[Verizon Galaxy S 5 General] GoodLooks550:
I was lucky to have my an S4 MDK (unlocked bl), so things were much simpler back then--had an S3, as well. In the process of getting my S5 running the way I wanted, the use of safestrap was completely new to me. Thankfully, some heavy browsing of the forums got me through. I did not use flashfire, which would have been something else to learn!

Thank you--your replies and guide were gold in terms of figuring it all out.

For onlookers of this thread, once you get to lollipop, it's hard to go back to kitkat. A lot of the small details really add up to an improved user experience. Also, having an s7 edge, the PB1 build on the S5 has 90% of the same functionality of the S7e--excluding edge-related features, of course.

To summarize my upgrade experience:

Root from any kitkat rom: Flash the NCG kernel in odin (AP/PDA), reboot and root with towelroot apk, and then install and update supersu; and lastly re-flash the NE9 kernel.

Install Hashcode's version of Safestrap: Install busybox apk. Install safestrap apk (version 3.75). Make sure to use a microsd card for installation, as recommended.

Install PB1 rom: (source: http://xdaforums.com/verizon-galaxy-s5/development/vzwstock-based-tw-rom-3-4-16-t3329029). Reboot into SS. Flash G900V_Fix Safestrap.zip. Reboot into SS. Flash:

VZW_BPB1_ODEX_DEODEX_V9.zip,

Extra_toggles.zip (optional),

BPB1_Firmware_No_Bootloaders.zip , and

G900V_PB1_Stock_KERNEL_SafeStrap-Flashable.zip.

Flash all in a single queue. Reboot into download mode and flash G900V_OD5_Bootloader.tar.md5 in odin. Reboot. Wait. (NOTE: for more customization, before installing rom, unzip rom. Edit the options.prop in text editor to your likeing. Rezip original contents with updated options.prop. Flash this zip as the rom file)

To get back into safestrap/recovery: Make sure hashcode's version of safestrap is installed. A lollipop safestrap will be installed--don't use it. Also, install NI2Flasher.apk (this flashes a kitkat kernel, which will allow you to get back into the kitkat safestrap). Reboot into safestrap. IMPORTANT: When complete with whatever is being done in SS, flash G900V_PB1_Stock_KERNEL_SafeStrap-Flashable.zip to get back into lollipop rom.

Install xpose modules: This allows the essential greenify app (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED) to run to maximum potential. Gather following files:

1.	APK: Xposed Installer 3.0 alpha4 (comes with some roms)

2.	Flash in SS: Framework: xposed-v75-sdk21-arm-arter97-snapdragon.zip

3.	Flash in SS: Uninstaller: xposed-uninstaller-arter97.zip

Since the rom I installed did not come with xposed installed. I flashed the framework in SS (look above to properly access and leave SS). Reboot. Install the APK. Reboot. Highly recommend installing Wanam's modules for lollipop--tons of modifications.

Unbrick: Get into download mode and flash: Full Wipe G900V_Downgrade_to_NCG.tar . (This helped me a ton until I realized that safestrap for the S5 does not work with rom-slots. Use the stock slot to do all flashing)

I gathered all this information from various threads, and hope this helps (highly recommend reviewing painiac's guide before starting anything - http://xdaforums.com/verizon-galaxy-s5/general/guide-painiacs-essential-guide-to-t3319848). I am no expert, but this is what worked for me--please correct me if I'm wrong at any step. I believe the way I set this up, I should be able to get back to a kitkat rom, if I ever wanted to (easiest way to do this would be to flash the unbrick file). I hope this can help at least one person, since I know I'm not the only person to recently get an S5 due to someone else in the family upgrading to the S7.