Survival in Liberty City often hinges on your ability to absorb damage. Armor and health pickups are crucial for staying alive during intense gunfights and dangerous missions. Always prioritize picking these up when available.
Armor:
- Body Armor Vest: Provides an additional layer of protection, absorbing damage before your health bar is affected. Armor vests can be purchased from Ammu-Nation or found as pickups in various locations (e.g., police stations, gang territories). The amount of armor provided by a pickup varies, but a full vest will give you 100 armor points. Remember that completing Vigilante Level 12 permanently increases your maximum armor capacity.
Health Pickups:
- Health Packs: Small green crosses that restore a portion of your health. Found scattered around the city, often near hospitals or in alleys.
- Food/Drink: Eating at fast-food restaurants (Cluckin' Bell, Burger Shot) or drinking from vending machines will restore a small amount of health.
- Prostitutes: Picking up a prostitute in your car and driving to a secluded spot will restore your health for a small fee.
- Safehouses: Entering your safehouse will fully restore your health and armor.
Maintaining high health and armor is paramount. Always try to start missions with full health and armor, and be aware of the locations of health and armor pickups in areas where you expect combat.