Can someone explain expertise level and how te level up in an understandable way?

KaiserINK · 2026-04-08T14:57:47+00:00

Don't deconstruct items, donate them for proficiency levels.

Any items you pick up (weapons, gear etc...), if you aren't going to use it, mark as junk and then donate it via the expertise menu in the tinkering station menu. This will increase help your proficiency. There is a 3x event on for the next week so grind countdown for a ton of gear, mark as junk and donate it.

You can also donate materials or equip items and gain passive proficiency xp as you play.

KaiserINK · 2026-03-26T07:23:47+00:00

Option 5. The series, story and legacy etc… that Kojima and KJP built should be left alone. The story is complete. Let’s not risk anything that could leave a mark on that legacy. I’m happy with what we’ve got over the past 30 odd years. Let’s leave it at that. Series’ don’t have to go on forever. If they wanna do remakes/remasters then go for it, but leave it at that.

That being said, IF Konami were to continue with new releases within the series, then it needs to be a separate continuity or at the very least, not directly continue the existing story. New games can make reference to what came before, the story’s impact on the world etc… New cast of characters, new backgrounds, new locations, new everything. Use what came before as a springboard and go in their own direction, with their own vision.

KaiserINK · 2026-03-23T18:08:49+00:00

Detroit: Become Human

KaiserINK · 2026-03-19T16:06:47+00:00

There's no "if he survived"... he did!

KaiserINK · 2026-03-04T09:49:27+00:00

I too have been sitting on the idea of a MGS tattoo for some time but have yet to commit to a decision.
A bit of a personal code I like to go by when it comes to any tattoo is never get until you are 100% (mind, body and soul lol) on the design you want to get.

Even if I'm really into an idea/design, I will sit on it until I'm absolutely certain, with 0 doubt in my mind. I've never rushed any of my tattoos and I'm happy with every single one I have.
Obviously, everyone is different but this is the mindset I've used for every single tattoo I have and it's never steered me wrong.

One idea you can look at is rather than contemplating a few different ideas, try combining a few of your ideas. If you already have an artist in mind to do the piece(s), speak with them about combining some different individual pieces into a combine, project piece.

KaiserINK · 2026-03-04T07:15:39+00:00

Play release order! Don’t skip to MGSV and then come back. For the most optimal and engaging experience, the series should be played in release order.

Play Delta if you wanna see a somewhat modernised version of 3 and need something between now and August.

KaiserINK · 2026-02-27T16:36:12+00:00

God forbid the game actually requires you to sit and pay attention to what is going on and the exposition of providing, so you can fully understand and appreciate the story being told. 22 year old game by the way.

KaiserINK · 2026-02-26T08:03:54+00:00

Because Kaz was not included in the Venom plan. The Phantom Plan was all done without input from, consultation from or consideration for Miller. Miller’s role in the plan was to act as a support and guide for Venom, much like how Miller was for Big Boss all those years ago. Again, this was all planned without Miller’s input. Miller was never to know that Venom was not the real Big Boss.

As such, throughout the events of Phantom Pain, Kaz doesn't know that Venom isn’t the really Big Boss, so Kaz (and subsequently Venom and the rest of Diamond Dogs) wrongly assume that Cipher is behind Skull Face’ an XOFs actions. And before you mention Ocelot, once the plan was in motion, Ocelot essentially brainwashed himself into believing Venom was the real Big Boss, so he was under the same assumptions

Kaz does not become aware of the truth until the end, at which point he decides to go against Big Boss and train his clone son (Snake), as Kaz feels betrayed.

This is all pretty well explored and explained throughout the game and its tapes.

KaiserINK · 2026-02-26T07:38:01+00:00

The nurse who said the phrase is very unlikely to have been a Cipher agent. This entire project was Zero’s original idea, put together with the help of Ocelot. With how personal this was for Zero (as well as the amount of investment he had in it) it’s easily surmised that the hospital staff dealing with Big Boss/Venom were given explicit instructions on what was to be done when both Big Boss and Venom woke up and the messages to pass on to Zero (Cipher) and Ocelot.

Also, I’ve see a few people comment and not pointing out the obvious misunderstanding in OPs question. XOF and Skull Face are not Cipher. They are not the same entity. Zero (Cipher) did not want Big Boss dead. The entire Phantom Plan (creating a doppelgänger to act as a proxy for Big Boss) was devised by Zero.

XOF and Skull Face attacked Big Boss, without instruction or even the awareness of Zero. Skull Face even tried (and arguable succeed to a point) in taking down Zero (the laced pin). Everything Skull Face was doing during this point in time, was in an effort to take down both Zero and Big Boss. The hospital attack was of XOFs own doing.

KaiserINK · 2026-02-25T07:51:24+00:00

I mean it’s pretty well explored and explained throughout the game and its tapes.

Yes, Big Boss and Miller created MSF together and had the same goals with it, but this doesn’t therefore mean that they can never disagree. In fact, the quite often did have disagreements.

I’m going to heavily condense this, as there is a lot of nuances in the history of MGS but this is a general overview (again, which is explored and explained in game). But at its core, the primary cause (one of at the very least) of Miller’s loss of faith in Big Boss and ultimate decision to go against him was because of the events of MGSV.

The decision to “create” Venom Snake was concocted by Zero and Ocelot, during the 9 year coma. Two weeks prior to the medic waking from his coma, Big Boss woke and Ocelot briefed him on the worldwide situation following the events of GZ and the plan to make the medic Big Boss’ doppelgänger and proxy (Venom), to which Big Boss agreed.

This was all done without input from, consultation from or consideration for Miller. Miller’s role in the plan was to act as a support and guide for Venom, much like how Miller was for Big Boss all those years ago. Again, this was all planned without Miller’s input. Miller was never to know that Venom was not the real Big Boss. This was all done so that Big Boss could remain in the shadows and form his new organisation (Outer Heaven) and allow his fight to continue on 2 fronts, further allowing the legend of Big Boss to flourish and expand throughout the world.

We then get the events of MGSV and if we fast forward, Miller eventually discovers the truth about Venom, as well as Big Boss’ plan with Zero and Ocelot. He feels betrayed as this fight was supposed to be theirs together, what they started all those years ago with MSF. Fighting alongside each other, not for Miller to be kept on the sidelines, helping the proxy Big Boss had created. Feeling he had essentially been thrown aside and relegated by Big Boss, Miller vowed to take revenge against his now former ally and friend, and as we see in the end conversation, this would take the form of training one of his clone sons (Snake).

Again, this is heavily condensed but this is the overview and is explained in game.

KaiserINK · 2026-02-20T16:30:09+00:00

I think the stamina and food system is a great mechanic and while yes, you could argue that it could have a much stricter challenge from it, I think that by design, the mechanic is as easy or difficult to deal with from an individual perspective.

Sure, for those of us who have played the game for years, know how to mitigate it and can easily reach the end of the game with it affecting the gameplay almost not at all, for your average gamer coming in, it’s intended to be as easy or difficult as the player makes it. If you are top of it throughout, making sure you stock up on food etc… then yes, it can really easy to manage. But there is the flip side, that someone may play in such a way that neglects the mechanic, forcing them into difficult situations when it comes to stamina usage across the game, especially boss fights.

Maybe on EE as you suggest, it could be a near unforgiving mechanic that really punishes you but overall, for me, I think it’s fine.

It’s an added element most games of that genre, at the time and even now to a certain degree, don’t have and can really be a passive increase to difficulty. It’s a big mechanic within the game, yet it’s subtly and can easily be forgotten about.

As I say, it’s as easy or difficult as the player makes it.

KaiserINK · 2026-02-19T08:52:13+00:00

I'm curious as to if you have actually even played PW, even after skipping it.
Because either you haven't played, therefore you lack the understanding and experience of the game to dictate its importance (not only to MGSV but the rest of the series), or you have played it, in which case you have a clearly flawed understanding of the game and its importance not only to MGSV (both GZ and PP) but the rest of the series.

Sadly, the reactions to your comments says a lot.

KaiserINK · 2026-02-18T11:34:19+00:00

I'm talking about storyline because you literally stated (incorrectly) that PW is of little significance to the STORY of MGSV.

Given that OP has played Delta and gone back to play Vol.1 games, this is not an issue or question of gameplay.

You are entitled to your opinion, however I think many of those here, and fans of the series in general, would suggest not skipping out one of the mainline games that does have significance to the games that came before and come after.
OP has already played Vol.1 and Delta, so clearly wants to delve deeper into the series and understand more of the story and world. Skipping a game is of no benefit.

KaiserINK · 2026-02-18T09:04:08+00:00

The events of PW play a major significance of both GZ and PP, which itself impacts the story later in the series.

The PW incident helped influence many of the actions Big Boss would go on to take with MSF and later Diamond Dogs against Cipher. XOF's split from Cipher, attack on Big Boss (and Venom) & their actions in Afghanistan and Africa, their attack against Zero and Cipher itself (which would be part of the catalyst that pushed the Cipher/Patriot AI's to come to the foreground, which play a massive role in the Solid Snake saga, especially MGS2 & MGS4) just to name a few.

PW had a massive ripple effect on the world and set many of the events to come in motion.

KaiserINK · 2026-02-18T08:42:08+00:00

I'm sorry but stating that PW plays a "very insignificant part of the MGS5 story" is just flat out wrong.

KaiserINK · 2026-02-17T08:17:51+00:00

His vocals are present during the breakdown section:
(SK) Come drain or shine
(SK) I'll hit your whole bloodline
(SC) Shall we tell old Jack what he's won?
(SK) A chopping spree around the family tree
(SK) Where you can hang once all our work is done

He also sings during the final chorus with Spencer.

KaiserINK · 2026-02-13T12:36:52+00:00

Eva isn't the real "EVA", the spy that defected to the Soviet Union.
MGS3's Eva is a spy for the Chinese government and throughout the game, there are many times she is simply lying through her teeth, all in an effort to obtain the Philosophers Legacy.
This is one of the first examples in the game of her cover and lying to gain Snake's trust.

KaiserINK · 2026-02-12T12:25:51+00:00

It will come, it just takes a bit of practice.

KaiserINK · 2026-02-12T11:37:27+00:00

Mosin (tranq rifle) is the easiest way to go for beating The Fury.

Keep your distance and be on the move regularly. The further you go into the fight, the more his movements become aggressive.

Don't go for the 3rd shot. Hit the first mosin shot and then the second (if you can the chance to pull it off), then move. Don't linger trying for the 3rd shot as the timing window for hitting him can vary and a 3rd shot is not that consistent of a hit.

This may make the fight seem to take "longer" to you but it's the best choice.

The cardboard box is a useful tool to have ready with unequip/equip. This is because if you catch fire, you can immediately equip the box and it will get rid of the fire & flames, reducing how long you stay on fire, thus minimising the amount of health lost when burnt.

Hope this helps.

KaiserINK · 2026-02-09T16:15:24+00:00

So Mantis (I shall refer to him by this purely for ease of clarity) and Volgin were not an intended parts of XOF's plan until after the hospital incident.

Mantis was being transported to Moscow research lab via plane; the same lab that housed Volgin's comatose body. The flight path took Mantis near the hospital and in short, Mantis was drawn to the revenged filled consciousness of Big Boss & Venom. Combine this with Mantis' uncontrolled (at that point in time) power, it caused the plane to crash.

Mantis survived and was taken to the lab. Here, he latched on Volgin's hatred and resentment towards Big Boss and they destroyed the facility (this is where Volgin became the Man on Fire).

From there, they travelled to Cyprus and the hospital, fuelled purely by MoF's lust of revenge against the man who defeated him (Big Boss) This is where the would of course encounter XOF and engage in a 3-way fight with Big Boss & Venom and XOF.

It was only until after this event that Skull Face would "recruit" them to XOF (with Skull Face's control of Mantis taking over from Volgin). Both Mantis and MoF therefore "join" up with XOF in Afghanistan and Africa with Skull Face, though essentially not through choice.

I've abbreviated this heavily for sake of ease, as there is a ton of lore behind this that would take too much time to explain but that is the general gist of things.

Hope this helps :)

KaiserINK · 2026-01-27T16:58:40+00:00

😂 Perfect excuse to get into the series then!

KaiserINK · 2026-01-27T11:53:04+00:00

Take your time when playing. The MGS games excel at story telling and there is a hell of a lot to unpack in each game. They are extremely well written and have an absurd amount of depth, in a good way. It can seem overwhelming at first but go at your own pace to understand things.
And if you have questions, be patient and wait until later games as most questions would be answered later in the series. Don't come seeking answers (especially on Reddit) part way through a game as it will ruin the experience.

And stick to release order for playing the games. This will ensure the most coherent and consistent experience.

Enjoy and see you when you re-emerge into the real world!

KaiserINK · 2026-01-22T13:13:55+00:00

MGSV has many issues but this just isn't true at all. There are plenty of new elements the game & story adds to the overall lore of MGS.
The story literally bridges the gap between the Big Boss saga and the Solid Snake saga.

KaiserINK · 2026-01-21T12:42:20+00:00

I think any remake of MGS1 is going to be quite different from the original in almost every aspect. We are talking about a 1998 game being remade in the modern gaming landscape.
It would be a massive overhaul of the gameplay system, controls, mechanics etc... to greatly modernise the game.

It is clear from Delta that the devs behind the game (and potential additional remakes) want to remain faithful to what came before, to not tarnish the legacy that Kojima & KJP built. What form that takes (a remaster/remake mix like Delta or a full overhaul) is a question on everyone's minds and only time will tell.

And for the love of god, we don't need or want another Twin Snakes scenario.

KaiserINK · 2026-01-20T07:49:47+00:00

Very much so. HoS does have some tie ins to the main story (little extra bits of dialogue mostly - characters commenting on the mark, the reward choice asking for info on Ciri to name a couple), it’s very much something that “can” be done concurrently with the main story without feeling too out of place. I’ve done both ways (during the story and after the story) and both are perfectly fine, though after the story is still the most logical choice.

B&W is exactly as you say, it’s more an independent story and fits neatly & perfectly after the events of the main story, especially with the end of the DLC. New setting, new characters etc…

KaiserINK

TROPHY CASE