The Tanker Guard Rush is the first guard fight of the game. Depending on difficulty, the player will fight anywhere between 4 to 8 guards in the first phase with 3 guards at the end of the fight. Guards can be defeated lethally (Choking / USP) or non-lethally (M9 / Stun Grenades / Punches / Kicks / Rolls / Choking).
General Information:
For the first set of guards, it is faster to use the USP and kill them using body shots.
On Very Easy to Hard, this is done in third-person view.
On Extreme and European Extreme, this is done in first-person view. However for these difficulties, non-lethal strategies are more common.
For the final 3 guards, it is faster to use the USP and kill them using headshots.
If timed correctly, this is will NOT be counted as kills by the game and is valid for Rank 1 and Perfect Stats runs.
On Sons of Liberty, you must tranqulize the first guard from the final three otherwise it will count it as a kill and is not valid for Rank 1 and Perfect Stats runs.
On NTSC-J of Sons of Liberty, guards die in one hit on Easy.
The back of the room has a ration (not on European Extreme) and two USP ammo packs.
If you plan on generating a magazine for magazine ladder glitch in the next room, spam USP rounds until you have exactly three bullets remaining for the final three guards.
Usually when guards come running out to either hide behind the box or to hide at the left wall, they will almost always miss their initial shots.
If you spend too long hiding behind a box and don't take out guards, they will eventually start tossing grenades.
| Difficulty | Amount of Guards |
| Very Easy | 4 + 3 |
| Easy | 4 + 3 |
| Normal | 5 + 3 |
| Hard | 8 + 3 |
| Extreme | 8 + 3 |
| European Extreme | 8 + 3 |
Lethal
Lethal strategies are the fastest for all difficulties, as the guards fall down quicker causing them to despawn earlier. This only applies if you avoid headshots though. On Very Easy to Hard, this would be done with third-person USP body shots. On (European) Extreme, this would be done with first-person USP body shots.
Lethal, Third-Person Body Shots:
The videos below are examples of the standard strategy that is used on the lower difficulties.
On Very Easy and Easy, there are a total of 4 guards to deal with excluding the final 3.
On Normal, you deal with one extra guard.
On NTSC-J of Sons of Liberty, guards die in one hit on Easy.
Generally, using first-person shots for the guard behind the box is safer, but going for body shots instead of headshots is recommended.
Lethal, First-Person Body Shots:
The videos below are examples of the fastest yet uncommon strategies for the highest difficulties.
On (European) Extreme, guards take many body shots with the USP to die. However, hitting them in a critical point such as their heart causes them to die instantly. They also fall down faster.
Quick headshots by standing on your toes can be useful.
Works across all difficulties.
Works with M9/USP.
Tap L1 to lock on, and while in FPV, hold the triggers to stand higher. You will be at the correct height to land a headshot.
Does not working if a guard has his side turned to Snake or Raiden.
Non-Lethal
Non-Lethal strategies are NOT the fastest for all difficulties, as the guards fall down slower causing them to despawn later. This applies even if you don't avoid headshots. On (European) Extreme, this is the the standard way of doing the fight.
Non-Lethal, First-Person Head Shots:
The videos below are examples of the standard strategy that is used on the higher difficulties.
In the most common setups:
Fire one USP round into the first guard to keep him steady and then tranquilize him with the M9.
After that, hide behind the north box.
Stay crouched in first-person view and use L2 + R2 to pop out when you want to fire at a guard. When you want to avoid a shot, release L2 + R2.
Unconvential setups involve the same principles, but will take larger risks such as ignoring hiding from guards or attempting to get all 3 guards at the start in quick succession.
On Sons of Liberty, you must tranqulize the first guard from the final three otherwise it will count it as a kill and is not valid for Rank 1 and Perfect Stats runs.
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