The Nightshark is generally considered the better all-around armored vehicle for most players in Grand Theft Auto Online, offering a superior balance of protection, speed, and utility. While the Insurgent has its own merits, particularly the standard variant for budget-conscious players or the Pick-Up for specific team strategies, the Nightshark frequently outperforms it in typical gameplay scenarios.
Why the Nightshark Stands Out
The Nightshark's advantages stem from several key factors that make it an excellent choice for navigating the hazardous world of Los Santos:
- Superior Agility and Speed: Compared to both Insurgent variants, the Nightshark boasts better acceleration and a higher top speed. This makes it significantly more effective for evading hostile players, completing time-sensitive missions, and general traversal across the map.
- Passive Mode Compatibility: A crucial benefit for solo players, the Nightshark allows you to enter Passive Mode. This means you can still be protected by its formidable armor while remaining unattackable by other players, ideal for peaceful travel or mission work without being targeted by griefers.
- Driver Protection: The Nightshark offers fully enclosed, heavily armored windows, ensuring the driver is well-protected from incoming gunfire.
- Explosive Resistance: Both the Nightshark and the Insurgent Pick-Up can withstand a substantial amount of explosive damage (typically around 27 homing missiles or 9 RPGs before destruction), making them exceptionally durable against weaponized vehicles and explosives.
- Subtle Weaponry: While its forward-facing machine guns are not powerful offensive tools, they are integrated without compromising Passive Mode or requiring a vulnerable gunner, offering a minor offensive capability when needed.
When the Insurgent Has the Edge
Despite the Nightshark's overall superiority, there are specific situations where an Insurgent might be a more suitable choice:
- Cost-Effectiveness (Standard Insurgent): The standard, non-weaponized Insurgent is a more budget-friendly option for players looking for basic armored transport without the higher price tag of the Nightshark or the weaponized Insurgent Pick-Up. Like the Nightshark, this variant also allows you to enable Passive Mode.
- Team Play and Offense (Insurgent Pick-Up): The Insurgent Pick-Up features a powerful mounted weapon (either a .50 Cal MG or Minigun) that can be operated by a passenger. If you frequently play with friends and have a dedicated gunner, this can turn the vehicle into a formidable offensive platform. However, the gunner is exposed and vulnerable to enemy fire, and the vehicle cannot enter Passive Mode.
- Passenger Capacity: Both Insurgent variants can carry up to 9 players, significantly more than the Nightshark's 4-person capacity, making them better for transporting a large crew.
Detailed Comparison
Here's a breakdown of the key features of each vehicle to help you make an informed decision:
| Feature | Nightshark | Insurgent (Standard) | Insurgent Pick-Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Use | Evasion, solo missions, general travel | Budget armored transport, Passive Mode access | Team offense, armed transport |
| Armor/Durability | Very high explosive resistance | High explosive resistance | Very high explosive resistance |
| Speed | Excellent (faster acceleration/top speed) | Moderate (slower than Nightshark) | Moderate (slower than Nightshark) |
| Weaponry | Forward-facing machine guns (minor damage) | None | Mounted .50 Cal MG or Minigun (powerful) |
| Passive Mode | Yes | Yes | No |
| Price | Higher | Lower | Higher (requires MOC/Avenger for upgrades) |
| Seating | 4 | 9 | 9 (including gunner) |
| Driver Exposure | Heavily armored windows | Armored windows | Armored windows |
| Gunner Exposure | N/A | N/A | Yes, gunner is vulnerable to attack |
Key Considerations for Your Choice
When deciding between the Insurgent and the Nightshark, consider your primary playstyle and needs:
- Solo vs. Team Play: If you mostly play solo and want to protect yourself from griefers while still moving quickly, the Nightshark is the clear winner due to its speed and Passive Mode compatibility. For team-based offensive play, especially with a skilled gunner, the Insurgent Pick-Up can be effective.
- Aggressive vs. Passive Playstyle: Players who prefer to engage in combat and often have friends acting as gunners might lean towards the Insurgent Pick-Up. However, for players who prioritize evasion and avoiding conflict, the Nightshark offers unparalleled utility.
- Budget: If cost is a significant concern and you only need basic armored transport with Passive Mode, the standard Insurgent offers a more affordable entry point.
In conclusion, for overall utility, evasion, and solo survivability in Grand Theft Auto Online, the Nightshark generally presents itself as the superior option.
