MGS:PO New Game + Tsuchinoko Routes & Guide
Goal: Complete the game as fast as possible with any previously collected equipment & personnel at your disposal - without getting spotted
Kills are allowed, but generally slower with lethal strategies being rare exceptions on all routes below.
Pre-Run
Useful Knowledge
It is preferable to play on a PAL release
as noted here, but this guide also includes additional info and strategies for NTSC whenever necessary (Silo Complex)
One line of Non-Codec text/dialogue needs to be skipped before you can hold Triangle to fast forward through the rest of it
If you don't receive a Spy Report that is necessary to advance the game after using your Waits, deploy to any location and abort the mission to progress time further
If you desperately need to heal up or refill your Stamina, you can use Waits to recover all characters' Health & Stamina Gauges
Holding the Movement Stick in any direction while loading into a stage will make your character face that direction - Keep it in a neutral position to avoid this from occuring
In rare cases, pointing towards a specific direction can help save some frames (e.g., Silo Entrance I., II. & III.)
Noteworthy Techniques and Notations
Advance Point (AP): The “exit” of a level, which either takes you to the next area or back to the Briefing Menu
CQC Hold Up: Perform a CQC slam and (auto-)aim your weapon at the enemy to immobilize them
Box-Bump (BB): Run & bump into a soldier, then quick-equip your C Box to give yourself just enough time to run out of the now confused guard's cone of vision
180°-Bump-Grab (180-BG): Run & bump into a soldier from the front, then once you’re behind him, perform a 180° turn and grab him - This also works while having the C Box equipped
Push-Drop: With a person in your chokehold, aim the stick in a direction and press Square to push them to the ground - This gives you an opening to escape out of their sight
Roll-Knockdown (RKD): Bump into or run just next to a guard and perform a roll in the direction you want to continue in - This pushes them just out of range to spot you once they've recovered
Soldier & Equipment Setup
Unlike New Game runs, NG+ runs allow you to optimize your setup over as many playthroughs as necessary before starting your timed run. Things including, but not limited to having the best Soldier Types, Careers, Stats & Skills, their individual Equipment or even their positioning within the Teams to minimize time spent menuing during the run.
This guide and its routes often require the runner to have the best possible combination for any scenario at hand. Legitimately setting up a fully optimized save will take 100+ hours and take you through hundreds of recruitments due to the extremely rare nature of getting ideal Career combinations such as Athlete (increased run speed) + Gambler (~10% chance to double your damage per shot), along with a decent amount of Life and the right Stats.
The New Game + Master Save [PAL] prepared by MarlonH8 has all this taken care of already. It's optimized to the theoretical maximum for all difficulties.
This “ideal” setup can be cross-referenced below:
| Sneaking Unit | Important Careers | Important Stats/Skills | Equipment | Used on |
| Team Alpha resets upon starting NG+ | | | | |
| Team Bravo | | | | |
Officer (F) B-1 [EASY/NORMAL] | Athlete + Gambler | Life, Sniper Rifle, Traps | [Mosin N] [TNT] [Med Kit L] [C Box] | WS/Python |
| USSR B-2 | Athlete | / | [/] [/] [/] [C Box] | RL1 |
| Filler B-3 | / | / | [/] [/] [/] [/] | / |
| USSR B-4 | Athlete | Traps | [/] [TNT] [/] [C Box] | SD2, RB1, SD3, RL2, RB2, HB |
| Team Charlie | | | | |
| Any C-1 | Athlete + Gambler | Life, >= A Handgun, Sniper Rifle | [SAA] [SVD] [Med Kit L] [Body Armor]2) | Gene |
| Filler C-2 | / | / | [/] [/] [/] [/] | / |
| USSR C-3 | Athlete | Heavy Weapons | [RPG-7] [Ammo HEAT] [Med Kit L] [C Box] | PT/RAXA |
| (OPEN) | - | - | - | - |
| Team Delta | | | | |
| FOX D-1 | Athlete + Gambler | Sniper Rifle/Heavy Weapons | [M63] [SVD] [Med Kit L] [C Box] | A, SE1/Null1, SE2, PS1, PS2/Null2, SE3 |
| FOX D-2 | Athlete | >= B CQC | [/]3) [Chaff G] [/] [C Box] | SC |
Officer (F) D-4 [EXTREME] | Athlete + Gambler | Life, Sniper Rifle, Traps | [Mosin N] [TNT] [Med Kit L] [C Box]4) | WS/Python |
| USSR A-1 | Athlete + Rescuer | >= A CQC, Throwing Weapons, Traps | [Mk22] [TNT] [Stun G] [C Box] | SD1, HPT, SPB2, SB, RB3, GH, R, Cunningham |
| Other Key Members | Important Careers | Important Stats/Skills |
| Independent: Slot 1 | | |
| Tech-1 (Any) | Not Elite Engineer/Engineer | >= A Technical |
| All: Slots 1, 2, 3 | | |
| Spy-1 (Ursula/Any) | / | 100/90 Sense |
| Spy-2 (Venus/Any) | / | >= 65 Sense |
| Spy-3 (Null/Any) | / | >= 60 Sense |
Notes Regarding Difficulty-Specific Strategies
While the main route presented in this guide is based on EXTREME Difficulty, the majority of these strategies and routes work identically on their EASY & NORMAL counterparts.
If there are alternatives available to any Difficulty, they will be marked by their respective tags (e.g., [EASY-only], [EASY/NORMAL-only], [EXTREME] etc.).
All of the occurences relating to the main route are also listed below:
| Stage | Difficulty | Routing Change |
| Pre-SPB1 Briefing | EASY/NORMAL | No need to swap a member onto D-4 |
| Supply Depot I. | EASY | Usually free instant knockout due to lower guard stats → Use the “Slam Route” |
| Research Lab I. | EASY/NORMAL | No patrol at the top of the ramp → “Direct Route” and “Team Alpha's Swapless Route” are now feasible |
| Security Base | EASY | Usually free instant knockout due to lower guard stats → The “No Hold Up Route” is now possible |
| Warhead Storage | EASY/NORMAL | No cam, no need to swap → Go with “Team Bravo's Swapless Vent OOB Route” |
| Airport | EASY | No terminal guard at the top → Make use of the “Direct Route” instead |
| Power Substation II. | EASY/NORMAL | Officer positioning changed → “Direct Route” and “Drop Route” are the appropriate substitute routes |
| Silo Complex | EASY | No additional guard in front of locked door #2 → The “Direct” and “Safe” alternative routes are now viable |
| Silo Complex (NTSC) | EASY/NORMAL | Different Key location → Use the “NTSC Key Route” |
All bosses deal less damage, but otherwise behave in the exact same manner on EASY & NORMAL, as opposed to EXTREME. The other important difference lies in the amount of health & stamina that you can drain per hit.
This is generally5) increased by at least 100% on NORMAL and 200% on EASY. All in all, these changes alone already enable EASY speedruns to finish over 100 seconds earlier than a run on EXTREME Difficulty would.
[I] Escape & Diversionary Operations
[1.1] Prison
Standard Route
Skip (Start) Cutscene
Attempt to open the cell door - ideally with the Double Handle Grab
Fast forward (Triangle) Text
Skip Text
Enter the crawl space below the bed and follow it to the right
Get up as you exit the space beneath the bed (don't hold X, tap it) and pick up the Mk22
Skip Text
Skip Cutscene
Fast forward Text
Head through the door on your left and continue into the main building
Perform a roll into prone position, finishing in front of the gate
Crawl past the gate, get up and knock out the guard in front of you with a Roll-Knockdown (RKD) towards the right
Roll up the slope in front of you, follow the left path and roll into the Advance Point (AP)
Double Handle Grab
You can skip one of the cell door handle grab animations here. In order to do that, you need to run towards the door's handle in a way that places yourself just out of range to normally initiate the door opening animation when pressing the action button.
If properly executed, this precise trick makes one handle grab count as two or more and therefore advances Snake straight to the text box.
The skip was discovered by Pythonicus during his first full speedrun!
[1.2] Comm Base I.
Standard Route
Fast forward Text
Head right and roll past the gap behind the iron fence
Enter the main building through the eastern red door in front of you
Open the next door and step into the AP
Fast forward Codec Call
Fast forward Codec Call
Skip Cutscene
| Action | Input |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Swap Snake with “USSR A-1” | Square ↑ Square |
[EXTREME] Swap Snake with “Officer (F) D-4” | Square ↑ Square |
| Select Soviet Patrol Base | |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Start Mission | |
[2] Soviet Patrol Base I.
Standard Route
Skip Cutscene
Take a few steps towards the west
Fast forward Codec Call
Roll right through the Text Trigger north of you
Skip Text
Head northwest and roll into the lower area
Ascend the northern staircase and continue towards the next lower area
Roll diagonally over the gap onto the path into the building
Inside, perform a RKD past the officer and into the Secret Document
Fast forward Codec Call
| Action | Input |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Supply Depot | ↑ |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Team Alpha & start Mission | |
Cutscene/Text Triggers
Cutscene or Text Triggers like the one here temporarily block you from moving. If you enter the trigger area with a roll, your animation will carry you a bit further.
Alternative Routes
| Safe Route (2+s timeloss) | Crate Roll Route (<1s timesave) | Ultimate Precision Route (2+s timesave) | | | |
| The ol' reliable - beginner's route! | Semi-precise optimization | Near TAS-like precision needed! - not recommended! | | | |
| | | | | | |
[3] Supply Depot I.
Standard Route
Fast forward Codec Call
In front of you, climb up one box and roll onto the concrete
Continue forward, equip your Mk22 and tranquilize the soldier guarding the entrance (Jonathan)
Pick up and drag Jonathan to the stacked boxes and enter First Person View mode (FPV)
Turn towards the southwest and drop him to the ground
Drop down yourself and continue dragging Jonathan to the back of the truck
Skip Cutscene
| Action | Input |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Comm Base | ↑ |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Comm Base | |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Team Bravo & start Mission | |
Truck Recruitment Positioning
Make sure to not drag soldiers too close to the truck's rear. Snake will always go towards a fixed spot, which is a certain distance behind the truck.
If you entered the trigger zone from an unfavorable position, you could lose valuable seconds due to longer animations.
Why Supply Depot?
While the game recommends you to go to the Soviet Patrol Base, you can actually visit any of the available stages to complete this recruitment mission.
We're simply recruiting this soldier on this stage, because he is closer to our truck and therefore faster to drag there than anyone else. The TNT pickup is an added bonus.
Alternative Routes
[EASY-only] Slam Route (1+s timesave) | | |
| Possible timesave on EASY due to usually much lower soldier stats | | |
| | | |
[4] Comm Base II.
Standard Route
Fast forward Codec Call
Run straight into the central building via the western red door
Go through the next two doors to your front, left and into the AP
Fast forward Codec Call
| Action | Input |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Hospital | |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Team Alpha & start Mission | |
[5] Hospital
Standard Route
Fast forward Codec Call
Approach the gap of the wall in front of you with a roll into prone position
Pass the gap and follow along the left, past the nearby building
Keep going and enter the northern building through the door below the bridge
Equip your C Box, box-walk up the staircase and take two rights
Enter the rightmost room and get into the AP behind the desk
Fast forward Codec Call
Skip Cutscene
| Action | Input |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Research Lab | |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Team Bravo & start Mission | |
Alternative Routes
| Team Charlie's Swap Route (<1s timesave IGT/1+ timeloss RTA) | | |
| The angle for the roll into prone is quite unfavorable - not recommended! | | |
| | | |
[6] Research Lab I.
Standard Route
Fast forward Codec Call
Pause the game and perform a Member Change to USSR B-2 (/)
Pass below the camera and follow along the path until you reach the upward slope with the guard next to it
Start ascending it, then equip your Box to box-walk the few meters between the two gaps in the wall
Unequip your Box to avoid detection while reaching the top and heading north
Reequip it before continuing eastward, onto the slope next to the scientist
Box-walk to the top, turn around and head into the AP
Skip Cutscene
Fast forward Codec Call
Roll straight down to the door to enter the building
Take a right and roll into the final AP
Skip Cutscene
| Action | Input |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Spy-1 (Ursula/Any) → Spy Unit - Supply Depot | ← Square → → R R Square |
| Spy-2 (Venus/Any) → Spy Unit - Soviet Patrol Base | R Square ← ← ↓ Square |
| Spy-3 (Null/Any) → Spy Unit - Research Lab | ↓ Square → → ↑ Square |
| Wait once for Supply Depot Report | |
| Read it & fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Supply Depot | ↓ ↓ ↓ |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Team Bravo & start Mission | |
Alternative Routes
[EASY/NORMAL-only] Direct Route (<1s timesave IGT/<1s timesave RTA) | [EXTREME] Team Alpha's Swapless Route (2+s timeloss IGT/<1s timesave RTA) | [EASY/NORMAL-only] Team Alpha's Swapless Route (<1s timeloss IGT/2+s timeloss RTA) | Team Alpha's Vent OOB Route (2+s timesave IGT/<1s timeloss RTA) | | | |
| One guard less on EASY/NORMAL | Same route minus the Member Change | One guard less on EASY/NORMAL and no Member Change | Using a Glitched Box Equip to start the level from the opposite end without a Member Change | | | |
| | | | | | | |
[7] Supply Depot II.
Standard Route
Fast forward Codec Call
Pause the game and perform a Member Change to USSR B-4 (↓ ↓)
Head northeast onto the concrete, then run inside of the main building and continue towards the hall's back
Once you've reached the corner, roll onto the crates to obtain the Secret Document
Fast forward Codec Call
| Action | Input |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Rail Bridge | |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Team Bravo & start Mission | |
[8] Rail Bridge I.
Standard Route
| Action | Input |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Wait for Supply Depot Report (or Research Lab Report or Soviet Patrol Base Report) | |
| Read it & fast forward Dialogue | |
| OPTIONAL: Use up all your Waits (will improve Spy Report acquisition rate) | |
| Select Supply Depot (or Research Lab or Soviet Patrol Base) | ↓ ↓ ↓ (or ↑ ↑ or ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑) |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Team Bravo (or Team Alpha) & start Mission | |
Alternative Routes
| Team Alpha's Swapless Route (1+s timeloss IGT/2+s timesave RTA) | | | |
| Same route minus the Member Change | | | |
| | | | |
Order of Diversionary Mission Completions
For the TNT-blowup missions (9-A, 9-B, 9-C [& 9-D]) the order in which you read and complete the Spy Reports can help you save around a second by skipping some pre-deployment dialogue.
If you receive more than one TNT Report during a Briefing session, make sure to read the canonically later one first. Then, read the other one(s) and complete the last Report, which you've read.
The canon timeline looks like this: [Town >] SPB > RL > SD
Examples: If you get both RL & SD Reports, read RL first, then read and complete SD. If you receive Reports for SPB & RL, read SPB before reading and completing RL.
After finishing three of these missions, you can move on to [10] Rail Bridge II.!
[9-A] Supply Depot III.
Standard Route
Fast forward Codec Call
Roll southwest, then pause the game and perform a Member Change to USSR B-4 (↓ ↓)
Equip your TNT and run southwest towards the target truck's back
Plant the TNT
behind it and immediately blow it up
Fast forward Codec Call
| Action | Input |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
If this was your 3rd Diversionary Op: Select Rail Bridge, fast forward Dialogue, select Team Bravo & start Mission | |
| Wait for Research Lab Report (or Soviet Patrol Base Report) | |
| Read it & fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Research Lab (or Soviet Patrol Base) | ? |
| Select Team Bravo (or Team Alpha) & start Mission | |
[9-B] Research Lab II.
Standard Route
Fast forward Codec Call
Pause the game and perform a Member Change to USSR B-4 (↓ ↓)
Follow along the route to your right and box-walk up the slopes
Enter the main building through the southern entrance and unequip your Box once inside
Pass the guard blocking the path and enter the room to your right
Equip your TNT and plant and trigger it closely in front of the generator
Fast forward Codec Call
| Action | Input |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
If this was your 3rd Diversionary Op: Select Rail Bridge, fast forward Dialogue, select Team Bravo & start Mission | |
| Wait for Soviet Patrol Base Report (or Supply Depot Report) | |
| Read it & fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Soviet Patrol Base (or Supply Depot) | ? |
| Select Team Alpha (or Team Bravo) & start Mission | |
Alternative Routes
| Swapless Route (1+s timeloss IGT/1+s timesave RTA) | | | |
| Same route minus the Member Change | | | |
| | | | |
[9-C] Soviet Patrol Base II.
Standard Route
Fast forward Codec Call
Head east and roll diagonally across the lower level to reach the path next to the building
Enter the building and run between the tables to reach the southeastern exit
Run past the guards on your way into the armoury in front of you
Equip, plant and detonate the TNT
| Action | Input |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
If this was your 3rd Diversionary Op: Select Rail Bridge, fast forward Dialogue, select Team Bravo & start Mission | |
| Wait for Supply Depot Report (or Research Lab Report) | |
| Read it & fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Supply Depot (or Research Lab) | ? |
| Select Team Bravo & start Mission | |
TNT Diversionary Operation... D?!
There is one more location in which you could perform a diversionary operation; Town! However, since it has by far the slowest route it is in no way viable for the run.
Alternative Routes
| Non-Lethal Route (3+s timeloss) | | | |
| Pacifist! | | | |
| | | | |
| Action | Input |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Rail Bridge | |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Team Bravo & start Mission | |
[10] Rail Bridge II.
Standard Route
Fast forward Codec Call
Pause the game and perform a Member Change to USSR B-4 (↓ ↓)
Head east to step onto the bridge's center and make your way across
Stick to the right line after passing the truck to avoid the hut's guard from spotting you
Run into the AP
Fast forward Codec Call
| Action | Input |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Harbor | |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Team Bravo & start Mission | |
Alternative Routes
| Team Alpha's Swapless Route (1+s timeloss IGT/2+s timesave RTA) | | | |
| Same route minus the Member Change | | | |
| | | | |
[II] New Friends, Loose Ends
[11] Harbor
Standard Route
Fast forward Codec Call
Pause the game and perform a Member Change to USSR B-4 (↓ ↓)
Head straight, then roll up and cross the bridge to your right
Turn left to roll into the ship and perform another roll over the railing to drop onto the cutscene trigger
Skip Cutscene
Fast forward Codec Call
Climb and roll past the crates towards the east into the text trigger
Fast forward Text
Roll further eastwards onto the floor and into the call trigger in front of the tarped crate
Fast forward Codec Call
Fast forward Codec Call
| Action | Input |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Spy-1 (Ursula/Any) + Spy-2 (Venus/Any) → Spy Unit - Security Base | ← Square → → ↑ Square Square ← ← ↓ Square |
| Wait for Security Base Report | |
| Read it & fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Security Base | ↓ |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Team Alpha & start Mission | |
NTSC vs PAL
Unlike on PAL, the cutscene trigger won’t save you from taking fall damage in the NTSC releases.
[12] Security Base
Standard Route
Fast forward Codec Call
Head east, roll past the gap and enter the main building through the door behind the patrol
Perform a CQC Hold Up on the FOX soldier, then equip your Box and continue left onto the staircase
Box-walk up, but make sure to unequip it halfway up the second ramp
Enter the sliding door on your left, reequip your C Box and box-walk into the Secret Document
Skip Codec Call
| Action | Input |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Warhead Storage | |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
[EXTREME] Select Team Delta & start Mission | |
[EASY/NORMAL-only] Select Team Bravo & start Mission | |
Alternative Routes
[EASY-only] No Hold Up Route (<1s timesave) | | | | |
| Possible timesave on EASY due to usually much lower soldier stats | | | | |
| | | | | |
[13.1] Warhead Storage
Standard Route
[EXTREME] Route | [EASY/NORMAL-only] Route |
| Perform a Member Change to D-4 (↓ ↓) | |
| Rush into the corridor northeast of you | Head into the corridor northeast of you |
| Avoid the camera by sticking close to the left wall while descending into the big hall | Stick left while running down the ramps and continue into the big hall |
Fast forward Text
Once inside, head straight into the shuttered room ahead of you while avoiding the invisible lasers
Get close to the vent on the left wall, then perform a
Glitched Box Equip and clip into the vent
Once you're out of bounds, swap your C Box for some TNT and follow along the level geometry to head further down
While running into the supposed dead end, go into FPV to clip through the wall and head into the AP
Fast forward Codec Call
Try to plant the TNT
Skip Cutscene
Alternative Routes
[EASY/NORMAL-only] Team Bravo's Swapless Vent OOB Route (<1s timesave IGT/2+s timesave RTA) | [EXTREME] Glitchless Lure Route (35+s timeloss) | [EASY/NORMAL-only] Team Bravo's Glitchless & Swapless Box Lure Route (32+s timeloss IGT/29+s timeloss RTA) | [EXTREME] Team Delta's Glitchless & Risky Box Lure Route (29+s timeloss) | | | |
| Same route minus the Member Change | C Box can be swapped for Body Armor beforehand | C Box to lure the guard, no cam | Not recommended! | | | |
| | | | | | | |
[13.2] Python Boss Fight
Standard Route
Equip your Mosin Nagant and quickly land a no-scoped shot at Python as he charges at you
After landing a shot, look straight down at the ground with your Mosin equipped/in FPV to dodge Python’s retaliatory burst-fire
Once his invincibility-frames from your last hit have worn off, land another shot
Repeat the last two steps until his Stamina Gauge is fully drained (Easy: 1 headshot + 2 body shots, Normal: 2 headshots + 2 body shots, Extreme: 5 headshots + 1 body shot)
Skip Cutscene
| Action | Input |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Wait for Security Base Report | |
| Read it & fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Airport | ↓ |
| Select Team Delta & start Mission | |
FPV Lookdown Exploit
Looking down while in FPV mode prevents most enemies' incoming fire from hitting you, This works, because looking down in FPV seems to turn your plane of a hurtbox parallel to the ground.
Since this strategy was discovered in 2017 by MarlonH8 it fundamentally made the game much easier than it was before - from both a speedrun and casual perspective.
Python's RNG
Python will react differently to incoming damage. Ideally, you'd want to see his long recovery animation that barely leaves any room for him to retaliate, but this is rarely the case.
Alternative Routes
[EASY-only] (10+s timesave) | [NORMAL-only] (6+s timesave) | | | | | |
| / | / | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
[14] Airport
Standard Route
Fast forward Codec Call
Fast forward Codec Call
Enter the terminal area through the door in front of you
Roll behind the desk and pause the game to perform two Member Changes
Zip FOX D-1 past the locked door and wall by performing a Member Change to FOX D-2 (/) and straight back to FOX D-1 (↓ ↓)
Equip your Box and box-walk up the ramp in front of you and the next one across the room above
Once you're in the control room, pass the central pillar to its right and unequip your Box
Approach the government official in the corner while starting to stalk 3 floor patterns behind him
Grab him from his right shoulder to stay out of the guard's range while doing the interrogation
Fast forward Codec Call
| Action | Input |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Silo Entrance | |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Team Delta & start Mission | |
Alternative Routes
[EASY-only] Direct Route (<1s timesave) | | | | | |
| The missing terminal guard makes a more direct approach viable | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
[15.1] Silo Entrance I.
Standard Route
Fast forward Codec Call
Equip your C Box and ascend the ramps leading to the top
Unequip it, head past the guard on your right and roll over the railings to reach the bottom
Box-walk up the next building’s ramp and perform a roll over the wall to land behind the nearby guard
Continue north until you can roll close to the AP to progress further
Skip Cutscene
[15.2] Null Boss Fight I.
Standard Route
Take a step east before initiating a stance change to prone, facing Null
Equip your SVD during this animation, then target his feet and start firing
After landing a hit, wait for the i-frames to wear off and fire once again
If Null is getting too close, build up some distance and repeat the prone-procedure
When you have to reload, never do so by manually reloading as this can cause Null to land a lethal charge on you
Repeat the last step until his Life Gauge is fully drained (Easy: 3 shots, Normal: 5 shots, Extreme: 15 shots)
Skip Cutscene
| Action | Input |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Silo Entrance | |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Team Delta & start Mission | |
Top Snipe One Shot
Alternative Routes
[EASY-only] (19+s timesave) | [NORMAL-only] (15+s timesave) | M63 Strat (26+s timeloss*) | [EASY] Crouch Strat (20+s timesave) | | | |
| / | / | Easier, but much slower alternative - not recommended! - *less timeloss on EASY/NORMAL | Beware of smaller hitboxes - not recommended! | | | |
| | | | | | | |
[16] Silo Entrance II.
Standard Route
Fast forward Codec Call
Again, box-walk up the alternating ramps and unequip your Box at the top
Head past the guard's front and swing yourself over the railing next to him
Drop and grab the pipe below, then move left so you can safely drop onto the crates in front of the tunnel
Box-walk down the path and perform a Box-Bump (BB) into 180°-Bump-Grab (180-BG) on the officer to interrogate him (don't let go!)
Fast forward Codec Call
Skip Cutscene
| Action | Input |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Rail Bridge | ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Team Alpha & start Mission | |
Alternative Routes
| Fullspeed Route (<1s timesave) | Risky “Oof” Strats (2+s timesave) | | | |
| Skips equipping the C Box | RKD on guard while dropping below - “Oof” when failed | | | |
| | | | | |
[17] Rail Bridge III.
Standard Route
RECOMMENDED: While loading into the level, point the Movement Stick up-left to start running in the correct direction
Run straight into the western building and pass through the room to your right
RKD past the officer and into the Secret Doc
Skip Codec Call
Skip Cutscene
| Action | Input |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Guest House | |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Team Alpha & start Mission | |
History of the "Spy Report Skip"
Here, we are performing a sequence break - accidentally discovered by miniomegaking. While watching one of mini's Rail Bridge route videos, MarlonH8 noticed that the guard patterns were different. Originally assumed to be either regional differences, the oddity was shortly thereafter explained by the fact that mini forgot to place spies in the area to notify him of the report and therefore skipped one step ahead.
Immediately afterwards, we tried to find similar spy report skips, but didn't have much luck. MarlonH8 did find another one for the Town Diversionary Op., which unfortunately is the slowest of the “TNT-missions” and therefore not part of the run.
[18] Guest House
Standard Route
Fast forward Codec Call
Head downward and follow along the alleyway to your northwest
Turn left and stick to the building's wall until you reach the metal door
Enter the door and follow the path downwards
Roll into the AP around the right corner
Skip Cutscene
| Action | Input |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Spy-1 (Ursula/Any) + Spy-2 (Venus/Any) → Spy Unit - Silo Entrance | ← Square → → ↑ Square Square ← ← ↓ Square |
| Select Plant | |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Team Charlie & start Mission | |
Alternative Routes
| Vent OOB Glitch (4+s timesave) | | | | |
| Using a Glitched Box Equip to go OOB and straight to the AP - Easy to get spotted | | | | |
| | | | | |
[19.1] Plant
Standard Route
Fast forward Codec Call
Pause the game and perform a Member Change to USSR C-3 (↓)
Run forward, then continue right between the two buildings and past the guard
Once you're one floor plate behind the guard on your level, equip your C Box
Quickly box-walk around the left corner to head into the distant AP
Skip Cutscene
Standard Route
Equip your RPG-7, and launch some well-aimed missiles on the shadow between RAXAs four legs for maximum splash damage
Repeat until RAXA's legs are completely broken (Easy: 2 hits, Normal: 3-4 hits, Extreme: 10 hits)
After the transformation cutscene, RAXA will be in Phase 2
Here, aim your shots precisely at the outside corners of the central, diamond-shaped missile bay on each arm
Repeat until each arm is destroyed to end the fight (Easy: 1 hit each, Normal: 2 hits each, Extreme: 5 hits each)
Skip Cutscene
| Action | Input |
| Confirm & fast forward Dialogue | |
| Wait for Silo Entrance Report | |
| Read it & fast forward Dialogue | |
| Spy-1 (Ursula/Any) + Spy-2 (Venus/Any) → Spy Unit - Ravine | → ↑ L Square ↓ Square Square ↑ Square |
| Tech-1 (Any) → Technical Unit | @Spy Unit → Square → → Square |
| Wait for Ravine Report | |
| Read it & fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Ravine | ↓ |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Team Alpha & start Mission | |
There is an RPG-7 with 10 loaded rockets found towards the northeast and an additional box of Ammo (HEAT) x20 found in the southern end of the hall.
Alternative Routes
[EASY-only] (30+s timesave) | [NORMAL-only] (29+s timesave) | | | | | |
| / | / | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
[III] Lights Out and Away We Go
[20] Ravine
Standard Route
Fast forward Codec Call
Head south and roll over the rail before it bends to the right
Once recovered, pass through the tunnel in the south
To safely get past the boulder here, make sure to roll against it as opposed to alongside of it, over the crevice
If executed correctly, you can pull yourself back up and head further south to roll into the AP
Fast forward Codec Call
| Action | Input |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Power Substation | |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Team Delta & start Mission | |
[21] Power Substation I.
Standard Route
Fast forward Codec Call
Equip your M63 and fire a warning shot while heading east
Unequip your M63 and equip the C Box to box-walk up the ramp
Continue north with your Box stored away to roll off of this level towards the ladder
Climb the ladder to the very top and head further north
Roll onto the main building and head to the northwestern opening
Roll off of the edge and enter the building through the electronic door
Run eastwards past another door and onto the yellow-striped hallway
Take two lefts and pass the door to get into the AP inside, on your left
Fast forward Codec Call
| Action | Input |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Wait for Detonation Timer development to “begin” | |
| Confirm it & fast forward Dialogue | |
| Equipment (FOX D-1): Equip Time Bomb onto M63 | [Time Bomb] [SVD] [Med Kit L] [C Box] - (R R R O O O R ↑ O) |
| Select Power Substation | |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Team Delta & start Mission | |
Alternative Routes
| Simple Route (1+s timeloss) | Fullspeed Route (<1s timesave) | |
| From A to B within a safe cycle | Must be near-perfect to avoid detection - easier at night! | |
| | | |
[22.1] Power Substation II.
Standard Route
Fast forward Codec Call
This time, ascend the ramp with three rolls before heading to the ladder north of you as usual
Climb it to the top, head further north and roll straight onto the main building's roof area
Continue north and bump into the officer around the corner before quickly vanishing through the door
Descend the nearby staircase and exit through the door
Head inside the left room once again and equip the Time Bomb
Plant the Time Bomb next to the highlighted panel
Fast forward Codec Call
Skip Cutscene
Alternative Routes
[EASY/NORMAL-only] Direct Route (<1s timeloss) | Drop Route (<1s timeloss) | [EASY/NORMAL-only] Drop Route (1+s timeloss) | |
| Different guard position on EASY/NORMAL | An alternative path | Different guard position on EASY/NORMAL - an alternative path | |
| | | | |
[22.2] Null Boss Fight II.
Standard Route
Same as before, lie down and equip your SVD during the animation
Take aim at his feet and start landing some hits in them
After a successful hit, wait for the i-frames to wear off and fire once again
If Null is getting too close, build up some distance and repeat the prone-procedure
When you have to reload, never do so by manually reloading as this can cause Null to land a lethal charge on you
Repeat the last step until his Life Gauge is fully drained (Easy: 3 shots, Normal: 5 shots, Extreme: 15 shots)
Skip Cutscene
| Action | Input |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Silo Entrance | |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Team Delta & start Mission | |
Alternative Routes
[EASY-only] (26+s timesave) | [NORMAL-only] (22+s timesave) | M63 Strat (22+s timeloss*) | [EASY] Crouch Strat (27+s timesave) | | | |
| / | / | Time Bomb → SVD instead - slow, not recommended! - *less timeloss on EASY/NORMAL | Beware of smaller hitboxes | | | |
| | | | | | | |
[23] Silo Entrance III.
Standard Route
Fast forward Codec Call
As always, ascend the alternating path with your C Box equipped, then unequip it and head west
Past the soldier, roll over the rails to reach the bottom, then roll up the building’s ramp onto the cracked concrete
Roll diagonally onto the crates northeast of you, then continue with another roll in that direction
Reequip your box, then pass below the camera and perform a BB into RKD combo on the officer to safely enter the tunnel
Descend the corridor and roll into the AP area at the end of it
| Action | Input |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Silo Complex | |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Team Delta & start Mission | |
Alternative Routes
| Fullspeed Route (1+s timesave) | | |
| Very tight and very risky - not recommended! | | |
| | | |
[24] Silo Complex
Standard Route
Fast forward Codec Call
Call Paramedic via your Codec's contact list, fast forward, then tune to and call 145.75 to unlock the first door en route through the stage
Fast forward, call Sigint, fast forward again, then tweak your frequency to 148.51 and initiate a call to unlock the third door on your path
Fast forward, tune to and finally call 147.42 to unlock door #2 on your trail to allow you to get onto the bridge in a fast manner
Exit the Codec, pause the game and perform a Member Change to FOX D-2 (/)
| PAL/Guard Route | NTSC/Key Route |
| Head forward and right, then grab the nearby FOX soldier from behind | Head forward past the pillar and crates, then continue right and take a left |
| Drag him to the door you just passed and push-drop him once it's open | Pass through the door and roll across four gaps on your way to the eastern wall |
| | Cross the southern gaps with two more rolls, then climb up and pick up Key E |
| | Roll to the ground and head back the way you came from by ascending the ladder |
| | Exit the hall and head north, to the door behind the right set of crates |
Equip your C Box and run inside, past the “wall guard”
Go through the door next to him and continue along through the formerly frequency-locked door
Ascend the staircase that's located behind the left door, then enter the room past the right door
| PAL/Guard Route | NTSC/Key Route |
| Stick to the right wall before approaching the shielded guard | Unequip your Box and equip your Chaff G before heading southeast |
| BB past him and escape through the door, onto the bridge | Pass the shielded guard by squeezing by just behind him |
| Continue box-walking through the next door and take a left | Go through the door, cross the bridge and head into the next building |
| Head down the corridor until the only way further leads south | Throw a Chaff G, then equip your Box and head left to follow the path |
| Box-walk southwest, below the gun cameras and past the guard | Walk past the gun cameras and BB into the guard behind the right wall |
| Escape through the formerly locked door next to him | Immediately reequip your Box and flee through the door next to him |
Ascend the following ramps and cross the bridge into the control room
In one swift move, hurry and pick up Key E below the gun camera
Unequip your Box before exiting the room and rolling over the northern railing
Enter the next room and roll onto the AP located in the southwestern corner of the lowest level
Fast forward Codec Call
| Action | Input |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Silo Complex | |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Team Alpha & start Mission | |
PAL vs. NTSC
Arguably the biggest version difference of the run is right here. On NTSC versions you can not drag any soldier in front of the 1F door to open it.
Opening your contact list and calling Paramedic and Sigint saves time compared to manually tuning to 145.75 and 148.51, even if you get caught up in one or two conversations.
Door Frequencies
145.75 is dialed to get you through the locked 1F door in the room behind the “wall guard”. 147.42 is called to unlock the 2F door leading onto the bridge and 148.51 is used so you can quickly rush through the door past the final FOX soldier.
Alternative Routes
[EASY-only] Direct Route (<1s timesave IGT/<1s timesave RTA) | [NORMAL/EXTREME] Safe Route (6+s timeloss IGT/5+s timeloss RTA) | [EASY-only] Safe Route (6+s timeloss IGT/5+s timeloss RTA) | [EXTREME-only] NTSC Key Route (24+s timeloss IGT/24+s timeloss RTA) | [EASY/NORMAL-only] NTSC Key Route (11+s timeloss IGT/9+s timeloss RTA) | | |
| No shielded guard | No need to stay within the god-cycle | No shielded guard and no need to stay within the god-cycle | NTSC's fastest option | NTSC's fastest option - different Key position - bring a Magazine! | | |
| | | | | | | |
[25] Cunningham Boss Fight
Standard Route
Fast forward Codec Call
Skip Cutscene
Equip your Stun Gs, go into FPV, then wait for Cunningham to start hovering left/right and start throwing Stun Gs close to him on your platform's edge
Repeat these throws a few times to make short work of this fight (Easy: 5 hits, Normal: 6 hits, Extreme: 7 hits)
Skip Cutscene
| Action | Input |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Launch Control Room | |
| Fast forward Dialogue | |
| Select Team Charlie & start Mission | |
Alternative Routes
[EASY-only] (5+s timesave) | [NORMAL-only] (2+s timesave) | | |
| / | / | | |
| | | | |
[26] Gene Boss Fight
Standard Route
Skip Cutscene
Skip Cutscene
Head up the northern ramp and back around the railing to the left to position yourself in front of the drop
Equip your SAA and fire a shot at the walls behind Gene to immediately stop his Psychic Phase, then equip your SVD
Try to land a hit at the very top of his head whenever he's not recovering from i-frames to avoid a fair fight
Gene will continually increase the pace at which he will be doing most actions over the course of the battle
Keep sending hatshots his way until he is defeated (Easy: 4 headshots, Normal: 5 headshots, Extreme: 9 headshots)
Skip Cutscene
Skip Credits
Skip Post-Credits Scene
Check Result
Emulator Crash Trivia
Alternative Routes
[EASY-only] (10+s timesave) | [NORMAL-only] (9+s timesave) | [EASY] Quickshot Strat (17+s timesave) | Vent OOB Glitch (13+s timeloss) | Non-Lethal Strat (17+s timeloss*) | Legacy Strat (23+s timeloss*) |
| / | / | Killing Gene with early headshots - only worthwhile on Easy | A much safer way to take on Gene - Using a Glitched Box Equip to go OOB - Equip C Box before starting the run | Pacifist! - *less timeloss on EASY/NORMAL | 2022's go-to strategy pre-cheese - *less timeloss on EASY/NORMAL |
| | | | | | |
RUN COMPLETED!
