Hey there, gamers! Ready to dive deep into the world of Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain and achieve that sweet, sweet 100% completion? It's a long journey, but trust me, it's incredibly rewarding. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from the main missions to the optional tasks, collectibles, and beyond. So, grab your sneaking suit, and let's get started!

Understanding the 100% Completion Goal

Before we jump into the nitty-gritty, let's clarify what 100% completion actually means in Metal Gear Solid 5. It's not just about finishing the main story; it's about mastering every aspect of the game. This includes:

• Completing All Main Missions: Obvious, right? But it's not just about seeing the credits roll. You need to finish every single mission in both the main story (Chapter 1) and the epilogue (Chapter 2).
• Completing All Side Ops: These optional missions are crucial. There are tons of them, and some can be quite challenging. Completing them all is a significant time investment.
• Achieving an S-Rank on All Missions and Side Ops: This is where things get tricky. You'll need to be efficient, stealthy, and strategic to earn those coveted S-ranks. No continues allowed!
• Collecting All Key Items and Blueprints: From cassette tapes to weapon blueprints, you'll need to find them all. Some are hidden in plain sight, while others require completing specific tasks.
• Developing All Weapons and Items: Mother Base R&D team will be busy. You need to unlock and develop every single weapon and item available in the game.
• Recruiting Key Staff Members: Finding and extracting specific soldiers with unique skills is essential for upgrading your Mother Base and developing advanced gear.
• Completing All Dispatch Missions: Sending your combat unit on these missions is necessary for unlocking certain items and progressing towards 100%.
• Fully Upgrading Mother Base: Expanding your Mother Base to its maximum potential is a long-term goal that requires a lot of resources and planning.
• Listening to All Cassette Tapes: This might seem trivial, but it's part of the completion checklist. Some tapes contain valuable story information, while others are just plain fun.

Achieving 100% in Metal Gear Solid 5 is a testament to your dedication and skill as a player. It requires patience, perseverance, and a deep understanding of the game's mechanics. But don't worry, with this guide, you'll be well-equipped to tackle the challenge.

Main Missions: The Core of the Experience

The main missions in Metal Gear Solid 5 form the backbone of the game's narrative. Each mission presents a unique set of objectives and challenges, ranging from infiltrating enemy bases to rescuing hostages and eliminating key targets. Achieving 100% completion requires not only completing each mission but also achieving an S-rank on every single one. This means mastering stealth, utilizing your resources effectively, and optimizing your gameplay for speed and efficiency.

To consistently achieve S-ranks, consider these strategies:

• Stealth is Key: Avoid direct confrontation whenever possible. Use camouflage, distractions, and non-lethal weapons to neutralize enemies silently. The quieter you are, the better your chances of avoiding detection and maintaining a high score.
• Optimize Your Loadout: Before each mission, carefully select your equipment based on the objectives and the environment. Consider factors such as weather conditions, enemy patrol patterns, and the availability of resources.
• Utilize Buddy Support: Your buddies, such as D-Dog, Quiet, and D-Walker, can provide invaluable assistance in scouting enemy positions, distracting guards, and providing fire support. Use their abilities strategically to gain an advantage.
• Master Reflex Mode and Chicken Hat: While these mechanics can be helpful in a pinch, relying on them too heavily can negatively impact your score. Use them sparingly and focus on improving your skills to avoid detection in the first place.
• Complete Optional Objectives: Many missions have optional objectives that can provide bonus points towards your score. Take the time to complete these objectives whenever possible, as they can make the difference between an A-rank and an S-rank.
• Practice and Experiment: Don't be afraid to experiment with different approaches and strategies. The more you play, the better you'll become at anticipating enemy movements, exploiting weaknesses, and optimizing your gameplay for speed and efficiency.

Remember, patience is crucial. Some missions may require multiple attempts to achieve an S-rank. Don't get discouraged; learn from your mistakes, adjust your strategy, and keep trying until you succeed. With dedication and perseverance, you'll eventually master every mission and achieve that coveted 100% completion.

Side Ops: Expanding the World

Side Ops in Metal Gear Solid 5 are optional missions that provide additional challenges and rewards, and they're absolutely essential for achieving 100% completion. These missions range from simple tasks like eliminating specific targets to more complex operations such as rescuing prisoners or recovering valuable intel. Completing all Side Ops requires a significant time investment, but it's well worth it for the sense of accomplishment and the valuable resources you'll acquire along the way.

Here are some tips for tackling Side Ops:

• Prioritize Key Side Ops: Some Side Ops are more important than others, as they unlock new weapons, items, or staff members. Focus on completing these missions first to gain access to valuable resources that will aid you in your overall completion efforts.
• Utilize Intel Gathering: Before embarking on a Side Op, gather as much intel as possible about the mission objectives, enemy positions, and environmental conditions. This will help you plan your approach and avoid unnecessary risks.
• Experiment with Different Approaches: Side Ops often offer multiple ways to achieve the objectives. Don't be afraid to experiment with different strategies and tactics to find the most efficient and effective approach. Try using different weapons, equipment, and buddy combinations to see what works best for you.
• Pay Attention to Details: Some Side Ops have hidden objectives or bonus rewards that are not immediately apparent. Pay close attention to the environment and listen to enemy conversations for clues that may lead you to valuable discoveries.
• Manage Your Resources: Side Ops can be resource-intensive, so be sure to manage your supplies carefully. Stock up on ammunition, medical supplies, and other essential items before embarking on a mission, and scavenge for resources whenever possible.
• Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Help: If you're struggling with a particular Side Op, don't be afraid to consult online resources or ask for help from other players. There are plenty of guides and communities dedicated to helping players achieve 100% completion in Metal Gear Solid 5.

Completing all Side Ops is a test of your skills and resourcefulness as a player. It requires careful planning, strategic thinking, and a willingness to experiment with different approaches. But with dedication and perseverance, you'll eventually conquer every challenge and unlock all the rewards that Side Ops have to offer.

S-Ranks: Mastering the Art of Stealth

Achieving S-ranks on all missions and Side Ops is arguably the most challenging aspect of 100% completion in Metal Gear Solid 5. To earn an S-rank, you need to complete the mission quickly, without being detected, and with minimal use of continues or special items. This requires a deep understanding of the game's mechanics, a mastery of stealth tactics, and a healthy dose of patience and perseverance.

Here are some tips for achieving S-ranks consistently:

• Speed is Key: The faster you complete the mission, the higher your score will be. Plan your route carefully, avoid unnecessary detours, and eliminate enemies quickly and efficiently.
• Maintain Stealth: Being detected by the enemy will significantly lower your score, so prioritize stealth above all else. Use camouflage, distractions, and non-lethal weapons to avoid detection whenever possible.
• Minimize Kills: Killing enemies can also negatively impact your score, so try to neutralize them non-lethally whenever possible. Use tranquilizer guns, stun grenades, and chokeholds to subdue enemies without killing them.
• Avoid Using Continues: Using continues will drastically reduce your score, so try to avoid dying at all costs. If you're struggling with a particular section of the mission, take a break and come back to it later with a fresh perspective.
• Utilize Reflex Mode and Chicken Hat Sparingly: While these mechanics can be helpful in a pinch, relying on them too heavily can negatively impact your score. Use them sparingly and focus on improving your skills to avoid detection in the first place.
• Complete Optional Objectives: Many missions have optional objectives that can provide bonus points towards your score. Take the time to complete these objectives whenever possible, as they can make the difference between an A-rank and an S-rank.

Achieving S-ranks is a true test of skill and mastery in Metal Gear Solid 5. It requires a deep understanding of the game's mechanics, a mastery of stealth tactics, and a willingness to learn from your mistakes. But with dedication and perseverance, you'll eventually conquer every mission and achieve that coveted 100% completion.

Collectibles and Development: The Completionist's Dream

Beyond the main missions and Side Ops, Metal Gear Solid 5 is filled with collectibles and development opportunities that contribute to the 100% completion goal. These include:

• Blueprints: Hidden throughout the game world, blueprints unlock new weapons and items for development at Mother Base. Finding all the blueprints requires exploring every nook and cranny of the map and completing specific Side Ops.
• Cassette Tapes: Cassette tapes contain a wealth of information about the game's story, characters, and lore. Some tapes are found in the environment, while others are unlocked by completing missions or Side Ops. Listening to all the cassette tapes is a requirement for 100% completion.
• Key Items: Various key items are scattered throughout the game world, often hidden in obscure locations or guarded by enemies. Collecting all the key items is essential for unlocking certain features and progressing towards 100% completion.
• Development: Developing new weapons, items, and equipment at Mother Base is a crucial aspect of Metal Gear Solid 5. To achieve 100% completion, you need to unlock and develop every single item available in the game. This requires a significant investment of resources and time, but it's well worth it for the enhanced capabilities it provides.

To maximize your progress in collectibles and development, consider these strategies:

• Explore Thoroughly: Take the time to explore every corner of the game world, searching for hidden items and blueprints. Use your binoculars and iDroid to scan the environment for points of interest.
• Complete Side Ops: Many collectibles are unlocked by completing specific Side Ops. Prioritize these missions to gain access to valuable resources and items.
• Manage Your Resources: Development requires a significant investment of resources, so be sure to manage your supplies carefully. Scavenge for resources whenever possible and prioritize the development of essential items.
• Recruit Skilled Staff: Recruiting skilled staff members for your Mother Base can significantly speed up the development process. Focus on recruiting soldiers with high R&D stats to boost your development capabilities.

Collecting all the collectibles and developing all the items in Metal Gear Solid 5 is a monumental task, but it's also incredibly rewarding. It requires a deep understanding of the game's mechanics, a keen eye for detail, and a willingness to invest the time and effort required to achieve 100% completion.

Mother Base: Your Home Away From Home

Mother Base is your central hub in Metal Gear Solid 5, serving as a base of operations, a research and development facility, and a home for your growing army. Fully upgrading Mother Base is a requirement for 100% completion, and it requires a significant investment of resources, time, and strategic planning.

Here are some tips for upgrading Mother Base efficiently:

• Expand Your Platforms: The first step in upgrading Mother Base is to expand your platforms. This will provide more space for staff members, equipment, and facilities. Focus on expanding platforms that are essential for your current needs, such as the R&D platform or the Medical platform.
• Recruit Skilled Staff: Recruiting skilled staff members is crucial for maximizing the efficiency of your Mother Base. Focus on recruiting soldiers with high stats in areas such as R&D, Medical, and Intel. Assign staff members to platforms that match their skills to boost productivity.
• Manage Your Resources: Upgrading Mother Base requires a significant investment of resources, so be sure to manage your supplies carefully. Scavenge for resources whenever possible and prioritize upgrades that will provide the greatest benefit.
• Complete Dispatch Missions: Dispatch missions are a great way to earn resources and recruit new staff members. Send your combat unit on dispatch missions regularly to boost your resource income and expand your roster.
• Defend Your Base: Mother Base is vulnerable to attack from enemy forces, so be sure to defend it effectively. Deploy security guards and anti-theft devices to protect your resources and personnel.

Fully upgrading Mother Base is a long-term goal that requires patience, perseverance, and strategic planning. But with dedication and effort, you'll eventually transform your Mother Base into a powerful and efficient hub of operations.

Final Thoughts

Achieving 100% completion in Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain is no small feat. It requires dedication, skill, and a deep understanding of the game's mechanics. But with this guide, you'll be well-equipped to tackle the challenge and experience everything that this masterpiece has to offer. Good luck, and happy hunting!