All Recruitment Missions
Recruitment is the cornerstone of Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, and understanding how to effectively recruit soldiers is vital for success. Your base of operations, the USS Missouri, will grow and become more capable as you bring more personnel into your FOXHOUND unit.
There are several primary ways to recruit soldiers. The most common method is through the main story missions, where certain characters will join you after specific events or boss encounters. However, a sificant portion of your roster will be acquired through the Extra Operations mode.
Many Extra Ops missions are specifically desed around recruitment. These missions will often have a target individual who will join your unit upon successful completion. The difficulty and type of Extra Op can vary greatly, from simple reconnaissance to intense firefights. For example, a mission might require you to rescue a scientist from enemy hands, who will then offer their expertise to your unit. Another might involve defeating a rogue soldier in a CQC duel, leading to their enlistment.
Beyond Extra Ops, you can also recruit soldiers by interacting with them in the field during certain missions. If you manage to incapacitate an enemy soldier without killing them, you can often attempt to recruit them. This process usually involves a brief dialogue or a mini-game where you try to convince them to join your cause. Success depends on factors like the soldier's current morale and your own leadership skills.
not all soldiers are created equal. Each recruit has unique stats, skills, and special abilities. Some might be excellent marksmen, while others excel in CQC or possess medical knowledge. Building a balanced unit with several skills is crucial for tackling the diverse challenges presented in the game, especially in the more demanding Extra Ops missions.
Pay attention to the recruitment requirements mentioned in mission briefings or hinted at in the game's menus. Sometimes, a specific type of operative or a certain level of squad proficiency might be needed to unlock a particular recruit. Experimenting with different approaches and squad compositions will often lead to unexpected but valuable additions to your team.