Summary

    • Introduced the Benzies family that players will either work for or fight against, expanding their narcotics empire in Hyland Point.
    • Unlock the Cartel questline by first accessing Westville and meeting Thomas Benzies, who offers a business partnership or declares war on operation.
    • Reduce Cartel influence, including gaining new customers, defeating ambushes, interrupting dealer operations, alongside graffiti throughout the city.

A rivalry brews in Schedule 1 after the Cartel update, introducing the Benzies family. Your drug empire now faces a threat as a powerful rival organization may hinder your expansion. Now, this new mechanic will allow you to either collaborate with them or eliminate their influence in operations. 

How to Unlock the Cartel in Schedule 1

Before starting the Cartel storyline, you will need to unlock the Westville area of Hyland Point first. After gaining access to this region, the questline will automatically trigger through a text message from Thomas Benzies. He serves as the Cartel’s representative, delivering the business proposition from the Benzies.

You’ll be in a meeting with him in the parking lot next to the Taco Ticklers restaurant. When it arrives at the designated location, you’ll see Thomas Benzies waiting in the back seat of Black SUV. Your decision here will ultimately decide how your Cartel experience goes, either in war with Benzies or in partnership.

If You Work With The Cartel

When you work for the Benzies’ family, you will enter a restrictive business arrangement with them. You will have to provide them with a specific amount of product each week at below-market prices. This means that you will need to significantly reduce your profit margins.

Plus, it will also limit your operations by preventing you from completing deals outside Northtown and Westville. Basically, you will not really grow your business in partnership with them, but rather forces you to operate under their terms.

Declaring War On the Cartel

On the other hand, declaring war on the Benzies family means tougher challenges ahead. It will let you continue operating your business without restrictions. Instead, the Cartel will actively sabotage your operations by sending armed minions. 

Besides the attack, it will also attempt to steal from your dealers and increase their influence over each Hyland Point region. So, you will need to be vigilant and strategic when taking this path to maintain your empire.

How to Decrease Cartel Influence

There are several ways in which you can reduce Benzies’ cartel influence on Hyland Point. You will need to decrease their dominance to unlock new regions and questlines toward your goal. After all, the endgame is to be the sole drug lord in the area. 

    • Expand your customer base and strengthen your relationships with your existing clients. 
    • Open your phone’s map to identify potential customers you haven’t entertained yet.
    • Offer some free samples of your products that match their preferred effects. 
    • Once they become your customers, maintain regular personal contact by selling to them directly. 
    • Carry weapons, preferably firearms, to defend yourself against the armed attackers while conducting business. 
    • Interrupt the Cartel’s own drug deals to reduce their influence. There are five specific locations throughout Hyland Point where the cartel dealers operate:
      1. Boarded-up building next to Tattoo Shop
      2. Crimson Canary
      3. Billy’s house near police checkpoint by the purchasable Warehouse
      4. In apartment opposite to Laundromat
      5. Building next to Jane’s camper van
    • Attack these dealers once they are in the locations, preventing them from completing the order. 
    • Acquire their customers for your own operation.
    • Also, steal products and cash from these Cartel dealers through pickpocketing. 
    • Create graffiti throughout the city to mark territories and reduce Cartel influence. 
    • Purchase spray paint from gas stations and equip it while walking around town. Paint the walls that appear with white outlines. 

Monitoring Your Progress

You can track your progress in reducing Cartel influence by accessing the Contacts app on your phone. It will display the current influence levels for each region. After successfully implementing these tips, it should unlock access to new regions in Hyland Point. 

Conclusion

Tougher competition between empires is up in Schedule 1 after the Rival Cartel update. While the Benzies have a dominating influence over the region, it should not stop you from pursuing your empire expansion. Actively work on sabotaging their cartel dealers’ operations to decrease their influence and steal clients from them.

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