Lester's Assassinations

Lester's Assassinations are a side mission given to Franklin Clinton by Lester Crest in Grand Theft Auto V. They require the player to assassinate targets in order to manipulate the stock market. The player can also manipulate the stock market in order to gain large sums of cash. The player sometimes needs these missions in order to buy more expensive properties such as the Los Santos Golf Club or any one of the three cinemas available to Michael De Santa. It is advised to do most of them after The Big Score to ensure a maximum payout. Only the first one is required to progress the storyline, because it unlocks the new safehouse for Franklin. They are required for 100% completion.

The Hotel Assassination
In the introductory assassination, Lester explains his stock market manipulation to Franklin. He then asks him about Mollis, a hardness pill produced by Betta Pharmaceuticals. He explains that he has a major investment with them and that he wants Franklin to take care of the CEO of their competition; Brett Lowrey, who has produced a heart-stopping version called Priapol for his company; Bilkinton Research. He suggests to use Sticky Bombs or a Sniper Rifle. Once this is done, he rewards Franklin with $9,000 and a new safehouse in the Vinewood Hills.

This mission is required to progress the storyline. The player can invest in either Betta Pharmaceuticals for a on the Bawsaq (with a maximum return of 81%) or Dollar Pills on the LCN (with a maximum return of 100%).

The Multi Target Assassination
Franklin answers a phone call at a pay phone next to the Limited Service Car Wash in Little Seoul where Lester explains that Redwood Cigarettes are planning to rig the jury on a class action lawsuit. He tells him to assassinate 4 jurors. The first target is a bodybuilder at Muscle Sands Gym in Vespucci Beach. The second target is on his yacht near the Pipeline Inn (the player will need a sniper rifle to do this easily). The third target is on a window cleaning platform at West Eclipse Medical Tower (once again, a sniper rifle is needed). The final target is on his bike in Vinewood Hills. Once this is done and any wanted level is lost, the mission is passed and the player is rewarded $7000.

This mission is not required to progress the storyline. The player can invest in Debonaire Cigarettes on the LCN with a return percentage of 80%.

The Vice Assassination
Franklin answers a phone call at a pay phone in Legion Square. Lester tells Franklin that the next target is Facade's CEO Jackson Skinner. He informs him of a working girl he visits regularly in La Puerta. After several cars pass, Skinner's car appears and the girl gets in. The player can now wait for the car to pass and blow it up, which will result in a wanted level, or they can snipe him and drive off quickly to avoid attention. The mission passes and the player is rewarded with $3000. No wanted level will give the player a $2000 bonus.

This mission is not required to progress the storyline. The player can invest in Fruit on Bawsaq. This can be tricky as it doesn't sell high for long. The maximum return is 50%.

The Bus Assassination
Franklin's next call is from a payphone on Hawick Avenue. Here, Lester informs him about Issac Penny, who plans to buy a controlling intrest in Vapid. He informs him that he is a tight fisted billionare who rides the bus to and from work every day. Franklin takes over the route and upon getting to Penny's stop he berates Franklin for being late and refuses to get on when he is asked to pay $1.50. Franklin then chases and kills him and leaves the area. He is rewarded with $7000.

This mission is not required to progress the storyline. There is no direct manipulation payout for this mission, as Vapid's main rival is not revealed by Lester, although Bravado and DeClasse would be the direct competition.

The Construction Assassination
Franklin answers another call from a payphone in La Mesa near Los Santos Customs and Ammu-Nation. Lester tells him the next target is Enzo Bonelli. He is hiding at a construction site in Pillbox Hill under armed guard. Franklin shoots through and arrives at the roof. He then shoots down Bonelli's chopper and skydives to the ground. Upon calling Lester, he is told there is too much heat and that they are going to let the dust settle. Franklin is rewarded with $10,000.

This mission is not required to progress the storyline. The player can invest in Gold Coast Development on the LCN. The maximum return is 80%.

Trivia

 * Technically, Friend Request counts as an assassination as it helps Lester manipulate the stock market.
 * Investing all of Franklin's money from The Jewel Store Job before The Hotel Assassination can help the player get the Los Santos Customs on Route 68 early on in the game, which useful for several missions including I Fought The Law...
 * It is best to do these missions after The Big Score (except The Hotel Assassination) to ensure maximum profit. After this, the player should be able to buy any properties they couldn't afford with the final heist's payout including the country club and the three theatres, all of which total $200,000,000. The player can obtain this much money as maximum from the second and last two assassinations.