Splinter Cell Blacklist Spies vs Mercs Multiplayer Tips for Fun & Winning

5) Explore the maps solo

Spies vs Mercs

If you’re looking to really take advantage of every hiding spot, one of the neat tricks you can do is to start a private match by yourself and explore the maps. You might even be tempted to do this before you jump online, but I’ll tell you now that this is a mistake. Get your bearings online naturally and then go back and explore. The extra context makes the exploration a lot more meaningful.

6) Try out other modes

Spies vs Mercs Blacklist

Extraction is a really interesting reversal of roles where mercs must capture an objective while spies attempt to stop them. Uplink Control is a sort of conquest mode where teams can mix and match spies and mercs. Even the Team Deathmatch, which would typically be a groan-inducing addition to this series, is unique simply because teams can have spies and mercs working together. Trying other modes is also a great way to experiment with the tools in ways you might never get a chance to in the core game types.

7) A few notes for SvM Classic play…

Splinter Cell Blacklist Multiplayer

– You can shoot lights in SvM Classic if they don’t have grating protecting them.

– As a spy, double tap the grenade button to drop a grenade at your feet. It’s great for ninja-style getaways.

– In a melee duel, a merc will almost always win if they do two things — face the spy and walk toward them. The forward momentum puts the merc in the more favorable position.

– As a merc, don’t forget your ammo box! Laying out an ammo box allows both mercs to replenish their proximity mines and grenades. Mercs aren’t nearly as threatening without these tools, so keep yourself stocked up.

8) SvM is about mind games, not skill

Spies vs Mercs

The better players online will likely have a routine. They see their enemies going to the same places every time and they punish them accordingly. The goal is to play against their expectations. It’s about tricking them into making mistakes, not outgunning them. A crackshot merc is going to kill a spy more quickly, but ultimately it’s about staying one step ahead of the other team.

As a merc, don’t place mines on the objectives, but place them in high traffic spy paths. Keep watch for the indicator that a spy has disabled your mine, and go check out that area.

As a spy, trick the mercs into believing you’re in one place and head for another. Keep them nervous and keep them guessing. Ultimately, the extra time they spend looking for you at one objective is more time for you to smartly approach a different one.

9) Share your tips!

Splinter Cell Blacklist’s Spies vs. Mercs is a tactical, methodical multiplayer mode and there is a ton to take in as you play and learn. I’m just scratching the surface here, so please, if you’ve been playing and you have some advice of your own, share it in the comments below.

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So you’re done with Splinter Cell Blacklist’s campaign, you’ve tackled co-op with your buddy, and that Spies vs. Mercs multiplayer is taunting you. It’s intimidating, right? The small teams, the expectation to win, and the intricate cat-and-mouse concept can make Spies vs. Mercs a scary prospect. Even as a veteran of Splinter Cell multiplayer, I get a little nervous before every match, so I’m here to help you get the ball rolling. This isn’t necessarily in-depth strategy, but more of a guide to getting you in the game, having fun and understanding some of the basics.

1) Jump headfirst into SvM Classic

Blacklist Tips

You know how the best way to get into a cold pool is to just jump in and get it over with? Well Spies vs. Mercs is pretty much the same. Start with SvM Classic. It’s arguably the more hardcore mode, but it’s also more streamlined, with less gadgets, no custom loadouts, and only two opponents to keep track of. You’ll get to play the purest version of what makes SvM so special, and you’ll even earn points towards unlocking things for SvM Blacklist.

2) Adjust the controls

Blacklist Tips

Sometimes I feel like Ubisoft changes their control schemes just to be different. There are a few legitimate reasons the default controls are the way they are, but you should look at the other options available. Most obvious is the Merc’s second control scheme, which changes the buttons to a more traditional shooter layout.

3) Play with friends

Spies vs Mercs Tips

Ideally, the best way to introduce yourself to this game is with friends. The better players are beastly, terrifying things, and matchmaking isn’t the greatest as of this writing. Diving into SvM Classic with three other friends is definitely the most fun and inviting way to start this game. Even if you only have one friend, losing together is a great, if not frustrating, way to learn.

4) Kit out your spies and mercs for SvM Blacklist

Blacklist Spies vs Mercs Gadgets

Once you get your bearings in SvM Classic, give Blacklist a try. It’s the more modern mode, designed to pull the shooter crowd into Splinter Cell’s more methodical gameplay. These four-on-four matches follow the same basic rules — spies attempt to sneak around and hack terminals while mercs set traps and try to stop them — the difference is that spies are more aggressive, everyone has more tools, and the maps are more brightly lit, forcing spies to play more aggressively.

This mode is fun in its own ways, but it relies heavily on all the tools you can buy. That’s why I recommend playing SvM Classic first, so you have some money you can put toward kitting out your spy and merc. Keep in mind that because of the expanded depth of this mode, a lot of the spy tools have merc counters and vice versa. Pay attention to what your enemies are doing and buy the things that will make their lives more difficult.

SvM Blacklist is a great mode when the number of friends you have to play with simply doesn’t fit 2v2 SvM Classic, but in my opinion the real heart of the game is SvM Classic.

Continue to Page 2 for more tips…