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Surviving in Liberty City
I Fought the Law
One of the major forces aligned against you from the very beginning is the Liberty City Police Department. Whether you're trying to complete a difficult mission or simply trying to go on a decent killing spree, the cops are dedicated to taking you into custody or taking you out. Police presence is something you'll always have to cope with, so this section will help you to know your enemy and deal with them accordingly.
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Below your vital information is a meter composed of six stars that indicate your wanted level. The more stars, the more trouble you're going to have. It's important to remember that driving over a police bribe will remove one star in any circumstance. Taking your car to the Pay 'n' Spray for a new engine and paint job will remove all stars regardless of how many stars you've racked up, as long as it's not a police or emergency vehicle. Here's what you can expect.
Brief Note: Each area has a maximum wanted level. Portland is four stars, Staunton Island is five stars, Shoreside Vale is the full six stars.
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Conditions: If you're caught in the act doing something illegal, the officer who spots you will give chase. Firing gunshots and causing trouble where no police officers are present will result in a patrol car being dispatched to your location.
The Opposition: The cop who has initially spotted you or has been sent after you will attempt to locate you and bring you in alive. Officers who see you while you're at one star will join the chase.
Taking the Heat Off: Simply avoid contact with the cops for a short time, and things should cool off. Try to avoid sticking around your current location or hanging out in the open.
Two Stars
Conditions: To reach a two-star wanted level, you'll have to do a bit more. Killing several civilians in a short period of time should qualify you, and if you directly or indirectly cause the death of an officer, you've bought yourself a two-star warning level right there.
The Opposition: Police are now authorized to use force. Several police cars will try to zero in on you, and officers will fire at you.
Taking the Heat Off: You can choose to lay low and avoid contact with police until your wanted level wears off. This might take a while.
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Conditions: You've done a bad, bad thing. Killing officers attempting to bring you in for a crime or the senseless and repeated murder of civilians can bring you up to three stars.
The Opposition: There will be a lot of police cars homing in on you at this point, as well as a police helicopter flying overhead. Officers are likely to shoot first and ask questions later.
Taking the Heat Off: You're not going to get let off the hook so easily this time, so you'll need to pick up a police bribe or get a new paint job.
Four Stars
Conditions: Unless this wanted level has been triggered by a specific mission objective, you're a cop killer! Much like Ice-T, you've seriously angered law enforcement officers everywhere.
The Opposition: In addition to everything that's been thrown at you before, SWAT teams have been instructed to bring you down. Opposing drivers will be more skilled, and the SWAT members are more deadly adversaries.
Taking the Heat off: Multiple police bribes or a trip to the Pay 'n' Spray are the only way.
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Conditions: It takes a lot of death, destruction, and mayhem to bring your wanted level up to five.
The Opposition: The odds are seriously stacked against you at this point. Black FBI cars with expert drivers behind the wheel will do whatever it takes to bring you down. You're in for a steady stream of cars until you've hit the Pay 'n' Spray or they take you down.
Taking the Heat off: The Pay 'n' Spray could be your only hope.
Six Stars
Conditions: Now you've done it.
The Opposition: On top of everything else, the US Army has sent in soldiers (who pack M16s) along with one or more Rhino tanks. Good luck...
Taking the Heat Off: If you can make it to the Pay 'n' Spray, you could live to tell about it.
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