How to Unlock: Achieve at least a B-rank on Mission Level 5-1

The primary objective in The Mercenaries 3D is to finish each mission as quickly as possible, maximizing the remaining time on the countdown timer.

Time can be extended by collecting Time Bonuses scattered throughout missions and by performing and killing enemies with melee attacks.

Melee attacks offer several advantages: they grant invincibility frames during the animation, add 5 seconds to the timer if they result in a kill, and can prevent the spawning of certain enemies like Cephalos and Duvalias.

To initiate a melee attack, you must first cause an enemy to flinch or knock them down.

Targeting specific body parts with your firearm can trigger a flinch or knockdown. For example, headshots can cause an enemy to wince, allowing for a melee prompt.

Once an enemy is flinching or downed, move close and press the Y-button (default) to perform a melee attack. The type of melee attack depends on the enemy's hit location and your position relative to them.

Practice headshots with your handgun to set up melee attacks like Chris's 'Straight'.

Aiming for the leg area can cause enemies to stumble or fall, enabling follow-up melee attacks like Chris's 'Uppercut' or 'Stomp'.

To perform a 'Neckbreaker' (an One-Hit-Kill melee attack), shoot an enemy's leg to make them stumble, then quickly move behind them and press Y. This attack is particularly useful for preventing the spawn of Las Plagas.

Las Plagas, such as Cephalos (tentacles from the head) and Duvalias (clam-like shells from the torso), can appear from certain enemy types. While they don't always prompt melee attacks, they are vulnerable to them and knife attacks, which still grant bonus time.

If Las Plagas do spawn, they can be neutralized quickly with flash grenades or rounds, or by using explosive weapons.