Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands coming this October, Ghost Recon Wildlands is getting one last major update as a thank-you to the community. The update will introduce a brand new, eight-player, free-for-all PvPvE mode called Mercenaries. Your objective is to call for rescue, locate and reach the extraction point, and be the first to board the chopper.
Phase 1: Recon
At the beginning of each match, your extraction point is unknown, and you will have no weapons, gear, or items. You will need to locate and activate radio transmitters to shrink the possible extraction zone on your map. This is the Recon phase.
During this phase, you will need to compete with other players and face Unidad soldiers as you try to locate transmitters. You'll also need to find gear and weapons to give yourself a competitive edge.
In order to locate the transmitters, you will need to find intel markers. An intel marker will give you the choice to reveal the position of a transmitter, or activate one of two bonuses randomly selected from the following list:
- Reveal the position of other players for a limited amount of time
- Reveal position of rare items like gear and weapons
- Deploy a vehicle to your location
After you use intel or a transmitter, you will not be able to use it again. Your opponents, however, will still be able to use it, if they haven't already.
Once you activate three transmitters, you'll reveal the exact position of the extraction point, fill the first segment of your extraction gauge, and trigger the next phase. Deciding whether to initiate Phase 2 and get a headstart on extraction, or to spend more time gathering weapons and gear will be an important strategic decision.
Phase 2: Helicopter Deployment
When you've activated three transmitters, the helicopter will start flying to the extraction point. You alone will know its location and will have part of your extraction gauge filled, giving you an advantage.
In the meantime, everyone else can still continue to seek out and activate intel markers in an effort to get better gear and reveal enemy player locations.
When the helicopter lands, its location will be revealed to all players, and Phase 3 will begin.
Phase 3: Extraction
Once you've reached the extraction point, you will need to fill a gauge to board the helicopter. The gauge can be filled by staying in a set area near the helicopter.
This gauge will have checkpoints, and if you are forced to leave the area or want to set a trap for the other mercenaries, the gauge will remain filled to the last checkpoint you reached.
The helicopter will not extract you if there are other players in the area, so you'll have to use your best tactics to keep the other mercenaries out in order to fill your gauge.
New Mechanics
Loot Your Gear
When you spawn in the match, you will be equipped with nothing but your melee weapon. It will be up to you to find the best gear, weapons, and consumables to fight enemy players and Unidad forces.
Located around the map will be caches where you can find everything from sniper rifles and flashbangs to armored vests and healing syringes.
If you die, you will lose all of the loot you gathered and start at square one when you respawn.
Good tactics will give you a strong advantage. Utilizing the transmitter system, exploring the map, and infiltrating Unidad bases for loot will give you plenty of opportunities to get back in the game even if you die.
Armor and Health
Mercenaries will have a new health and armor system. Based on the gear you pick up, an armor bar will appear. This bar will absorb a percentage of damage based on the penetration capability of your opponent's weapon.
If you are hit by a weapon that deals penetration damage, you'll start to bleed. When bleeding begins, you'll start to gradually lose a percentage of your health.
If you are injured, you can loot three different types of healing items to get back into fighting shape:
- Medikit restores all health and will stop bleeding
- Bandage stops bleeding but will not restore health
- Syringe restores health but will not stop bleeding
Destructibles
In Mercenaries, destructible doors can be opened with a CQC attack. Behind these doors, you'll have the chance to find loot to help you take on other players and Unidad.
You'll have to think tactically about when to do it, as your opponents will be able to hear you breaking the doors if they are close by.
It's up to you to weigh the risks against the rewards in every scenario of Mercenaries.
Rewards
Lone Wolf Costume
After completing your first game, you will be granted the Lone Wolf costume as a reward for trying out this mode.
Mercenary Items
You will also obtain rewards based on your number of wins:
- 1st Win: Mercenary Patch
- 3rd Win: Mercenary Pants
- 5th Win: Mercenary Heavy Vest
- 10th Win: Jacket Army Mercenary
- 15th Win: Mercenary Heavy Vest with Shoulder Pads
- 25th Win: Mercenary Backpack
Ghost Recon Wildlands is available now for Xbox One, PS4, and PC. For more on the game, check out our previous coverage.
