Item Crafting & Development

Welcome, recruits, to the Mother Base R&D Department! Here, you'll learn the vital art of item crafting and weapon development, crucial for Big Boss's success in "Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker." Unlike traditional MGS titles, Peace Walker emphasizes resource management and strategic development. Your ability to create new gear directly impacts your mission effectiveness and survival.

Understanding the R&D System

The R&D (Research and Development) system is accessed via the Mother Base menu. It allows you to develop new weapons, items, and even upgrades for existing equipment. Development requires two primary components:

Personnel: Your R&D Team's level is paramount. Higher-ranked R&D staff (indicated by their R&D stat) contribute more to development speed and unlock higher-tier items. Recruit skilled personnel by Fulton Recovery System (Fulton) extracting enemies during missions.
Resources: These include GMP (Gross Military Product, your primary currency), materials (e.g., Medical Supplies, R&D Materials, AI Boards), and sometimes specific blueprints or schematics.

To initiate development, select the desired item from the R&D menu. The game will display the required resources and the estimated development time. Once started, the item will be added to your inventory upon completion, provided you have sufficient storage space.

Essential Early-Game Item Development

Prioritize these items early on to significantly improve your mission capabilities:

1. Fulton Recovery System (Fulton)

Importance: Absolutely critical for expanding Mother Base and recruiting new staff. Without it, you cannot grow your R&D, Combat, Mess Hall, or Medical teams effectively.
Development Requirements: Available early in the game. Focus on upgrading your R&D Team's level to unlock higher-capacity Fultons (e.g., Fulton (S) for single enemies, Fulton (M) for multiple).
Strategy: Use the Fulton on every unconscious or stunned enemy you encounter. Prioritize enemies with high stats in R&D, Combat, Mess Hall, and Medical.

2. Cardboard Box

Importance: The classic Metal Gear stealth tool. Essential for hiding, fast travel between delivery points, and evading patrols.
Development Requirements: Basic Cardboard Box is available very early. Later upgrades include the Cardboard Box (Wetlands) and Cardboard Box (Desert), offering environmental camouflage.
Strategy: Always carry a Cardboard Box. Experiment with its uses, including the "peeking" mechanic and sliding.

3. Supply Marker & Strike Marker

Importance: These are your lifelines for resupply and offensive support during missions.
Supply Marker: Allows you to call in supply drops of ammo, rations, and other consumables. Invaluable for longer missions or boss fights.
Strike Marker: Calls in air support (e.g., bombing runs, strafing runs) to clear out enemy groups or damage armored vehicles.
Development Requirements: Become available after a few main missions. Ensure your R&D Team is adequately staffed to unlock their upgrades, which reduce cooldowns and increase effectiveness.
Strategy: Place Supply Markers in safe, open areas. Use Strike Markers strategically against large groups or heavily armored targets.

4. Rations & Medical Items

Importance: Your primary means of health recovery.
Ration: Restores a significant portion of health.
Curry: A more potent healing item, often found or developed later.
Development Requirements: Basic Rations are available from the start. Focus on upgrading your Mess Hall Team to unlock more effective and diverse food items.
Strategy: Always carry a healthy stock of Rations. Consider developing stronger healing items as your Mess Hall Team improves.

Advanced Weapon Development

As your R&D Team grows, you'll unlock more powerful and specialized weapons. Here's a general progression:

1. Assault Rifles (ARs)

Early Game: Start with the basic M16A1.
Mid Game: Aim for the M60 for increased firepower or the AK-47 for its reliability.
Late Game: Develop the M4A1 or G3A3 for superior accuracy and customization options.
Strategy: Prioritize ARs with good accuracy and manageable recoil. Look for upgrades that add grenade launchers or suppressors.

2. Submachine Guns (SMGs)

Early Game: The MAC-10 is a decent early option for close-quarters combat.
Mid Game: The MP5SD2 (suppressed) is excellent for stealth operations.
Late Game: The P90 offers high capacity and rate of fire.
Strategy: SMGs excel in tight spaces. Suppressed versions are invaluable for maintaining stealth.

3. Sniper Rifles (SRs)

Early Game: The M1C Garand (with scope) or Mosin Nagant (tranquilizer) are your first options.
Mid Game: The SVD provides better range and power.
Late Game: The PSG1 offers semi-automatic firing and high accuracy.
Strategy: Essential for long-range engagements and taking out key targets silently. The Mosin Nagant is crucial for non-lethal recruitment.

4. Rocket Launchers (RLs) & Heavy Weapons

Importance: Crucial for taking down tanks, choppers, and Peace Walker itself.
Early Game: The M202A1 (FOURSOME) is a powerful early option.
Mid Game: The RPG-7 offers a good balance of power and availability.
Late Game: The Carl Gustav M2 and FIM-43 Redeye are top-tier options for anti-armor and anti-air respectively.
Strategy: Always carry a suitable heavy weapon for Vehicle battles and AI Weapon encounters. Upgrade them to increase damage and reload speed.

Acquiring Blueprints & Schematics

Many advanced weapons and items require specific blueprints or schematics before they can be developed. These are typically found in the following ways:

Mission Rewards: Completing certain Main Ops or Extra Ops will often grant you new blueprints. Pay attention to mission descriptions and rewards.
Hidden in Missions: Some blueprints are hidden in specific locations within mission maps. Explore thoroughly, especially in areas with multiple paths or elevated positions. Use your binoculars to scout for glowing item pickups.
Boss Fights: Defeating certain AI Weapons or Vehicle bosses can yield unique schematics for their weapons or related technology.
Recruiting Specific Soldiers: Occasionally, a high-ranking soldier you Fulton will bring a new blueprint with them.

Maximizing R&D Efficiency

Prioritize R&D Staff: Always aim to recruit soldiers with high R&D stats. Use the Fulton on every enemy to check their stats.
Balance Teams: While R&D is crucial, don't neglect your other teams. A strong Combat Team helps in missions, a good Mess Hall Team provides better food, and a Medical Team keeps your soldiers healthy.
Check Development Times: Some high-tier items can take a long time to develop. Plan ahead and start development for crucial items during downtime or before tackling challenging missions.
Utilize Co-Op: Playing co-op missions can sometimes yield more resources and allow you to extract more soldiers, accelerating your R&D progress.

By diligently managing your R&D Team and resources, you'll soon have an arsenal capable of tackling any threat the world throws at Big Boss!