GTA 6 weapons and combat: handing guns over, free aim and no enemies on the minimap

Jason and Lucia can hand weapons to each other mid-firefight, aiming is freer and enemies vanish from the minimap. Everything confirmed about combat, with no leaks.

Combat has always been Grand Theft Auto's weak spot next to its driving. With the gameplay in "An Extended Look" and the information Rockstar shared afterwards, it can now be described without relying on rumours. Here is what is confirmed.

Handing weapons over: the new couple mechanic

This is the detail that drew most attention. Jason and Lucia can swap weapons during a firefight, physically handing them over, with no menus. It is there to change strategy on the fly: if one runs out of ammo or needs more range, the other passes it along.

It does not make the game co-op — GTA VI is still a single-player experience — but it does explain why Rockstar insists the pair works as a unit.

Freer aiming, and no enemies on the minimap

Two changes that go together and make fights harder:

• Aiming is freer than in previous GTA games. Aim assist still exists, but it can be adjusted in the settings.
• Enemies do not show on the minimap during combat, the same as was already known about the police. You watch the screen, not the radar.
• Aiming shows a reticle rather than a simple dot, and you can target specific body parts: shooting someone in the legs to leave them alive is a real option.

Swapping weapons without the wheel

You can finally switch between two weapons on the fly, without going through the weapon wheel. The video shows Lucia moving between a rifle and her pistol at a shooting range. It also shows that picking up an enemy's weapon is quicker and that some weapons can be carried one-handed while the other arm holds a bag.

Where long guns are stored

One detail with consequences: long weapons can be stored in any vehicle, but only the protagonists' personal vehicles keep the arsenal. Leave it in a stolen car and that storage is not permanent.

The confirmed arsenal

Official material shows pistols, SMGs, shotguns and assault rifles — including the Duke 556 Jason takes from an enemy. On top of that come the Ultimate Edition variants, such as the Hawk & Little Morgan revolvers, listed on Rockstar's own editions page.

Melee, disguises and character switching

• You can switch characters mid-combat, with no loading screen.
• Disguises change on the fly: masks, glasses or hats, just like weapons. It is not cosmetic — police identify you by face, clothes and vehicle.
• Some melee includes button sequences at specific moments.

What is not confirmed

So as not to repeat the mistake of assuming what has not been shown:

• There is no official weapon count.
• Functional customisation is not confirmed (sights, magazines). The Ultimate Edition variants are skins and special models, not attachments.
• No heavy weaponry such as rocket launchers has been shown. The series always having had it is not a confirmation.

Will GTA 6 combat feel like RDR2?

It shares the technical base, but the pace is faster and there are things RDR2 did not have, such as direct weapon swapping or handing guns between protagonists.

Can you play with aim assist?

Yes. Aim assist can be adjusted in the settings, although the design pushes towards free aim.

Is there a co-op mode?

No. Handing weapons over does not mean co-op: GTA VI ships as a single-player experience.

Sources: official gameplay "Grand Theft Auto VI: An Extended Look" (Rockstar Games); combat details reported by Vandal, Engadget and PC Gamer; Ultimate Edition contents via rockstargames.com.