Learning goals
- Understand finishers.
- Understand Mercy kills.
- Understand Parazon executions.
- Understand stealth multipliers.
- Understand enemy alert state and awareness.
- Learn why stealth and execution mechanics can matter.
Explanation
Not every kill is a normal weapon kill. Finishers are special attacks performed under certain conditions, often on vulnerable or opened enemies. Mercy kills are contextual executions that can appear on eligible enemies when conditions are met. Mercy kills use the Parazon, a wrist-mounted tool with its own mods and execution mechanics. Stealth attacks can receive bonuses when enemies are unaware. Enemy alert state affects whether enemies are unaware, suspicious, alerted, or actively fighting.
Controls and smart use
Default PC controls can differ by platform and custom keybinds. If your controls do not match, follow the action name in Options > Controls.
- Use E for melee attacks and eligible finisher-style interactions when the prompt or enemy state supports it.
- Use X for context actions and prompted interactions when the game shows an execution or objective prompt.
- Use Ctrl or V for crouch movement when stealth, line-of-sight control, or careful approach matters.
- Use RMB before engaging if you need to line up a quiet precision shot or weakpoint.
- Smart use: take Mercy or finisher prompts only when the nearby fight is safe enough.
What should I do?
Use these mechanics when they fit. Stealth missions reward quiet movement and avoiding alerts. Isolated enemies may be good stealth kill targets. Vulnerable enemies can be finisher targets when safe. Mercy prompts can be worth taking if they do not put you in danger.
How do I avoid wasting time?
Do not chase every Mercy prompt in the middle of a dangerous fight. Do not ignore stealth in spy-like or objective-sensitive missions. Do not assume stealth is required everywhere.
Common mistakes
Watch for these patterns while practicing.
- Ignoring Mercy prompts completely.
- Trying to execute enemies while surrounded and dying.
- Breaking stealth by sprinting into enemy vision.
- Treating stealth multipliers as required for normal missions.
- Not understanding why alerted enemies behave differently.
Practical example
In a stealth-sensitive objective, a player rushes into a room, alerts enemies, and makes the mission harder. A slower crouch approach, silent takedown, or careful line-of-sight management could avoid the problem.
Key Takeaways
- Finishers, Mercy kills, Parazon executions, stealth multipliers, and enemy awareness are combat states. They are not always required, but they can solve specific problems.
Practical task
Enemy awareness changes how missions feel.
- Enter a low-level mission where you can observe enemies safely.
- Approach one enemy quietly.
- Watch when the enemy notices you.
- Try a stealth attack if possible.
- Later, intentionally alert enemies and compare behavior.
- Watch for any Mercy prompt in normal combat.
You can describe the difference between unaware and alerted enemies.