The Complete Edition bundles Grand Theft Auto IV with both episodes, The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony, into one Steam entry. The March 2020 update stripped out Games for Windows Live and the original multiplayer, added Steam achievements and moved DRM onto the Rockstar Games Launcher. Three campaigns overlap in the same Liberty City: Niko Bellic's 88 missions, Johnny Klebitz's 22 and Luis Lopez's 26, and all three converge on the same diamond deal from different sides.
Choosing the right role 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
| Role | Tier | Playstyle | Best Weapons | Beginner Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niko Bellic | A | Balanced | Combat Pistol | Yes |
| Johnny Klebitz | A | Balanced | Carbine Rifle | Yes |
| Luis Lopez | A | Balanced | Combat Shotgun | Yes |
| The Lost MC gang wars | A | Balanced | Grenade Launcher | Yes |
| Drug wars and club management | A | Balanced | Sticky Bombs | Yes |
New player? Start with Johnny Klebitz. See our beginner's guide for why.
Niko Bellic
Niko Bellic is a strong option in Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Weapons | Combat Pistol |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Euphoria ragdoll physics |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Combat Pistol
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Broker to learn Niko Bellic-specific mechanics
- Focus on Euphoria ragdoll physics. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Combat Pistol as your first major upgrade
- See our full Niko Bellic build guide for the optimal gear progression
Johnny Klebitz
Johnny Klebitz is a strong option in Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Weapons | Carbine Rifle |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Friend like percentage and favours |
Strengths
- Most versatile, adapts to any situation
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Carbine Rifle
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Broker to learn Johnny Klebitz-specific mechanics
- Focus on Friend like percentage and favours. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Carbine Rifle as your first major upgrade
- See our full Johnny Klebitz build guide for the optimal gear progression
Luis Lopez
Luis Lopez is a strong option in Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Weapons | Combat Shotgun |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Branching story choices |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Combat Shotgun
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Broker to learn Luis Lopez-specific mechanics
- Focus on Branching story choices. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Combat Shotgun as your first major upgrade
- See our full Luis Lopez build guide for the optimal gear progression
The Lost MC gang wars
The Lost MC gang wars is a strong option in Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Weapons | Grenade Launcher |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Cover shooting and free aim |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Grenade Launcher
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Broker to learn The Lost MC gang wars-specific mechanics
- Focus on Cover shooting and free aim. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Grenade Launcher as your first major upgrade
- See our full The Lost MC gang wars build guide for the optimal gear progression
Drug wars and club management
Drug wars and club management is a strong option in Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Weapons | Sticky Bombs |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Wanted level search circle |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Sticky Bombs
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Broker to learn Drug wars and club management-specific mechanics
- Focus on Wanted level search circle. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Sticky Bombs as your first major upgrade
- See our full Drug wars and club management build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Role Should You Pick?
For Beginners
Johnny Klebitz 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
Niko Bellic is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with Combat Pistol for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
Drug wars and club management 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 role.
For Group Play
The Lost MC gang wars shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
More Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition Guides
- Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition Overview
- Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition Best Builds
- Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition Tier List
- Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition Walkthrough
- Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition Beginner's Guide
- Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition Tips & Tricks
- Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition Weapons Guide
- Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition Combat Guide
- Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition Boss Guide
- Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition Maps & Locations
- Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition Crafting Guide
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