Mission 3 - Hackers' Den | Mission 12 - Site F Splinter Cell: Blacklist Guide

Last update: 11 May 2016

General premises

• You need to hack into three different devices located around the den.
• You can't be detected by the enemies.
• If you want to receive a bonus, you can't drive the enemies into the state of uneasiness. This does not mean that you can't knock down/kill enemies but, they can't become suspicious, for example if you destroy a security camera or eliminate a person that stays put in one position.
• Apart from completing the mission objectives, you can also find Dead Drops, Blacklist laptops, or capture a high-value target.

Infiltrate the den

The main entrance to the hackers' den is located directly in front of the starting point and it is worth selecting on your way to the areas to hacking points A and B. Do not hurry too much to reach the entrance because the area is monitored by an enemy sniper. It isn't the only problem because there may appear one more enemy around and the entire yard is laced with mines (just like in the previous mission, using the sonar pulse isn't required to avoid them effectively).

The easiest way to get to the buildings located to the right of the starting point is by walking through one of the windows and, this is the best choice if you are on your way to the hacking point C, i.e. towards the end of this mission).

Hacking of the devices

As I have mentioned at the beginning, you need to hack a total of three devices. The device marked as A is located on the lowest level of the main building and it is best to reach it by taking the main entrance to the den (the destroyed tower) and turning left to reach a room with three enemies inside (including one with the heavy armor). If there are two enemies around, it is best to go though the left part of the room and wait for the right moments to resume the march or by acting in cooperation and diverting the enemies' attention from the player that goes to the mission objective. Do not attempt to destroy the headlight in this area because this may, unnecessarily, alert the enemies and make the bonus impossible to obtain.

If there is a "full set" of three enemies around, you should go through the right side of the room, by grabbing onto the pipe attached to the ceiling and getting around the enemies from the right. Choosing this path involves the necessity to walk through the corridor shown in the screenshot, with laser traps. You need to grab onto the cornice here, climb onto it, shimmy to the right and drop down where it is safe.

The first device

Regardless of which path you have chosen, you should reach the device marked as A. The attempt to hack into the device does not involve any further problems because no enemy will appear in the room.

The device marked as B is the most difficult to reach and it is located on one of the higher floors of the main part of the den (more or less above the device marked as A). This task is easy, actually, only for the players who play in the co-op mode because, after getting to the higher floor, they can, by cooperating with each other, climb onto the wall shown in the screenshot and, at the same time, walk around the enemies that are patrolling the upper balconies.

If you play solo or, for any reasons, you do not want to use the variant described above, it will be best to go for a quite time-consuming walk through the highest floors of the den. In this case, I recommend that you start at the main entrance to the building, i.e. next to the destroyed tower. Locate the ladder shown in screenshot 1 and climb up that ladder, while avoiding laser traps on your way. After you make it to the very top, grab onto the pipe attached to the ceiling and continue along your path. Eventually, you should end up under the ceiling of the main area of the den. Shimmy over the metal objects shown in screenshot 2.

Both of the above variants will allow you to get around, at least, two guards patrolling the upper balconies near device B (you can also eliminate them or distract them if you work in group but, this isn't going to be necessary). Take the ladder to a small room and hack into the device.

The device C is inside the building located to the right of the mission's starting point. I recommend that you return to the starting point and take the passage that leads into this area, described at the very beginning. Eventually, you should make it to the corridor with laser traps shown in the screenshot. Grab onto the pipe here and move at the right moment.

It is best to remain on the ground floor, avoid the single enemy and go right to locate the pipe attached to a wall. Using the pipe will allow you to get to the upper balconies, which are patrolled by two enemies (I recommend against using the other pipes because you may be easily caught climbing by the enemies).

Eventually, you should make it to the dimly-lit area show in the screenshot where, apart from a single enemy, you also need to watch out for a security camera. You can distract the enemy while acting in group, or decide on a lonely walk. Go left and reach a new pipe attached to the ceiling. The device that you are looking for is in the room neighboring the security camera and the upper balconies. Fortunately, while attempting the hack, you should not be noticed.

Locations of collectibles

Just like in the previous missions, there are new collectibles to find here and it is worthwhile to focus on finding them before you leave the hacker's den. The Dead Drop is located at the very top of the tower, i.e. above the den's main entrance. After you enter the tower, take the ladder (the same which you might have already taken on your way to device B) and avoid the horizontal lasers on your way. You need to reach the balcony shown in the screenshot, where there is the object that you are looking for

The Blacklist Laptop is located on the ground floor of the right building, i.e. the one that you explore in search of device C. After you enter the building, you need to remain on the ground floor, avoid the enemy that stops every now and then at another computer and turn right. The access to the collectible is guarded by lasers but, it is enough to grab onto the ledge shown in the screenshot to get around them safely.

The High Value Target is staying on the ground floor of the main part of the den, close to the hacking location A, i.e. in the spot shown in the screenshot. Wait for the remaining guards to turn away, approach the target quickly, grab him and drag him away into a dimly-lit area. Only then, knock out and tie up armored enemy. Note - you can't be spotted by the enemies occupying the upper level because one of them can go downstairs and find the unconscious colleague.

Leave the hackers' den

After you deal with all the business, you need to return to the starting point. If you have hacked the devices in the order in which they were marked, the thing will be very easy for you. In the room with device C, there is a window through which you can return to the starting yard (the one with mines) without any problems.

After you return to the mobile command center, get acquainted with the statistics and receive your reward. Grim won't have any more missions for you but, you will be able to buy from Charlie an element of the uniform that additionally upgrades the process of sneaking.