Splinter Cell: Conviction Mark and Execute: earning a charge and selecting targets
Understand why marked enemies sometimes cannot be executed.
Edition covered
Original 2010 single-player campaign. Gallery combines original PC and Xbox 360 publisher screenshots. Historical multiplayer modes are described for context; current publisher listings state that online features are unavailable.
Earn the action with a takedown
In normal campaign play, a hand-to-hand takedown grants an Execute opportunity. Marking enemies alone does not earn it. Story-scripted exceptions exist, but they are not a permanent unlimited-Execute upgrade.
| Requirement | What to check | If it fails |
|---|---|---|
| Earned opportunity | Takedown has charged Execute | Approach an isolated enemy for hand-to-hand |
| Marked target | Enemy has a target marker | Mark the intended opponent |
| Shot availability | Range and visibility are valid | Move to a usable angle |
| Weapon capacity | Gun supports the selected number of marks | Reduce the selection or upgrade the weapon |
Check range and line of sight
A marked target still needs to be executable from Sam’s current position. Move until the markers show a valid shot, and remember that the equipped weapon determines the available mark capacity.
| Target group | Why prioritize it | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Guards covering opposite angles | Hard to remove sequentially | Get both within a valid shot window |
| Guards beside an alarmed route | Can block the next movement | Wait until Sam can leave immediately |
| Isolated melee target | Can recharge the next action | Avoid wasting the current Execute |
| Enemy behind solid cover | Marked does not mean shootable | Reposition before committing |
Upgrade the weapon you actually use
Weapon upgrades can improve properties such as accuracy, damage or mark capacity. Read the upgrade panel before spending P.E.C. points; the same upgrade category is not offered on every gun.
Plan the next takedown
Use an Execute to remove a dangerous cluster while leaving a safe route to the next isolated enemy. Spending the action immediately on a single harmless target can leave the next doorway much harder to cross.
Use an Execute to remove a dangerous cluster while leaving a safe route to the next isolated enemy.
References
| Reference | Website |
|---|---|
| Splinter Cell: Conviction publisher listing | store.steampowered.com |
| Official Xbox publisher listing | www.xbox.com |
| Ubisoft Conviction overview | news.ubisoft.com |
| Campaign and equipment reference by Iceman22n86 | gamefaqs.gamespot.com |