3. Rising Star walkthrough
The Rising Star playthrough will take the longest. This will be your Recruit class on Easy difficulty.
Predominant Attitude
Professional. Unless noted otherwise, always answer with this.
Long Term Goals
- Ladies Man
- Rising Star
- Ask Questions First, Shoot Later
- Thorton, Inc.
Weapons Achievements
- SMG Havoc
- Assault Rifle Marksmanship
- Shotgun Crowd Control
Introduction - The Graybox
A quick note about the Recruit class - you're starting at a severe disadvantage with no starting skills at all, effectively Level -3. At a dialogue choice, if you ever see the choice A - Recruit pop up, take it. By using the Recruit option ten times, you get a total of an additional 10 AP to lessen the damage. This will only show up in the Introduction, so get them all!
In the very beginning, whichever response you choose first, pick the same response second to get a corresponding perk. I prefer Suave for the reduced cooldowns, but pick whichever you'd like. When you speak to Westridge for the first time, answer Aggressive for all three responses.
During Tech Training with Darcy, don't follow his instructions in the first area. When you get the grenades, start placing grenades like mines on the floor and walls. You can only have five traps active at a time, so if you place too many, old ones vanish. Place five, back up, and throw the sixth grenade at them to trigger them all. Go to the footlocker to replenish your supply and repeat until you get...
Have 100 placed devices detonate.
Apart from that, there's little to do during basic training. As a Recruit, try to do all the bonus missions, which are available by scoring over 100 on each test. If you want an extra discount on intel during the next mission, turn the TV on and watch Shaheed's broadcast for the News Conscious perk.
Report to Westridge when you're done to end the introduction. While he's doing the psychological evaluation, choose aggressive and stick with it for the entire conversation. There's one Recruit choice, so remember to switch to that.
If you did Parker's bonus objective and responded Professional through his conversation, Mina, Parker, and Westridge should all like you.
Gain Liked reputation status of 3 people (who must all Like you at the same time).
Complete the Training Mission.
Operation Desert Spear - Saudi Arabia
The missions can be done in any order, but again, as a Recruit, you'll want all the experience you can get - save Intercept Shaheed and Recover Missiles for last.
On the video conference with Westridge, stick to Aggressive answers. Get into the habit of checking the computer and Clearinghouse after every mission. Respond to Mina's email with Professional for rep and download the extra money.
At this point we're going for Ready for Anything. Even on Recruit, this is still on Easy, so rather than buying new weapons or mods, focus on buying all available intel first. If a new mission is unlocked, go straight to the computer and buy the available intel for it. Snatch up all the intel now.
As for weapons, you'll want to use SMGs as your primary weapon and Shotguns as secondary until the SMG Havoc achievement unlocks. Put a single point in SMGs to make this a bit easier; multiplier charges faster and you're given more time between hits. See the tips and tricks section for a general strategy. You'll need three enemies without reloading to hit 1.7x multiplier; once you do, reload and try to do it again. If there's less than three enemies left, switch to your shotgun and work on Crowd Control. If you want, buy the Extended SMG Clips to give yourself a bit of breathing room.
Investigate Jizan Weapons Stockpile
Talk about each subejct with Darcy and answer Suave. You'll get an extra AP here for Testing the Waters.
This place is rife with opportunities for hitting the 1.7x multiplier with SMGs. Areas you can hit 1.7x in:
- Save at this checkpoint, just to be sure. After the first checkpoint, above ground in the canyon base. Drop into the canyon, then go up the ladder to the patrolling guard. Shooting him will draw all the enemies into your area, where 1.7x is possible. It may come close, so check the ladders and see if you can hit someone on the way up.
- After the gate opens up to let you underground and you get a checkpoint, three guards will come through the door. Zip-line down and smash into the guard. Shoot the other two who have showed up before turning around and shooting the original guard who is now up and not happy.
- Once you get inside the base, get a checkpoint, and Darcy tells you to follow power lines or work lights, wait for the first guard to walk by, then shoot him. The second should come sprinting up the stairs, and the third will be on the second level around to the left.
- In the next room, go down the stairs and wait for the enemy to turn around and go through the doorway. Shoot him in the back and his two friends will come through. Be warned that if you mess this one up and want to reload a checkpoint, you also have to do #3 over again. If you do it correctly, this should give you the SMG Fury perk.
- You get a checkpoint in the next room, and there's three enemies here as well. Wait for the one directly in front of you to turn around, then sneak behind him and shoot the guy on his right. All three enemies should funnel over to you; if not, reload the checkpoint.
- Another checkpoint after hacking the computer and you get ambushed. Fire into the crowd and you should get your 1.7x easily.
For the fight above ground, switch to your shotgun and try to take them one-on-one.
At the end of the mission, talk with Darcy about everything and answer Suave for everything.
Intercept Nasri the Arms Dealer
While any answer will get you through the door, Aggressive will get you through the door without raising an alarm. In the first area, open fire with the SMGs and reload the checkpoint if you don't hit 1.7x. Once you do:
Achieve the maximum SMG Critical Hit Multiplier 7 times in your career.
Switch to your shotgun as soon as it pops and use it for the remainder of the mission. If you don't kill someone with the first shot, ready your aim and wait for them to start getting back up. Don't shoot them on the ground, it doesn't do anything.
When you get to Nasri, choose Extort to let him live and put a cool $15,000 in your pocket. By now, you should have a good chunk of change, so buy the Tactical Utility Armor in preparation for the Technophile achievement. Since you likely don't have six unique gadgets at this point, go buy gadgets until you do. Change your weapons to shotgun and assault rifle. Use your shotgun primarily and the assault rifle only if they won't come down to engage you.
Bug Al-Samad Airfield
Before the mission, ask about everything and answer Professional; when asking Mina about Alpha Protocol and she mentions the missiles but being too late to stop Shaheed, switch to Suave for bonus reputation. Doing the bonus objectives in this mission gets you bonus rep with Mina.
At the beginning of the mission, before or after all enemies in the first area are dead, use one of all six gadgets you have.
When you get inside the control tower, if you've picked every lock so far, when you crack the safe on the first floor, you'll get...
Similarly, if you've hacked every computer thus far, when you beat the mission, you'll get...
Remember to visit the shop and stock up on six unique gadgets. If you've been using the shotgun primarily, you should at least have the Shotgun Rampage perk at this point, if not the achievement itself.
Intercept Shaheed and Recover Missiles
Again, either as soon as the mission starts or once there are no enemies left in the area, use one of all six gadgets you have.
Additionally, if you want a trophy assault rifle, when you need to take down the guard on the bridge, take down the guard nearest to you, then take out the two guards walking around. Subsonic rounds with the assault rifle when they're hidden from view from the lieutenant work wonders, if you have them. It's not a great assault rifle, but it's good for money. By this point, using the shotgun, you should have...
Score 100 Critical Hits with the Shotgun.
Before you speak to Shaheed, there'll be a moment with Leland. Answer Suave. When speaking to Shaheed, use Suave answers, hear him out, trust him, and agree to his deal.
Continue playing to unlock this secret achievement. (Secret)
Mina contacts you after the mission; avoid being suspicious of her and be Suave (Grateful) when she mentions no one knows she's talking to you.
Complete Operation Desert Spear.
Choose Suave answers from here until you run into meet Scarlet Lake on the plane.
When it comes time to choose a specialization, choose Operative unless one of the three standard choices works for you. Also, at this point you can remove any ranks and respend the AP, so take that rank out of SMG and put it anywhere else. If you'd like to make an attempt for Pistol Mastery on this run, or you'd like to have a boss-killing weapon, start putting points into pistols.
When talking with Scarlet, answer Professional, Professional, Suave.
Operation Blood Feud - Moscow
When you first arrive at Moscow and you're talking to Mina, choose all Suave answers. At this point you know Scarlet, so whenever you find Halbech Data, send it to her for more rep. As usual, buy up all the intel before proceeding.
There's another email from Mina, respond Suave, if only for mention of what happens when Darcy and polar bears collide.
Contact Grigori the Informant
Answer everything with Suave for him. He respects that you come to him as a human being, opens up more intel for the rest of the game, and perhaps most importantly, doesn't tip Surkov off later down the line.
Again, make sure you have six unique gadgets for the next mission.
Assault Lazo's Yacht and Retrieve Data
Once again, use one of all six gadgets you currently have during the mission.
After you defeat Sis, spare her. Agree to meet Albatross.
Contact Albatross
Just a dialogue mission. Agreeing at the end gives you access to G22 store items. Respond to Scarlet's email professionally for bonus rep.
Investigate Weapon Shipments
Once again, use one of all six gadgets you currently have during the mission.
With SIE, you want to be Aggressive all the time unless noted otherwise. When she asks if it's a deal, say yes.
She'll send an email after the job - Aggressive it is.
Intercept Surkov at US Embassy
Save before this mission - it has a tendency to be difficult and also a tendency to glitch and think you killed Americans, neither of which we want.
It doesn't matter whether you choose SIE or Albatross as your handler, but the opposing group will be the enemy. If SIE is your handler, aggressive responses at the beginning for bonus rep with her and Mina. If Albatross is your handler, stick with Professional.
Talk your way through the front door using Professional responses. Make sure you don't shoot any guards. Once the attack is underway, make sure you're far enough away from the guards before you use one of all six gadgets you currently have. As soon as you use the sixth gadget:
Complete 5 missions wherein 6 different gadgets are used.
If you put five points into pistols, you can take out turrets with critical hits from behind cover. This is a quick, easy way to rack up pistol criticals.
Stick with Professional once you meet Surkov. After you meet him and go up the ladder, in the hallway there will be a computer for you to hack, which can be missed if you keep moving after the firefight. You need to hack this computer.
At the end, you need to protect Surkov. If SIE is your handler, G22 attacks from all sides and it's more beneficial to be down with Surkov. If Albatross is your handler, the VCI attacks from one side. If you bought all the intel, you can go outside by going up the stairs and out onto the roof where a sniper rifle waits. Snipe as many as you can, make sure to watch for people rushing Surkov. If it proves difficult, try reloading your save and picking the opposite handler.
Contact Surkov at Moscow Office
Another dialogue mission, stick with Professional answers. After the mission is a chat with Henry Leland. You'll want to choose Suave (Dismissive), Suave (Bluff), and Professional (What?) to get the most reputation out of this.
Mina's sending you an email. Professional response.
Assault Brayko's Mansion
When given a choice, rescue your handler instead of going after the data. Let them go for bonus reputation.
By this point, if you've been doing well with the assault rifle headshots, you should either be very close to, or already have...
Score 100 head shots with the Assault Rifle.
Once the assault rifle is done, feel free to use whatever weapons you feel comfortable with. Weapons achievements are over for this playthrough.
Pick up the dossier on Brayko next to them, and remember to pick up the final dossier right before his disco room. Completing his dossier gives you a damage bonus that you're going to want. When he asks who you are, choose Suave (Mocking) before the fight.
After defeating him, answer Aggressive, Dossier, Aggressive. When he offers a deal, take his offer for $75,000 to spare him.
Continue playing to unlock this secret achievement. (Secret)
Complete Operation Blood Feud.
Leland will talk to you after the mission. This time, leave it on Suave for the entire conversation. Although you got Operation Blood Feud, there's still one mission left.
Mina's sending you an email, the usual Professional response.
Prevent Surkov's Escape
When you meet with Surkov, choose Suave (Questions), Suave (Business), Professional (Terms?), Professional (Partnership).
Continue playing to unlock this secret achievement. (Secret)
Operation True Heirs - Taipei
IMPORTANT: Save your game here! This save is the diverging point between the current Rising Star walkthrough and the next No Compromise, No Mercy walkthrough.
Contact Steven Heck
Answer Aggressive twice, then switch to Suave. When he says "Sung's gonna be there" and dossier info on the NSB is unlocked, back to Aggressive.
Contact Hong Shi
Nothing but dialogue, stay Professional the entire time.
Buying the intel for the newly unlocked mission should give you the perk Be Prepared, meaning you are closing in on Ready for Anything.
Mina sends another email. Ask about whoever you want to know about.
Investigate Warehouse Data Trail
If you bugged every server, you can bluff and delete all but one program for the benefits of G22 information and assistance.
Mina will get back to you about the previous email. Steven Heck also sent you an email, answer Suave for a nice double bonus.
Assault Triad Headquarters in Slums
Stay Professional with Hong Shi at the end of the mission.
Retrieve NSB Data from Grand Hotel
When Scarlet Lake calls, use Suave answers. When in the hotel room, pick Suave (Inspiring) for bonus rep with Scarlet. When Heck asks what kind of distraction you want, pick Aggressive. Giving instructions to Scarlet, choose Professional for more rep. Finally, with Mina, choose Aggressive (Tactics). When Scarlet contacts you during the mission, choose Suave (Joking), Professional (Access) for rep.
Delete the files Heck asks about, and after the mission, choose Aggressive. By now, you should have a good chunk of change, so after getting the intel on the next mission, buy some armor or a 3-star weapon that fits your play style.
Intercept Assassination Plans
As usual, stay Professional. When given a choice between saving the data on riots or the assassination, pick the assassination. While talking to Leland after the mission, stick with Professional but switch to Aggressive (Sacrifice) when the option presents itself.
If you've been triggering alarms (and with the SMG, shotgun, and assault rifle achievements, you've been triggering the alarms) and bypassing keypads, by now you should have...
Bypass 20 electronic devices.
Contact President Sung
Stay Suave the entire conversation, through Sung, Mina, and Scarlet.
Stop Omen Deng at Memorial Rally
Spare Omen Deng after defeating him and stay Professional the whole time.
Continue playing to unlock this secret achievement. (Secret)
Complete Operation True Heirs.
Another talk with Leland, stay Professional.
Operation Deus Vult - Rome
When you get to Rome, Suave answers for Mina.
Intercept NSA Intelligence
Standard Professional all the way.
Bug CIA Listening Post
A pretty easy stealth mission, try not to kill the CIA operatives.
Identify Jibril Al-Bara at Chateau
Identify everyone, don't shoot them. Spare Al-Bara when you get the chance.
Contact Jibril Al-Bara
Don't forget to buy the dossier on Marburg before this. Answer Suave with Mina, then switch to Professional when Marburg arrives. You'll get -1 for having good rep with SIE, but it will be made up pretty quickly. Stay Professional with Leland and Madison.
Contact Madison St. James
Stay Professional, use the Dossier option if it's available, switch to Suave when it reads Persuade.
Investigate Marburg's Villa
Buy the map intel before you start this mission. Stay Professional with Marburg, and when it comes time to choose a handler, take Mina for extra rep with her, or Madison for extra rep with her at the cost of one rep from Mina. Try not to raise any alarms on this mission, as it causes a helicopter mini-boss to spawn. In the courtyard, there's a secret door marked on the map. Go inside for another dossier on Marburg.
At the end of this mission, there will be a few new pieces of intel. Buy them for...
Acquire the vast majority of Intel available in the game.
Investigate Ruins Transmission
At the end of the mission, stay Suave with Madison for a few extra points.
Investigate Delivery at Warehouse
Check on Madison instead of letting her sleep and Suave your way into her pants.
Continue playing to unlock this secret achievement. (Secret)
Intercept Marburg at Museum of Art
At the major choice, there's a locked door near the East Wing doors. Unlock it for another dossier on Marburg.
Go to the West Wing to rescue Madison. There is a fight with Marburg, who will escape when you do enough damage.
Continue playing to unlock this secret achievement. (Secret)
Leland will talk to you, but it doesn't matter what you choose when dealing with him at this point.
Complete Operation Deus Vult.
Operation Full Circle - Alpha Protocol
Be Suave with Mina when she arrives and use Dossier info on her when applicable.
When she confesses, be Suave until the Dossier info, Suave, Professional, then go for the kiss.
Continue playing to unlock this secret achievement. (Secret)
Contact Scarlet Lake
Be Professional the entire time.
When she asks if you have to go, stay.
Continue playing to unlock this secret achievement. (Secret)
Contact Albatross
Stay Professional and he'll offer his support as a handler.
Contact Sheikh Ali Shaheed
Tell him you will not betray the United States when given the choice.
Infiltrate Alpha Protocol
With both options, you'll want to select SIE as your handler. The interview with Leland leads up to your choice of joining Halbech. Accept his offer.
Marburg will be waiting just outside. With a high reputation, at least 83% dossier, and mostly professional responses, you can use the dossier option to recruit him to your side, saving you a boss battle down the line.
SIE will need to break you out of the medical bay and come onto you.
Might as well.
Continue playing to unlock this secret achievement. (Secret)
Romance all the ladies in Alpha Protocol in a single career.
Work your way through the mission until you have the option to turn right into a dead end room, where you can contact Parker. Proceed to be Professional with him until the A button response changes from Madison to Analysis Flawed. This saves you another boss battle.
Head into the old interrogation room to find Scarlet Lake, who knows who attempted to assassinate Sung! Answer however you want, and join forces if you want to replace SIE with Scarlet.
Continue playing to unlock this secret achievement. (Secret)
Free Mina when given the choice, take out Darcy and the helicopter and you're left with a battle with Westridge. Put him under arrest.
Well, time for the ending, where Leland shows up! Time to unlock the namesake of the playthrough.
Continue playing to unlock this secret achievement. (Secret)
But, you know what? Being a Halbech employee doesn't sound very good. Choose to betray him, then punch him in his stupid face.
Refrain from killing in cold blood.
Turn all your enemies into allies in one single career.
This results in a completed game with the Recruit class.
Complete the Alpha Protocol using the Recruit background.
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