Is GTA Online DLC’s New Jet Worth it?
Originally launched in October 2013, Grand Theft Auto Online is approaching its 10th anniversary and has come a long way since then. While it started off with limited features, Grand Theft Auto Online has evolved into one of the best multiplayer experiences of all time, constantly updating the game with new weapons, vehicles, apparel, heists, and missions.
The most recent update for Grand Theft Auto Online is called San Andreas Mercenaries, which was released on June 13. This update introduces six new co-op missions, three missions set in the open-world, revamped Air Freight Cargo missions, redesigned hangars, and a total of 17 new vehicles. Among these vehicles, one stands out in a significant way, and that’s the F-160 Raiju jet.
Is GTA Online’s Raiju Jet Worth the Money?
Grand Theft Auto Online is familiar with high-speed aircraft. Currently, there are six jets available in GTA Online, each with its own unique design and abilities. The cheapest option is the Besra, priced at $1,150,000. While the Besra lacks weapons, it is armored and can withstand three homing missile strikes. On the other end of the scale is the new Raiju, which offers impressive firepower at a higher cost.
Modeled after the Lockheed-Martin F-35A Lightning II, Grand Theft Auto Online‘s Raiju jet has various notable features. The most apparent one is its ability to switch between horizontal and vertical flight using the VTOL system, similar to the Hydra jet. However, the Raiju is exceptionally fast and currently holds the title of the fastest aircraft in GTA Online, surpassing the Pyro in terms of speed and acceleration. Additionally, the Raiju has excellent handling, allowing for smooth turns at both high and low speeds.
The Raiju also excels in defense mechanisms. As a fully armored aircraft, it can withstand up to three homing missiles or explosive heavy sniper rounds. Its stealth systems further enhance its defensive capabilities. While in stealth mode, the Raiju is invisible to enemy radars and reduces the player’s Wanted level to 2 stars. However, weapons cannot be used in this mode, and homing missiles can still lock onto the jet if they have a clear line of sight.
When it comes to offensive capabilities, the Raiju doesn’t disappoint. It is equipped with dual explosive cannons as its primary weapon, although they have a lower fire rate, area of effect, and damage compared to cannons found on other jets like the Hydra and P-996 Lazer. The Raiju also features two missile launchers that can fire homing and non-homing missiles. With its powerful arsenal, the Raiju is a force to be reckoned with. However, its price tag of $6,855,000 may deter some players. Whether the Raiju is worth it largely depends on the player’s desired usage. If players seek a fast and stealthy aircraft for efficient supply delivery, the Raiju is an excellent choice. However, if players prefer an all-out offensive aircraft, the Hydra is a more affordable option, costing nearly half the price of the Raiju.
Grand Theft Auto Online is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
Initially launching all the way back in October 2013, Grand Theft Auto Online is about to turn 10 years old, and it’s come an incredibly long way in that time. Though the initial experience was a tad barebones, Grand Theft Auto Online has managed to turn itself into one of the greatest multiplayer experiences of all time over the course of a decade, delivering constant updates that continue to bring new weapons, vehicles, apparel, heists, and missions to the game.
The most recent Grand Theft Auto Online update, titled San Andreas Mercenaries, dropped on June 13, adding another heap of new content to the game. This update added six new co-op missions, added three missions set in the open-world, overhauled Air Freight Cargo missions, overhauled hangars, and added a total of 17 new vehicles to the game. While many of these vehicles will be high on players’ wish-lists, there’s one that stands out from the others in a big way, and that’s the F-160 Raiju jet.
Is GTA Online’s Raiju Jet Worth the Money?
Grand Theft Auto Online is no stranger to lightning-fast aircraft. There are currently six jets available in GTA Onlineeach with its own unique design and distinct skillset. The Besra is the cheapest option players will find in GTA Onlinecoming in at $1,150,000. As can be expected with the lower price, the Besra is a fairly simple aircraft with no weapon functionality at all, but it is armored, requiring three homing missile strikes to be destroyed. On the complete other end of the spectrum is the brand new Raiju, costing a pretty penny but providing some serious firepower.
Based on the Lockheed-Martin F-35A Lightning II, Grand Theft Auto Online‘s new Raiju jet has a lot of tricks up its sleeve. The Raiju’s most obvious feature is its ability to switch between horizontal and vertical flight using its VTOL system, similar to the Hydra jet. But unlike the Hydra, the Raiju is incredibly fast. Currently, the Raiju is the fastest aircraft in GTA Onlinebeating out the Pyro in terms of both speed and acceleration. The Raiju also has incredible handling, being able to turn smoothly at both high and low speeds.
The Raiju also boasts some impressive defense systems. As a fully armored aircraft, the Raiju can withstand up to three homing missiles or explosive heavy sniper rounds. But thanks to the Raiju’s stealth systems, players probably won’t need to worry about missiles too much. Previously only available in helicopters like the Annihilator Stealth and the Akula, the Raiju is the first jet to be able to enter stealth mode. Entering stealth mode hides the Raiju from enemy radars and lowers the players Wanted level to 2 stars, though players are unable to use the Raiju’s weapons in this mode and homing missiles will still be able to lock onto the jet if they have a line of fire.
But when the player does want to use their weapons, the Raiju has plenty to offer. The Raiju is equipped with dual explosive cannons as its primary form of fire, though the fire rate, area of effect, and damage from them are quite a bit lower than the cannons used by other jets like the Hydra and P-996 Lazer. The Raiju is also equipped with two missile launchers, capable of both homing and non-homing fire. The Raiju is packing a lot of punch, but its price tag of $6,855,000 might be a tad too high for many players. The Raiju’s worth will largely be determined by what players want to do with it. If players are looking for an extremely fast, stealthy aircraft capable of delivering supplies with extreme efficiency, then the Raiju is for them, but if players are looking for an all-out offensive aircraft, then the Hydra might be a more cost-effective choice, costing almost half of the Raiju’s price tag.
Grand Theft Auto Online is available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
