Ghost Recon Wildlands is huge. I mean, actually massive. Even in 2026, players are still trekking through the digital salt flats of Koani and the dense jungles of Espiritu Santo. Why? Because the loot loop is addictive.
But here is the thing. Most people play the game all wrong. They rush the main story, ignore the intel, and wonder why they’re still using the starting P416 ten hours in.
If you want the real kit—the stuff that actually changes how you play—you have to go hunting. Ghost Recon Wildlands unlockables aren't just handed to you. You've gotta earn them by being a bit of a completionist, or at least knowing which province to rob first.
The Weapon Hunt: Location is Everything
In Wildlands, your arsenal is split between "regular" weapons and "unique" boss drops. Regular guns are found in weapon cases scattered across the map. You can't just pick one up from a dead Sicario and keep it forever. You need that blue crate.
The Sniper King: HTI vs. MSR
If you aren't using the HTI, you're making life hard. It’s the anti-materiel beast that deletes helicopters. You'll find it in the Montuyoc province, specifically at the Montuyoc Training Base. It's heavily guarded. Go at night.
The MSR is the other fan favorite. It's also in Montuyoc, tucked away in the Choza Padre Mine. While the HTI is about raw power, the MSR has that sweet, sweet handling. Honestly, having both is basically mandatory for a serious Ghost.
🔗 Read more: First Name in Country Crossword: Why These Clues Trip You Up
Best-in-Class Assault Rifles
- ACR: This is arguably the most balanced rifle in the game. It’s sitting in Media Luna at the La Loma base.
- M4A1: A classic for a reason. Head to Flor de Oro. It's in a small hunting lodge area.
- TAR-21: High rate of fire, great for CQC. You’ll find this one in Montuyoc as well. Montuyoc is basically the Walmart of high-end weaponry.
Boss Rewards: The Guns You Can't Customize
Defeating the Buchones (the cartel bosses) gets you unique, pre-customized weapons. You can't change the scope or the suppressor on these. That's the trade-off. Some are flashy but kind of useless, while others are absolute gems.
La Yuri and El Polito drop two different AK-47s: "His" and "Hers." They’re okay for early game, but you'll outgrow them fast.
The real winner? The Lady Killer. You get this after taking out Antonio in Mojocoyo. It’s a customized 5.7 USG pistol with a built-in suppressor and decent sights. It’s probably the best stealth sidearm in the game until you unlock the Whisper.
Then there’s ¡Silencio!, the shotgun you get from El Sueño himself. It’s suppressed. A suppressed shotgun. It’s as ridiculous and effective as it sounds.
Don't Sleep on Attachments
A gun is only as good as its glass. If you're running a sniper with a 1x red dot, you're doing it wrong.
💡 You might also like: The Dawn of the Brave Story Most Players Miss
You need the T5Xi Tactical scope. It provides the highest magnification (6.0x) and is found in Koani. Specifically, look for the Huertas Mine. Pair this with the Long Barrel (found in San Mateo) and the Range Finder (found in Espiritu Santo), and you can suddenly hit targets from 600 meters away without breaking a sweat.
Essential Parts Checklist
- Extended Magazines: Most are in Media Luna or Flor de Oro. The 50-round STANAG for assault rifles is a game-changer.
- Folded Stocks: These boost handling. Good for SMGs.
- Underbarrel Grenade Launchers: The M203 is in Remanzo. Use it for convoys. Seriously.
Bonus Medals and Skill Points
Unlocking gear isn't just about things that go bang. It’s about your Ghost's stats. Bonus Medals give you permanent buffs to things like bullet resistance, drone range, or squad resilience.
The Bullet Resistance medal in Itacua is usually the first one people grab. It’s easy. But don’t overlook the Quiet Running medal in Espiritu Santo. If you like to sneak, this is non-negotiable.
Skill points are everywhere, but the "mega" caches (3 or 5 points) are usually hidden in UNIDAD bases. UNIDAD doesn't play around. They will call in reinforcements until you're a stain on the pavement, so use your rebel support to cause a diversion before you go crate-hunting.
The Secret Rewards: Easter Eggs and Clubs
Ubisoft loves a good secret. If you’ve played other Ubisoft titles, check the Ubisoft Connect (formerly Uplay) rewards page. You can often snag the G36C or the SIG556 Llama just for having an account.
📖 Related: Why the Clash of Clans Archer Queen is Still the Most Important Hero in the Game
The Yeti Hunt
There is a "Yeti" in the Inca Camina province. It’s actually a sniper named El Yeti. If you find the bloodstained rock and interact with it, he’ll spawn and try to one-shot you. Kill him, and you unlock the Ghille Suit (Yeti version). It’s purely cosmetic, but it looks cool as hell in the snow.
Ghost War and Crates
If you’re into the PvP side, Ghost War has its own set of unlocks. But even for solo players, Prestige Crates are a thing. You earn these by completing Daily Challenges or leveling up in Tier One mode. They contain everything from new emotes to "Icons"—which are skins that let you look like characters from Rainbow Six Siege or Splinter Cell.
How to Unlock Everything Faster
The map is cluttered. It's overwhelming. Here is the move:
- Find Intel: Look for the "!" icons on the map. Always choose the "Weapon/Accessory" option first.
- Province Hopping: You don't have to clear a province to get its loot. If you want a specific sniper rifle, fly a helicopter into that province, grab the crate, and leave.
- Sync Shot: Use your AI teammates. Level up the Sync Shot skill early. It makes clearing out the heavily guarded bases where the best Ghost Recon Wildlands unlockables are kept a lot easier.
The game doesn't tell you that the most powerful items are often in the hardest provinces (rated 4 or 5 skulls). But there's nothing stopping a low-level player from stealing a plane, parachuting into Media Luna, and grabbing the ACR 20 minutes into the game.
Tactical Next Steps
Stop wandering aimlessly. If you want to dominate the cartel, your next session should be focused on three things. First, head to Montuyoc and secure the HTI. Even with no upgrades, it changes the power dynamic of the game. Second, hunt down the T5Xi scope in Koani so you can actually see what you're shooting at. Finally, spend your first few skill points on the Grenade Launcher and Parachute.
Having the right gear doesn't just make the game easier; it makes it more fun. There is a specific kind of satisfaction in dismantling a Santa Blanca outpost from a kilometer away with a rifle you spent an hour trekking through the mountains to find.