Schedule I Rival Gangs & Cartel Guide: Surviving the Underworld

Hyland Point isn't just about building your empire—it's about defending it. Rival gangs, the cartel, and various hostile factions will challenge your rise to power. This guide covers how to navigate and survive these conflicts.

The Cartel: Your Ultimate Enemy

The cartel represents the established criminal power in Hyland Point. As you grow, you'll inevitably clash with them. The cartel conflict is the endgame storyline of Schedule I's current Early Access build.

The Cartel Conflict Timeline

1. Rank Baron: Unlock Uptown and trigger the cartel storyline
2. The Choice: You must choose between cooperating with or fighting the cartel
3. "Finishing the Job": The final quest to destroy the cartel

Finishing the Job Requirements

To complete the final quest and destroy the cartel:

1. Give Billy 20 mid-quality cocaine to obtain RDX explosives
2. Pay Sam $10,000 to dig a tunnel under the cartel headquarters
3. Help Stan kill a stranger at night in the Docks area (appears near graffiti-covered buildings)
4. Install the bomb in the tunnel and destroy the cartel manor

Reward: Completion unlocks the final achievement and cements your dominance over Hyland Point.

Rival Gang Mechanics

While the cartel is the main antagonist, various rival gangs operate throughout Hyland Point:

Gang Territory

• Each region has its own gang presence
• Gangs control certain corners, alleys, and buildings
• Entering gang territory with product or money invites confrontation

Gang Encounters

• Low Rank: Gangs mostly ignore you or demand small bribes
• Mid Rank: Gangs may attack if they see you as competition
• High Rank: Gangs actively target your operations and dealers

Defending Your Territory

Property Defense

• Your properties are your fortress
• Police cannot enter your buildings
• Gangs cannot raid your interior spaces (game mechanic)
• The real threat is being caught outside your properties

Dealer Protection

Your dealers are vulnerable to gang interference:

• Keep dealers in safe, well-trafficked areas
• Don't leave dealers in isolated gang territory
• If a dealer is attacked, you may need to replace them

The Dealer Roster

Dealer	Territory	Unlock Rank	Cost	Notes
Benji Coleman	Northtown	Street Rat	$500	Starting dealer, reliable
Molly Presley	Westville	Hoodlum	-	First expansion dealer
Brad Crosby	Downtown	Hustler	-	Mid-tier dealer
Jane Lucero	Docks	Enforcer	-	High-value territory
Wei Long	Suburbia	Block Boss	-	Luxury area dealer
Leo Rivers	Uptown	Baron	-	Endgame dealer

Combat Preparation

Weapons from Stan's Shop

Weapon	Price	Type	Lethal	Rank Required
Baseball Bat	$50	Melee	No	Street Rat I
Frying Pan	$100	Melee	No	Street Rat I
Machete	$250	Melee	Yes	Peddler III
Revolver	$1,000	Gun	Yes	Hustler I
M1911	$2,500	Gun	Yes	Enforcer I
Golden M1911	$25,000	Gun	Yes	None
Pump Shotgun	$7,500	Gun	Yes	Block Boss I

Combat Strategy

Against Gangs:

• Melee weapons are usually sufficient
• Gangs aren't heavily armed early on
• Focus on knockdown and escape rather than killing
• Lethal force attracts police attention

Against Cartel (Endgame):

• The final quest involves preparation, not direct combat
• Build up your resources and allies before triggering the conflict
• The actual "fight" is the bombing sequence, not a shootout

Allies and Neutrals

Not everyone in Hyland Point is an enemy. Building relationships with key NPCs helps you survive:

Uncle Nelson

Your quest giver and mentor. Provides guidance and story progression. Always take his calls.

Manny (Warehouse)

Your employee recruiter. Essential for building automation. Visit after 6pm to hire staff.

Various Suppliers

• Albert Hoover: Seed supplier (essential for production)
• Shirley Watts: Chemical supplier (meth production)
• Fungal Phil: Mushroom materials (Hustler I required)
• Salvador Moreno: Coca seeds (Enforcer I required)

Maintaining good supplier relationships is crucial. Pay your dead drop debts promptly.

The 13 Steam Achievements

Several achievements relate to combat and survival:

Achievement	Requirement	Difficulty
Welcome to Hyland Point	Complete the "Welcome to Hyland Point" quest	Easy
Left in the Dust	Complete the prologue	Easy
Dodgy Dealing	Recruit your first dealer	Easy
The Long Arm of the Law	Get arrested by police	Medium
Businessman	Reach $100,000 net worth	Medium
Bigwig	Reach $1,000,000 net worth	Hard
Magnate	Reach $10,000,000 net worth	Very Hard
Finishing the Job	Destroy the cartel	Very Hard

Survival Tips for Hostile Territory

1. Travel in your vehicle: Cars provide protection and speed
2. Avoid gang corners at night: Higher risk of encounters after dark
3. Carry a stun weapon: Baseball Bat is cheap and non-lethal
4. Know your escape routes: Plan paths back to your properties
5. Keep a low profile early: Don't attract cartel attention until you're ready
6. Build up your rank: Higher rank unlocks better weapons and more territory
7. Use your dealers: Let them handle sales in dangerous areas

The Road to Dominance

Your journey from Street Rat to crime lord is a war of attrition. The cartel and gangs are obstacles, not immovable walls. Build your production, expand your territory, recruit allies, and when the time comes, strike decisively.

The cartel ruled Hyland Point before you arrived. With proper preparation, they won't survive your rise to power.