Hints | Walkthrough Splinter Cell Conviction Guide

Last update: 11 May 2016

CHOOSING DIFFICULTY LEVEL

I would strongly recommend choosing the highest Realistic difficulty setting, even if it's your first time playing a game from the Splinter Cell series. The most important thing you're going to have to worry about are your opponents, especially since you won't be allowed to skip some fights. You'll also have to remain hidden in a few missions, but those sections are fairly easy once you understand all the gameplay basics. Don't forget that you shouldn't change the difficulty setting during the game, especially if you're going after certain achievements. Most of the early missions in the game are much easier, so you'll have plenty of time to familiarize yourself with the controls and Fisher's moves.

CHECKPOINTS

Checkpoints are areas where your game is being saved automatically and there's a lot of them in the early missions of the game. They are more scattered in some of the final missions and this will force you to secure several areas filled with enemy units before reaching the next savepoint. Nevertheless you shouldn't worry too much about losing a lot of your progress if you die. An important thing to know about the checkpoints is that positions of your enemies are not memorized by the game. You can use this to your advantage. For example, if Fisher is being chased by a large group of opponents and reaches a checkpoint you can reload the game and all the hostiles will be gone (the game will assume that you've taken care of them).

SUPPLIES

Equipment crates are an important aspect of the game and most of them can be found near checkpoints. I would strongly recommend interacting with them each time you've located a new crate, because you'll be allowed to resupply for free and you'll be allowed to use them countless times. Don't forget to manage your supplies (especially in later missions) so that you won't run out of ammunition or explosives before an important battle.

EQUIPMENT

Supply crates can also be used to purchase and upgrade new weapons and additional equipment. This can only be achieved by spending points which are earned for completing certain challenges. You can find out more about how this mechanism works from the Challenges chapter. I would recommend always having a silenced pistol which enables to kill as many opponents using Mark and Execute system as possible (preferably four). A silenced assault rifle also may come in handy in some of the missions.

As for the additional gadgets, you'll be gaining access to new ones throughout the course of the game. I would recommend using frag grenades and remote mines during the battles which can't be won nor avoided using silent methods. Portable EMP devices are also very useful and they're much more efficient than standard EMP grenades. Triggering the EMP blast allows you to go through a hostile area without having to kill anyone. Don't forget to start using the sonar goggles after unlocking them in the Third Echelon HQ mission, because they'll be very helpful in avoiding or surprising enemy troops.

STAYING HIDDEN

Staying in the shadows is possible for most of the game, however it can be done on one of several stages:

1) Staying completely hidden - This means going through areas without killing enemy units and without being seen. This guide tries to explain how to remain hidden, assuming of course that it's possible in a certain area.

2) Eliminating single enemy units quietly - You may be stopped in certain areas by single opponents stationed close to the only available passageway or standing in a bright spot. This means you'll have to eliminate them and for most of the time you can choose between hand to hand combat or (if approaching them is not possible) headshots done using a silenced pistol.

3) Surprising groups of enemy units without raising an alarm - You may need to attack a group of enemy units and you should consider using Mark and Execute system, because you will have a chance to kill them without alarming their colleagues. The best thing about this action is that you can attack several hostiles and other guards shouldn't be alarmed by their deaths (assuming they weren't standing next to them). Don't forget that you need to defeat someone in melee combat to unlock M&A action.

4) Raising an alarm and running away to a safe place - This is the most extreme and most risky choice and you should choose it only if there aren't any other options. The best way to alarm opponents without actually being seen by them is to trigger an EMP device, because you'll have plenty of time to run past them and to find good cover before the lights come back on. If you don't have portable EMP's you may use EMP grenades or flashbangs instead, but they're far less efficient. Always make sure to find a good cover so that you won't be located soon after the guards have begun sweeping the area.

Additional hints:

- Dark areas - Enemies in Conviction are much smarter than their colleagues from previous Splinter Cell games and this means you can't feel safe while staying in the dark. Guards often check those areas and most of them carry flashlights which may result in getting caught. This problem becomes even more serious once they're alarmed, because they'll start sweeping the area without any boundaries (looking out the windows, checking ceilings, breaking down doors).

- Lights - You'll have to be very careful, because using a silenced pistol or a switch on the wall to kill the lights may alarm enemy units and this may occur even if they're standing in the next room or in a corridor far away from your position. I would recommend trying to find other ways to stay hidden and if everything else fails to rely on EMP devices.

- Windows - A lot of missions allow to use windows and outer ledges to your advantage. You can surprise enemy units that way or decide to kill them whenever they're close to a window. Don't forget to open a window if you want to climb over it, because breaking glass will alarm all nearby opponents. You should also know that after raising an alarm enemies may decide to check windows so you can't feel safe even when you're hanging outside the building.

- Attacks from above - You can use pipes frequently or climb on top of smaller buildings and this will allow you to perform surprise attacks from above. I wouldn't recommend using pistols while hanging on the pipe, because if you miss or if your attack fails you'll be located almost instantly and it'll be much harder to escape. You should consider landing on your opponents instead.

- Uncovering dead bodies - An alarm may also be raised if an enemy finds a dead body of his friend or if that body is located by a security camera. As a result you shouldn't kill enemies in brighter and frequently patrolled areas, especially since the game doesn't allow to carry their bodies.

- Fisher's last known position - Each time you've been spotted by enemies and escaped to the shadows they'll memorize your last known position. This is represented by Fisher's silhouette. Enemies will then start firing in that direction or go over there to find the main character. This often gives you an opportunity to avoid them or to surprise them.

ATTACKING ENEMY UNITS

Killing enemy units is mandatory in some of the missions and there are a few things you should know about before heading into open combat:

1) Using cover - Taking cover is a top priority, especially if you're playing on the highest difficulty setting. The main reason is that Fisher can take only a few bullets before he dies in combat.

2) Health regeneration - Conviction uses a system known from many other action games which automatically regenerates health. Make sure to find a good cover when you're heavily wounded and wait until Fisher has returned to full strength.

3) Explosives - Relying on explosives should be on your list of priorities during the game. I found remote mines to be extremely useful, mostly because you're allowed to control the moment of the explosion and you can also plant several mines in hopes of detonating all of them at the same time. I would recommend waiting each time until a group of enemies is standing next to the mine so that you won't run out of them anytime soon. As for the frag grenades, you'll have to be precise when throwing them and it's also important to avoid grenades being thrown by enemy units. Thankfully you'll have plenty of time to run away from a grenade planted by a hostile unit.

4) Objects from the environment - Many objects can be destroyed and sometimes it can be helpful. I would recommend searching for exploding barrels and gas canisters, because they will allow you to kill nearby opponents without having to sacrifice your supplies. You can also try using hanging objects (mostly chandeliers) to your advantage, but it's important to wait for enemy units to stop under them before taking shots.

5) Human shields - Fisher can grab enemies and use them as human shields. This is an interesting feature of the game, however it may also be quite risky.

6) Helmets and armor - Elite enemy units are wearing helmets and heavy armor which makes killing them more difficult. Fire longer bursts and rely on explosives to kill them without having to risk too much.

7) Observing enemy movements - You'll probably notice that enemies don't just stay behind cover during fights. Instead they'll often try to surprise you from one of the flanks and you'll have to respond to these attempts quickly. It's also important to prevent them from moving too close, especially if they're using shotguns. Sonar goggles may come in handy here in later missions, allowing you to track their movements easily.