Street fights in GTA 5 aren’t just about throwing punches-they’re about timing, precision, and control. Whether you’re knocking out enemies in alleys or brawling with the cops, mastering melee combat can turn every confrontation into a statement of dominance.
Performing dodges correctly will help you keep the health bar at the safe level
In the fifth installment to the series, melee fights have not changed too much, in comparison with Grand Theft Auto IV. You will learn about the mechanics of fighting, for the first time, towards the end of the fifth main mission, but there is nothing to stop you from learning it on your own.
You should start each fight by locking onto the opponent. You can throw slow or fast attacks. The former carry a greater probability of reaching the target, but they do not inflict much damage. Strong attacks, ion the other hand, may be unsuccessful but, if they reach the target, they are capable of inflicting more damage, and may bring the enemy down in extreme cases. It is just as important to perform dodges correctly. It is worth noting here that you can either restrict yourself to performing the dodge itself, or counter the enemy right afterwards.
Best melee weapons and where to find them in GTA 5
GTA 5 offers various melee weapons excelling in damage, speed, or range, with the stone hatchet often ranked highest for its superior damage and bike usability. Baseball bats and pool cues tie for top raw power, ideal for one-hit NPC kills, while knives provide stealth and speed. Locations vary by weapon, with many spawnable in fixed spots or purchasable at Ammu-Nation post-mission.
Top Melee Weapons
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Stone Hatchet: Highest damage overall; free at Mount Josiah, near the abandoned mine shaft in Tongva Hills.
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Baseball Bat: Excellent power and speed; found at the Altruist Cult camp (near Mount Chiliad) or buy at Ammu-Nation after “Mr. Philips” for $175.
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Pool Cue: Matches bat damage, sleek for quick strikes; pick up inside the trailer park pool hall in Sandy Shores.
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Hatchet/Knife: High damage with speed; hatchet at Ammu-Nation post-“Trevor Philips Industries” ($175), knife anywhere or buy early for $100.
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Machete: Vehicle-friendly, one-shots NPCs; Ammu-Nation after “Nervous Ron” for $8,900.
Spawn Locations
Fixed spots respawn reliably:
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Crowbar: East Los Santos cul-de-sac or construction sites.
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Golf Club: Los Santos Golf Club lost-and-found room.
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Hammer: Great Ocean Highway under the bridge near chasm.
Many weapons like broken bottles or flashlights appear randomly on streets or enemies. Collector’s editions add unique variants like hammers.
Which melee weapon deals the most damage in GTA 5
The stone hatchet deals the highest melee damage in GTA 5 story mode and GTA Online, consistently topping rankings for raw power output while usable on bikes and granting rampage mode boosts. Baseball bat, pool cue, and golf club tie for second-highest damage stats among standard weapons, each capable of one-shot NPC kills.
Damage Context
Pool cue edges out in sleek handling despite matching bat damage numbers, per in-game stats. Stone hatchet outperforms all in practical tests, even against armored foes. Fists lag far behind but offer versatility like stealth knockouts.
Key Comparisons
| Weapon | Damage Rank | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stone Hatchet | 1st | Highest DPS, bike-compatible |
| Baseball Bat | 2nd (tie) | Powerhouse, Altruist camp spawn |
| Pool Cue | 2nd (tie) | Fast, trailer park pickup |
| Golf Club | 2nd (tie) | Quick while moving |
