WhileGrand Theft Auto 5remains perhaps the most sophisticated out of allGrand Theft Autoinstallments, it’s also the most engaging in terms of narrative and gameplay. A lot of its hallmark features since its 2013 release remain extremely fun to use today, especially its intuitive combat system that gives players a lot of fun time executing combos and other shenanigans.
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And whileGTA 5has a plethora of firearms and weapons to use, it’s perhaps its range of melee weapons that can challenge players to do their best in fights. After all, players need to use melee weapons up close to enemies that can hit them with a wide variety of guns. With the right melee weapon, however, players can definitely secure the advantage.
10Stone Hatchet
TheStone Hatchetis one of themost iconic-looking weaponsin the game primarily for its appearance. After all, it’s quite odd to see a weapon straight out of a fantasy game be brought to the modern and crazy world ofGrand Theft Auto. But considering the wacky nature of the game, the Stone Hatchet gets an exception. Players get the Stone Hatchet as a reward for completing five bounties.
It’s also easily one of the most unique weapons in the game, primarily for its special ability. To activate this inOnline, players need to attack an NPC with the axe. This gives them 12 seconds of Rampage that is renewed after every kill.
9Crowbar
Players who want something fast and loose in combat might rely on the good ol’Crowbarto get the job done. Looking like a standard crowbar, this weapon packs exactly the kind of pain anyone expects this to be capable of in real life. And the Crowbar inGrand Theft Autois certainly living up to its name. Players find the Crowbar on the eastern edge of the Los Santos, inside a cul-de-sac.
In terms of stats, the Crowbar boasts not necessarily high attack damage but rather speed. Players can use the Crowbar to dish out mean combos much faster, similar to the Knife. However, the game does impose a disadvantage in the form of lower damage. Regardless, the Crowbar is a good weapon to choose for hit-and-run encounters, especially when getting out of afast-paced vehicle.
8Broken Bottle
Things always get serious in a fight when someone smashes a bottle and uses its sharpened edge to engage someone in combat. And it’s this frightening fact that makes theBroken Bottlequite a dreadful weapon to use inGrand Theft Auto. It’s easily accessible, and it deals a lot of hurt without beingtoo expensive. Players get the Broken Bottle after the “Repossession” mission in Story Mode.
Stats-wise, it gets the job done just as easily as a Knife. It has the same speed component as the Knife but deals more damage than the latter, being more in league with the Antique Cavalry Dagger in terms of combat prowess. However, it can’t be used underwater, which immediately reduces its efficiency as a weapon.
7Machete
Sometimes, weapons stay in the hearts ofGTAfans for their remarkable design, and theMacheteeasily fits the list because of this. Its sleek and straightforward design makes it appear extremely clean, like straight out of a modern armaments shop. However, the Machete is just as fun to use as a melee weapon as it is a decorative piece of equipment. Players get the Machete through Ammu-Nation for $8,900, and it is available after the “Nervous Ron” mission.
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The Machete stands out in combat as players can use thiswhile riding vehicles, whacking enemies while they speed up as soon as they cause mayhem. On the ground, the Machete can easily 1-hit NPCs and deal massive damage to players, making it a deadly close-encounters combat weapon.
6Antique Cavalry Dagger
Althoughmore ceremonial than practical, theAntique Cavalry Daggeris certainly one of the prettier-looking weapons in the game. What’s more impressive with the Antique Cavalry Dagger is its damage properties as it’s more suitable in underwater combat compared to other melee weapons. Players get this through Ammu-Nation after the “Mr. Philips” mission for $2,000.
That being said, the Antique Cavalry Dagger is certainly worth carrying more compared to Knives when it comes to melee weapon choice. Its ornate-looking nature also gives players a more regal feel, perfect for those who have high statuses in their criminal enterprises.
5Pool Cue
Players who miss the katana from the previous game can rely on the sleekness of a thinPool Cueto get the job done. Despite its size, its shape is long enough to be a real weapon used in combat. However, the Pool Cue actually packs a punch when used inGrand Theft Auto, especially inOnline. Players can get the Pool Cue inOnline, through Ammu-Nation for $6,250.
In terms of stats, the Pool Cue has thehighest damage numbersfor melee, meaning it’s a tie between the Pool Cue, the Baseball Bat, and the Golf Club. However, the sleeker nature of the Pool Cue certainly makes it a more unimposing weapon to use compared to other more violent-looking melee weapons in the game.
4Baseball Bat
There’s a reason some people advise others to get aBaseball Batto protect themselves at home or while outdriving their favorite vehicles, andGrand Theft Autodrives this point home with this melee weapon. While acting essentially the same as its counterparts in other games, the Baseball Bat is still frightening as it can kill NPCs simply with a smack to the head. Players can get the weapon in the store beside Ammunation located on Route 68, or in the Altrusit Cult camp.
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However, the Baseball Bat also holds the distinction of being one of the strongest melee weapons in the game. It boasts the same damage numbers as both the Golf Club and the Pool Cue, making it one of the meanest-looking weapons that have the stats to back it up.
3Golf Club
TheGolf Clubis easily one of the oldest melee weapons to exist in theGrand Theft Autouniverse, making it a classic among players. After all,despite its mundane appearance, the fact that players will be using a Golf Club to whack others, among all things, gives it all levels of crazy. Players get one Golf Club after playing a round of golf, or after scaring a golfer.
What’s more interesting is how it works in terms of combat. While the Knife is certainly much faster than the Golf Club, the latter reigns supreme when moving. It’s observed that the Golf Club hits faster compared to the Knife when used at the same time while running, meaning the Golf Club user has the advantage when taking enemies by surprise or even in a melee duel.
2Knife
While other more sophisticated weapon options exist, theKnifeis still an ever-reliable melee weapon when fighting anyone. Despite its mundane appearance, the Knife offers a lot of versatility with the right usage. For instance, it can perform stealth kills via stabbingbut lacks the evident “oomph”compared to the Nightstick or the Crowbar. Players can purchase the Knife for $100 or find them lying around the game map.
However, the Knife holds the distinction of being able to be used underwater, aside from the Antique Cavalry Dagger and the Knuckle Dusters. Considering the relative ease of access to a Knife, it’s a much better melee weapon compared to other options that players need to scour the game map to find.
1Fist
Why even rely on a weapon when players can simply rely on good ol’ fashionedFists? Perhapsthe most basicmelee weapon out there, there’s something raw and intense with the natural “whack” of a punch or a kick, and there’s a lot of versatility available when opting for the Fist instead of other melee weapons. Players have the Fists by default.
For starters, players get more combat options when using the first. Aside from punches and kicks, players can do headbutts, sucker punches, and even slaps to the face. Players can even sneak up on opponents and knock them out immediately through a karate chop. The sheer versatility of the Fist makes this the best weapon for both pros and newcomers alike.
The next-gen remaster ofGrand Theft Auto 5was released on Aug 07, 2025, to the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
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