007 First Light Against the Odds Beginner Guide

The first mission in 007: First Light, Against the Odds, serves as both a tutorial and your introduction to the game’s stealth systems. While the mission itself is fairly straightforward, many players end up replaying it several times because of the optional challenge system. Completing every challenge unlocks the Iceland Outfit for Tactical Simulator mode, making it one of the first cosmetic rewards worth chasing.

After spending time experimenting with different routes and challenge combinations, I found that the biggest mistake new players make is trying to complete everything at once. Several challenges directly conflict with one another. Some require you to avoid combat entirely, while others ask you to eliminate multiple enemies. Understanding the layout of the Central Camp and planning your runs properly will save you a lot of time.

Understanding the Central Camp

Almost every challenge in Against the Odds takes place inside the Central Camp section. Once you unlock the Central Camp checkpoint, you can restart from there instead of replaying the entire opening sequence.

The camp is built around shipping containers, elevated platforms, ziplines, and narrow crevasses that allow Bond to move between areas without being detected. Learning these alternative routes is far more important than mastering combat because most challenges reward stealth and smart positioning.

Container G9 and Container B4 are especially important locations. Many challenge routes pass through these areas because they contain mandatory guards and provide access to elevated paths throughout the camp.

The Best Order for Completing Challenges

Rather than attempting challenges randomly, I recommend splitting them into three separate runs.

During the first run, focus on:

• Pacifist
• Ghost
• No Help Needed
• Scenic Route

These objectives naturally work together because they all encourage stealth and minimal interaction with enemies.

During the second run, focus on:

• Full Of Surprises
• 00 To Become
• High Ground

These challenges revolve around distractions and stealth takedowns, making them easy to combine.

During the third run, complete:

• Assault

This challenge is much easier when it is your sole objective.

Completing the Pacifist Challenge

The Pacifist challenge requires you to progress through Central Camp while taking down only two soldiers.

Many players assume this means avoiding all enemies, but the game actually expects two specific takedowns. The key is ensuring those are the only guards you eliminate during the entire section.

As soon as you enter the camp, head toward Container F8 and climb the ladder. This gives you access to a zipline leading toward the roof of Container G9.

Once you arrive, you’ll notice a guard watching over the hostages. Perform an aerial takedown from above. This becomes your first required elimination.

Afterward, move carefully through the crevasse connecting the G9 area to Container B4. The narrow path allows you to bypass several guards who would otherwise spot you.

At Container B4, eliminate the guard stationed there. This is your second and final takedown.

From this point onward, avoid every other enemy. Sneak around patrol routes, use cover whenever possible, and proceed directly to the hostage objective. If no additional soldiers are neutralized, the challenge will unlock upon completion.

Completing the Ghost Challenge

Ghost is one of the simplest challenges conceptually but one of the easiest to fail.

Your goal is to rescue the hostages without ever being detected. The good news is that takedowns are allowed. Being unseen is what matters.

The safest approach is almost identical to the Pacifist route. Follow the zipline toward G9, eliminate the guard overlooking the hostages, then move through the crevasse toward B4.

Pay close attention to enemy patrol patterns before moving between cover positions. Rushing is usually what causes failures. Wait for guards to turn away, use crouch movement whenever possible, and avoid crossing open spaces until you’re certain nobody is looking in your direction.

If an awareness meter begins filling up, immediately retreat into cover and allow enemies to calm down before continuing.

Completing the No Help Needed Challenge

No Help Needed is focused on pure infiltration.

The challenge requires you to clear the camp without using environmental distractions. Specifically, you cannot use either the BT65 distraction or the ATV distraction during your run.

Fortunately, the camp contains enough alternative paths that these tools are unnecessary.

The zipline network provides quick movement between rooftops, while the crevasse between G9 and B4 lets you bypass heavily guarded routes.

Treat this challenge as a traditional stealth mission. Observe patrols, use cover carefully, and rely on positioning rather than gadgets. If you accidentally trigger either distraction device, restart the checkpoint before progressing further.

Completing the Scenic Route Challenge

Scenic Route is easily the fastest challenge to complete.

You simply need to use one of the camp’s ziplines.

After receiving the objective to rescue the hostages, immediately move toward Container F9. Climb the first ladder and continue upward using the second ladder that leads to the overhead power line structure.

From this elevated position, you’ll find access to a zipline stretching across the camp.

Use it to travel toward the hostage area. The moment you ride the zipline, the challenge requirement is fulfilled.

Even if you’re pursuing other objectives, it is worth grabbing this challenge whenever possible because it takes almost no extra effort.

Completing the Full Of Surprises Challenge

Unlike No Help Needed, this challenge revolves entirely around distractions.

To complete it, you must use both available distraction opportunities within the camp.

The first distraction involves the BT65 vehicle. Near Container G8, you’ll find a laptop that allows Bond to sabotage the machine. Activating it creates enough commotion to draw attention away from nearby patrols.

The second distraction involves the ATV. Near Container B4, Bond can tamper with the vehicle’s brakes, creating another diversion that shifts guard attention elsewhere.

Both distractions must be triggered during the same run.

I recommend activating them early because they create safer movement opportunities throughout the camp and can help set up stealth takedowns for additional challenges.

Completing the 00 To Become Challenge

This is one of the more enjoyable challenges because it showcases Bond’s stealth capabilities.

You must perform takedowns on seven different soldiers without ever being spotted.

The fastest route begins immediately after entering the camp.

Head toward the cliffside route on the left and watch the area below. You’ll eventually spot an enemy positioned perfectly for an aerial takedown. Drop down and eliminate him.

Nearby, two more soldiers are having a conversation. Approach quietly and perform takedowns on both of them before they notice your presence.

With three eliminations completed, move toward Container G9.

Use the nearby radio to lure one of the guards away from his position. When he investigates, perform a cover takedown from concealment.

Climb onto the roof of Container G9 and jump toward the adjacent container. Another enemy can be eliminated from above with an aerial takedown.

Next, enter G9 itself and perform another aerial takedown on the guard inside.

Finally, return toward the starting area and neutralize the guard stationed inside Container B2.

That brings your total to seven stealth takedowns, satisfying the challenge requirement.

The most important rule is patience. Every takedown should be performed only when you’re certain nobody else can see the animation.

Completing the High Ground Challenge

High Ground requires three aerial takedowns.

Fortunately, this challenge pairs perfectly with 00 To Become.

The guard overlooking the hostages near G9 already counts as one aerial takedown.

The enemy on the adjacent container rooftop can serve as your second.

The soldier near the cliffside starting area provides an easy third opportunity.

Because all three targets are naturally included in the seven-takedown route, most players can complete High Ground and 00 To Become simultaneously without any extra work.

Completing the Assault Challenge

Assault is arguably the most awkward challenge because it encourages direct combat while still requiring stealth.

The goal is to defeat four soldiers in fights without alerting the rest of the camp.

This means choosing isolated enemies and quickly finishing encounters before nearby patrols investigate.

A reliable route starts with the guard inside Container B2. He is already separated from other soldiers, making him an easy target.

Next, head toward G9. Two guards patrol this area together. Use the nearby radio to lure one away from his partner. Once separated, engage and defeat both individually.

Afterward, enter Container G9 and defeat the guard inside through direct combat rather than a stealth takedown.

Finally, move to Container B4 and defeat the guard stationed there.

The biggest danger during this challenge is rushing. Make absolutely sure nearby enemies are out of earshot before starting a fight. A successful knockout is worthless if the rest of the camp becomes alerted.

Final Tips for New Players

Against the Odds is designed to teach the fundamentals that you’ll use throughout the rest of 007: First Light. The mission rewards patience far more than aggression.

Spend time learning enemy patrol routes instead of forcing your way through encounters. Make frequent use of elevated paths, ziplines, and hidden crevasses because these routes dramatically reduce the risk of detection. When pursuing stealth challenges, always prioritize positioning over speed.

Most importantly, don’t worry if a challenge run fails. The Central Camp checkpoint exists specifically so players can experiment with different strategies without replaying the entire mission. Once you understand the camp’s layout, every challenge becomes significantly easier, and unlocking the Iceland Outfit is only a matter of time.