Facepunch Studios released Garry's Mod on November 29, 2006, built on Valve's Source engine and sold with no objectives at all in its base mode. By November 2024 it had sold 25.56 million copies, which makes it the best selling PC exclusive game ever released. Almost everything people actually play in it, from Trouble in Terrorist Town to DarkRP, is Lua written by the community rather than by Facepunch.
Choosing the right build shapes your entire experience. This guide breaks down every option: what they're good at, what they struggle with, and which one matches your playstyle. For optimized builds with full gear sets, see our builds guide.
Quick Comparison
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Best Equipment | Beginner Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandbox | A | Balanced | Physics Gun | Yes |
| Trouble in Terrorist Town | A | Balanced | Tool Gun | Yes |
| DarkRP | A | Balanced | Weld tool | Yes |
| Prop Hunt | A | Balanced | Thruster tool | Yes |
| Murder | A | Balanced | Wiremod | Yes |
New player? Start with Trouble in Terrorist Town. See our beginner's guide for why.
Sandbox
Sandbox is a strong option in Garry's Mod.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Physics Gun |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Physics Gun handling |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Physics Gun
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in gm_construct to learn Sandbox-specific mechanics
- Focus on Physics Gun handling. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Physics Gun as your first major upgrade
- See our full Sandbox build guide for the optimal gear progression
Trouble in Terrorist Town
Trouble in Terrorist Town is a strong option in Garry's Mod.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Tool Gun |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Tool Gun categories |
Strengths
- Most versatile, adapts to any situation
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Tool Gun
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in gm_construct to learn Trouble in Terrorist Town-specific mechanics
- Focus on Tool Gun categories. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Tool Gun as your first major upgrade
- See our full Trouble in Terrorist Town build guide for the optimal gear progression
DarkRP
DarkRP is a strong option in Garry's Mod.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Weld tool |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Lua gamemodes |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Weld tool
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in gm_construct to learn DarkRP-specific mechanics
- Focus on Lua gamemodes. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Weld tool as your first major upgrade
- See our full DarkRP build guide for the optimal gear progression
Prop Hunt
Prop Hunt is a strong option in Garry's Mod.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Thruster tool |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Steam Workshop addons |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Thruster tool
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in gm_construct to learn Prop Hunt-specific mechanics
- Focus on Steam Workshop addons. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Thruster tool as your first major upgrade
- See our full Prop Hunt build guide for the optimal gear progression
Murder
Murder is a strong option in Garry's Mod.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Wiremod |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Mounting other Source games |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Wiremod
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in gm_construct to learn Murder-specific mechanics
- Focus on Mounting other Source games. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Wiremod as your first major upgrade
- See our full Murder build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Build Should You Pick?
For Beginners
Trouble in Terrorist Town is the clear winner. It's forgiving, teaches core mechanics, and remains competitive into endgame. Follow our beginner's guide for the best first-session experience.
For Maximum Performance
Sandbox is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with Physics Gun for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
Murder offers the highest skill ceiling. It's punishing when misplayed but incredibly rewarding when mastered. Only recommended after you've completed the game with another build.
For Group Play
Prop Hunt shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
More Garry's Mod Guides
- Garry's Mod Garry's Mod Overview
- Garry's Mod Best Builds
- Garry's Mod Tier List
- Garry's Mod Walkthrough
- Garry's Mod Beginner's Guide
- Garry's Mod Tips & Tricks
- Garry's Mod Weapons Guide
- Garry's Mod Combat Guide
- Garry's Mod Boss Guide
- Garry's Mod Maps & Locations
- Garry's Mod Crafting Guide
Similar Games
If you enjoy Garry's Mod, check out these related guides:
- Terraria Classes Guide: sandbox game with similar mechanics
- VRChat Classes Guide: sandbox game with similar mechanics
- Tabletop Simulator Classes Guide: sandbox game with similar mechanics
