In complete contrast to Ghost, the Assault playstyle has dramatically different requirements:
- Detection by enemies is required for actions to be considered “Combat/Assault.”
- Lethal and nonlethal attacks are permitted when neutralizing hostiles.
- To maximize Assault scoring and efficiency, remain “Detected” while in combat.
When deciding to go Assault during a mission, the attempted difficulty level plays a deciding factor in the mission loadout. The Perfectionist difficulty presents the challenge of not being able to restock at Supply Caches. Take this into account when choosing your Ops Suit and weapon. When selecting your loud weapon, it is best to choose a weapon from the Alternate Weapon category to serve this purpose. Even this early in the campaign, you will have the option of an unsuppressed weapon and the funds to purchase an Extended Mag.
Here is a brief list of purchases to consider when preparing for an Assault playthrough:
GADGETS—PROXIMITY MINE
After detection, placing these inconspicuous mines in your wake can ensure efficient kills as your pursuers approach your last known position.
GADGETS—INCENDIARY GRENADE
These red grenades are efficiently lethal, allowing for a large area of hostiles to be engulfed in a flame that consumes armored and unarmored foes alike.
OPS SUIT/TORSO—AB GEL
The investment in the AB Gel upgrade to the Ops Suit’s torso is well worth it despite your play style of choice. Not only does the equipment afford a substantial increase in armor, but additional Gadgets and Magazines as well. The slight decrease in Stealth is easily offset by equipping upgraded boots.
AMMO—ARMOR PIERCING
When you have chosen your Alternate Weapon of choice, be sure to invest in it by equipping the Armor Piercing ammo. Aside from the increase in stopping power, this comes in handy against Heavy Infantry soldiers by penetrating their helmets and armor.
CHALLENGES – ASSAULT
| Category | Challenge | Prize | Criteria |
| Assault | Hostage Taker | $30,000 | Kill 20 enemies with a loud weapon while holding a human shield. |
| Assault | Loud Headshots | $10,000 | Get 10 loud headshots without using Mark and Execute. |
| Assault | Loud Head Shot Streak | $10,000 | Get two loud head shots in a row without dying. |
| Assault | Helmet Pops | $10,000 | Shoot five helmets off the heads of helmeted enemies using a loud weapon without Mark and Execute. |
| Assault | Loud Executioner | $10,000 | Mark and Execute 15 enemies with loud weapons. |
| Assault | Human Shield Kill Streak | $10,000 | Kill two enemies in a row with a loud weapon while holding a human shield. |
| Assault | Combat Hand to Hand Kills | $10,000 | In combat, kill 10 enemies using lethal H2H. |
| Assault | Combat H2H Kill Streak | $30,000 | In combat, kill three enemies in a row using lethal H2H. |
| Assault | H2H Heavy Kills | $10,000 | In combat, kill three Heavy Infantry using lethal H2H. |
| Assault | Frag Multi-Kill | $30,000 | Kill three enemies using a single Frag Grenade. |
| Assault | Incendiary Multi-Kill | $30,000 | Kill three enemies using a single Incendiary Grenade. |
| Assault | Proxy Mine Multi-Kill | $30,000 | Kill three enemies using a single Proximity Mine. |
| Assault | Sticky Cam Multi-Kill | $30,000 | Kill three enemies using a single Sticky Cam explosive. |
| Assault | Breaching Charge Kills | $10,000 | Kill two hostiles using Breaching Charges. |
| Assault | Breaching Charge Kill Streak | $10,000 | Kill three enemies using a single Breaching Charge. |
| Assault | Self Destruct | $10,000 | Kill five enemies using a single Tri-Rotor explosive. Tri-Rotor must be upgraded to Level 2. |
| Assault | Kamikaze | $30,000 | Kill three enemies using a single Tri-Rotor explosive. |
| Assault | Hip Shot Kills | $10,000 | Kill 10 enemies with an alternate weapon without aiming down sight. |
| Assault | Hip Shot Kill Streak | $30,000 | Kill five enemies in a row with an alternate weapon without aiming down sight. |
| Assault | Human Grenade Kills | $30,000 | Kill two enemies with a single human grenade. |
| Assault | Backfire | $10,000 | Kill two Drone Operators by blowing up their Drones. |
| Assault | Riot Suppression | $10,000 | Kill five enemies while holding a riot shield. |
| Assault | Explosive Execute | $30,000 | Mark and execute environmental explosives and kill two hostiles in a single Execute action. |
Learn more: get all the strategies, tactics, and maps with the official Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Blacklist eGuide.
