Pay Phone Missions
Pay Phone Missions in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City offer a series of clandestine assassination contracts that Tommy Vercetti can undertake to earn money and advance his reputation. These missions are initiated by answering specific pay phones scattered throughout the city, each offering a unique target and a set of challenges.
These missions are a great way to earn extra cash, especially early in the game, and they also serve as a good introduction to the more targeted assassination aspects of Tommy's criminal career. The targets are often individuals who have crossed the wrong people, and Tommy is hired to discreetly eliminate them.
How to Start:
To begin a Pay Phone Mission, Tommy must find one of the desated pay phones. These phones are marked on the in-game map with a green phone icon. When Tommy approaches a pay phone, he will receive a prompt to answer it. Once answered, a voice on the other end will give Tommy his target and the details of the assassination.
Locations of Pay Phones:
Pay phones are strategically placed in various districts of Vice City. Some common locations include:
- Downtown
- Ocean Beach
- Vice Point
- Little Haiti
- Washington Beach
It's advisable to explore the map and mark these locations for future reference. The specific missions available at each phone can vary, so visiting multiple phones is recommended.
Mission Types and Strategies:
The targets and their locations vary, requiring different approaches. Some targets might be easily accessible, while others might be heavily guarded or in difficult-to-reach areas. Common mission objectives include:
- Direct Assassination: Simply find the target and eliminate them using any weapon.
- Timed Assassinations: The target may be on the move or in a location that requires quick action.
- Stealthy Eliminations: Some targets might require a more discreet approach, perhaps using a silenced weapon or a sniper rifle.
- Vehicle-Based Targets: The target might be in a car, requiring Tommy to chase and destroy the vehicle or eliminate the occupants.
Tips for Success:
- Preparation is Key: Before accepting a mission, ensure Tommy is well-armed. Having several weapons, including a powerful handgun, an assault rifle, and potentially a sniper rifle, is beneficial.
- Scout the Area: If the target is in a difficult location, take a moment to scout the area and plan your approach. Identify potential threats and escape routes.
- Use Vehicles Wisely: Vehicles can be used for quick getaways or to ram targets. However, be mindful of police attention.
- Save Often: Pay Phone Missions can be challenging. Save your game before accepting a mission to avoid losing progress if you fail.
- Consider the Reward: The payout for these missions varies. Prioritize those that offer a good return on investment for the effort required.
Example Pay Phone Mission:
One common mission involves a target at a construction site. Tommy might need to use a sniper rifle to take them out from a distance or use an assault rifle to clear out guards before confronting the target directly. Another might involve a target in a busy street, requiring Tommy to act quickly before the police arrive.
Pay Phone Missions are a fun and rewarding way to experience more of Vice City's underbelly and to hone Tommy's skills as an assassin.