Ready or Not: Quick Tips & Tricks Guide

Your First Day on D-Platoon: Mastering the Fundamentals of Ready or Not

Listen up, rookie. My name is Judge. Welcome to D-Platoon. The streets of Los Sueños aren’t a playground; they’re a pressure cooker, and we’re the ones keeping the lid on. Forget everything you learned from other shooters. This is Ready or Not. Here, a single bullet ends a life—yours, your partner’s, or a civilian’s. Success isn’t about your kill count. It’s about control, precision, and walking out with everyone you’re sworn to protect. Your first lesson starts now. Pay attention, because your life depends on it.

The Golden Rule: Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast

In the chaotic world of Ready or Not, your greatest weapon is patience. Rushing gets you killed. Every step you take must be deliberate.

Embrace the Slow Walk. Hold the ‘Shift’ key to walk slowly. This simple action drastically reduces the noise you make. Suspects have ears, and they will react to the sound of you stomping around. A quiet approach gives you the element of surprise.
Stay Low. Crouching makes you a smaller target and further muffles your footsteps. Use it when moving across open areas or when holding an angle.
Learn the “Low Ready” Stance. This is a hidden mechanic you won’t find in the tutorial. By default, pressing the ‘Home’ key lowers your weapon. While in this “Low Ready” stance, you move significantly faster than the standard walk. This is not for engaging enemies; it’s for repositioning quickly between points of cover. Rebind this key to something accessible, like a thumb mouse button. Master this, and you’ll control the pace of every engagement.
Never Sprint. There is no sprint button in Ready or Not. The game’s design forces you to be methodical. If you need to move quickly, use the Low Ready stance. Trying to play this game like a run-and-gun shooter is the fastest way to see the mission failed screen.

Situational Awareness is Your Best Weapon

What you know is more important than what you’re carrying. In Ready or Not, information is ammunition. Never enter a room blind.

The Tablet is Mandatory Reading. Before every single deployment, you must read the mission briefing on your tablet. It contains critical intelligence: known entry points, suspected enemy locations, civilian presence, and secondary objectives. For a mission like “23 Megabytes a Second,” the briefing tells you exactly which apartments are connected, allowing you to plan your breach. Ignoring this is negligence.
Master the Lean. Your body is not a battering ram. Never expose your full torso when you don’t have to.
Use Basic Lean (Q/E). Use this to peek around corners and door frames. It’s your fundamental tool for slicing the pie.
Master Free Lean (Alt + WASD). This advanced technique gives you granular control over your angle. You can peek through tiny cracks in doorways, look under beds, or hold tight angles from behind cover without exposing yourself. Practice it until it’s second nature.
Listen Closely. The sound design in Ready or Not is a critical source of intel. You can hear suspects muttering, coughing, or threatening hostages. Their footsteps will give away their position long before you see them. A good headset isn’t a luxury; it’s standard issue.
Watch Your Team’s Helmet Cams. Even when playing solo, you are a team leader. You can cycle through your AI officers’ points of view. Use this to maintain a second perspective, especially when you split your team to cover multiple angles or breach a room from two directions.

Practice Makes Permanent: The LSPD Firing Range

Don’t let your first real firefight be the first time you’ve truly handled your weapon. The firing range in the station is your laboratory.

Learn Your Recoil. The shooting mechanics in Ready or Not are realistic and punishing. Every weapon has a unique recoil pattern. Spend time in the range learning how to control the muzzle climb of your favorite firearms.
Drill Your Actions. Practice activating your laser, switching to canted sights, and transitioning between high and low ready stances. These actions need to be muscle memory so you don’t fumble when bullets are flying.
Practice Grenade Throws. The range has windows and different rooms to practice your grenade tosses. Learn the arc and timing of flashbangs and stingers so you can place them perfectly when it counts.

The Armory: Gearing Up for War in Ready or Not

Alright, rookie, welcome to the armory. A carpenter is only as good as his tools. For us, the right tool can be the difference between a clean arrest and a body bag. Your loadout isn’t about what looks cool; it’s a strategic decision that should be tailored to every single mission.

Your Primary Weapon: Choosing the Right Tool

Your primary weapon defines your role on the team. Choose wisely.

Assault Rifles (The Workhorse). These are your jack-of-all-trades. Good for most situations.
- G36C: A laser beam. It has incredibly low recoil, making it perfect for precise shots in close quarters.
- SA-58: A sledgehammer. This rifle fires a powerful 7.62x51mm round that can incapacitate unarmored suspects in a single shot to the chest. Its recoil is heavy, so control your fire.
- F90: A great choice for beginners. It has a high rate of fire and manageable recoil, making it very forgiving.
Submachine Guns (The CQB Kings). When you’re clearing tight hallways and small rooms, an SMG’s maneuverability is unmatched.
- MP7: With Armor Piercing (AP) rounds, this weapon shreds through armored suspects at close range. Its high rate of fire is devastating.
- P90: Its massive 50-round magazine is perfect for suppressing multiple targets or pushing aggressively into a room.
Shotguns (The Breacher’s Best Friend). Nothing says “get out of the way” like a 12-gauge.
- M1014 / B1301: These semi-automatic shotguns are top-tier. They can clear a room of unarmored threats in seconds.
- Buckshot vs. Slugs: Use buckshot for clearing rooms where spread is an advantage. Use slugs for more precise shots at a distance or for breaching doors.
Ammo Types: AP vs. JHP is Not a Preference. This is one of the most critical and misunderstood mechanics in Ready or Not. Your ammo choice is not optional; it’s dictated by the mission. Using the wrong type will get you killed.
- JHP (Jacketed Hollow Point): Devastating against unarmored targets. It expands on impact, causing massive damage. However, it is almost useless against suspects wearing body armor.
- AP (Armor Piercing): Essential for missions where suspects are wearing armor. It punches through plates to hit the target underneath.
- Know Your Enemy: Before each mission, check intel on the suspects. Use AP on missions like Neon Tomb, Relapse, and Greased Palms where enemies are armored. Use JHP on missions like Thank You, Come Again or Twisted Nerve where suspects are typically unarmored.

Sidearms & Non-Lethals: Your Lifesavers

Your primary will run dry, or you’ll need a less-lethal solution. Don’t neglect these options.

The Five-seveN (57 USG) is King. This pistol is arguably the best in the game. It has a 20-round magazine, very little recoil, and its AP rounds can defeat body armor. It’s the perfect companion to a ballistic shield.
Embrace the Non-Lethal Doctrine for S-Ranks. If you want to achieve the highest score (S-rank) on a mission, you cannot kill any suspects. This requires a complete shift in your loadout and mindset.
Beanbag Shotgun: This is the most effective non-lethal tool for making suspects surrender quickly. But be warned: a shot to the head is lethal and will instantly fail your S-rank attempt. Aim for the legs or lower torso.
Pepperball Guns (VKS / R7): A safer but slower alternative to the beanbag. It fires projectiles that burst into an irritant cloud, causing suspects to cough and surrender. You’ll need several hits to be effective. This is an excellent choice for your AI teammates, as they are less likely to score an accidental lethal headshot.
Taser: Perfect for that one suspect who refuses to comply. It’s quiet, instantly incapacitates a single target, and does a lot of morale damage, making them more likely to surrender afterward.

Armor & Protection: An Operator’s Second Skin

Your armor is what keeps you in the fight. Understanding the trade-offs is key.

Armor Type	Material	Gear Slots	Movement Penalty	Protection Characteristic
Light Armor	Kevlar	Most	Low	Minimal ballistic protection. Best for speed and carrying extra gear.
	Ceramic	Medium	Medium	Blocks the first few rounds completely, then breaks. Excellent for surviving the initial volley of a gunfight.
	Steel	Medium	High	Reduces damage from all rounds but never breaks. Slows you down significantly.
Heavy Armor	Kevlar	Medium	Medium	More coverage than light, but still limited ballistic protection.
	Ceramic	Fewest	High	Maximum coverage. Blocks the first few rounds completely. The best balance of protection for high-threat missions.
	Steel	Fewest	Very High	Full-body damage reduction. Turns you into a slow-moving tank.

Match Armor to Mission. For fast-paced missions requiring speed, Light Ceramic is a good balance. For slow, deliberate clears against heavily armed foes, Heavy Ceramic is your best bet.
Headwear Syncs with Your Grenades. Your choice of helmet gear should complement your throwables.
- Gas Mask: Mandatory if you or your team are using CS Gas or pepperball guns.
- Anti-Flash Goggles: Essential if you plan on using flashbangs, as they prevent you from blinding yourself.
- Ballistic Mask: Provides an extra layer of protection against a lethal headshot. A lifesaver.
- NVGs (Night Vision Goggles): For low-light operations. The green-phosphor NVGs offer a slightly wider field of view than the white-phosphor variant.

Gadgets & Grenades: The Keys to Tactical Supremacy

Your equipment is what allows you to control the battlefield.

The Mirrorgun (Optiwand) is Non-Negotiable. This is the single most important tool for gathering intelligence. Use it under every closed door to check for suspects, civilians, and booby traps. Entering a room without wanding it first is a fatal mistake.
The Ballistic Shield Turns You into a Point Man. The shield makes you nearly invincible from the front. It’s perfect for leading your team into a room, drawing enemy fire while your teammates neutralize the threats. Your accuracy with your sidearm will be reduced, so get close.
Choose Your Breach Method.
- Battering Ram: Reusable and relatively quiet, but slow and exposes you at the door.
- Breaching Shotgun: Fast and effective for wooden doors.
- C2 Explosives: The loudest option, but also the most effective for stunning and demoralizing suspects on the other side of the door. Use it on reinforced doors or when you need to make a dynamic entry.
Flashbangs are Your Best Friend. A well-placed flashbang will disorient every suspect in a room, making them easy targets for arrest. They are essential for S-rank runs. The M320 Flash Launcher fires them further and has a larger blast radius.
CS Gas is King of Area Denial. Throw CS gas into a large room or hallway to force suspects out of cover or make them surrender. It’s incredibly effective for controlling space, but remember to wear your gas mask.
Stinger Grenades are an Alternative. These explode and release rubber pellets, causing pain and disorientation. They are a good non-lethal option, but be aware they can potentially knock a suspect unconscious, which may penalize your score.
Door Wedges are God-Tier. This small item is one of the most powerful tools in your arsenal. Place a wedge under a cleared door to prevent it from being opened. This allows you to secure your flank, control the flow of the map, and ensure that a cleared area stays clear. Always bring wedges.

Leading the Element: Mastering Your SWAT AI in Ready or Not

Your AI teammates are not just bots; they are your responsibility. A good commander knows their team’s strengths and weaknesses and uses them effectively. A bad commander treats them like disposable assets and wonders why the mission always ends in failure.

Understanding Your Team (Red, Blue, Gold)

You command a four-officer squad, split into two elements.

Know Your Elements. Your team is divided into Red Element and Blue Element. You can issue orders to them individually.
Use “Gold” for Unity. The Gold command issues orders to the entire team at once. Use this for basic movements like “Fall In” or for a full team breach.
Split Your Teams for Tactical Advantage. The real power comes from giving Red and Blue separate orders. Have Blue team cover a long hallway while you and Red team clear a side room. Order Red and Blue to stack on two different doors to the same room for a synchronized breach.

The Command Wheel: Your Most Powerful Tool

Mastering the command menu is essential for controlling your team.

“Move To” and “Cover” for Positioning. Use “Move To” to place your team in a specific location. Use “Cover” to direct their attention to a specific angle or doorway. This is crucial for setting up crossfires and securing dangerous areas.
Queue Commands for Synchronized Breaches. This is a key advanced tactic. You can issue a “Breach and Clear” command to one team and then, before they execute, look at another door and issue the same command to the other team. Then, give the single “Execute” command, and both teams will breach simultaneously. This overwhelms suspects in large rooms.
Don’t Forget “Deploy”. You can order an AI officer to use their equipment. Point at a doorway and order them to “Deploy Grenade” to save your own. Order them to “Deploy Wedge” to secure a door while you cover an angle.
“Search and Secure” is Your Cleanup Crew. After you receive the “Bring Order to Chaos” notification (meaning all suspects are neutralized), a new command becomes available: “Search and Secure.” Issuing this orders your AI to sweep the entire map, restraining any remaining civilians and collecting all evidence. It’s a massive time-saver, but it only works once the area is completely safe.

AI Behavior – The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Your AI officers are programmed tools. You need to understand their programming to use them effectively.

The Good: They Have Superhuman Aim. Your AI teammates can be incredibly accurate and will engage threats the moment they are identified. When they are in a good position, they are lethal.
The Good: They Follow Breach Protocols. When ordered to clear a room, they will properly stack on the door and alternate directions on entry (first officer goes right, second goes left) to clear corners.
The Bad: They Get Stuck. AI can struggle with complex geometry. They will get stuck on furniture, block doorways, and sometimes fail to navigate a room properly. Be prepared to manually guide them with “Move To” commands.
The Bad: They Get Tunnel Vision. If an AI officer spots a threat, they will often ignore all other commands until that threat is dealt with. This can be frustrating when you need them to move or fall back.
The Ugly: They Make bad Decisions. An AI officer might prioritize cuffing a civilian while an active shooter is still in the room, getting themselves killed. They might throw a flashbang that bounces right back at the team. You are the commander; it’s your job to mitigate their flaws.

Strategic AI Loadouts

How you equip your team is as important as how you equip yourself.

Assign Roles. Don’t give everyone the same loadout. Create specialists.
- Breacher: Give one officer a Battering Ram or Breaching Shotgun.
- Shield: Give another officer a Ballistic Shield. They will always be the first one through the door on a breach, drawing all the fire.
- Grenadier: Equip an officer with the M320 grenade launcher (Flash or Gas) for enhanced breaching capabilities.
The S-Rank AI Loadout is Crucial. To prevent the AI from ruining your perfect run, you must equip them defensively.
- Primary: Give all AI officers the VKS Pepperball Rifle. They are less likely to accidentally kill a suspect with this than with the beanbag shotgun.
- Sidearm: Remove all ammunition from their pistols. If their primary runs dry, they will switch to an empty pistol instead of a lethal one.
- Tactical: Do not give them Ballistic Shields for S-rank runs. When ordered to breach, a shield officer will not fire their weapon, making them useless and likely to die. Give them breaching tools instead.

Street Smarts: Advanced Tactics & Hidden Mechanics in Ready or Not

The rulebook gets you through the door. Street smarts get you home alive. These are the tricks of the trade—the hidden mechanics and advanced tactics that separate the veterans from the rookies.

The Art of the Door

In Ready or Not, every door is a potential death trap. Treat them with respect.

Peek Doors, Don’t Kick Them. Instead of swinging a door wide open, you can “peek” it by tapping your use key. This opens it just a crack, creating a small gap to look through or even shoot through. It’s quieter and exposes you far less.
Bait with Sound. If a door is locked, kicking it won’t open it, but it will make noise. Suspects on the other side may call out or move, giving away their position. You can use this to your advantage before committing to a breach.
Shoot Door Handles. On some doors, you can shoot the handle off with a shotgun to open it quickly.
Wooden Doors are Not Cover. Bullets can penetrate wooden doors and walls. You can shoot through them to neutralize a threat you’ve identified with the mirrorgun, but remember that they can shoot back.

Manipulating Suspect AI

The suspects in Ready or Not are unpredictable, but they follow a script. Learn the script, and you can control the scene.

Use Light to Your Advantage. Suspects will react to your weapon-mounted flashlight. Shining it into a dark room can cause them to yell, revealing their position. You can even bait them into rushing your location for an easy ambush.
Lasers are Invisible to AI. Conversely, suspects do not react to laser sights. You can aim your laser directly at a suspect without alerting them, allowing you to line up a perfect shot before you engage.
Beware the Fake Surrender. A common tactic for suspects is to pretend to surrender. They will drop their primary weapon and get on their knees, only to pull out a hidden pistol when you get close or turn your back. Always keep your weapon aimed at a surrendering suspect until they are fully restrained.
Confirm Your Kills (by Restraining). Some suspects will play dead. After being shot, they will fall to the ground and lie motionless. If you move on without restraining them, they may get back up and attack you from behind. Always restrain every single person you put on the ground.
Don’t Spam Compliance Shouts. Yelling at suspects (F key) can intimidate them into surrendering. However, yelling repeatedly can also increase their stress levels, making them more likely to panic and open fire. Shout once or twice, then assess their reaction. If they don’t comply, you may need to escalate your use of force.
Listen to Their Dialogue. Suspects have different voice lines that can indicate their morale. Some will sound terrified and ready to give up, while others will sound aggressive and defiant. This can help you predict whether they will comply or fight.

Hidden Player Mechanics

There are several powerful mechanics in Ready or Not that the game never tells you about.

Master Arrest Canceling. This is a game-changing technique for solo players. You can begin the restraining animation on a surrendered suspect and then immediately cancel it by moving backward. This will cause the suspect to “freeze” in place, unable to move or pull a weapon. This allows you to safely leave them, deal with other threats, and then return to finish the arrest later.
Check Your Ammo Manually. There is no ammo counter on your HUD. To know how many rounds are left in your magazine, you must hold your reload key to perform a manual check. Make this a habit after every firefight.
Weapon Length Matters. Your weapon has a physical presence in the world. If you are too close to a wall or a doorframe, a long weapon (like a rifle with a suppressor) will be pushed aside, and you won’t be able to aim or fire. In extremely tight spaces, switching to your shorter sidearm can be a lifesaver.
Melee to Intimidate. You can perform a melee strike with your weapon. This is useful for forcing a non-compliant civilian to get on the ground without using lethal force. Be careful, as using it on a surrendered suspect will count as unauthorized use of force.
Command Surrendered Suspects. You can use the command wheel on a suspect who is on their knees to order them to move towards you. This is extremely useful for getting them out of an unsecured room and into a safe position before you approach to restrain them.

The S-Rank Playbook: Achieving Perfection in Ready or Not

The S-rank. It’s the ultimate goal for any serious operator in Ready or Not. It signifies a flawless mission: perfect execution, total control, and zero casualties. It’s not just about winning; it’s about winning perfectly. To get there, you need to throw out the standard playbook and adopt a new, more demanding doctrine.

Deconstructing the Grade

To get an S-rank, you first need to understand how you’re being graded. The scoring system is what separates a good run from a perfect one.

Understand the Point System. The math is simple and brutal.
- Arrested Suspect: +35 points.
- Dead or Incapacitated Suspect: +5 points.
The “Invisible -30 Point Penalty”. This is the mental model you must adopt. Every time you fail to arrest a suspect—whether you kill them in a justified shooting or just injure them into an incapacitated state—you are effectively losing 30 potential points. This is why lethal force, no matter how necessary it seems, is the enemy of a high score.
Main Targets are an Exception. On some missions, a primary objective might be to capture a specific, high-value target. Often, incapacitating this specific individual will still grant you the full 35 points, but this does not apply to regular suspects.
The Final Grade Formula. Your final letter grade is calculated with a simple percentage: . This means every single point matters. Failing to report one soft objective or missing one piece of evidence can be the difference between an A and an S.

The Path to S-Rank: A Checklist

Follow these rules without exception. There is no room for error.

No Officers Down. Your entire team must survive the mission.
Arrest Every Single Suspect. This is the golden rule. No kills. No incapacitations. Every armed hostile must be brought into custody alive.
Rescue Every Civilian. All non-combatants must be restrained and kept safe.
Report All Soft Objectives. Every mission has hidden objectives that are not listed on your tablet. These can be anything from a bag of cash on a table to a wounded civilian in a back room. You must find and report every single one.
Secure All Evidence. Every weapon dropped by a suspect is considered evidence. You must collect and bag every single one.
No Unauthorized Use of Force. Do not shoot a suspect who has surrendered. Do not melee a compliant civilian. Any penalty in this category will drop your score.
No Friendly Fire. This includes accidentally shooting a teammate or hitting them with a flashbang.

The S-Rank Loadout Philosophy

Your gear must be tailored for this specific, non-lethal objective.

Primary: Beanbag Shotgun or Pepperball Rifle. The Beanbag Shotgun is faster but riskier (headshots are lethal). The Pepperball Rifle is safer but requires more shots. Choose based on your confidence.
Secondary: Taser. The Taser is your go-to for stubborn suspects who refuse to comply after being hit with your primary.
Grenades: Flashbangs and CS Gas. Max out your slots with these. Flashbangs create openings for safe arrests. CS Gas can clear entire rooms and force mass surrenders. Do not bring Stinger grenades, as they have a chance to knock suspects unconscious, failing an objective.
Tactical: Mirrorgun and Wedges. Intel and area control are paramount. Use the mirrorgun on every door. Use wedges to secure every area you clear so you never have to worry about your back.

After Action Reports: Mission-Specific Briefings for Ready or Not

You’ve got the fundamentals down. You know your gear, and you know how to lead your team. Now it’s time to apply that knowledge to the streets. Every mission in Ready or Not is a unique puzzle with its own threats and challenges. This is your briefing for every major operation in Los Sueños. We’ll cover main objectives, hidden soft objectives, and the best strategy for a clean, S-rank clear.

Base Game Missions

1. Thank You, Come Again

Location: 4U Gas Station
Main Objectives: Find the minor hiding at the scene. Find the unresponsive Store Manager.
Soft Objectives: Report the deceased veteran in the back office.
Threat Assessment: Low (Junkies). Suspects are lightly armed and have low morale.
S-Rank Strategy: A straightforward mission perfect for practicing non-lethal tactics. Enter through the main convenience store entrance. Use flashbangs to clear the main store and diner areas. Suspects will surrender easily to beanbags or pepperballs. The store manager is in the kitchen freezer, and the minor is often hiding in the back restrooms or storage areas. The deceased veteran is in the office behind the main counter.

2. 23 Megabytes a Second

Location: San Uriel Condominiums
Main Objectives: Apprehend the prime suspect, Michael Williams.
Soft Objectives: Report the illegal crypto farm (upstairs apartment). Report the SSD on the streamer’s desk. Report the illicit photos near the streamer’s bed.
Threat Assessment: Medium (Thugs). Suspects have better weapons and are more willing to fight.
S-Rank Strategy: The mission briefing is critical here, as it shows which apartments are connected. A common strategy is to clear the ground floor first, then move to the second floor. The suspect’s apartment (usually 201) is the main hot zone. Use the mirrorgun extensively, as suspects can be hiding in any room. The crypto farm is in the adjacent apartment, accessible through a shared balcony or by breaching the front door.

3. Twisted Nerve

Location: 213 Park Homes
Main Objectives: Detain two suspects. Discover and report two crystal meth labs.
Soft Objectives: Report cash on the table. Report the wounded minor on the bed.
Threat Assessment: Medium (Junkies/Thugs). A mix of desperate junkies and more determined guards. The environment is tight and cluttered.
S-Rank Strategy: This map has multiple houses and a tunnel system. The main house is a death trap of tight corners. Move slowly. The wounded minor is in an upstairs bedroom in the main house—a critical objective that is easy to miss. The meth labs are in the basement/tunnels and in the second house. Be wary of booby traps on doors.

4. The Spider

Location: Brixley Talent Time
Main Objectives: Arrest George Brixley.
Soft Objectives: None.
Threat Assessment: High (Thugs). Well-armed security guards with body armor.
S-Rank Strategy: This mission has no hidden objectives, so the focus is purely on tactical clearing and arrests. The layout features a main lobby, offices, and a performance stage. Suspects are heavily armored, so the beanbag shotgun will be your primary tool. Be prepared for suspects hiding in dark corners and behind furniture. George Brixley is typically found in his office on the upper floor.

5. A Lethal Obsession

Location: Sullivan’s Slope
Main Objectives: Apprehend the prime suspect, Gerard Scott.
Soft Objectives: Report the files in the hallway.
Threat Assessment: Very High (Terrorists). Only three suspects, but they are heavily armed, armored, and have gas masks. The entire house is rigged with booby traps.
S-Rank Strategy: This is a test of caution. Mirror every single door to check for traps. If a door is trapped, you must disarm it with your multitool or have an AI do it. Suspects wear gas masks, so CS gas is useless. Rely on flashbangs and stingers. Start from the back door on the second floor for a safer entry point. Gerard Scott can be anywhere in the house.

6. Ides of March

Location: Brisa Cove
Main Objectives: Find sniper rifles in rooms 1201 and 1204. Arrest three suspects. Locate Laurie (music producer) and Sailor (retired navy officer).
Soft Objectives: None.
Threat Assessment: Very High (Terrorists). The suspects are disgruntled veterans—well-trained, armored, and they will booby trap doors.
S-Rank Strategy: A complex mission with many objectives. The floor is split into two pairs of connected apartments (1201-1202 and 1203-1204). The southern stairwell provides a safer entry. Wedge doors to the central area to control movement and clear one apartment block at a time. The sniper rifles are in plain sight in their respective rooms. The civilians can be anywhere within their apartments.

7. Sinuous Trail

Location: Mindjot Data Center
Main Objectives: Arrest or detain all contacts.
Soft Objectives: None.
Threat Assessment: High (Thugs). Armored security in a maze-like office environment.
S-Rank Strategy: The data center is a labyrinth of cubicles and server rooms, creating many angles of attack. Move methodically as a single unit. Use wedges to block off cleared hallways to prevent flanks. The open office areas are dangerous; use flashbangs or gas before entering.

8. Ends of the Earth

Location: Kawayu Beach
Main Objectives: Identify the weapons manufactory.
Soft Objectives: Report the bag of cash.
Threat Assessment: High (Thugs). Suspects are modifying illegal weapons and will defend their turf fiercely.
S-Rank Strategy: This beachfront house has many windows and open sightlines. Be cautious of being shot from outside while clearing the interior. The weapons manufactory is in the basement. The bag of cash is usually on a table on the main floor.

9. Greased Palms

Location: Los Sueños Postal Service
Main Objectives: Arrest FISA agent Jack Adams and postal worker Maria Lopez. Locate civilian Eugene Gomez. Find the FISA Office.
Soft Objectives: Report the deceased body at the end of the blood trail. Report the illegal weapon delivery in the truck.
Threat Assessment: Very High (Thugs/Corrupt Agents). A massive, sprawling map with long sightlines and numerous heavily armed suspects.
S-Rank Strategy: This is one of the hardest maps in the game. A common strategy is to clear the outside areas first, then enter the main sorting facility from a side entrance. The main sorting area is a kill box. Use CS gas and the gas launcher to suppress large areas. Move slowly from cover to cover. Splitting the team is extremely risky here.

10. Valley of the Dolls

Location: Voll Health House
Main Objectives: Arrest Amos Voll. Seize his laptop and hard drives.
Soft Objectives: Report the illicit CDs in an early room. Report the hidden room in the basement.
Threat Assessment: Very High (Thugs). Amos Voll’s private security is numerous, well-armed, and will fight to the death.
S-Rank Strategy: This multi-level mansion is filled with windows and open balconies, creating constant threats from different elevations. Keep your team away from windows. A good strategy is to clear the top floors first, using the high ground to pick off suspects in the outdoor pool area below. Amos Voll has high morale and may not surrender easily; a taser is recommended for his capture. He can spawn in his office, the cinema, or the basement. The basement itself is a dark, tight CQB environment; use NVGs.

11. Elephant

Location: Watt Community College
Main Objectives: Deactivate bombs in under 11 minutes.
Soft Objectives: None.
Threat Assessment: Very High (Active Shooters). Four heavily armed suspects are actively executing civilians. There is a strict time limit.
S-Rank Strategy: This mission is a race against the clock. You cannot play slowly. The moment the mission starts, you must move with purpose to hunt down the four shooters. Do not stop to restrain civilians or defuse bombs until all four suspects are neutralized. Memorize the map layout to find the most efficient route. Speed and aggression are key. Light armor is recommended. This mission is heavily reliant on luck regarding suspect and civilian locations.

12. Rust Belt

Location: Costa Vino Border Reserve
Main Objectives: Apprehend or neutralize all individuals.
Soft Objectives: Report confiscated passports. Report the barge in the tunnels.
Threat Assessment: High (Thugs). Gang members in a dark, claustrophobic tunnel system.
S-Rank Strategy: The tunnels are pitch black. NVGs are mandatory. The environment is a maze. Use chemlights to mark cleared paths. Be wary of enemies hiding in small alcoves. The final area opens up into a large cavern with multiple angles.

13. Sins of the Father

Location: Clemente Hotel
Main Objectives: Arrest or neutralize all individuals.
Soft Objectives: None.
Threat Assessment: Very High (Terrorists). Highly trained mercenaries have taken a family hostage in a multi-story hotel.
S-Rank Strategy: Clear the hotel floor by floor. The rooftop is a dangerous open area. The main challenge is the sheer number of rooms and angles. A methodical, room-by-room clear is the only safe way.

14. Neon Tomb

Location: Neon Nightclub
Main Objectives: Capture Qadamah, leader of The Hand.
Soft Objectives: None.
Threat Assessment: Very High (Terrorists). A terrorist attack in progress. The environment is loud, dark, and filled with civilians and active shooters.
S-Rank Strategy: The loud music makes hearing enemy footsteps nearly impossible. Consider finding the DJ booth to turn it off. The map is a complex maze of dance floors, bars, and back rooms. The upstairs dance floor is a major choke point. Use a shield to lead the push and spam grenades to disorient the numerous enemies. Wedge doors to the downstairs area to prevent flanks.

15. Buy Cheap, Buy Twice

Location: Caesar’s Car Dealership
Main Objectives: Find the deceased Officer Brian.
Soft Objectives: Report weapons in the garage. Report documentation in the offices.
Threat Assessment: High (Thugs). A trafficking deal gone wrong. Suspects are well-armed.
S-Rank Strategy: The dealership has a large, open showroom with lots of glass, and a tighter garage/office area. Be careful of shots coming through the showroom windows. Officer Brian is in the upstairs meeting room.

16. Carriers of the Vine

Location: Cherryesa Farm
Main Objectives: Arrest Elaine Raskin and Eve Nader.
Soft Objectives: Report conspiracy evidence (paintings/map) in the main house.
Threat Assessment: High (Thugs). A cult compound with many buildings and open spaces.
S-Rank Strategy: This map has many long sightlines. Progress slowly, clearing one building at a time and wedging doors behind you. A common strategy is to clear the side buildings first before assaulting the main house. The courtyard is a death trap; avoid it until you have cleared the surrounding structures.

17. Relapse

Location: Coastal Grove Medical Center
Main Objectives: Capture Zahir Asadullah. Deactivate bombs.
Soft Objectives: None.
Threat Assessment: Very High (Terrorists). The Hand is attacking a hospital to free their leader. Enemies are heavily armed and armored.
S-Rank Strategy: This is a large, complex map. A good strategy is to start at the main entrance, clear the first floor, and wedge the doors to the emergency department and stairwells behind you to control the map. Work your way up methodically. The bombs are in fixed locations, so learn their spawns. Be prepared for aggressive enemies who will push your position.

18. Hide and Seek

Location: Port Hokan
Main Objectives: Locate the weapon storage container.
Soft Objectives: Report missing persons in a container. Close the container doors. Report laptops in the auction room. Report the drug storage container.
Threat Assessment: Very High (Thugs). A massive port with huge open areas, multi-story warehouses, and dozens of suspects.
S-Rank Strategy: This is arguably the largest and most difficult map to S-rank. The sheer number of angles is overwhelming. A viable strategy is to clear the outside container yard first, moving clockwise and using wedges on warehouse doors. Once the outside is secure, breach the main warehouse. The auction room inside is a major hotspot; gas is essential here.

Home Invasion DLC

Dorms: A mission to clear a derelict dormitory taken over by squatters. The five-minute completion achievement requires a hyper-aggressive rush with non-lethal weapons, relying on luck and speed. The soft objective is a bong on a shrine in an upstairs room.
Lawmaker: A raid on a judge’s house. Be wary of a suspect who may be hiding in the panic room.
Narcos: A raid on a cartel mansion. The building has multiple floors and a rooftop area, requiring careful, 360-degree awareness.

Dark Waters DLC

This DLC introduces maritime-themed missions and new mechanics.

DLC Mechanic: Weapon Caches. On these maps, enemies can run to weapon caches to re-arm themselves, making firefights more dynamic.
DLC Mechanic: Helicopter Support. You have access to an aerial thermal camera for reconnaissance.
Mirage at Sea: A mission on a luxury yacht. The tight corridors make shotguns and SMGs effective. Be prepared for enemies to shoot through windows from the outer decks.
Leviathan: An assault on a massive oil rig. This map is vertical and has many long sightlines. A rifle with a magnified optic is recommended.
3 Letter Triad: A raid on an abandoned hotel on an island. This is a huge, complex map with a very high suspect count, rivaling Port Hokan in difficulty. Clearing the interior first before tackling the outside is a viable, if dangerous, strategy.

Los Sueños Stories Update

Hunger Strike: A hostage situation at a “Chico’s” fast-food restaurant. It’s a small map but very chaotic. Soft objectives include the suspect’s vehicle outside and evidence inside.
Stolen Valor: A mission to find a missing officer in a rundown apartment block. The building’s layout is confusing, with multiple stairwells and outdoor walkways. Every door is a threat. Wedging the doors to the stairwells as you clear each floor is key to maintaining control.

More Tips & Tricks

Customize Your Team’s Appearance. Give Red and Blue teams different colored uniforms or gear. This makes it much easier to tell them apart at a glance during chaotic situations.
Warning Shots. Firing a shot near a non-compliant suspect (into a wall, for example) can sometimes intimidate them into surrendering without having to hit them.
Shoot Traps. You can detonate tripwire bombs by shooting the explosive charge from a safe distance.
Shield Bash. When using a ballistic shield, you can still perform a melee bash. This is useful for knocking back enemies who get too close or for forcing compliance from civilians.
AI Can Defuse Traps. You can order your AI teammates to check for and disarm traps. This is often safer than doing it yourself, as it allows you to maintain security.
AI Can Pick Locks. Similarly, you can order your AI to use the lockpick gun, freeing you up to cover angles.
AI Traits. In Commander Mode, your officers will gain traits over time. Pay attention to these. A “Negotiator” trait makes suspects more likely to surrender when that officer shouts. A “Pacifier” trait increases surrender chance after being hit by non-lethals. Stack these for easier S-rank runs.
Manage Officer Stress. In Commander Mode, your officers accumulate stress from missions. High stress will make them ineffective. You must send them to therapy to recover, which takes them out of rotation. Arresting suspects causes less stress than killing them.
Ironman Mode. For the ultimate challenge, Ironman Mode in the campaign means that if you die, your entire progress is wiped. This mode demands absolute perfection.
Highlight Evidence. There is an accessibility option to highlight interactable objects like evidence. Turning this on can make it much easier to find that last dropped pistol needed for an S-rank.
Canted Sights. Use canted sights for quick transitions. Equip a magnified scope on your top rail for long angles and a red dot on a canted rail for when you enter a room.
Suppressors and Stealth. On missions where enemies are not already alerted, using suppressors can allow you to neutralize suspects without alerting others in nearby rooms.
The Final Suspect. The last suspect on a map often becomes highly aggressive and will actively hunt you down. Be prepared for a final, desperate charge.
Civilian Animations. Be patient with civilians. On some maps, their surrender animation involves them pulling out a phone to record you. Do not use force on them during this animation, or you will be penalized.
Check for Clipped Weapons. Sometimes, evidence (dropped weapons) can clip through the floor or into other objects, making them impossible to pick up. If you can’t find the last piece of evidence, order your AI to “Search and Secure.” They can sometimes retrieve bugged items through walls.
Use Mods (At Your Own Risk). The Ready or Not modding community on PC is vibrant. Mods can add new maps, weapons, and gameplay overhauls. However, they can also cause instability, and updates to the base game will often break them.
Cross-Play is Here. As of recent updates, Ready or Not supports cross-play between PC and consoles. You can enable this in the options menu to team up with friends on different platforms.
Console Keyboard and Mouse. The console versions of Ready or Not now officially support keyboard and mouse, allowing for more precise control.

End of Watch: Final Briefing

That’s it, rookie. That’s the briefing. We’ve covered everything from how to walk to how to lead. We’ve gone over every piece of gear in the armory and every dirty corner of this city.

But remember this: no guide, no manual, can replace what you learn out there. Every door you breach, every call you answer, is a lesson. Some lessons are harder than others. You will make mistakes. You will lose civilians. You might even lose one of your own.

The key is to learn. Adapt. Never stop gathering intel. Trust your training, trust your team, and trust your gut. The job isn’t about being a hero. It’s about being the professional who comes home at the end of the shift.

Now, gear up. D-Platoon is on duty. Welcome to the team.

Disclaimer: This is an unofficial fan work, all trademarks and copyrights for Valheim belong to the developer VOID Interactive.

Find the game here! VOID Interactive

Ready or Not: Quick Tips & Tricks Guide – The LSPD Field Manual