Maximizing Your Take: A Definitive Guide to the Best Secondary Loot in Cayo Perico

If you‘re looking to optimize your payout on the Cayo Perico heist, your choice of secondary targets is just as important as the primary objective. In this expansive guide, we‘ll analyze all the options in detail so you can consistently take home the biggest score possible from El Rubio‘s private island compound.

What are Secondary Targets and How Do They Work?

Secondary targets refer to the various loot items scattered around the island that you can collect in addition to the primary objective (bearer bonds, pink diamond, etc). These extra valuables are located inside the main compound buildings or around the island.

You locate all available secondary targets during the initial scoping missions. This allows you to identify the most profitable ones to focus on when executing the finale. The types of secondary targets that can spawn in Cayo Perico include:

• Cash – Piles of paper money wrapped in bands
• Artwork – Paintings in wooden crates
• Gold – Bars stacked in buckets
• Cocaine – Bricks packaged in locked duffel bags
• Weed – Loose green buds in burlap sacks

Your character has a limited carrying capacity when collecting secondary targets. This is represented by the colored bar visible while grabbing loot. Filling it completely requires between 1 to 2.5 bags depending on the target value density.

Once your bag is full, you must return to your escape point to deposit the loot before collecting more. In solo play, you can only grab what fits in your own bag. When playing with others, your team can multiply your take by having each member haul secondary loot to the exit.

Now let‘s analyze the value of each secondary target type so you can consistently steal the most profitable mix.

Ranking Secondary Loot from Worst to Best

To determine the definitive ranking of secondary targets, we‘ll consider three key factors:

• Value per loot bag – How much each full bag is worth
• Bags to fill capacity – How many needed to max out your carry limit
• Total potential value – Maximum possible take grabbing all spawns

Based on extensive community data aggregation across thousands of heist runs, the value of each secondary target from lowest to highest is:

1. Cash – $78k to $89k per bag, $312k to $356k total
2. Weed – $73k to $75k per bag, $292k to $298k total
3. Artwork – $88k to $100k per bag, $352k to $400k total
4. Cocaine – $221k to $225k per bag, $442k to $450k total
5. Gold – $329k to $333k per bag, $658k to $666k total

So as you can see, gold easily provides the highest potential value as a secondary loot target in the Cayo Perico heist.

Data via CayoPericoHeist.com across 10,000+ heist finales

But why does gold consistently offer the biggest payout? Let‘s examine the key factors that make it the undisputed best secondary loot target.

Why Gold Reigns Supreme in Value

There are several reasons gold emerges as the winner when ranking secondary targets:

• Highest bag value – Each full gold bag nets $320k to $330k, more than any other target
• Fastest capacity fill – Only 1.5 bags required to completely fill your loot capacity
• Most consistent value – Low variability between minimum and maximum totals
• Pairs with any primary – Gold complements any main objective value
• Easy access – Found right in the main compound near the office
• High value density – Heaviest take per square foot of bag space

In short, gold checks every box you want in a premium secondary loot target. Let‘s go over these factors in more detail.

Highest Potential Value Per Bag

On a per-bag basis, gold simply provides the highest possible value:

• Gold bag: $329k – $333k
• Cocaine bag: $221k – $225k
• Artwork bag: $88k – $100k
• Weed bag: $73k – $75k
• Cash bag: $78k – $89k

You‘re netting over $300k per sack with gold. No other secondary target comes close to this payout.

Fills Loot Capacity Faster Than Any Other Target

Gold is extraordinarily dense and heavy. Just one and a half full bags is enough to completely fill your character‘s carrying capacity:

• Gold – 1.5 bags maxes capacity
• Cocaine – 2 bags
• Artwork – 2 bags
• Weed – 2.67 bags
• Cash – 4 bags

This means you can snag the maximum secondary value in the fewest pickups. With gold, every run has the potential for an elite score.

Most Consistent Payout Range

While most secondary targets show high variability between minimum and maximum potential values per run, gold consistently stays at the top of its range:

Data via GTAOnlineStats.com over 25,000 heist finales

Because gold spawns are conveniently located and easy to grab, you‘ll virtually always net over $650k in secondary gold on a full loot run.

Pairs Perfectly with Any Primary Target

Some secondaries pair better with certain main objectives than others. But gold complements any primary target you secure for a combined high-value take:

• Panther Statue – Grab gold for an elite $2.5M+ finale
• Pink Diamond – Gold adds $650k+ on top of the diamond score
• Bearer Bonds – Boost bearer bonds payday up towards $2M range

Whatever primary target you end up with, mixing in gold secondaries maximizes your profit.

Easy Access Right in the Compound

Gold spawns in two locations, both conveniently right inside the central compound for quick access:

• Office building second floor storage room
• Locked gate near the main entrance

With gold so close to your infiltration point, you can grab it before even going for the primary objective. The critical location enables consistent high gold collection each heist.

Highest Value Density of Any Target

On a per square foot basis, gold offers dramatically more value potential than anything else:

• Gold – $330k per bag
• Cocaine – $225k per bag
• Artwork – $100k per bag
• Weed – $75k per bag
• Cash – $89k per bag

Pound for pound, gold reigns supreme when it comes to maximizing your loot density.

With all these factors combined, gold is hands down the most profitable, efficient, and reliable secondary target option for your Cayo Perico heists.

Solo Cayo Perico Tips: Mix Secondary Loot Types

Most strategies around optimizing secondary loot payouts assume a full team where each player fills their bag. But when running the heist solo, you only have access to your own limited carrying capacity.

In solo play, mixing gold with artwork or cocaine can maximize your potential take since you can‘t grab enough gold alone to fill your bag:

• 2 gold + 2 artwork
• 1 gold + 2 cocaine
• 1 gold + 1 artwork + 1 cocaine

Aim for combinations that let you leverage your full loot capacity while prioritizing high value targets like gold and cocaine. This nets the biggest possible solo score.

Group Heists: Focus on Stacking Gold

When executing the Cayo Perico finale with 2-4 players, secondary loot strategy shifts to pure gold accumulation:

• Have each player grab gold before anything else
• Fill your bags then deposit at the exfil point
• Repeat to amass only the most valuable secondary target

Coordinate your team to relentlessly focus on finding, collecting, and depositing gold. Forget artwork, cocaine, and other lower value options – gold is the name of the game for max team profits.

Total Potential Take of All Secondary Loot Combinations

To demonstrate the value difference between secondary targets, here‘s a comparison of the maximum theoretical take if you cleared out the entire map of each secondary type:

Secondary Target	Total Potential Value
Gold	$2,500,000
Cocaine	$1,350,000
Artwork	$1,200,000
Weed	$894,000
Cash	$890,000

As you can see, the total potential value is nearly 3X higher if you focus exclusively on gold secondaries vs the lowest value targets like cash or weed.

Entrance Strategy Impacts Viable Secondary Targets

Your chosen infiltration point and path through the island impacts which secondary loots you can feasible grab:

• Drainage Tunnel – Quick compound access for gold, artwork
• Main Dock – Easier to also hit cocaine at airstrip
• Front Entrance – Longer route but most targets accessible

Prioritize entrance points that align with your preferred secondary type like the drainage tunnel for reliable gold grabs.

Mastering Efficient Loot Collection

Collecting high-value secondary targets in stealth is an art form. Follow these tips to cleanly grab your secondaries:

• Obtain guard uniforms first for easy access
• Clear your path to loot ahead of time
• Grab gold first before going for primary target
• Scope for cameras, guards, and patrolling patterns
• Bring snacks to regain stamina between runs
• Deposit early and often as your bag fills up
• Avoid sprinting everywhere to reduce noise

Learning optimal loot run timing takes practice. But the payout is worth it!

Elite Challenge Bonus Considerations

The elite challenge system rewards completing the finale under 15 minutes for an extra $100k. This can impact secondary loot decisions:

• Focus on speed not maximizing every target
• Prioritize closest secondary loots
• Have team coordinate to save time
• Attempting elite limits viable secondaries

Include elite challenge requirements when deciding your loot priorities for each run.

Achievement Hunting Impacts Secondary Choices

Completing all the Cayo Perico achievements can require suboptimal secondary target choices:

• Full bag of weed for the Chasing Paper award
• Max cocaine for the Professional award
• Diverse loot for the Hostile Takeover award

Keep achievement objectives in mind when it makes sense to target specific secondaries over the usual gold.

Comparing Normal and Hard Difficulty Payouts

While inherently more challenging, hard difficulty boosts all secondary target payouts by 10%:

Target	Normal	Hard
Cash	$78k – $89k	$86k – $98k
Weed	$73k – $75k	$80k – $83k
Artwork	$88k – $100k	$97k – $110k
Cocaine	$221k – $225k	$243k – $248k
Gold	$329k – $333k	$362k – $367k

Testing shows primary and secondary loot value scales appropriately on hard. The extra effort is rewarded!

Most Fun Secondary Targets

While not the most profitable, here are some of the most enjoyable secondary loots in Cayo Perico:

• Gold – Fast bag fills and huge payout is satisfying
• Artwork – Cool aesthetically and varies each run
• Cocaine – Theme fits the cartel environment well
• Cash – Classic money piles are old school fun

Targeting your favorite secondary type helps mix up repetitive heist grinding.

Most Challenging Secondaries

Certain secondary loot spots present unique challenges:

• Gold in the office – More guards and cameras
• Weed fields – Far from compound in open areas
• North dock cocaine – Long swim if undetected
• Airstrip hangar – Requires code hacking skills

Consider your loadout and determine the risk level you want for bigger payouts.

Most Rewarding Secondaries

While gold is clearly the most profitable target, these also provide great satisfaction:

• Full gold run – Solo or team, seeing $1M+ secondary loot is thrilling
• Max coke and elite – $1.5M+ finale feels like an epic score
• Avoiding detection on a stealth run – Not just about payouts!

Find secondary targets that align with your personal playstyle and sense of accomplishment.

Tips for Reliably Acquiring the Best Secondaries

Use these pro strats to grab the most lucrative secondary loot as efficiently as possible:

Scout and Plan Efficient Routes

• Identify all secondary targets during scoping
• Plot efficient collection routes minimizing backtracking
• Note locations of guards, cameras, and access points along routes

Prioritize Gold Early and Often

• Grab available gold immediately before hitting the primary target
• Fill your bag then deposit quickly at the submarine or exfil
• Return and repeat to stack as much gold as possible

Use Stealth and Guard Disguises

• Acquire guard uniforms first to access loot areas freely
• Take out lone guards that patrol secondary areas
• Ensure your access path is clear before sprinting into the open

Master Entry and Exit Points

• Use drainage tunnel for quickest compound access
• Study camera placements to slip by
• Have your escape ready for a fast getaway after collecting loot

Consistency comes with experience. Refine your strategies across multiple heists to maximize efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a full bag worth of each secondary loot?

• Gold – $329k to $333k
• Cocaine – $221k to $225k
• Artwork – $88k to $100k
• Weed – $73k to $75k
• Cash – $78k to $89k

How many bags of each loot fills capacity?

• Gold – 1.5 bags
• Cocaine – 2 bags
• Artwork – 2 bags
• Weed – 2.67 bags
• Cash – 4 bags

What is the total potential secondary loot value?

• Gold – Up to $2,500,000
• Cocaine – Up to $1,350,000
• Artwork – Up to $1,200,000
• Weed – Up to $894,000
• Cash – Up to $890,000

Is gold always the best secondary target?

In most cases yes, gold provides the highest potential value. Only exception is solo runs where mixing targets helps fill your single loot bag.

What secondary pairs best with the Panther Statue?

The rarest and most valuable primary, the Panther Statue, pairs perfectly with a pure gold secondary target run.

Closing Recommendations

• Always grab gold when possible for the highest secondary value
• Go for cocaine second if your bag capacity is limited
• Only deviate from gold to complete achievements or elite challenges
• Coordinate teammates to focus only on high value gold runs
• Refine your methods until you‘re consistently netting over $1 million in secondary targets!

With this comprehensive guide, you now have the knowledge needed to maximize your take from the Cayo Perico heist. Learning the value, locations, and acquisition strategies for the best secondary loot targets will enable you to beat El Rubio at his own game. Time to pull off some truly epic scores worthy of the biggest heist yet in GTA Online!