- South Bronx: The Trenches requires smart early cash management to survive and progress
- Trash Job is the safest starter income source with low player interference
- Bank runs with a Fake ID are the fastest mid-game money method
- Glock 17 is the best starter weapon for reliable self-defense
- Third-person shooting while moving dramatically improves your PvP survivability
Getting Started: Finding Your First Job
When you first spawn into the streets, the map can feel overwhelming. The game provides a helpful system of floating emoji icons in the sky that act as waypoints. Each emoji represents a specific location or activity hub. As a new player, your priority is locating one of the two free starter jobs to earn your initial cash.
Video Highlights:
- Complete walkthrough of the Trash and Box job routes
- Step-by-step Fake ID bank method for fast cash
- Gun store mechanics and Glock 17 recommendations
- Apartment purchasing and safe storage guide
- Advanced PvP combat tips for third-person engagements
There are two primary entry-level jobs available without any upfront cost: the Box Job and the Trash Job. While both pay roughly the same rate, the player traffic around them differs drastically, impacting your safety.
| Job Type | Payout Rate | Player Traffic | Safety Level | Recommended For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trash Job | Standard | Low | High | New players wanting safe grinding |
| Box Job | Standard | High | Low | Players who enjoy risk and social interaction |
The Box Job area is a major spawn point, meaning gangs and hostile players frequently gather there. If you are just starting out without a weapon, heading to the Trash Job significantly reduces your chances of being randomly attacked or killed while working.
To start working, follow the corresponding emoji icon on your screen, enter the building, and speak to the manager. For the Trash Job, grab a trash bag from the designated can and follow the arrows to drop it off out back. The Box Job operates similarly: grab a crate and load it onto the back of the delivery truck.
The Bank Method: Earning Big Cash
Once you have earned at least $850 from your starter job, it is time to transition to a much more lucrative income source: the Bank. Look for the bank emoji icon on your map to locate the nearest branch. However, you cannot simply walk in and start working.
Purchase a Fake ID
Before entering the bank, go around the corner to find a specific NPC selling Fake IDs. You will need $850 to buy one.
Talk to the Bank Manager
Enter the bank and hand the Fake ID to the manager. There is a small percentage chance she will deny the ID. If denied, you must return to your starter job to earn another $850.
Wait for the Card
If the Fake ID is accepted, walk to the designated table and wait 30 seconds for your bank card to be processed.
Locate an ATM
Take your processed card and find an ATM. ATMs are scattered around the map, including inside subway stations. Interact with the ATM to receive your payout.
To bypass the 30-second wait time on subsequent bank runs, buy a second Fake ID immediately after getting your first card. When you return from the ATM, claim your first card, hand over the new Fake ID right away, and keep the cycle going without waiting at the table.
Bank runs yield significantly more money than standard jobs. It is highly recommended to grind this method until you have saved at least $10,000. This financial cushion ensures that when you purchase essential gear like clothes, weapons, or vehicles, you will not be sent completely back to square one.
Self-Defense and Weapon Mechanics
In the trenches of the South Bronx, cash makes you a target. Once you have funds, you need to protect yourself. Locate a gun store by looking for its specific emoji icon on the map. Inside, you will find various firearms at different price points.
| Weapon | Price Tier | Damage | Reliability | Recommended? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hi-Point (TH15) | Cheapest | Low | Very Low | No - ineffective in fights |
| Revolver | Budget | Moderate | Moderate | Situational |
| Glock 17 | Affordable | Good | High | Yes - best starter choice |
The Glock 17 is the strongly recommended starter weapon. While cheaper options like the Hi-Point exist, they are notoriously unreliable and will likely get you killed in a firefight. The Glock 17 offers the best balance of accuracy and firepower for a new player.
Your weapon can only hold a maximum of two extra clips. For the Glock 17, one clip holds 17 rounds, meaning you can carry 34 extra rounds maximum. Clicking on ammo at the store refills your gun automatically. Do not waste money buying more ammo than your clips can hold.
Before leaving the store, test your weapon at the indoor firing range. Gun stores are safe zones, so no players can take damage inside. To fire your weapon, you must initially rack the slide by aiming and performing the slide action. After the first manual slide, pressing R to reload will handle it automatically.
Conceal Your Weapon
Never walk around with your gun drawn. If other players see you holding a weapon, they are likely to ambush and kill you from behind to steal it.
Use the Firing Range
Take advantage of the safe zone inside gun stores to practice your aim and get comfortable with the shooting mechanics before hitting the streets.
Store Your Gun
If you are not actively using your weapon, store it in a safe inside an apartment to prevent losing it upon death.
Housing, Storage, and Robberies
As you accumulate wealth and gear, having a secure base of operations becomes critical. You can enter any apartment complex on the map to purchase a unit. If an apartment is available, it will clearly display a "For Sale" sign.
Once inside your purchased apartment, you can lock the door to prevent other players from entering your space. Every apartment comes equipped with a safe where you can store your weapons and valuable items.
You do not strictly need to buy an apartment to use a safe. If you find an unlocked or open apartment, you can walk in and access their safe to store your items. Buying an apartment is primarily for privacy and having a guaranteed secure location.
Beyond legal jobs and bank runs, you can also make money through store robberies. These are not marked on the map, so finding them requires exploration.
| Activity | Initial Cost | Risk Level | Potential Payout | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter Jobs | Free | Low | Low | Reliable but slow income |
| Bank Runs | $850 (Fake ID) | Medium | High | Best consistent money method |
| Store Robberies | None | High | Variable | Requires a weapon to intimidate |
| Buying an Apartment | Varies | None | Utility | Provides safe storage |
To rob a store, walk in and aim your gun at the cashier. They will begin filling a bag with money. Hold the interact key (E) to grab the bag when it is ready. Payouts can vary depending on the specific store and current game mechanics.
Advanced Tips, Vehicles, and PvP
Once you have established a steady income stream, it is time to optimize your gameplay with advanced tactics and quality-of-life upgrades.
Save up $35,000 for the Dirt Bike. This vehicle drastically reduces travel time between jobs, banks, and ATMs. You can earn this amount in under an hour of efficient bank runs, making it the best early-game investment.
PvP Combat Strategy:
How you shoot determines whether you survive an encounter. Most beginners make the mistake of fighting in first-person mode, standing still while aiming. This makes you an easy target.
Instead, master third-person shooting:
- Switch to third-person view during combat
- Keep moving constantly while aiming
- Use strafing motions to make yourself harder to hit
- You can still land shots accurately while on the move
Players who fight in first-person are significantly more likely to die in engagements. Third-person movement shooting gives you a wider field of view and makes your hitbox much harder to track.
Early Game Progression Checklist:
- Earn $850 from the Trash Job
- Buy a Fake ID and complete first Bank Run
- Save up $10,000 as a financial cushion
- Purchase the Glock 17 and extra ammo
- Buy the Dirt Bike for $35,000
- Master third-person PvP movement
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which starter job is better in South Bronx: The Trenches?
The Trash Job is generally better for new players. While both jobs pay the same rate, the Box Job area has high player traffic and is a common spawn point, making it dangerous. The Trash Job area has fewer players, reducing the risk of being randomly attacked while you work.
Q: What happens if the bank manager denies my Fake ID?
If the bank manager denies your Fake ID, you lose the $850 you spent on it. You will need to return to your starter job (Trash or Box) and earn another $850 to buy a new Fake ID and try again. There is a small percentage chance of denial each time.
Q: Should I buy the cheapest gun to save money?
No. The Hi-Point (TH15) is the cheapest gun but it is highly unreliable in combat. Investing in the Glock 17 is strongly recommended because it provides the accuracy and firepower needed to actually survive a fight. Buying cheap weapons essentially means paying to lose.
Q: Do I need to buy an apartment to store my weapons?
No. While buying an apartment gives you privacy and a guaranteed secure location, you can access safes in any open or unlocked apartment. If you find an apartment that is not locked, you can walk in and use their safe to store your items for free.