Dog tags and nonlethal tools
Combine careful hold-ups with a manageable collection plan.
Sons of Liberty campaign. Shared mechanics documented in the Master Collection manual; original PS2 controls and collection bindings can differ.
Practise on an isolated guard
Approach without being seen and hold the guard at gunpoint. Move around to the front while keeping the situation under control, then aim in first-person view at the head or waist to request the tag. Practise away from overlapping patrols before attempting a crowded room.
Check whether a tag is available
A held-up guard’s neck glints when a dog tag is present, and thermal goggles can help reveal tags. Confirm the pickup before leaving. Keep notes by area and difficulty rather than relying on memory of a guard’s appearance.
Use tranquilizers deliberately
The M9 is a tranquilizer weapon, while the SOCOM and USP are lethal handguns. Check your selected weapon before firing. A sleeping guard is not permanently removed from the level, so finish your objective and move on instead of assuming that route will remain clear indefinitely.
Separate collecting from a first clear
Tags differ across difficulties and the collection spans multiple runs. Use the Dog Tag Viewer to inspect progress. A first playthrough is a good time to learn safe approaches; pursuing every tag immediately can interrupt the story and increase reloads in unfamiliar rooms.
Adapt controls and collection lists
Original PS2, Substance and Master Collection releases differ in control handling and some collection details. Use a checklist matching your edition and difficulty. Learn how to lower a readied weapon without firing on your controller before using a lethal gun during a hold-up.
Check the edition note above before following a route. Suggested preparation and tactics are editorial recommendations; alternative teams and routes can also work.