Sniper Elite 5 is the latest installment of the beloved sniping series developed by Rebellion. Events take place during WW2, in France, around D-Day. As you go through the story, you will follow Karl Fairburne’s deeds as he tries to stop a secret Nazi plot, the so-called Operation Kraken, before it is too late.

　　Whoever is new to the series might need some time to get used to the game’s mechanics and pace, so here you will find five helpful tips and tricks to start the Sniper Elite 5 Campaign with ease.

　　

Explore the Map Carefully

Sniper Elite 5 maps are vast and can be explored far and wide. You will not have any fixed path to follow to complete each mission, so you can take your tame and look for items such as ammo, and bandages, find collectibles and unlock side missions. You are also equipped with a pair of binoculars, so secure yourself with a spot on the high ground and study the environment near you. You will learn enemies’ paths, locate interesting areas and plan your next attack ahead of time. You can use the environment to your advantage and look around for approaches that best fit your playstyle.

　　

Don’t Rush Into Combat

Even if you might be tempted to do so, you will survive longer if you don’t rush into your enemies, especially at higher difficulty settings, because Nazis will easily eliminate you. Sniper Elite 5 gives the best out of itself if played with a stealth approach, using grass to hide and catch the enemies by surprise, either killing or stunning them. If you take them down one by one, you will probably advance without rising alerts and have higher chances of completing the mission. Otherwise, you will be quickly surrounded by Nazis that will kill you, and you will have to restart the game from the last save. Remember to clean up and hide the bodies after each kill, or enemies will raise alarms.

　　

Prefer Suppressed Ammo

In Sniper Elite 5, even the slightest noise could get you in trouble. However, you will find suppressed ammo and silencers during the game: use them whenever possible because they will save your life countless times. Enemies will be less likely to hear your shots, but this will not make you invincible. You still have to choose carefully which weapon to use in each situation. For example, a rifle equipped with a silencer could be the best option to take the Nazis down on the outside, but the shoot will inevitably resonate indoors and be heard by enemies nearby. A gun with suppressed ammo would indeed be a better option, or you could even use a melee approach.

　　

Customize Your Weapons

During the Sniper Elite 5 Campaign, you will find many workbenches that can be used to choose the weapons you will have equipped and upgrade them with additional items, called Attachments. They will modify your weapons’ stats, enhancing the damage dealt, the fire rate, the recoil, and much more. Each time you find and use a new workbench throughout the game, you will unlock new Attachments. Be sure to upgrade your weapons’ stats with elements that best fit your playstyle. For example, if you want to deal as much damage as possible, focus on the Power and Fire Rate stats. If you prefer using hardware that can be reliable even during the most challenging situations, you should enhance Control stats.

　　

Use Empty Lung

Some veterans of the series prefer not to use it, but Empty Lung can literally save your life many different times during the story. This feature lets you hold your breath while aiming to secure better shots with the rifle. You can use it to kill enemies from long distances or target explosives placed near the Nazis. When activated, Empty Lung will slow down time and show you where your bullet will hit. Keep your heart rate under control each time you use this skill, as it will inevitably increase. If the heart rate reaches 180bpm or more, you will be forced to stop your attack for some time, at least until it goes back to normal. You will also need to adjust your aim to compensate for Bullet Drop and Wind on higher difficulties.

　　With these tips in mind, you can start the Campaign and kill your enemies right away. And be sure to keep an eye out for our upcoming guides on Sniper Elite 5!