Recruiting Soldiers & POWs
Recruiting soldiers and rescuing Prisoners of War (POWs) is a cornerstone of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker's gameplay loop, directly impacting the growth and effectiveness of Mother Base. Every soldier you recruit contributes to your base's overall strength, unlocking new research opportunities, increasing your combat unit's power, and improving your medical and R&D departments. POWs, once rescued, are automatically integrated into Mother Base and can be assigned to various units, providing valuable manpower. The more skilled and numerous your personnel, the faster you can develop new weapons, armor, and support systems.
The methods for recruiting soldiers and rescuing POWs are varied and often tied to your stealth and combat abilities. In the main story missions and Extra Ops, you'll frequently encounter enemy soldiers who can be subdued and recruited. Similarly, POWs are often found held captive in enemy encampments. The key is to approach these situations strategically, utilizing non-lethal methods whenever possible to ensure their survival and subsequent recruitment. A well-trained Mother Base is a powerful asset, and its strength is directly proportional to the quality and quantity of the personnel you bring aboard.
Non-Lethal Recruitment
The most common and recommended method for recruiting enemy soldiers is through non-lethal means. This involves using the tranquilizer gun to incapacitate them, or by performing a CQC (Close Quarters Combat) hold-up and then subduing them. Once an enemy is unconscious, approach them and press the recruit button. They will then be transported to Mother Base. Prioritize recruiting soldiers with higher stats, indicated by their skill level (e.g., A, B, C). These soldiers will contribute more significantly to your base's development.
Rescuing POWs
POWs are typically found tied up or held in cages within enemy bases. Your objective is to reach them, untie them, or free them from their confinement. Once freed, they will automatically be added to Mother Base. Be aware that rescuing POWs can sometimes alert nearby guards, so be prepared for a potential engagement. Some POWs are also tied to specific mission objectives or side quests, so always pay attention to your surroundings and listen for any cries for help.
Combat Recruitment
While less ideal due to the risk of killing soldiers, you can also recruit soldiers who have been incapacitated through combat, provided they are not killed. This usually involves knocking them out with firearms or explosives. However, the tranquilizer gun and CQC are far more reliable for ensuring recruitment. If you do opt for combat, ensure you are using non-lethal rounds or that you can quickly subdue them before they bleed out.
Assigning Personnel
Once soldiers and POWs are at Mother Base, you'll need to ass them to different departments to maximize their utility. These departments include the R&D Team, Intel Team, Medical Team, Mess Hall, and Combat Unit. Each department requires a certain number of personnel with specific skill sets. Assigning personnel efficiently is crucial for unlocking new research, improving your combat effectiveness, and maintaining the morale of your troops.