For players who have experienced both Grand Theft Auto IV and GTA V, encountering Patrick "Packie" McReary again can be a surprise. He's a character with a lot of depth, and understanding his role and mechanics can improve your gameplay, especially during heists. This guide breaks down Packie from a practical player's perspective.

Who is Packie McReary, and what is his role in the stories?
Packie is a central character in GTA IV's storyline, acting as a friend and occasional mission partner for Niko Bellic. He's a member of the Irish-American McReary crime family in Liberty City. In GTA V, he appears as a random encounter and, more importantly, becomes a potential heist crew member. Most players first meet him in GTA IV during the "Three Leaf Clover" bank heist mission, which is often considered one of the game's highlights for its intense shootout and getaway.

What is Packie's personality really like?
On the surface, Packie acts tough and unfeeling, but his conversations reveal a much more troubled person. He often talks about the world being "ugly and unkind" and glamorizes the idea of dying young from his cocaine habit. However, he does have a moral code. In the "Three Leaf Clover" mission, if you kill too many hostages, he will fail the mission, stating he doesn't take "bloody money." He also shows genuine remorse for how he treated his late friend, Michael Keane. His addiction causes him significant problems, and he is fiercely overprotective of his sister, Kate.

How does Packie's appearance change between games?
In GTA IV, Packie is slender with a buzz cut, a scar under his eye, and wears casual clothes like a green polo shirt. By GTA V, his appearance has deteriorated noticeably due to his lifestyle. He looks older, with more scars, wrinkles, and enlarged nostrils. He typically wears a tan flight jacket. These changes are a clear visual indicator of the consequences of his habitual cocaine use.

What is his function as a "friend" in GTA IV?
After completing "Three Leaf Clover," you can hang out with Packie. He enjoys activities like drinking, bowling, and going to the strip club. He is the only friend who cannot be taken to eat. When your friendship level rises above 75%, you unlock his special ability: calling him to request a car bomb. He'll place it on a nearby vehicle, and you can detonate it remotely by calling him back. This is useful for taking out difficult targets or causing chaos.

How do you recruit Packie for heists in GTA V, and is he worth it?
In GTA V's story mode, you can find Packie through a random event in Sandy Shores where he is attempting a robbery. If you rescue him, he becomes available as a gunman for your heists. His base stats are decent, with high accuracy and weapon choice, though his health is average. His cut is usually 8-9%. Most players consider him a solid, mid-tier gunman—not the absolute best, but a very reliable and flavorful choice, especially for players who enjoyed GTA IV. It's worth noting that some players, looking to skip the progression, might search for shortcuts like gta 5 modded accounts for sale xbox on U4N, but recruiting and using characters like Packie as intended is generally a more integrated part of the experience.

What about Packie in GTA Online?
In GTA Online, Packie can be randomly encountered during the prep phase for The Diamond Casino Heist. You'll find him being arrested by police, and if you rescue him, he becomes a potential gunman for that specific heist. His skills are randomized each time you rescue him, so players often save the game and retry until he spawns with high stats. He doesn't become a permanent contact, but he's a good option for that job if you get a lucky roll on his attributes.

Are there any key gameplay tips related to Packie?
In GTA IV, use his car bomb ability strategically for missions with armored targets or for causing a diversion. In GTA V, if you want him for your heists, actively patrol Sandy Shores in a car to trigger his random event. For GTA Online, if you're aiming to use him for the Casino Heist, be prepared to replay the rescue mission a few times to get his skills where you want them. In general, he's a character who provides good value for his cost across all his appearances.