Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell (Strategy)

Four-eyed dragon, GamePro

04/11/2003 15:51:57

What's wrong, tough guy? Wasn't basic training enough to help you get through Splinter Cell? Here are some advanced tactics and ProTips for particular hot-spots in each level that will provide better intelligence to overcome the enemy.

Advanced Tactics

Scouting: Can't see down a street or along a hallway? Look through your riflescope with night vision to scout ahead. Use thermal vision to monitor movement in neighboring rooms that are separated by thin walls.

Weapon Handling: Shoot out lights with your pistol so you can conserve ammunition for your rifle. During close-quarter battles, use three shot bursts; for all other firefight situations, use the single shot option. By your second trip to the Chinese embassy, however, use your pistol for close-quarter combat and your rifle for medium- to long-range shooting attacks.

Hide and Concealment: If there's too much light in hallways or in a large room to conceal immobilized bodies, use a nearby room or closet that you already cleared to dispose of your victim.

Enemies need to reload weapons, too. A lull in firing means that they are reloading, which is your sign to reposition yourself for a better shot.

Throw cans or bottles to divert enemy patrols.

Turn off lights immediately after entering a room. If someone comes in, he'll instinctually turn on the lights first, which is your cue to attack him from behind.

Even if you're holding an officer as a human shield, troops will start firing once you aim your pistol at them. Aim your pistol when you're sure you have a target in your sights; otherwise, keep the barrel locked on the victim you're holding.

Movement: Each guard and patrolling enemy has four distinct movements: default, suspicious, pursuit, and "zipping." Familiarize yourself with them well.

Default: Enemies start out with set movements, whether walking specific paths or looking toward specific directions. Always watch a guard's movement before acting. This guard, for example, looks up periodically.

Suspicious: If they hear a sound or see movement, troops will investigate. Hide in the shadows or backtrack to a room or around a corner until the patrol returns to their default position.

Pursuit: If you're noticed in the light or on camera, you'll be gunned down, so have your gun ready. Also, any downed trooops that are seen will put soldiers in pursuit mode.

"Zipping": Zipping on wires or hanging from pipes and beams with dangling feet equals big trouble. Stealth zip or stealth hand-over-hand at all times-especially when there are patrols below you.

Tough Spots in the Field

Police Station: Throw a can down these steps to lure one of the guards toward you. When he's near, make a clean head shot and then take out his partner.

Defense Ministry: Hang outside from the windowsill of Nikoladze's office until the three-man team leaves. It will be easier to take them out later.

Oil Refinery: The path to the causeway is located over the water, not where the ladders are going.

C.I.A. Headquarters: In the room right after you pick up your rifle, use your split jump and then fall on the security guards and workers below.

Kalinatek: Disable the two wall mines only when the light is green.

Chinese Embassy: The dog can't be taken out with your bare hands. Go gentle by luring and gassing him, or use the diversion camera on him as well as any other unsuspecting guards.

Abattoir: Use thermal vision to see through the grated ceiling below. Stay above and shoot at will-enemies will be firing blindly at you.

Chinese Embassy 2: For the first two times, don't waste your energy trying to decipher the code on the keypad by using thermal vision. Instead, as soon as the last person enters the doorway, rush right in behind him in stealth stance and stop immediately underneath the doorframe. Have your gun ready, however, if someone hears you.

Presidential Palace: After Nikoladze is led away, and as soon as the lights go out, switch to night vision, shoot the guy closest to you, and then retreat behind the boxes to your left. Wait for a second guard to come to you and take him out, then eliminate the remaining threats with simple long range sniping. Caution: Elite guards inside and outside the palace wear protective headgear, which means you can't make an effective head shot. Two or three shots to the body, however, will do.