new players fall for the trap and enter the car, leading to an instant mission failure. Always heed Maria's warning!
  • Lore Significance: This mission highlights Salvatore's paranoia and ruthlessness, as he attempts to eliminate Claude, believing he's become too close to Maria or a potential threat. It also sets up your move to Staunton Island.

General Tips for Salvatore's Missions

  • Vehicle Choice: For missions involving driving, always choose a sturdy and relatively fast car. The Mafia Sentinel, often found near Salvatore's mansion, is a good option.
  • Weaponry: Ensure you have a decent arsenal before starting missions, especially those involving combat. The Uzi, Shotgun, and Grenades are always useful.
  • Body Armor: Always pick up body armor if available before a mission, especially "Bomb Da Base: Act II."
  • Saving: Save your game frequently, especially before starting a mission for Salvatore. These missions can be challenging, and you don't want to lose progress.
  • Explore Portland: Familiarize yourself with Portland's layout. Knowing shortcuts and key locations will save you time and trouble during timed or chase missions.

Completing Salvatore Leone's missions marks your transition from a low-level grunt to a more significant player in Liberty City's criminal landscape, albeit one who has now made a powerful enemy. This arc is crucial for unlocking the next island and continuing Claude's journey of revenge.