When playing Grand Theft Auto V, one of the most memorable and strategic missions you’ll face is “The Merryweather Heist.” This mission offers two very different approaches: Freighter and Offshore. While both are fun and action-packed in their own right, players often find themselves debating which route is better—and which one is easier to complete.
In this article, we’ll break down both options in terms of gameplay experience, difficulty, profit, and overall appeal to help you decide which heist path to take.
The Setup: Merryweather Heist
The Merryweather Heist is the first major heist that involves all three protagonists—Michael, Franklin, and Trevor—working together. Before starting the mission, Lester presents two options for completing the heist:
- Freighter: Involves sneaking onto a cargo ship and planting explosives to retrieve a mysterious device.
- Offshore: Involves stealing a military sub and a cargo bob to retrieve the device from an underwater wreck.
Each path has different setup missions, gameplay style, and rewards.
Freighter: Sneak and Destroy
In the Freighter option, Franklin provides sniper support while Michael infiltrates a cargo ship docked at the Los Santos Port. The mission requires stealth, timed explosive placement, and a quick escape once the ship is blown up. Trevor recovers the device after the explosion.
Pros of Choosing Freighter:
- More grounded and realistic: It plays out like a traditional spy mission.
- Better suited for players who prefer stealth and shooting mechanics.
- Doesn’t require flying or handling complex equipment like the sub or cargobob.
Cons of Freighter:
- Limited in scale: While intense, the mission lacks the epic feel of Offshore.
- Involves more on-foot combat: This can make things riskier if your stealth goes wrong.
- Less profit: In both paths, the device is returned to Merryweather without payment, but Freighter tends to feel less rewarding overall.
Difficulty Level:
- Moderate: While stealth adds challenge, the mission is relatively straightforward for most players familiar with GTA mechanics.
Offshore: Dive Deep and Fly High
The Offshore option is Trevor’s favorite, and it shows. It’s much more elaborate, requiring players to steal a military helicopter (Cargobob) and a submarine, then use them to extract a sunken device from the ocean floor.
Trevor pilots the sub, Michael oversees from above, and Franklin handles recon support.
Pros of Choosing Offshore:
- More cinematic and adventurous: Involves unique gameplay not seen elsewhere in GTA 5.
- Great for players who enjoy flying and deep-sea exploration.
- Feels more like a Hollywood heist.
Cons of Offshore:
- Setup is more time-consuming: You need to secure both the sub and the cargobob.
- Requires good flying skills: If you’re not comfortable flying, this may be frustrating.
- Still no payout: Just like Freighter, the device goes back to the government with no monetary reward.
Difficulty Level:
- Moderately Hard: Due to the complexity of the setup and use of unconventional vehicles.
Which One Is Better?
The answer depends on your play style:
- Choose Freighter if you prefer tactical combat, stealth missions, and simpler setups.
- Go with Offshore if you love elaborate setups, unique vehicles, and cinematic moments.
However, in terms of game design and experience, Offshore tends to be more dynamic and memorable. It’s also the only heist in the game that utilizes deep-sea mechanics, making it a standout moment in the campaign.
Which One Is Easier?
If you’re looking for the easier option, then Freighter wins:
- It has fewer moving parts and simpler objectives.
- No advanced flying or vehicle handling is required.
- Stealth can be a challenge, but it’s more manageable than flying a heavy cargobob and navigating the ocean floor.
Final Verdict
- Best for simplicity and ease: Freighter
- Best for gameplay variety and thrill: Offshore
Ultimately, GTA 5 allows players to tailor their heist experiences. Whether you like precise, tactical missions or big-budget action set pieces, both Freighter and Offshore offer something unique. If you’re playing the game more than once, it’s worth trying both paths to get the full range of gameplay that GTA 5 has to offer.
Pro Tip: Whichever you choose, make sure your characters are upgraded in relevant skills (like flying or stealth) to maximize performance during the mission.
Happy heisting!