1. Operation—From The Outside, In — Watch Dogs 2 eGuide

Objectives

Infiltrate the Data-Center.

Location

ctOS Data-Center, north Yerba Buena, San Francisco

Paths to Completion

Begin by climbing the AC units in front of you (A.1) and jumping across to the ladder. Climb to the long roof, where a series of metal AC vents provide some cover. Your first Umeni Security Guard is at the opposite end of this roof. Neutralize him to proceed. You can:

1. THE CHOKE’S ON YOU

Watch the guard’s patrol path as you move to cover. Hide behind the large AC vent box, then approach him from the rear and choke him until he’s unconscious.

2. A SHOCK ON CUE

Produce the 2EZ Stun Gun from your Weapon Wheel, aim it at the guard (the aiming dot turns red) and fire. The foe spasms and topples over.

3. BEAT HIM BLACK AND BLUE

Charge the guard and attack him with your melee weapon (the “Thunderball”) until he falls unconscious. This is less stealthy, and the alarm may be raised if you’re not fast enough.

4. AVOIDING THIS CREW

Ignore the guard completely and take the stairwell. However, you need practice neutralizing enemies, so this isn’t a wise plan, since the guard may spot you when you’re crossing the parking lot.

TAKEDOWN TACTICS

The previous demonstration shows the sheer variety of ways you can approach every encounter with enemies throughout your operations. Naturally, this guide cannot show every version of every type of tactical plan, but the most optimal for Ghost, Trickster, or Aggressor play styles are detailed.

It’s also worth knowing that your taser is an incredibly potent weapon thanks to its “one-shot takedown” ability when aimed anywhere at a foe. This includes armored enemies that can take multiple shotgun blasts to the head without falling. Use an Aggressor-style technique with the taser takedown first, followed by weapon execution. Read more about this in the “Training” chapter.

Tasers do have a drawback, though: They only put a foe to sleep, meaning you can’t collect anything from them, and they wake up (alerted) after a while. This means on lengthy infiltrations, you can’t remove all foes using tasers without them waking up and perhaps warning others. So check each enemy using NetHack; if they are “gray,” they are neutralized. If they are “red,” they are unconscious and can wake up. Do something to make their nap more permanent.

With the first guard disposed of, you can view the front of the ctOS Data-Center, where several vans are parked. Two more guards patrol this area. Reach the edge of the van parking lot.

Access the ctOS camera mounted above the long roof you just crossed and scan the grounds for enemies. You can also tag the guards with a red outline, making it easier to see where they are.

Take the metal stairs behind the large AC vent, and creep down to the edge of the parking lot. From behind cover at the corner, use your taser to bring down the nearby guard.

Leap over the roof vent and drop down (possibly injuring yourself temporarily) for a rough landing.

The access to the building’s interior is on the opposite side of this parking lot (A.2). As you can’t hack the ctOS vans, stealth is required here. Try any of the following plans:

1. LIGHTS, CAMERA

Access the additional ctOS camera mounted on the pole across the parking yard, allowing full view of the area, the guards, and the route to the infiltration point.

2. MAINLY ACTION (A)

Hide behind the ctOS vans, watching the patrol paths of both guards. Step behind and throttle the first without the other one spotting you. Then move behind the second and complete the guard-choke plan. The coast is now clear.

2. MAINLY ACTION (B)

Remove both guard threats, but utilize your melee weapon (at close range) or taser (at range). Use this plan only if you accidentally step out in front of a guard or if you’re spotted.

There’s some slight variation to employ when reaching the infiltration point:

1. THE VAN MAN

Dart between the vans and cross the parking lot, using the vans as cover. Ascend the steps to the low roof.

2. THE CREEPER

Hug the outer (right) wall, taking care to remove (or stay away from) both guards. Slip behind the cargo containers. Step around, climb up the orange container near the metal steps, and parkour onto the steps and the low roof.

3. THE SPRINTER

Simply sprint across the yard, weaving between the vans to stop the guards firing on you. Dash up the stairs, and head back onto the roof.

Before you reach the low roof (A.3), inspect one of the large open metal containers by the stairwell, since one contains your first collectible—known as a pickup. The type of pickup (in this case, cash) is indicated on your map.

Once on the roof, approach the electronic door and try to hack it. This door is locked by a closed-circuit terminal (CCT), which you can find by entering NetHack view and tracing the dataflow (red line) to its source—a red box on a wall above the roof. Climb up, unlock the CCT, and drop down to open the door. Enter the Data-Center.