Guide: 10 Ghost Recon: Wildlands Tips and Tricks for Rookie Agents

With Bolivia under the control of druglords, gangsters, and corrupt military factions, it's safe to say that Ghost Recon: Wildlands' South American setting isn't exactly a prime holiday destination. Thankfully, the game doesn't put you in the shoes of a hapless tourist, instead opting to make you the squad leader of a deadly special forces unit. However, if you really want to become a legend on the battlefield, then you'll need to have the basics of your operation nailed down. As such, we've put together this hopefully handy Ghost Recon: Wildlands tips and tricks guide to help you get a grip on what it takes to survive in this chaotic country.

Meanwhile, if you're looking for Ghost Recon: Wildlands' best weapons and where to find them, then simply follow the link.

Use your vehicle as makeshift cover

There'll be times in Wildlands when your enemies will get the jump on you in the middle of nowhere, and if you don't get to cover quickly, you'll likely be torn to shreds by a wave of gunfire. However, natural cover isn't always an option, so your best bet is to make some - and this is where your current vehicle comes into play.

Whether you're storming the gates of a military base or you're fighting for survival out in the countryside, turning your vehicle into makeshift cover can be a lifesaver. If you know you're in for a fight, simply park your ride in a tactical position, get out, and take cover behind it. Switching seats so that you exit the vehicle away from incoming fire may also be a good idea - just be careful if the enemy starts chucking grenades or other explosives, as these blasts can end up detonating your vehicle, too.

Retreat is always an option

Sometimes, things just don't go to plan in Wildlands, but that's okay - even the best Ghosts don't have flawless records. If things really do go to hell, always remember that retreat is a viable strategy. If you've just alerted a whole outpost to your presence, for example, and you're not keen on fighting off an entire platoon of soldiers, then there's nothing wrong with hopping the nearest wall and hiding out until things quiet down.

In fact, retreat can actually end up being an effective way to catch the enemy off guard. By causing havoc and then legging it, you'll have your foes scrambling to discover your location. With your enemies occupied, you can then slip out of combat and reenter the fray from a different direction, which can really pay off if your mission is to rescue a target or interrogate a high ranking officer. Heck, running away can even result in guards grouping together, making for some easy kills if you have explosives on hand.

Tag those tangos

Never underestimate the effectiveness of spotting enemies. Whether it's by drone or thanks to your trusty binoculars, tagging tangos can save you a lot of hassle - especially when you're tasked with taking down a fully loaded military base. As such, try to make a habit of finding high ground before you begin your mission. From a good vantage point, spotting guards with your binoculars is easy, and once you have them marked, you'll also have a better understanding of the facility's layout.

However, it's worth mentioning that if you haven't tagged an enemy, their presence will still be noted on your minimap. Orange glows indicate the general location of a guard, so even if you haven't spotted every enemy, you'll still have some idea of where they are - you'll just have to be a little more careful with your approach.

Get the grenade launcher

Quite possibly one of the most practical unlocks in Wildlands, the grenade launcher attachment for assault rifles can be an absolute lifesaver. You can nab it reasonably early from the 'Item' skill tree, and it's a fantastic option to fall back on when the going gets tough.

The grenade launcher is pretty self-explanatory. By aiming and pressing down on the d-pad, you'll switch from your usual fire mode to the launcher - assuming that you have it equipped to your weapon. Whether you need to quickly take down a helicopter or you've got to waste a bunch of enemies in one go, the grenade launcher is often the easiest way to get things done - its usefulness simply can't be exaggerated.

Switch your view to suit your needs

Ghost Recon: Wildlands is primarily a third person game, with the camera sitting just over your character's shoulder. However, when aiming your weapon, you can choose whether you want a first person perspective (iron sights) or a zoomed-in, over-the-shoulder view. By and large, this will come down to personal preference; some of you will be happier aiming down your gun's sights, while others will prefer keeping things third person.

You'll quickly get to grips with whichever view you like best, but it's worth remembering that you can switch the perspective whenever you like by clicking R3 while aiming. We often find that picking off distant enemies with a regular rifle is easier in first person, and the third person view can feel a little messy when used in tight spaces, with the camera potentially bumping into walls or nearby objects.

Oh, and before we forget, you can tap R1 to switch shoulders. It took us ages to work that one out...

Get yourself a getaway vehicle

We've already covered the art of a successful retreat, but sometimes you'll need to do more than simply dive into the nearest bush to escape your aggressors - and this is where a getaway vehicle comes into play. Before taking on a base or a group of enemies, make sure to park your ride in a place that's easily accessible if things go badly. If the worst does happen, of if enemy reinforcements start pouring in once you've completed your main objective, make a beeline for your carefully placed vehicle and get the heck out of there.

Trust us when we say that driving away from a convoy of armoured vehicles is a lot easier than running on foot.

Sniping is a very viable route to success

Being an open world title, Wildlands provides you with plenty of interesting gameplay opportunities, but there'll be times when you just feel like sitting back and sniping your way to victory - and hey, there's nothing wrong with that. When done correctly, sniping can be one of the best ways to get by, allowing you to systematically eliminate entire enemy hordes before they even know what's going on.

As we said earlier, finding good vantage points should be a priority when it comes to scoping out a base - and this is also true of sniping. Find a nice cliff to settle down on, go prone, pull out your rifle, and start popping some heads. If you're going the pure sniping route, though, be aware that you'll probably need to be quick about your business; enemies who see one of their allies get taken out will attempt to sound the alarm. It may also be a in your best interest to invest in a silencer so that your shots don't draw unwanted attention.

Vegetation is your friend

You may curse trees and bushes when you're trying to bomb through the countryside on a motorbike, but you should be thankful that so much natural cover exists in the first place. Bushes won't stop bullets, but they can mask your presence, allowing you to sneak in close to your enemies. The same is true of long grass and even, er, short grass, as the latter can conceal a crawling Ghost.

Vegetation is worth making use of, especially since you can move through it freely. This potentially allows you to take advantage of the enemy's patrol routes, as you can perform a silent takedown on any guard that approaches your hiding spot.

Share the workload

This is more of a tip for co-op play, but it can also apply to solo play if you're good at commanding your squad. Simply put, sharing the workload can make tougher missions go much more smoothly, and what we mean by this is make sure that each Ghost knows what their job is. While it's relatively easy to go guns blazing with a squad of four players, there's much to be said for concise teamwork, and there are hundreds of different ways to go about applying it.

For example, you may have a friend who's comfortable with sniping, so get them set up on the nearest vantage point and have them spot targets and watch your back as you move in. Alternatively, have a buddy who's packing heavy weaponry and a load of ammo storm a base and cause havoc while the rest of you sneak around the back completely unnoticed. The possibilities are almost endless, and with good communication, you can take full advantage of any situation.

What would Archer do?

Wildlands is one of those games where a lot of the fun comes from doing your own thing. It doesn't tie you down with a specific way of playing, and it's constantly providing you with the tools to tackle just about any situation. With that in mind, we regularly find ourselves asking "what would Archer do?"

Those unfamiliar with the show won't know what the heck that means, so allows us to try and explain. Archer stars a secret agent who's usually all too happy to take unnecessary risks purely for the thrill of it - and we find that adapting his approach in Wildlands leads to some spectacular moments. Now, you're bound to hit a few 'Mission Failed' screens here and there, but the game's built around player freedom - experimentation and last-ditch tactics can turn a standard mission into a truly memorable one.

What we're trying to say is that you should let yourself have fun with Wildlands. Take advantage of what the game gives you, and run with it until you can't stop pressing that share button.

Do you have any Ghost Recon: Wildlands tips and tricks? Share your own knowledge in the comments section below, and don't forget to check out our Ghost Recon: Wildlands' best weapons guide.