The GTA Chinatown Wars random characters are eight people who give Huang Lee small side missions, and all of them are required for 100% completion. You spot them by a small blue person icon that shows up when you are close. This guide lists when each encounter can be started and what unlocks it.
Key facts
- Characters: Alonso, Cherie, Giorgio, Guy, Marcy, Selma, Tommy and Wilhelm
- Starting hint: a blue person icon when you are near
- Main unlock: finishing the introductory mission Yu Jian opens most of them
- Missable: none, your story choices cannot lock any of them out
How the encounters work
Each random character is usually in some kind of trouble and asks Huang for help. Most are available as soon as you finish Yu Jian, while two need a gameplay feature first: Drug Dealing and the first acquirable safehouse. Unlike earlier games, you cannot miss a mission through choices in the story. Every one of these counts in the full 100% checklist.
When each encounter opens
Some encounters can only start at certain hours of the in-game clock, so watch the time if a character does not appear.
| Character | Encounter | Available | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cherie | Unique encounter | 22:00 to 04:00 | Complete Yu Jian |
| Giorgio | First encounter | 04:00 to 22:00 | Complete Yu Jian |
| Giorgio | Second encounter | 04:00 to 22:00 | Complete Giorgio’s first encounter |
| Guy | Unique encounter | Anytime | Complete Yu Jian |
| Marcy | First encounter | Anytime | Complete Yu Jian |
| Marcy | Second encounter | Anytime | Complete Marcy’s first encounter |
| Selma | First encounter | 22:00 to 04:00 | Complete Yu Jian |
| Selma | Second encounter | Anytime | Complete Selma’s first encounter |
| Tommy | First encounter | Anytime | Complete Yu Jian |
| Tommy | Second encounter | Anytime | Complete Tommy’s first encounter |
| Alonso | Unique encounter | Anytime | Complete Tricks of the Triad |
| Wilhelm | First encounter | 04:00 to 22:00 | Complete Carpe ‘Dime’ |
| Wilhelm | Second encounter | Anytime | Complete Wilhelm’s first encounter |
| Wilhelm | Third encounter | Anytime | Complete Wilhelm’s second encounter |
What the timing means for you
Cherie and Selma’s first meeting only happens between 22:00 and 04:00, while Giorgio and Wilhelm’s first meeting only happens between 04:00 and 22:00. Everything else is available at any time. Alonso is tied to the drug trade, so he opens after Tricks of the Triad, the same mission that unlocks dealing. If you meet a dealer in the meantime, the roster in the drug dealers guide will help. Guy’s encounter also gives you a way to obtain a special limousine, which you can read about in the vehicle missions guide.
Related guides
- Gun Club challenges: Wilhelm’s first encounter opens after the shotgun mission Carpe ‘Dime’
- Lions of Fo
- Security Cameras
- GTA Chinatown Wars guide
- GTA Chinatown Wars lexicon: all characters, main and minor
- GTA Chinatown Wars category
Video walkthrough
Prefer to watch? This video shows it in action.
FAQ
How many random characters are there in GTA Chinatown Wars?
Eight: Alonso, Cherie, Giorgio, Guy, Marcy, Selma, Tommy and Wilhelm. Some have two or three encounters.
How do I find a random character?
Look for the small blue person icon, which appears when you are near the character.
Can I miss a random character mission?
No. Your choices in the main story do not make you miss any, and all of them are needed for 100%.
Which encounters happen at night?
Cherie and Selma’s first meeting, between 22:00 and 04:00.
What unlocks Alonso?
Completing Tricks of the Triad.
