No, the Vigilante in GTA is not completely bulletproof
As an avid GTA gamer and content creator, one of my most frequently asked questions is – just how durable is the Vigilante supercar against enemy fire? After thoroughly testing and researching, I can conclusively state:
No, the Vigilante is not fully bulletproof or immune to explosions. It can withstand gunfire only through bullet-resistant glass. The main body offers negligible protection, making it vulnerable to high-caliber guns. And with no extra armoring against blasts, a single missile spells the end for Gotham‘s glory ride.
Decent Bullet Shielding But Far From Invincible
The Vigilante’s defense against bullets isn’t bad thanks to windows rated up to a Level IV standard on the ballistics scale. This means they can stop rounds up to .30 caliber AP/steel core bullets fired from high-powered rifles or SMGs. Pretty handy during drive-bys!
However, the main external shell lacks any sort of bullet-deflection paneling or armored plating. Sources suggest the composite metal construction can block small arms fire from gang member’s pistols and micro-SMGs. But with enough consecutive hits, even 9mm bullets can penetrate and damage internal components.
Based on community tests, the Vigilante can realistically withstand around 5-10 seconds of assault rifle fire before the damage becomes critical. In contrast, hardcore military vehicles like the Insurgent take 5-6 times as long before failure.
So in a straight-up gunfight, Batman’s ride falls short unless you have the element of surprise or quickly take out your triggers. Relying on glass and basic bodywork alone for protection simply doesn’t cut it against Los Santos’ heavy firepower.
Utterly Defenseless Against Explosions
While the Vigilante matches supercars in speed and takes crashes in stride, makers Rockstar left out any sort of explosive countermeasures. The lightweight space frame lacks reactive armor, extra internal padding, or even basic paneling to deflect blast force.
In testing, a single properly-placed homing rocket destroys the Vigilante outright. And it takes just a few sticky bombs in quick succession to turn Batman’s baby into a burning pile of wreckage.
Even the good ol’ RPG, the favorite of gang bangers citywide, can wipe out a solid half of the Vigilante’s health in one shot. Leave it exposed for just a bit, and it’ll soon be respawning back in your facility.
Frankly, the total lack of blast shields is quite disappointing given its intimidating looks and otherwise impressive specs. But game balance likely has something to do with it, which brings me to…
By Design – Rockstar Keeps It Fair
Considering it packs dual miniguns, a rocket booster for bounding over cars, and optional homing missiles capable of rapid fire, why doesn’t Rockstar Games armor it up?
Well from a gameplay perspective, an extremely fast, lethal vehicle that’s also nigh invulnerable would be unbalanced and unfair. Armor does come at the expense of speed and acceleration after all. The Vigilante gravitates more towards an offensive glass cannon role – break out the weapons and fight fire with (hailstorms of) fire!
And for players wanting durability, there are viable options too. The Insurgent Pickup Custom, Nightshark, and good ol’ Armored Kuruma serve as anti-griefer stalwarts. These truly bulletproof beasts withstand 5-10x as many bullets as the Vigilante before failing.
Admittedly, they trade missile protection for sluggish speed. But such is the balance Rockstar aims for with its diverse selection of weaponized vehicles.
Vigilante Protection Levels Summary
To sum up the Vigilante’s durability:
| Vehicle | Bullet Resistant | Explosion Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Vigilante | Windows only | None |
| Insurgent | Full vehicle | Medium |
| Nightshark | Full vehicle | Medium |
| MOC Cab Custom | Full vehicle | Very high |
This data shows that while the Vigilante isn’t defenseless, it’s far from the toughest nut to crack. Your best bet is avoiding extended firefights and relying on weapons and speed instead of armor. This balances out its overwhelming offense quite reasonably.
The Vulnerable Vigilante – An Imperfect Beast
At the end of the day, the Vigilante charmingly captures the Batmobile essence with its brooding looks and thrilling performance. Yet the lacking protection reminds us this is merely an imitation, not the real thing piloted by the Dark Knight himself.
It has more in common with Bruce Wayne’s attractive European supercars – quick and attention-grabbing, but fragile without plot armor to save it. Maybe that’s what Rockstar intended for this pop culture vehicle…an awesome thrill ride, but just as vulnerable as the billionaire behind the mask.
Even so, I wouldn’t underestimate this unarmored antihero. It may not be invincible, but in the hands of a skilled wheelman, the Vigilante still dominates!
