Special Abilities

In Grand Theft Auto V, Special Abilities are unique abilities given to Michael De Santa, Franklin Clinton, and Trevor Philips. Each protagonist has his own specialty; however, they are activated in the same manner by depressing both thumbsticks at the same time. Each character's special ability is denoted by a gold meter below the Radar. This meter drains as a character's special ability is used and is replenished in various ways. The special ability lasts until the meter is empty, or it can be deactivated at any time by depressing both thumbsticks again.

Michael

As a skilled marksman, Michael's special ability allows him to slow down time when using a firearm to pick off targets with ease, an ability called Bullet Time, an effect also from the Max Payne series and known as Dead-Eye in the Red Dead series. Michael's special ability can only be activated on foot, and the meter is replenished by driving at high speeds and performing special kills such as headshots and stealth takedowns.

Franklin

As a skilled driver, Franklin's special ability allows him to slow down time while driving to perform tricky maneuvers such as evading traffic and cornering at high speeds, similar to the "Zone" ability in the Midnight Club series. Franklin's ability can also assist him in drive-by shooting. Franklin's special ability can only be activated in motorised road vehicles and cannot be used with bicycles, watercraft, or aircraft, and the meter is replenished by preforming driving stunts such as driving at high speeds, facing oncoming traffic and narrowly avoiding collisions.

Trevor

As a drug-addled sociopath, Trevor's special ability allows him to enter "rage mode", dealing double damage to enemies and making him near invulnerable to damage, allowing Trevor to survive certain situations that would otherwise kill him, such as falling from a great height or standing too close to an explosion; however, Trevor is still susceptible to ragdolling. Trevor's special ability can only be activated on foot, and the meter is replenished by driving at high speeds, killing enemies and taking damage.