Time to 1,000: Around 25-30 hours, depending on you and your partner's skill level in Spec Ops and how well you can do campaign on Veteran
Offline: 46
Online: 4 (co-op Spec Ops)
Minimum Playthroughs: 2
Missable achievements: 19
Video Guides:
SECRET ACHIEVEMENT - Flight Attendant - Kill all 5 enemies while in zero-g in the mission "Turbulence"
Birdie - In Spec Ops, shoot down two helicopters while taking no damage
Menage a Trois - Destroy 3 tanks with 1 105mm shot in "Iron Lady"
Kill Box - Kill 20 enemies in one chopper gunner run in "Return to Sender"
Danger Close - Take down a chopper with an AC-130 smoke grenade in "Bag and Drag"
What Goes Up... - Destroy all 5 helicopters with just grenades at the end of the Persona Non Grata campaign mission, when you control the mech little car thing, ha
For Whom the Shell Tolls - Destroy all targets with only 4 mortal shells in Back on the Grid
Back in the Fight - Start the campaign
Jack the Ripper - Melee 5 enemies in a row in campaign or spec ops
Brag Rags - Earn at least 1 star in Spec Ops mode
I Live! - Survive one round in survival mode in Spec Ops
Strike! - Kill 5 enemies with one grenade in campaign or spec ops
50/50 AND No Assistance Required - Beat a spec ops mission with you and your partner having the same number of kills ..... Beat a spec ops mission on hardened or veteran with neither player going into man-down state
Campaign Achievement Unlock Vids:
Too Big to Fail - Destroy the jammer, finish the 1st campaign mission
Wet Work - Finish the defense of New York harbor mission in campaign
Carpe Diem - Finish the third campaign mission
Frequent Flyer - Complete the fourth campaign mission
Up to No Good - Finish the Back on the Grid campaign mission
WARNING - DISTURBING CONTENT - One Way Ticket - Finish the London mission of the campaign
Welcome to WW3 - Complete "goalpost" on any difficulty
Sandstorm! - Complete "return to sender" on any difficulty
Back Seat Driver - Finish the "Bag and Drag" mission on any difficulty
We'll Always Have Paris - Finish the "Iron Lady" mission on any difficulty
Spec-Ops 3 Star Guides:
Stay Sharp
Milehigh Jack
ACHIEVEMENT GUIDE
Back in the Fight - 5 points
Start the Single Player Campaign on any difficulty
Pretty obvious, simply start the campaign, and after the opening cutscene ends or you skip it, this will unlock.
Too Big to Fail - 10 points
Destroy the Jamming Tower. Complete Black Tuesday on any difficulty
This is the first level of the campaign, and the achievement is not missable. It will unlock after the sequence where you are a gunner in a helicopter flying between skyscrapers.
Wet Work - 10 points
Take back New York Harbor. Complete Hunter Killer on any difficulty
Another not missable story achievement, this time for the second mission. It will unlock when you are leaving in the helicopter after the boat driving escape.
Carpe Diem - 10 points
Escape the mountain safe house. Complete Persona Non Grata on any difficulty
This achievement unlocks after the sequence at the end of the third mission where you slide down the hill and go through river rapids. Story related.
Frequent Flyer - 10 points
Defend the Russian President. Complete Turbulence on any difficulty
The fourth campaign mission involves defending the Russian president as a bodyguard on a plane and then on the ground. At the end, when Makarov kills your partner and you, this will unlock as the cutscene for the next mission begins.
Up to No Good - 10 points
Infiltrate the village. Complete Back on the Grid on any difficulty
This unlocks after the sequence where you are holding back the dog as you shoot two enemies and the helicopter with the missiles flies away.
One Way Ticket - 10 points
Make it to Westminster. Complete Mind the Gap on any difficulty
This unlocks after the crazy home movie sequence at the end of mission.
Welcome to WW3 - 10 points
Save the US Vice President. Complete Goalpost on any difficulty
This unlocks soon after the breach where you rescue the two hostages and are picked up.
Sandstorm! - 10 points
Assault the shipping company. Complete Return to Sender on any difficulty
This unlocks after you carry Nikolai safely to the getaway jeeps and start to drive off.
Back Seat Driver - 10 points
Track down Volk. Complete Bag and Drag on any difficulty
At the end of the mission you get in a van to have an epic car chase to catch Volk. At the end, you shoot out a tire, forcing a massive car crash and you pull him out, just be sure not to shoot him, and this unlocks as the next mission loading screen begins.
We'll Always Have Paris - 10 points
Escape Paris with Volk. Complete Iron Lady on any difficulty
The mission ends with the bridge fight, with the Eiffel tower in the background. When it collapses and you leave in a chopper, this will unlock.
Vive la Révolution! - 10 points
Reach the church. Complete Eye of the Storm on any difficulty
Requiem - 10 points
Escape the city. Complete Blood Brothers on any difficulty
Storm the Castle - 10 points
Discover Makarov's next move. Complete Stronghold on any difficulty
Bad First Date - 10 points
Find the girl. Complete Scorched Earth on any difficulty
Diamond in the Rough - 10 points
Rescue the Russian President. Complete Down the Rabbit Hole on any difficulty
Just finish the mission on the hardest difficulty. It's still brutally hard and frustrating, so you can't get down on yourself or the developers, ha ha, just be patient and keep trying.
The Big Apple - 25 points
Complete Black Tuesday and Hunter Killer on Veteran difficulty
Just finish the mission on the hardest difficulty. It's still brutally hard and frustrating, so you can't get down on yourself or the developers, ha ha, just be patient and keep trying.
Out of the Frying Pan… - 25 points
Complete Persona Non Grata, Turbulence, and Back on the Grid on Veteran difficulty
Just finish the mission on the hardest difficulty. It's still brutally hard and frustrating, so you can't get down on yourself or the developers, ha ha, just be patient and keep trying.
Payback 25 points
Complete Mind the Gap, Goalpost, and Return to Sender on Veteran difficulty
Just finish the mission on the hardest difficulty. It's still brutally hard and frustrating, so you can't get down on yourself or the developers, ha ha, just be patient and keep trying.
City of Lights - 25 points
Complete Bag and Drag and Iron Lady on Veteran difficulty
Just finish the mission on the hardest difficulty. It's still brutally hard and frustrating, so you can't get down on yourself or the developers, ha ha, just be patient and keep trying.
The Darkest Hour - 25 points
Complete Eye of the Storm, Blood Brothers, and Stronghold on Veteran difficulty
Just finish the mission on the hardest difficulty. It's still brutally hard and frustrating, so you can't get down on yourself or the developers, ha ha, just be patient and keep trying.
This is the End - 25 points
Complete Scorched Earth, Down the Rabbit Hole, and Dust to Dust on Veteran
difficulty
Just finish the mission on the hardest difficulty. It's still brutally hard and frustrating, so you can't get down on yourself or the developers, ha ha, just be patient and keep trying.
Who Dares Wins - 40 points
Complete the campaign on any difficulty
Just as it says, finish the campaign, even on recruit.
The Best of the Best - 100 points
Complete the campaign on Hardened or Veteran difficulty
I'd recommend just playing Veteran since it has its own set of achievements, and hardened would only mean you have to play through the game again on Veteran to get all achievements in the game. So, my first playthrough was on recruit to pick up some achievements and learn the missions of the game, and my second will be on Veteran. It's still brutally hard and frustrating, so you can't get down on yourself or the developers, ha ha, just be patient and keep trying.
Strike! - 20 points
Kill 5 enemies with a single grenade in Single Player or Special Ops
I found this to be most easy in the spec ops mission "Hit and Run." At the end of that mission, you have called in for a helicopter and must defend hostages in a shipping crate. Directly north of that is a large doorway, and from the outside of that coming toward you will be enemies in groups of 20. I believe there are three waves that can come. Regardless, I let a bunch of them start to make their way down the hill and toss a few grenades because there are simply so many guys. Video below and more videos at top of guide.
Jack the Ripper - 20 points
Melee 5 enemies in a row in Single Player or Special Ops
I found the first really easy spot to get this is the stock exchange room playing on recruit. Just run up and melee 5 enemies in a row without shooting. I have an achievement guide video for this in the first post above, but done on the rooftop of the stock exchange.
Informant - 20 points
Collect 22 Intel Items
Scout Leader - 35 points
Collect 46 Intel Items
This Is My Boomstick - 20 points
Kill 30 enemies with the XM25 in Black Tuesday
What Goes Up… - 20 points
Destroy all the choppers with only the UGV's grenade launcher in Persona Non Grata
Pretty easy, actually. I suggest Recruit since it's the easiest difficulty, and this sequence is at the end of mission. There will be 5 helicopters when you are in the little mech car thing - 1 at the start of the part, 3 in the middle, and 1 at the end. On Recruit, each chopper only takes 2 grenade shots. Wait until they get close, which they all do, and hit them twice. The second you hit the fifth one twice, the achievement will pop.
For Whom the Shell Tolls - 20 points
Destroy all targets during the mortar sequence with only 4 shells in Back on the Grid
This is, as always, most easily done on recruit. When on the mortar, you have the movable target, simply wait for each of the four jeeps to stop moving, aim the target over them, and fire. I actually missed with my third shot, but took out the last two with my 4th shot because they park right next to each other.
Kill Box - 20 points
Kill 20 enemies with the Chopper Gunner in a single run in Return to Sender
This is kind of difficult. At the start of the mission you are in a jeep and bust through gates, I suggest not shooting any of the enemies until you call in the chopper gunner, because that leaves more targets for you. You do not have much time though, so aim and spray, ha. You also get to call in the gunner about a minute later, and that is actually where I unlocked the achievement because there are more enemies out in the open as opposed to in cover or on buildings for the first run. Video below and more videos at top of the guide.
Danger Close - 20 points
Take down a chopper with an AC-130 smoke grenade in Bag and Drag
This is pretty missable. About halfway into the gas filled streets of Paris mission, you have just used a smoke grenade to show air support where to fire. Then, the very next section, you are to call in for air support on an incoming ground vehicle. BUT, try to throw down the smoke grenade a little earlier, because there is a helicopter hovering in the same area dropping off enemies, and if you wait too long, it flies away. Video below.
Ménage à Trois - 20 points
Destroy 3 tanks with a single 105mm shot in Iron Lady
This is at the start of the mission. Right as the sequence starts, you should notice two tanks in the lower right of the area very close, and two tanks slowly moving toward those two from the right. So, take out some of the other tanks and choppers, allowing those other tanks to near the first two. When they are very close, use the 105MM gun of the AC-130 (the top most option, switch between them with Y) and shoot in between the three or four. Video for this in first post.
Nein - 20 points
Kill 9 enemies with A-10 strafing runs in Scorched Earth
50/50 - 20 points
Complete a Special Ops Mission Mode game with the same number of kills as your partner
This is most easily done on the first spec ops mission, the training ground. If you take the left or right side, and your partner the opposite side, you should end up with the same number. I got this on my second attempt at 3 starring the mission, and I didn't even think it counted during the mission. So at worst it would take 4-5 attempts, aka 4-5 minutes of the challenge, to get this.
Birdie - 20 points
Kill 2 enemy helicopters without getting hit in a Special Ops Survival game
Fairly easy, but I definitely suggest co-op. This was the method I used. I played on the map Resistance, the first choice at the top of the list. Now, wave 6 is just two helicopters and no other enemies, so it is the ideal time to get this. In wave 5, you and your partner should make your way to the top left of the map and in the building there, a sort of store with a lot of clothes around on the right side. Also, be sure to have bought a Predator missile sometime before wave 6 begins. Then, as wave 6 begins, make sure the player going for the achievement is safely lying down at the back of the store, so they cannot possibly be shot.
Then, call in the Predator and take out a chopper. Next, have your partner shoot at and run down the street from the other chopper, making it go after them. That allows the player going for the achievement to run back to the air strike store which is very close by, buy another predator missile and run back into the store and lay down at the back. Call in the other Predator, take out the other chopper, and this is yours. Video below.
Serrated Edge - 15 points
Finish a Juggernaut with a knife in Special Ops
I'd do this in co-op, have you and your partner shoot him for a bit, and then have your partner switch to pistol. Then, while you try and knife him to death, your partner will be able to pistol him a few times if the knife is not killing him. Those pistol shots would only do a little damage, so subsequent knife strikes should eventually kill the Juggernaut. It might take a while, but wave 8 I believe, is only one Juggernaut in survival mode, so it is best done there. So even if one of you goes down, the partner can revive.
Arms Dealer - 20 points
Buy all items from the Survival Weapon Armory
Danger Zone - 20 points
Buy all items from the Survival Air Support Armory
Defense Spending - 20 points
Buy all items from the Survival Equipment Armory
Get Rich or Die Trying - 25 points
Have $50,000 current balance in a Special Ops Survival game
I Live - 10 points
Survive 1 wave in a Special Ops Survival gam
Very simple. The first wave you start with just a pistol, but there are only about 10 enemies to kill and there are no time limits or anything. Just kill the 10 or so guys in the first wave and this will unlock.
Survivor - 20 points
Reach Wave 10 in each mission of Special Ops Survival mode
Unstoppable - 40 points
Reach Wave 15 in each mission of Special Ops Survival mode
No Assistance Required - 20 points
Complete a Special Ops Mission Mode game on Hardened or Veteran with no player getting downed
There is actually a huge loophole, intentional or not, with this. The first spec ops mission is a training ground with only targets and no enemies. So, simply beat the challenge with at least 2 of the 3 stars (the equivalent of hardened difficulty) and this will unlock. See my video in the first post for more.
Brag Rags - 10 points
Earn 1 star in Special Ops Mission Mode
Simply complete any spec ops mission, and you will receive at least one star. The airplane hijack mission is easy on regular, and the shooting range is hard not to get at least one star in because you have a lot of time to work with to get at least the one star.
Tactician - 20 points
Earn 1 star in each mission of Special Ops Mission Mode
Earning one star is essentially doing the minimum in a timed event, or playing on Regular in an objective or kill based event. None of them are too difficult on the lowest setting, the one star, but some might take you several tries to simply find out what the heck you need to do. You'll need to be a little patient with them to learn the flow of each mission, but then that will help you a lot as you work toward all 48 stars and the harder difficulties.
Overachiever - 40 points
Earn 48 stars in Special Ops Mission Mode
This will require co-op because some missions are only co-op. Some of these can be very hard, or at least very frustrating because they will take tons of tries. I am planning on making videos on how to three star each mission, but we'll see. Regardless, there will be some videos and then I'll make text guides here for the rest.
Secret Achievement
Flight Attendant - 20 points
Kill all 5 enemies while in zero-g in Turbulence
Early in the mission, right after you're able to shoot, kill the first couple enemies, and take one of their weapons. Make sure it is reloaded, and be sure a checkpoint triggers in the hallway between where the officials are and where the big battle is about to happen. That way, if you don't kill all 5, you will have a checkpoint like 2 seconds before the part.
But anyway, using one of the guards' weapons, either an MP5 or AK-47, run into the next room. A scene will trigger where everyone is knocked into zero-gravity. Now, this is key. You can see three enemies once you are able to shoot, so be sure to kill each of them. Then another little scene where everyone is bounced around and then you will be able to shoot the last two guys. If you were only able to kill 2 in the first zero-g sequence, you will likely not have time to kill 3 in the second half because it is both shorter and harder to aim during with all the luggage. So, if you don't get it, just reload your checkpoint and try again. But definitely go for 3 guys in the first zero-g sequence and the 2 in the second. Video below and more videos at top of guide.
Time Consuming 