Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Blacklist Trophy Guide

Introduction

“Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Blacklist” is the sixth installment in the renowned Splinter Cell series, developed by Ubisoft Toronto and released in 2013. This game continues the story of Sam Fisher, a highly trained operative tasked with thwarting terrorist threats to the United States. “Blacklist” combines elements of stealth, action, and strategy, making it a dynamic and engaging experience for players. For those who are aiming to unlock all the trophies and achieve 100% completion, this trophy guide will serve as a comprehensive review and detailed roadmap.

Understanding the Trophy System

Before diving into the specific trophies, it’s important to understand the general structure of the trophy system in “Splinter Cell: Blacklist.” The game offers a variety of trophies that range in difficulty from straightforward story-related achievements to more complex tasks requiring skill, patience, and a thorough understanding of the game mechanics.

The trophies are divided into several categories:

• Story-Related Trophies: These are earned by progressing through the main campaign.
• Difficulty-Related Trophies: These require players to complete the game on specific difficulty settings.
• Completion Trophies: These involve completing side missions, gathering collectibles, and mastering various gameplay aspects.
• Multiplayer Trophies: These are linked to the game’s co-op and competitive multiplayer modes.
• Miscellaneous Trophies: These include trophies for performing specific actions or achieving certain milestones within the game.

Achieving 100% completion and earning the Platinum trophy requires a combination of skill, persistence, and strategic planning.

Story-Related Trophies

As with many games, “Splinter Cell: Blacklist” features trophies tied to the completion of key story missions. These trophies are unmissable and will be unlocked as players progress through the main campaign.

1. Safehouse (Bronze): Complete the mission “Safehouse.”
2. Insurgent Stronghold (Bronze): Complete the mission “Insurgent Stronghold.”
3. American Consumption (Bronze): Complete the mission “American Consumption.”
4. Private Estate (Bronze): Complete the mission “Private Estate.”
5. Abandoned Mill (Bronze): Complete the mission “Abandoned Mill.”
6. Transit Yards (Bronze): Complete the mission “Transit Yards.”
7. Detention Facility (Bronze): Complete the mission “Detention Facility.”
8. Special Missions HQ (Bronze): Complete the mission “Special Missions HQ.”
9. Site F (Silver): Complete the final mission “Site F.”

These trophies are relatively straightforward and serve as a reward for progressing through the game’s story. They do not require any special conditions or difficulty settings, so players can focus on enjoying the narrative and gameplay.

Difficulty-Related Trophies

One of the key challenges in “Splinter Cell: Blacklist” is completing the game on higher difficulty settings. These trophies are designed to test players’ mastery of the game’s mechanics and their ability to adapt to more challenging scenarios.

1. Distraction Tactician (Bronze): Complete a non-lethal takedown while using a gadget to distract your enemy.
2. No Kill Option Engaged (Silver): Complete the game without killing anyone as Sam Fisher.
3. Ghost Player (Gold): Complete the game on Perfectionist difficulty without being detected.
4. Fourth Echelon Commendation (Silver): Complete the game on Perfectionist difficulty.

Perfectionist difficulty is the highest level of challenge in the game, removing certain gameplay aids and making enemies more vigilant and deadly. To earn the “Fourth Echelon Commendation” and “Ghost Player” trophies, players must exercise extreme caution, patience, and precision. Mastery of stealth mechanics, careful planning of every move, and thorough knowledge of enemy patterns are crucial.

The “No Kill Option Engaged” trophy adds another layer of difficulty by requiring players to avoid lethal force altogether. This means relying heavily on non-lethal takedowns, gadgets like sleeping gas and sticky cameras, and the environment to distract or incapacitate enemies.

Completion Trophies

For completionists, “Splinter Cell: Blacklist” offers several trophies that require players to explore every aspect of the game, including side missions, collectibles, and optional objectives.

1. Hawkeye (Bronze): Complete all available SMI missions.
2. Tri-Rotor Functionality (Bronze): Complete all of Charlie’s missions.
3. Infiltration (Bronze): Complete all of Briggs’ 4E missions.
4. Support Ops (Bronze): Complete all of Grim’s 4E missions.
5. Command and Control (Silver): Complete all of Kobin’s 4E missions.
6. Evidence Concealed (Silver): Hide 5 bodies in containers.
7. Hacker (Silver): Hack all 23 Blacklist Laptops.
8. Intel Acquired (Silver): Collect all 24 Dead Drop flash drives.
9. Data Security (Silver): Collect 24 HVTs.

The SMI (Strategic Mission Interface) missions are side missions that offer additional content outside of the main story. These missions are assigned by different characters, each with their unique challenges and objectives. Completing all of them not only earns players these trophies but also provides valuable rewards that can aid in the main campaign.

Collectibles, such as Blacklist Laptops, Dead Drop flash drives, and High-Value Targets (HVTs), are scattered throughout the game. Finding and collecting all of them requires careful exploration of each level. Some of these collectibles are well-hidden, so players may need to backtrack or use guides to locate them all.

Multiplayer Trophies

“Splinter Cell: Blacklist” features both co-op and competitive multiplayer modes, and several trophies are tied to these modes. Earning these trophies often requires teamwork, communication, and mastery of multiplayer-specific mechanics.

1. Officer of the Day (Bronze): Complete all available Daily Challenges.
2. ShadowNet Online (Silver): Complete a daily challenge in multiplayer.
3. Hostages Secured (Silver): Win a CO-OP Extraction match in less than 5 minutes in any difficulty.
4. Elite Player (Gold): Complete all CO-OP missions on Perfectionist difficulty.
5. Team Player (Gold): Win a CO-OP match.
6. Mercenary (Silver): Achieve a kill streak of 5 in Spies vs. Mercs mode.

The “Spies vs. Mercs” mode is a unique competitive multiplayer experience where players are divided into two teams: Spies and Mercenaries. Spies rely on stealth, speed, and gadgets, while Mercenaries are heavily armed and focused on direct combat. To earn trophies like “Mercenary,” players need to excel in this mode, mastering the strengths and weaknesses of both sides.

Co-op missions, which can be played with a partner, offer additional challenges that require cooperation and coordination. Trophies like “Elite Player” and “Team Player” reward players for successfully completing these missions, especially on higher difficulties like Perfectionist.

Miscellaneous Trophies

In addition to the main categories, “Splinter Cell: Blacklist” includes a variety of miscellaneous trophies that can be earned by performing specific actions or achieving certain milestones.

1. Distraction and Neutralization (Bronze): Stealthily take down an enemy after distracting them.
2. Hostile Shield (Bronze): Take down an enemy using a human shield.
3. Combat Virtuoso (Silver): Take down 10 enemies in a row without being detected.
4. Enhanced Reach (Silver): Take down 5 enemies using the Tri-Rotor.
5. Action and Reaction (Silver): Kill an enemy with the toilet as an environmental kill.

These trophies often require players to use specific tactics or tools in creative ways. For example, the “Action and Reaction” trophy involves using the environment to eliminate an enemy, while “Combat Virtuoso” rewards players for maintaining stealth while taking down multiple enemies in succession.

The variety of these trophies encourages players to experiment with different playstyles and to explore all the options available within the game. They also add an extra layer of challenge for those looking to fully master the game’s mechanics.

Strategic Tips for Trophy Hunters

Earning all the trophies in “Splinter Cell: Blacklist” requires not just skill and persistence, but also strategic planning. Here are some tips to help trophy hunters on their journey:

1. Playthrough Strategy: To maximize efficiency, it’s recommended to complete the game on a lower difficulty first to familiarize yourself with the levels, enemy placements, and general mechanics. This will also allow you to collect most of the story-related and collectible trophies without the added pressure of higher difficulty.
2. Stealth Focus: Many of the game’s trophies are tied to stealth gameplay. Focus on non-lethal takedowns, hiding bodies, and avoiding detection. Use gadgets like noise makers, sticky cameras, and EMP grenades to distract and disable enemies.
3. Difficulty Management: The Perfectionist difficulty is a significant challenge, removing many of the aids that players rely on, such as Mark & Execute. Approach this difficulty with caution, and consider saving it for a second playthrough once you’re more comfortable with the game’s mechanics.
4. Co-op and Multiplayer: Teamwork is key in co-op missions. Communicate with your partner, plan your approach, and coordinate your actions. In multiplayer, familiarize yourself with both Spies and Mercs to be effective in all situations.
5. Collect Collectibles Focus: As you progress through the game, make it a priority to search every corner of the levels for Blacklist Laptops, Dead Drop flash drives, and High-Value Targets (HVTs). Some of these items are hidden in obscure locations, so be thorough in your exploration. If you’re having trouble finding certain collectibles, consider consulting a guide or map to ensure you don’t miss any.
6. Save Frequently: “Splinter Cell: Blacklist” allows for manual saving, which can be incredibly useful, especially on higher difficulties or when attempting to complete specific trophy-related tasks. Save before trying something risky, such as attempting a long string of non-lethal takedowns, so you can easily reload if things don’t go as planned.
7. Experiment with Gadgets: The game offers a wide range of gadgets, each with unique capabilities that can be pivotal in different situations. Experiment with all the tools at your disposal to find the ones that best suit your playstyle. For example, the Tri-Rotor drone is invaluable for reconnaissance and taking out enemies from a distance.
8. Replay Missions: If you miss a trophy during a mission, don’t worry. You can replay missions to try again. This is especially useful for trophies that require specific conditions, such as remaining undetected or not killing any enemies.
9. Patience and Timing: Many trophies in “Splinter Cell: Blacklist” reward careful planning and patience. Take your time, study enemy patterns, and plan your moves accordingly. Rushing in will often result in failure, especially on higher difficulties.
10. Understand the Enemy AI: The enemy AI in “Blacklist” is quite sophisticated, with different enemy types exhibiting varying levels of awareness and behavior. Understanding how each enemy type reacts to different stimuli can help you better plan your approach, whether it’s using gadgets, avoiding detection, or setting up ambushes.

Challenges You Might Face

Achieving 100% completion and earning the Platinum trophy in “Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Blacklist” is no small feat, and there are several challenges that players might encounter along the way:

1. Perfectionist Difficulty: This difficulty setting is the most challenging aspect of the game, removing many of the helpful tools and mechanics available on lower difficulties. Without Mark & Execute, players need to rely entirely on their own skill to identify and eliminate threats. Additionally, enemies are more alert and tougher to take down, making stealth even more critical. Completing the game on Perfectionist difficulty will require a deep understanding of the game mechanics and a lot of patience.
2. No Kill Runs: Achieving the “No Kill Option Engaged” trophy requires players to complete the game without killing anyone. This can be particularly challenging during sections of the game where lethal force seems like the easier option. Non-lethal gadgets and environmental takedowns become crucial, and players must be extra cautious to ensure that all takedowns are non-lethal.
3. Multiplayer Trophies: Some of the multiplayer trophies, particularly those tied to “Spies vs. Mercs,” can be challenging due to the need for effective teamwork and communication. Winning matches, achieving kill streaks, and completing co-op missions on higher difficulties require coordination and practice with your teammates. Additionally, as the multiplayer community for the game ages, it may become harder to find matches, making these trophies more time-consuming to achieve.
4. Collectibles: While collecting all Blacklist Laptops, Dead Drop flash drives, and HVTs is straightforward in theory, in practice it can be easy to miss one or two along the way. Given the game’s complex level design and sometimes obscure collectible locations, players need to be thorough and patient. Missing a single collectible could mean replaying entire missions to find what you missed.
5. Mastering Stealth: Many of the game’s trophies require you to remain undetected, which can be particularly challenging in later levels with more complex enemy patrols and tighter spaces. Perfecting your stealth approach will likely require multiple attempts and careful planning.

Conclusion

“Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Blacklist” offers a rewarding trophy hunting experience for those willing to put in the time and effort. The game’s blend of stealth, action, and strategic gameplay, combined with its challenging trophy requirements, make it a standout title in the stealth-action genre.

Whether you’re a seasoned veteran of the series or new to the world of Sam Fisher, this trophy guide will help you navigate the complexities of “Blacklist” and achieve the coveted Platinum trophy. From mastering the game’s various difficulty settings to completing every side mission and collectible, there’s a lot to do in “Blacklist,” and the journey to 100% completion is as engaging as it is challenging.

In the end, the satisfaction of unlocking every trophy and mastering every aspect of the game is a testament to the depth and quality of “Splinter Cell: Blacklist.” So gear up, plan your approach, and dive into one of the most challenging and rewarding stealth experiences available. Good luck, and happy trophy hunting!