Wanted Level in GTA Chinatown Wars

The wanted level in Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is substantially different from previous iterations. Rather than the proximity-based system used in Grand Theft Auto IV, it returns to a version similar to that of the GTA III era. The most notable difference to this is how stars are lost. Though over time they do lower themselves, and can still be lost at a Pay 'n' Spray, stars can also be removed by disabling police cars. Each wanted level has a corresponding number of cars to take out (ie, the first level has one car, the second has two, etc). The cars can be taken out by ramming at high speed, attacking, or by forcing them to crash. There is a slight delay period after this before the rating will lower, and the player is on "probationary" stars for a period, as in GTA III era games, before being clear.

Wanted Levels

One star

A one star wanted level is obtained when the player does a "minor crime". Any LCPD police patrols will give chase and attempt to arrest the player on sight. Officers on foot uses the nightstick against the player. Police cars follow the player at relatively lower speeds. A one star wanted level can be removed by staying out of trouble and police sight for a short while, using the Pay 'n Spray or disabling one police vehicle.

A one-star Wanted level is attained by committing the following crimes:

• Grand theft auto
• Homicide
• Skipping past a tollbooth
• Using a weapon, explosives or flames
• Damaging a police vehicle
• Blowing up one or two civilian cars

Two stars

At two stars, officers shoot to kill more often. Officers in cars now chase the player, rather than simply following behind, and often try to overtake the player or run them off-road.

Two Wanted stars are attained by:

• Killing or wounding a police officer
• When drug dealing, there is a semi-random chance of a drug bust happening, which leads to two-stars.
• Continuing to cause collateral damage (killing civilians and destroying vehicles)

Three stars

At three stars, a police helicopter chases the player. Roadblocks are also set up using Police Cruisers, and the NOOSE joins the LCPD. The NOOSE uses the heavy Enforcers which are harder to take out by disabling them. The NOOSE teams also use the Micro Uzi to engage the player.

Three Wanted stars are attained by:

• Continuing to retaliate against law enforcment
• Continuing to cause collateral damage

Four stars

At four stars, more Enforcers are dispatched and more Police cars are also sent out. The FIB will also chase the player using the FIB Rancher. The FIB Ranchers are slightly easier to take out than the NOOSE Enforcers, but are much faster to compensate. FIB teams come only one a vehicle and use the Micro Uzi to engage the player.

Four Wanted stars are attained by:

• Continuing to retaliate against law enforcement
• Continuing to cause collateral damage

Five stars

On this level, higher amounts of FIB Ranchers, Enforcers and Police Cruisers pursue the player and become more aggressive on foot and on the road.

Five Wanted stars are attained by

• Continuing to retaliate against law enforcement
• Continuing to cause collateral damage

Six stars

At six stars, the army joins the fray. The army engages the player relentlessly without any regard for collateral damage. The army sends Rhino tanks after the player. Unlike the GTA III era soldiers, the army uses the Rhino's turret in full effect. Soldiers on foot are armed with AK47s, and the player must move and/or retaliate quickly to avoid being cut down by gunfire. 21 police vehicles must be disabled to eliminate this wanted level.

Six Wanted stars are attained by:

• Continuing to retaliate against law enforcement
• Continuing to cause collateral damage