GTA San Andreas: How To Max Out CJ’s Stats Fast

With the release of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, many players may be aiming to replay the classic entry in the series, San Andreas. The original GTA: San Andreas was released in 2004 but has since maintained a cult following and is considered one of the best games in the series. Players aiming to tackle the game once again might want to consider the best ways to make CJ as strong as possible by maxing his stats quickly.

CJ, the protagonist of San Andreas, possesses several skills and stats which can be increased throughout the course of the game. CJ’s stats are muscle, fat, sex appeal, lung capacity, health, and stamina. Additionally, players can also increase their skills in driving and shooting.

Increasing these abilities and stats brings several benefits. A muscly CJ will hit stronger, having high stamina will allow for longers sprints, and having a high sex appeal will have positive effects on potential romances. Developing skills will make vehicles more responsive and guns more accurate.

How to Increase CJ’s Stats in GTA: San Andreas

To max out CJ’s health early in San Andreas without using cheat codes, players should first head out to Angel Pine. The objective is to complete the 12 levels of the paramedic missions. Angel Pine is a small area, so players won’t need to travel far to reach patients. After completing all 12 levels, CJ’s health will be maxed out and he will receive $5000 to boot.

To gain muscle, players will need to have CJ lift weights often. If players work out too much, however, the game will tell them that the protagonist has worked out enough for the day, and prevent them from continuing. To try and get around this, players should stop at 39 reps, have CJ walk around for a bit to “reset” and then repeat.

To prevent muscle loss in GTA, players will also need to manage CJ’s fat meter. Getting fatter in San Andreas can impact CJ’s relationships and he will lose sex appeal and become slower. To lose fat fast, players can choose to work out at the gym or simply not feed CJ. After 48 in-game hours of not eating, CJ will begin to lose weight fast. However, if CJ does not have any fat when he becomes hungry he will also begin to lose muscle.

To increase stamina quickly, players will need to use the gym’s treadmill or stationary bike. If players get locked out of training due to over-exercising, they can use the save game feature to fast forward the rest of the day. Alternatively, completing the San Andreas Burglar missions by stealing over $10,000 worth of items, will give CJ infinite stamina.

Lung capacity can be the most laborious stat to increase, GTA offers few chances for underwater activities. To max it out fast, players should find a spot near the shore, have CJ submerge until he is almost out of breath, and run to land to recover breath faster. Alternatively, if players collect all 50 Oysters in the game, CJ will gain infinite lung capacity and as a bonus, will be able to date all women without meeting any of their usual physical requirements.

Sex appeal is a combination of many things in GTA. Expensive clothing, low riders, and sports cars are the most direct ways to raise it. Players can also have CJ tattooed or give him expensive haircuts. Using prostitutes will also provide a boost. Finally, how much muscle or fat CJ has will also have an impact, but it should be taken into account that San Andreas‘ potential girlfriends will have different preferences regarding this matter.

To increase weapon skill players can take a car somewhere isolated and shoot at the center of the tire. The car will not be destroyed, and players will skill up with any weapon they are shooting it with. Weapons with high rates of fire will level up very fast with this method, however, slower weapons such as the shotgun will take a while. Players can also attempt to get headshots when given the opportunity as it will reward CJ with a lot of skill points.

There is no known good trick to increase driving skills quickly other than to simply drive fast. The faster CJ goes, the faster the skill with the vehicle will increase. Players that wish to focus on leveling up driving in GTA: San Andreas can attempt to get all the gold trophies at the driving school, as it will provide other rewards while increasing CJ’s skills.

Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition is available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, and PC.

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