The Rocket Launcher or RPG is a weapon that has appeared in almost every Grand Theft Auto game since the first.
Description
The Rocket Launcher is an extremely powerful weapon, capable of destroying almost anything capable of being damaged. The chief advantage of this weapon is its destructive power and area effect (with its blast being capable of inflicting heavy damage several meters away from the point of impact). Although its rockets self-destruct after traveling a certain distance, its range remains impressive. The weapon's disadvantages are its slow aiming, and its potential to seriously injure or kill the operator if a rocket detonates at close range.
GTA III — GTA Vice City Stories
In GTA III and GTA Vice City Stories, the rocket launcher resembles a US Army M72 LAW rocket launcher, with some aesthetic differences (the weapon is held by a handle on the bottom and fired through a scope, unlike the real life M72 LAW). In GTA Vice City, GTA San Andreas, and GTA Liberty City Stories, the rocket launcher resembles a Russian RPG-7 portable anti-tank rocket launcher. Its heavy weight will cause the protagonist to be slowed to a jogging pace and not be able to jump while the weapon is equipped except from Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories and onwards.
GTA IV — GTA Chinatown Wars
In Grand Theft Auto IV, the rocket launcher again resembles the Russian RPG-7 portable anti-tank grenade launcher; however, it is not fitted with the PGO-7 optical sight usually seen on the launchers. Unlike previous games where the player was forced into a stationary first-person perspective, the player now aims the rocket launcher from the over-the-shoulder perspective, allowing the player to strafe while aiming; the rocket launcher can also be fired while behind cover. The rocket can be deflected if the tip of the rocket does not hit a solid object. The rocket self-detonates when it reaches it maximum range. This is the most powerful weapon in the game, destroying any target with a direct hit and causing heavy damage and causalities with splash damage. The player does not need a direct hit on the fuselage of a helicopter to destroy it; the force of a detonating rocket can cause the pilot to lose control and crash.
The Rocket Launcher can be purchased at the back-alley gun shops for $15,000 plus $5,000 for each additional rocket. The Rocket Launcher cannot be bought from Little Jacob in GTA IV; however, the player can buy a Rocket Launcher from Terry Thorpe in The Lost and Damned or from Armando Torres in The Ballad of Gay Tony for $10,000 plus $3,500 for each additional rocket. The player is limited to a carrying capacity of 8 rockets. This weapon is available in multiplayer via helicopters, which instantly give players a RPG and full RPG ammo upon entry. The rocket launcher's scarcity, late availability, low carrying capacity, and high price means that the player should use the weapon with discretion.
Cedar Grove, Shoreside Vale - On the west side of the roof of the large pink house at the west end of The Homes (closest to Cochrane Dam). To get this weapon icon, wedge an Ambulance under the lowest part of the roof on the east side of the house, climb the Ambulance then to the roof, then go west along the south side of the roof to reach it.
Northwood, Algonquin - Can be found on a large boulder in the water north of Northwood. This is the easiest RPG pickup in the city.
Castle Gardens, Algonquin - Can be found in an alcove on the southeastern partition of the construction site seen in the mission Deconstruction for Beginners. The RPG is inside an alcove facing the water, and can only be reached by boat or with careful use of a helicopter.
