- South Bronx: The Trenches is a street-life RPG focused on earning cash, surviving, and building reputation
- Starter jobs: Trash collection is safer than box moving for new players
- Bank farming: The primary money-making method using fake IDs and ATMs
- Self-defense: Buy a Glock 17 early and always store it in a safe when not in use
- PVP survival: Use third-person camera and keep moving to avoid getting shot
Getting Started: Spawning and Navigation
When you first load into South Bronx: The Trenches, the map can feel overwhelming. The game uses a sky-based emoji system to guide players to key locations. Look up to find floating icons that mark important spots like jobs, the bank, gun stores, and ATMs.
Video Highlights:
- Complete beginner walkthrough for earning starter cash
- Detailed comparison between trash and box jobs
- Step-by-step bank card farming method
- Gun store basics and ammunition mechanics
- PVP combat tips for third-person shooting
As a new player, your first objective is to locate a starter job. Two entry-level jobs require no upfront cash: the Trash Job and the Box Job. Both pay equally, but the environment around each differs drastically.
The Box Job area has a high concentration of player activity because multiple spawn points are nearby. This means gangs and random attackers frequent the area. If you want to avoid early confrontations, head to the Trash Job instead.
| Location | Sky Emoji | Player Traffic | Safety Rating | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trash Job | Trash icon | Low | ★★★★★ | Standard |
| Box Job | Box icon | High | ★★☆☆☆ | Standard |
| Bank | Bank icon | Medium | ★★★☆☆ | High |
| Gun Store | Gun icon | Low | ★★★★★ (Safe Zone) | N/A |
Earning Your Starter Cash
Before you can access the bank or buy weapons, you need to grind approximately $850 at a starter job. Here is how each job works.
Trash Job Walkthrough
Enter the trash facility and speak to the manager inside. Grab a trash bag from the designated trash can, then walk to the back of the building. An arrow on the ground points you toward the drop-off location. Drop the bag and repeat the process.
Box Job Walkthrough
Enter the warehouse and talk to the manager near the entrance. Pick up a crate from the pile, then deliver it to the truck outside. A white text prompt and directional arrow guide you to the correct truck bed. Drop the crate and return for another.
Choose the Trash Job for your first grind. The lower player traffic means fewer interruptions, and you will not lose progress to random attacks. Keep working until you have at least $850 for your first fake ID.
Locate a Starter Job
Look at the sky emojis and head toward either the Trash or Box job icon. Walk inside the building to begin.
Talk to the Manager
Speak with the NPC manager inside the facility to officially start working and enable pickup interactions.
Grab and Deliver
Pick up the designated item (trash bag or crate) and follow the on-screen arrow to the drop-off point.
Repeat Until $850
Continue the delivery loop until you have earned at least $850. This is your ticket to the bank farming method.
Bank Farming: The Core Money Loop
Once you have $850, head to the bank. This is where the real money-making begins in South Bronx: The Trenches. The bank loop involves using a fake ID to generate bank cards, which you then cash out at ATMs around the map.
Step-by-Step Bank Loop
Before entering the bank, walk around the corner to find an NPC selling fake IDs for $850. Purchase one, then head inside the bank.
There is a percentage chance that the bank manager will reject your fake ID. If this happens, you lose the $850 and must return to a starter job to earn another one. There is no way to guarantee acceptance.
Approach the female bank manager and hand over the fake ID. If accepted, walk to the nearby table and wait 30 seconds for the bank card to be processed. Once the card is ready, grab it and head out to find an ATM.
| Bank Loop Stage | Action Required | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buy Fake ID | Purchase from NPC near bank | Instant | $850 |
| Submit to Manager | Hand ID to female manager inside | Instant | N/A |
| Wait for Card | Stand at table for processing | 30 seconds | N/A |
| Cash Out at ATM | Find any ATM on the map | Instant | N/A |
ATM Locations
ATMs are scattered across the map. Key locations include surface streets, near commercial stores, and inside subway stations. You can teleport to any subway entrance to quickly access the subway ATM.
Buy a second fake ID before cashing out your first card at the ATM. When you return to the bank, claim your first card from the table, then immediately hand the manager the new fake ID. This eliminates the waiting period on subsequent runs.
Weapons and Self-Defense
After accumulating around $10,000 from bank farming, visit a gun store to purchase your first weapon. Look for the gun emoji in the sky to find the nearest store.
Weapon Recommendations
| Weapon | Price Tier | Damage | Reliability | Recommended For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hi-Point (TH15) | Cheapest | Low | ★☆☆☆☆ | Not recommended |
| Revolver | Budget | Medium | ★★★☆☆ | Budget constraint only |
| Glock 17 | Starter | Good | ★★★★★ | Best early-game choice |
The Glock 17 is the recommended starter weapon. Cheaper options like the Hi-Point will get you killed in firefights due to poor performance.
Ammunition System
Each gun has a limited ammunition capacity. The Glock 17 holds 17 rounds per clip, and you can carry a maximum of two extra clips (34 rounds total in reserve). Click on ammo in the gun store to refill. Press R to reload during combat.
When you first equip a new gun, you must manually slide it before it will fire. The gun will not shoot until this action is performed. After reloading with R, the slide operates automatically.
Gun Store Safe Zone
All gun stores are safe zones. You cannot damage other players inside, but you can use the indoor firing range to test your weapon and practice shooting before heading into dangerous areas.
Never Brandish in Public
Walking around with your gun drawn will attract attention. Other players will kill you and take your weapon. Keep it holstered unless actively threatened.
Store in a Safe
Use apartment safes to store weapons when not in use. You do not need to own the apartment to access an open safe.
Self-Defense Only
Only draw your weapon when someone is actively shooting at you or posing a direct threat. Aggressive play leads to losing your investment.
Apartments, Storage, and Robberies
Buying an Apartment
Enter any apartment complex and look for units marked For Sale. If a unit displays a username instead, it is already owned by another player. Purchase an available unit, then press the lock button inside to prevent other players from entering.
Every apartment contains a safe where you can store weapons and items. You do not need to own an apartment to use a safe. If you find an unlocked apartment, you can access its safe without purchasing the unit.
Owning an apartment gives you privacy and a guaranteed storage location. It also serves as a personal respawn point and a place to regroup away from hostile players.
Store Robberies
Robbable stores are scattered across the map. To rob a store, enter the building and approach the cashier counter. Draw your weapon and aim it at the cashier. The cashier will begin filling a bag with money. Hold E on the bag to collect your cash.
Store robbery payouts are not fixed. You may receive significantly less than other players depending on internal mechanics. Treat robberies as a supplemental income source, not a primary strategy.
Recommended Early Purchase: Dirt Bike
After saving around $35,000, purchase the dirt bike from the vehicle dealer. This vehicle dramatically improves your mobility, making bank runs, ATM trips, and escapes significantly faster. You can earn this amount in roughly one hour of consistent bank farming.
| Purchase | Cost | Priority | Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fake ID | $850 | 1st (Essential) | Enables bank farming |
| Glock 17 + Ammo | ~$10,000 | 2nd (High) | Self-defense capability |
| Dirt Bike | $35,000 | 3rd (Medium) | Fast map traversal |
| Apartment | Varies | 4th (Low) | Private storage and privacy |
PVP Combat Tips and Tricks
Combat in South Bronx: The Trenches favors players who understand movement and camera angles. New players typically make the mistake of fighting in first-person mode, standing still while shooting.
Third-Person Advantage
Fight in third-person mode to gain a wider field of view and make yourself harder to hit. Strafe side to side while firing. Most beginners aim in first-person and stand still, making them easy targets. Moving while shooting dramatically increases your survival rate.
Always move in third-person during gunfights. Strafe unpredictably, keep your crosshair on target, and never stand still. Players who fight stationary in first-person are the easiest to eliminate.
Beginner Progression Checklist:
- Choose Trash Job and earn first $850
- Buy first fake ID and start bank farming
- Save up $10,000 and purchase Glock 17 with ammo
- Buy a dirt bike for $35,000 to improve mobility
- Practice shooting at the gun store indoor range
- Purchase an apartment and store weapons in the safe
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which starter job is better in South Bronx: The Trenches?
The Trash Job is recommended for beginners because the Box Job area has high player traffic and multiple spawn points nearby, making it a hotspot for random attacks. Both jobs pay the same amount, but the Trash Job offers a safer grinding environment.
Q: What happens if the bank manager rejects my fake ID?
If the bank manager denies your fake ID, you lose the $850 you spent on it. You must return to a starter job and grind another $850 to buy a new fake ID from the NPC near the bank. There is no guaranteed acceptance rate.
Q: How do I skip the 30-second bank card waiting timer?
Buy a second fake ID before heading to the ATM. After cashing out your first card, return to the bank, claim the processed card from the table, and immediately hand the manager the new fake ID. This lets you start the next cycle without waiting.
Q: Where can I store my gun safely?
Every apartment has a safe where you can store weapons. You do not need to own the apartment to use a safe in an unlocked unit. However, purchasing your own apartment ensures you always have a private, secure storage location.
Q: What is the best early-game weapon to buy?
The Glock 17 is the best starter weapon. It costs more than the Hi-Point or revolver, but it offers reliable performance in firefights. Cheaper weapons like the Hi-Point are unreliable and will likely get you killed in PVP encounters.