Protagonist stats and abilities shape how Michael, Franklin, and Trevor move, shoot, fly, and endure in GTA V.
Role
Protagonist skills
Story-mode ability bars for Michael, Franklin, and Trevor.
Special
How long the protagonist's Special Ability can remain active when fully charged. Store more charge for a greater maximum duration. Methods to increase are character-dependant.
- Role
- Character ability
- Effect
- Extends Special Ability duration when fully charged
- How to increase
- Use Special Ability frequently; each protagonist levels independently
- Max value
- 100
- Character
- Franklin / Michael / Trevor (independent)
Stamina
How long the protagonist can run, swim, or cycle at full speed before losing health due to over-exertion. Increase by practicing any of these disciplines as that protagonist.
- Role
- Core skill
- Effect
- Grants longer sprint, swim and cycle time before health loss
- How to increase
- Sprint, swim or cycle as that protagonist
- Max value
- 100
- Character
- All protagonists
Shooting
The protagonist's skill in handling various firearms. Dampens recoil, reduces reload time, and increases ammo capacity. Increase by landing hits on enemies, scoring headshots, and successfully completing Shooting Range challenges.
- Role
- Core skill
- Effect
- Improves recoil control, reload speed and ammo capacity
- How to increase
- Land hits and headshots; complete Shooting Range challenges
- Max value
- 100
- Character
- All protagonists
Strength
The protagonist's physical power and resilience. Boosts melee damage, speeds up ladder climbing, improves sporting ability, and reduces several types of incoming damage. Increase it by landing melee hits and practicing sports.
- Role
- Core skill
- Effect
- Increases melee damage, climb speed and reduces damage taken
- How to increase
- Play golf, tennis, arm wrestle or win fistfights
- Max value
- 100
- Character
- All protagonists
Stealth
The protagonist's skill at remaining undetected. Move more quickly and quietly when in stealth mode. Increase by remaining undetected in stealth more and performing silent takedowns.
- Role
- Core skill
- Effect
- Enables faster, quieter movement while undetected
- How to increase
- Use stealth takedowns and stay hidden from enemies
- Max value
- 100
- Character
- All protagonists
Flying
The protagonist's skill in the cockpit of various aircraft. Take off, land, and manage turbulence more easily. Increase by flying under control for sustained periods and succeeding at Flight School challenges.
- Role
- Core skill
- Effect
- Improves aircraft handling, takeoff and landing
- How to increase
- Complete Flying School and pilot aircraft for 10+ hours game time
- Max value
- 100
- Character
- All protagonists
Driving
The protagonist's skill behind the wheel or handlebars. Pop wheelies more easily and retain more control while airborne. Increase by holding wheelies and landing squarely out of big jumps.
- Role
- Core skill
- Effect
- Improves vehicle control, wheelies and mid-air handling
- How to increase
- Complete Driving School and stay airborne with wheels planted
- Max value
- 100
- Character
- All protagonists
Lung Capacity
How long the protagonist can hold his breath underwater before losing health. Remain submerged for longer. Increase by diving and swimming underwater.
- Role
- Core skill
- Effect
- Extends underwater breath time before drowning
- How to increase
- Practice underwater swimming and collect submarine pieces
- Max value
- 100
- Character
- All protagonists
Skill bars with different training loops
Special, Stamina, Shooting, Strength, Stealth, Flying, Driving, and Lung Capacity each respond to specific actions. Stamina builds through running and swimming, shooting improves at the range and in combat, stealth grows through undetected movement, and driving and flying reward control rather than speed alone.
Special is character-specific
Unlike the shared trainable bars, each protagonist's Special Ability charges and behaves differently. Treat Special as a character trait rather than a universal stat to grind the same way for all three.
Use for progression context
Compare these bars to understand what a save has emphasized. A strong flying bar reflects air time, while lung capacity reflects underwater time rather than generic playtime.
FAQ
How do I raise Stamina?
Run, swim, and cycle regularly. Consistent movement builds Stamina faster than short sprints.
Is Special the same for all three protagonists?
No. Each character's Special Ability has its own charge and use pattern.
Does GTA Online use the same stats?
No. Online has a separate character progression system.