Rockstar Games put a ton of effort into making Grand Theft Auto V (GTA 5) a massive, detailed world that still has players hooked in 2025. Whether you’re cruising through Los Santos or causing chaos in GTA Online, the game’s got no shortage of wild rumors about what you can pull off. Myths have always been a big deal in the Grand Theft Auto series, from hunting Bigfoot in San Andreas to whispers of Sonny Forelli’s ghost haunting Vice City.
Some mysteries, like the Mount Chiliad puzzle, still have folks scratching their heads, but plenty of players have dug into the game’s code or tested stuff themselves to shut down a bunch of these rumors. Here’s a rundown of the ten craziest myths from the original list, updated for 2025, plus three new ones that have popped up recently—all proven wrong.
1. Cops Arrest Players for Wielding Weapons
Myth: Pulling out a gun near NPCs makes them freak out, so you’d think waving one in front of cops would get you cuffed on the spot.
Debunked: Nope, not how it works. In 2025, GTA 5 and GTA Online cops don’t care if you’re just holding a weapon. They’ll only come after you if you aim at them, shoot, or start trouble like smacking an NPC or car. This hasn’t changed with any updates, including the GTA 5 Enhanced patches.
2. Blimp Doesn’t Float on Water
Myth: The Blimp, that slow-moving airship, is supposed to sink like a rock if you land it on water.
Debunked: Wrong. The Blimp actually floats on water and even bounces a bit when it hits the surface. You can still try this in 2025 in GTA 5 Enhanced or GTA Online by parking it on the ocean or Alamo Sea. It’s been this way forever.
3. Standing on a Campfire Does Not Deal Damage
Myth: You can stand on those campfires set up by NPCs around Mount Chiliad without catching fire or losing health.
Debunked: Not true at all. Step on a campfire in GTA 5, and you’ll burn, taking damage fast. This has always been the case, even in the 2025 GTA 5 Enhanced version. The old article got this one wrong—campfires hurt, and players probably thought otherwise because the game’s physics can be weird sometimes.
4. Players Can Shoot an NPC’s Phone Out of Their Hands
Myth: You can shoot phones right out of NPCs’ hands for some extra realism.
Debunked: No dice. Even in 2025, GTA 5 and GTA Online don’t let you target or destroy an NPC’s phone. Rockstar’s all about detail, but this isn’t something the game can handle. People keep believing this one because they expect the game to be super realistic.
5. No Fall Damage in Pools
Myth: Jumping into a swimming pool from way up high saves you from fall damage.
Debunked: Yeah, that’s a no-go. Falling from a big height into a pool in GTA 5 or GTA Online still kills you. The game doesn’t care if it’s water or pavement—you’re done either way. This hasn’t changed in 2025, despite what some players hope.
6. Sticky Bombs Can Only Be Detonated Remotely
Myth: Sticky Bombs can only go off when you hit the remote trigger.
Debunked: Not quite. You can also set off a Sticky Bomb by smacking it with a melee attack, and it’ll blow up right away. This trick’s been in GTA 5 since the start and still works in GTA Online and GTA 5 Enhanced in 2025. It’s not something most players know about, but give it a try.
7. Blimp Doesn’t Go Through Miriam Turner Overpass
Myth: The Blimp’s too big to squeeze through the pylons of the Miriam Turner Overpass.
Debunked: That’s false. You can totally fly the Blimp through the overpass if you’re careful—it’s a tight fit, but it works. This has always been possible in GTA 5 and GTA Online, and it’s still true in 2025. The myth probably comes from the Blimp looking way too chunky for the job.
8. Chop Only Fetches Balls
Myth: Franklin’s dog, Chop, only chases after balls when you’re playing fetch.
Debunked: Not true. Throw a grenade while hanging out with Chop, and he’ll run after it like it’s a ball, which usually ends badly. This is still how Chop works in GTA 5’s single-player mode in 2025, including GTA 5 Enhanced. Be careful what you toss around him.
9. Destroying Traffic Lights Causes Chaos
Myth: Blowing up traffic lights makes NPCs go wild and ignore traffic rules.
Debunked: Doesn’t happen. Wrecking traffic lights in GTA 5 or GTA Online does nothing to how NPCs drive—they stick to their usual patterns. This is still the case in 2025, even with tweaks to the game’s AI and traffic systems.
10. Flare Gun Cannot Damage Items
Myth: The Flare Gun’s just for signaling and can’t mess up stuff like parachutes.
Debunked: Wrong. In GTA Online, you can use the Flare Gun to light up a player’s parachute, making them drop out of the sky. It also sets NPCs, cars, and some objects on fire with a bit of damage. This still holds up in 2025, so the Flare Gun’s got more uses than people think.
11. Surfboards Are Usable in GTA Online
Myth: You can grab those surfboards on Los Santos beaches and go surfing in GTA Online.
Debunked: No luck there. Even with 2025’s GTA Online updates, surfboards are just props you can’t interact with. If you try pushing them with something like the Up-n-Atomizer, they just sink into the water. People keep hoping for this feature, probably because they’re hyped for GTA 6.
12. The Leviathan Roller Coaster Can Be Derailed
Myth: You can derail the Leviathan roller coaster at Del Perro Pier by blasting it with weapons or explosives.
Debunked: Not happening. The Leviathan’s a fixed ride in GTA 5 and GTA Online, and no amount of shooting or bombing will knock it off its tracks. You can ride it, but that’s it. This myth probably comes from players messing around with the game’s destructible stuff in 2025.
13. Jerry Cans Explode When Held Near Fire
Myth: If you’re holding a Jerry Can near fire or while burning, it’ll blow up in GTA 5 or GTA Online.
Debunked: Nope. You can pour fuel and light it up with a Jerry Can, but it won’t explode just because you’re near fire or on fire yourself. This rumor’s still floating around in 2025, probably because players expect more realistic physics. Fun fact: you can even ignite Jerry Can fuel in the rain, which adds to the confusion.
>>> Read more: 5 Best New Features In GTA Online San Andreas Mercenaries Update
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