Mission Dam and Blast (in Russian localization - “Explosion at a hydroelectric power station”) is traditionally considered one of the most difficult stages in the game’s storyline Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, especially when playing on mobile devices. The complexity is due not so much to the complexity of the plot, but to the specifics of controlling transport on a touch screen, where high precision guidance and reaction are required. Players often encounter problems when controlling a helicopter Leviathan or when diving on Submersible.
Successful completion of a task requires not only knowledge of the route, but also the correct control settings in the game menu. If you're having difficulty hitting targets or dodging enemy fire, the problem may lie in the sensitivity of the joysticks or lack of optimization for your smartphone model. In this material, we will analyze in detail each stage of the operation so that you can easily move further along the plot of Kendle Johnson.
Preparation for the operation and selection of equipment
Before starting the mission, make sure that your character is in full combat readiness. You'll be facing armed dam guards and enemy helicopters, so having powerful weapons is critical. It is recommended to stock up in advance an AK-47 assault rifle or an M4 assault rifle for ground firefights, as well as a grenade launcher for destroying air targets.
Particular attention should be paid to booking. Since the mission includes a diving phase where health regeneration is limited, a high level of armor will allow you to survive accidental torpedo hits or collisions with obstacles. Do not neglect the opportunity to buy food or first aid kits before the start if CJ's health is below maximum.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting the mission, save the game in a separate slot. If you get stuck underwater or the helicopter is destroyed at the wrong moment, the ability to quickly reboot will save you a lot of time and nerves.
Also check the control settings in the section Settings → Controls. A layout with separate buttons for action and aiming is ideal for this mission. Make sure the transparency of the buttons is not too high, so that you can always see where you press in the heat of battle.
Stage one: Hijacking a Leviathan helicopter
Your first task is to get to the airfield in Las Venturas and hijack a heavy transport helicopter Leviathan. This is a massive machine that behaves differently than light helicopters like Maverick. It gains altitude more slowly and has more inertia, which on the touch screen can lead to loss of control during sudden maneuvers.
When taking off, try not to climb too quickly. Use the left stick to smoothly gain height, and the right stick to stabilize the tilt of the body. Enemy guards on the ground will shoot at you, but their damage to the helicopter is negligible. The main thing is not to crash into hangars or fences, since hitting an obstacle can instantly destroy the vehicle.
After a successful hijacking, you need to fly to the dam. Follow the marker on the radar, but stay at a medium altitude. Flying too low risks colliding with the terrain, and flying too high will make you an easy target for air defenses should they appear. Try to stay away from areas with active fire until the time of landing.
Use the auto-leveling function of the helicopter (if available in your version of the game or through mods) to make it easier to hover over the landing point.
Air combat tactics and clearing the area
Once you are in the dam area, The main cleanup phase will begin. You need to eliminate the guards on the dam walls and towers. For this purpose, the helicopter has a machine gunner, but on Android it can be inconvenient to control. You often have to switch between piloting and shooting, which requires quick finger reactions.
An effective strategy is to first destroy all sources of fire on the ground. Use rockets or a machine gun to suppress firing points. The enemies in this mission are highly accurate, so don't hover over them for too long. Move in jerks: they flew up, fired a burst, moved to the side.
- 🚁 Aim first at the soldiers with grenade launchers, as they pose the greatest threat to the helicopter body.
- 🎯 Try to fire in bursts at 2-3 seconds so as not to overheat the weapon and save ammunition.
- 🛡️ If the helicopter's health is critically low, fly to a safe zone for a few seconds - in some versions of the game, regeneration works partially.
After the area has been cleared, land in the indicated zone for Candle's landing. Be careful when landing: on the touch screen it is easy to overdo the thrust and crash the helicopter on the ground after completing the combat mission.
Underwater mission: controlling the submarine
The most difficult stage for many players is controlling the submarine Submersible. You need to get inside the dam through an underwater tunnel. The controls here are radically different from land transport: you move in three planes, and the inertia of the water greatly affects the trajectory.
The main problem on Android is the lack of tactile feedback and the difficulty of controlling the depth of immersion. To successfully navigate the tunnel, move slowly. Sharp turns can cause the submarine to crash into the tunnel walls, causing damage and potentially blocking passage. Use the brake button or reverse thrust to stabilize the speed.
⚠️ Warning: The oxygen supply in this mission is limited. Don't try to explore branch tunnels or look for secret places. Your only goal is the central hall with turbines.
Inside the tunnel you will meet underwater mines and guards. It is better to avoid mines, since an explosion in a confined space is guaranteed to destroy the boat. If guards in diving suits notice you, eliminate them with torpedoes or a machine gun, but do it quickly so as not to waste time on oxygen.
The secret of passing the tunnel
Stay strictly to the center of the channel. The tunnel walls have invisible collisions that can snag the submarine even if there is no visual contact.
Placing charges and escaping from the dam
After you dock at the inner docking area, you need to exit the submarine and plant explosives on the turbines. At this stage you are vulnerable to enemy fire. Run towards the markers using cover. Do not run across open space; if you see enemies, eliminate them first.
The process of installing charges takes time. At this point, CJ is unarmed or limited in his actions, so make sure that the area around the turbine is cleared in advance. After installing all the charges, you will have a limited time to escape. You need to return to the submarine or get out another way, depending on the mission conditions in your version of the game.
If you need to return to the submarine, do it by running, ignoring new enemies unless they are blocking the path. The main thing is to have time to get out of the affected area before detonation. The explosion should destroy the dam and open the way for further development of the plot.
| Mission stage | Main threat | Recommended weapon | Management Council |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helicopter hijacking | Security airfield | Pistol / Shotgun | Smooth climb |
| Dam attack | Grenade launchers | Helicopter missiles | Jerky movement |
| Underwater tunnel | Walls and mines | Torpedoes | Minimum speed |
| Installing charges | Time and security | Automatic | Use of cover |
☑️ Checklist before the start of the mission
Frequent errors and technical problems on Android
Players on mobile devices often encounter bugs that do not occur on PCs or consoles. One of the common problems is textures “failing” or the character getting stuck in the level geometry when landing from a helicopter. If this happens, try reloading the mission or stepping aside and returning.
Another issue is related to performance. When the dam explodes, the game may experience load, which leads to a drop in FPS and control lags. On weak devices, it is recommended to lower the graphics settings in the menu Settings → Display before starting the mission to ensure smooth critical moments.
There is also a bug with the target marker disappearing under water. If you get lost, try surfacing (if the story allows) or turn 180 degrees and move back towards the entrance to update the marker. Sometimes switching the camera view helps.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and mechanics of the game may vary slightly depending on the version Definitive Edition or the original mobile version. If you are using a modified version of the game, some mission scripts may not work correctly.
Alternative strategies and cheat codes
If the standard passage seems impossible to you due to the complexity of the controls, you can consider using cheat codes. However, it is worth remembering that activating cheats usually blocks receiving achievements and saving progress in some versions of the game. Use them only as a last resort.
To make the mission easier, you can use a code for immortality or a code for restoring health and armor. This will allow you to make more mistakes when piloting a helicopter or submarine without the risk of failing the mission. The code for repairing vehicles is also useful if the helicopter has received critical damage.
The main secret of success is not speed, but smooth movements. On a touch screen, sudden jerks of the joystick are the main cause of disasters.
Some players prefer to use external gamepads connected via Bluetooth. This dramatically changes the game experience, making helicopter and submarine control much more precise and predictable. If you have a controller, be sure to try connecting it to complete this stage.
Is it possible to skip this mission in GTA San Andreas?
No, the mission “Explosion at the Hydroelectric Power Plant” is a plot requirement. Without completing it, you will not be able to access the following tasks from Kendle Johnson and advance along the storyline in Las Venturas.
What to do if the helicopter constantly explodes during takeoff?
Try to drive enemies away from the helicopter on foot before boarding it. Use grenades or powerful weapons to clear the perimeter of the airfield from the soldiers who shoot at you as the engines start.
Why doesn't the submarine float forward?
Check if you are stuck in the textures or if your nose is against the wall. Also make sure you don't press the gas and brake at the same time. On some devices, the joystick calibration may fail - try recalibrating the controls in the settings.
Approximately how long does it take to complete this mission?
For an experienced player, the mission takes about 5-7 minutes. For beginners, especially those playing on a touch screen without a gamepad, it may take from 15 to 30 minutes, taking into account several attempts and reboots.
Does the Android version affect the difficulty of the mission?
The OS version does not have a direct effect, but on older versions of Android or weak processors, input lag may be observed, which is critical for dynamic scenes with a helicopter. The game works more stable on new devices.