Bolivia is huge. Honestly, the first time you drop into Itacua, the sheer scale of the map feels like a prank. You look at the icons, the provinces, and the winding roads and think you’re in for a standard Ubisoft checklist simulator. But if you treat this like Far Cry with more drones, you’re going to get shredded the moment you hit the four-skull difficulty regions. Most Ghost Recon Wildlands tips you find online focus on the basics, like "use cover" or "don't die," but that doesn't help when a Unidad patrol spawns behind you and starts raining mortar fire on your position.
The game is actually a tactical puzzle. It’s about managing chaos before it even starts. If you're playing on Extreme difficulty or, heaven forbid, Tier 1 mode, the game stops being a shooter and starts being a game of "how long can I stay invisible?"
The "Over-the-Shoulder" Trap and Camera Physics
Most players never touch their settings. That's a mistake. One of the most underrated Ghost Recon Wildlands tips involves your camera positioning and how it interacts with the leaning mechanic.
By default, the camera is a bit tight. Go into the options and maximize your Field of View. It changes everything. You need to see the flanking Unidad soldier who is creeping up on your left while you're busy lining up a sniper shot. Also, get comfortable with the shoulder-swap button (RB/R1/Middle Mouse). If you peek around a left-hand corner while your camera is over your right shoulder, you're exposing 70% of your body before you can even see the enemy. It sounds like a small detail. It’s not. It’s the difference between a clean headshot and a "Game Over" screen because a Santa Blanca lieutenant saw your elbow.
Night Vision is Actually Useful (For Once)
In most games, night vision is just a green filter that makes things look worse. In Wildlands, it’s a tool for survival. But there’s a catch.
The Thermal Vision upgrade is what you actually want. You get this from the "Botany" skill branch fairly early on, and it is a total game-changer for spotting enemies hiding in dense foliage. In provinces like Caimanes or Villa Verde, the jungle is so thick you won't see a sicario standing five feet in front of you. Flip on thermal, and they glow like Christmas lights.
However, don't keep it on constantly. It flattens the depth of field. You’ll find yourself walking off cliffs or getting stuck on small rocks because you can't see the terrain contours. Use it to scan, mark targets, then switch back to standard or NVGs to move.
Why the HTI is the Only Sniper Rifle You Need
People love to debate the best sniper rifle. Some swear by the MSR for its bolt-cycle speed. Others like the G28 for semi-auto follow-up shots. They’re all wrong if your goal is efficiency.
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The HTI is a beast. It’s an anti-materiel rifle, which basically means it’s designed to punch holes through engine blocks. Once you get the "Vehicle Destruction" skill maxed out, a single shot from the HTI will explode an unarmored helicopter. Two shots will take down a Unidad gunship. This removes the need for a dedicated grenade launcher or bulky RPGs in your secondary slot.
- Find it in Montuyoc.
- It’s guarded by a fairly heavy Unidad presence.
- Go at night.
- Use the drone to sync-shot the snipers in the towers first.
Once you have the HTI, convoys become a joke. You just park on a ridge, delete the escort vehicles, and the truck stops. Easy resources.
The Sync Shot is Your Best Friend and Worst Enemy
The AI teammates—Weaver, Holt, and Midas—are surprisingly competent if you know how to talk to them. The Sync Shot allows you to mark up to three targets (four once fully upgraded) for a simultaneous takedown.
Here is the pro tip: the AI doesn't need line of sight the same way you do. Sometimes, you can mark an enemy through a wall or behind a rock, and as long as the AI "ghosts" can get into a theoretical position, they will hit that shot 100% of the time. It’s basically a legal cheat code.
But don't over-rely on it. If you trigger a Sync Shot and one of the bodies falls in front of another guard, the base goes into "Suspected" mode. In Wildlands, an alerted base is ten times harder to clear than a calm one. Use the Sync Shot to thin out the snipers and the lonely guards on the perimeter first. Never use it on the guys standing in a circle talking about their favorite tacos. You'll regret it.
Handling the Unidad Aggression Meter
Unidad is the "police" force in Bolivia, and they are significantly more dangerous than the cartel. They have better armor, better guns, and an infinite supply of reinforcements. If you get into a protracted gunfight with them, your "Heat" level will rise, much like the stars in GTA.
When you hit level 4, they start sending Cobra gunships. At that point, you aren't winning. You need to vanish.
The best way to lose Unidad isn't to drive faster. It's to go off-road and switch vehicles. They track your last known position and the vehicle you were in. If you ditch your SUV in a river and hide in a bush 50 meters away, they will swarm the car while you just watch them. Also, don't fly helicopters if you have a heat level. SAM sites will target you instantly, and dodging missiles in this game feels like trying to steer a fridge through a hurricane.
Essential Skill Point Priorities
Don't just spend points on whatever looks cool. Some skills are essential, others are fluff.
The "Must-Haves"
The Parachute is non-negotiable. You’ll find yourself in situations where bailing out of a burning plane is the only option. Extra Sync Shot is the second priority. After that, look at Drone Range and Battery. Your drone is your lifeblood. If it dies or gets jammed 20 meters into a base, you're flying blind.
The Traps
Don't waste points on the "Noisemaker" drone early on. It sounds cool, but a well-placed suppressed pistol shot against a wall does the exact same thing for free. Also, "Physical" upgrades like stamina are nice, but if you're sprinting that much, you've probably already messed up the stealth part of the mission.
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Stealth is About Sound, Not Just Sight
The sound mechanics in this game are actually pretty deep. Surface type matters. If you're sprinting on metal grating or a wooden floor, enemies will hear you from a floor below.
Crouch-walking is your default state. Also, remember that suppressors reduce your damage and muzzle velocity. For long-range sniping (300m+), take the suppressor off. The sound won't travel that far anyway, and you'll get a flatter trajectory and more "oomph" when the bullet hits. For everything else, keep the can on.
One weird trick: if you're about to be spotted and the "detection" bar is filling up, go prone immediately. It breaks the line of sight much faster than trying to run behind a crate.
Rebels: The Unsung Heroes of the End-Game
Early in the game, the rebels are annoying. They show up, shoot three bullets, and die. But as you complete "Rebel Op" side missions, they become a literal army.
The "Diversion" and "Rebel Firepower" skills are essential for the late-game provinces like Flor de Oro. If a mission goes sideways, you can call in a squad of rebels to distract the enemy while you slip away. It’s not about them winning the fight; it’s about them being more interesting targets than you are.
The "Vehicle Drop" is the most important rebel skill. At level 3, they drop an armored SUV with a minigun. No more stealing tractors or slow civilian cars when you're stuck in the middle of nowhere.
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Tactical Next Steps for Your Playthrough
To truly master the game, you need to change your mindset from "action hero" to "saboteur." Stop driving through the front gates of bases.
- Invest in the EMP Drone immediately to disable jammers and power generators from a distance. This allows you to use your drone freely and cuts the lights at night, giving you a massive advantage.
- Focus on the Medic Drone if you're playing co-op. Being able to revive a teammate from 300 meters away while staying behind a rock is a literal lifesaver.
- Clear Montuyoc and Remanzo early. These areas are tough, but they hold some of the best gear in the game, including the HTI and various high-end assault rifle parts.
- Practice the "Base Scan." Never enter a compound until you have accounted for at least 80% of the hostiles. Use your binoculars more than your scope—the zoom is better and the field of view is wider.
Wildlands rewards patience more than twitch reflexes. If a mission feels impossible, you’re likely trying to brute-force it. Back off, wait for nightfall, cut the power, and pick them off one by one. That is the real Ghost experience.