Stealth Mechanics & Takedowns

Master stealth in Dispatch! Learn how enemies detect you (sight, sound, heat, trails), perform silent takedowns, use smoke bombs, and choose the right weapons. Avoid pitfalls and get that SS-rank!

Alright, let's talk about being sneaky in Dispatch! Stealth isn't always required, but it can seriously give you an edge, save you resources, and even bag you bonus objectives. Sometimes you'll have to be super careful, especially with tough or numerous enemies. When you enter a sneaking section, you'll notice the music changes. Enemies follow set paths, but they'll investigate if they hear or see something. You'll need to use cover like walls, tall grass, and hiding spots (think closets or boxes). Don't forget you can throw objects to distract or lure them away! Some stealth sections are optional. Nailing these as a bonus objective will always get you an SS-rank. If it's a mandatory part of a mission, your overall score will depend on how well you sneak, including takedowns. Mess up too much and your score will take a hit, so try to stay hidden! ### How Enemies Detect You To stay hidden, you need to avoid alerting the enemy's senses. Here's what they're looking out for: * Indicators: When an enemy gets suspicious, they'll usually make a noise and a small question mark will pop over their head. They'll move to where they last saw you, and might even call their buddies. If they spot you directly, a big exclamation point appears, and you'll only have a few seconds to take them down before they alert everyone. * Sight: The most obvious way to get caught is being seen in the open. Some enemies are quick to react, others need to see you for a bit. If you're up against blind enemies, sight isn't really a concern for stealth. * Sound: Making too much noise will bring enemies running. There's a noise meter that goes from clear to red the louder you are. Running, stepping on noisy things, or using loud attacks like gunfire will increase it. But hey, you can use sound to your advantage too – throw a rock to distract them or lure them away. * Heat: Some enemies, like those with thermal vision, can detect your heat signature, even through thin walls. To counter this, you can cover yourself in mud or snow, but this is temporary. Prioritize taking out enemies with thermal vision quickly! * Trails: Be mindful of what you leave behind. If you're bleeding, you'll leave a blood trail. Leaving doors or windows open can also alert enemies. These clues won't instantly give away your position but will make them more cautious and narrow their search area. You can hide bodies in spots like long grass or closets to prevent them from being found. ### Stealth Attacks & Disabling Enemies Here’s how to take down enemies quietly: * Silent Takedown: This is your go-to for quickly and quietly eliminating an enemy. You can perform these from any angle – behind, sides, above, below, or even by jumping out from a hiding spot. They always result in an instant kill, regardless of the enemy's current health. * Smoke Bombs: If you're caught out with no cover nearby, smoke bombs can blind enemies temporarily, giving you a window to slip past. Just remember, even though they can't see you, they know something's up and will be on alert. * Silent Weapons: Weapons like Bows or Silenced Guns are great for picking off enemies quietly. Always aim for a headshot; if the enemy survives, they'll immediately alert their team. ### Character Considerations Some characters might have an easier or harder time with stealth. For instance, larger characters might struggle to find adequate cover behind small objects, while their size might help them camouflage better in certain environments. Always consider your character's strengths and weaknesses when planning your approach.