Ready or Not is a tactical SWAT simulator where you command a police team clearing dangerous locations. Unlike arcade shooters, RoN punishes shooting first — you lose points for unauthorized use of force. Suspects must be given a chance to surrender before engagement. The missions range from drug lab raids to active shooter responses, each requiring different loadouts and tactics. The AI (both enemies and teammates) behaves unpredictably, creating tense room-clearing sequences where a suspect might surrender or open fire. The 1.0 release added a full campaign connecting missions narratively.
These tips go beyond the basics. They're the strategies experienced players use to play more efficiently, the hidden mechanics most people miss, and the optimizations that compound over a full playthrough.
Essential Tips
1. Mirror under every closed door before entering
Mirror under every closed door before entering. The optical wand or mirror gun shows room layout, suspect positions, and civilian locations — knowledge that prevents friendly casualties.
2. Flashbang doorways before entering EVERY time
Flashbang doorways before entering EVERY time. The 2 seconds of flashbang stun gives your team a massive advantage for room clearing. Carry 3+ flashbangs per operator.
3. Shout for compliance (F key) at every suspect encounter before engaging
Shout for compliance (F key) at every suspect encounter before engaging. Even if they don't comply, you've established legal grounds for use of force. Skipping compliance commands reduces score.
4. Zip-tie EVERY suspect and civilian, even compliant ones
Zip-tie EVERY suspect and civilian, even compliant ones. Restrained individuals can't pick up weapons or become threats later. Carry extra zip-ties in your loadout.
5. Non-lethal runs (Beanbag + Pepperball + Taser) earn S-rank scores
Non-lethal runs (Beanbag + Pepperball + Taser) earn S-rank scores. Lethal force, even when justified, reduces your rating. Practice non-lethal on easier missions before attempting it on hard ones.
6. Team AI commands are issued per-door: select the door, choose Stack Up, select breach type, then initiate
Team AI commands are issued per-door: select the door, choose Stack Up, select breach type, then initiate. The AI executes breaches competently when given clear commands.
7. Evidence collection is easily missed
Evidence collection is easily missed. After clearing a room, physically search it — open drawers, check under beds, look behind doors. Evidence glows slightly for visibility.
8. Different breach methods suit different situations: C2 for rooms with suspected armed hostiles (stuns occupants), lockpick for rooms with possible civilians (silent entry), kick for speed when you know the room is empty
Different breach methods suit different situations: C2 for rooms with suspected armed hostiles (stuns occupants), lockpick for rooms with possible civilians (silent entry), kick for speed when you know the room is empty.
9. In co-op multiplayer, designate one player as Point Man and one as Breacher for each door
In co-op multiplayer, designate one player as Point Man and one as Breacher for each door. Uncoordinated entry gets people killed. Voice communication is essential.
10. The campaign connects missions narratively
The campaign connects missions narratively. Playing missions in order reveals an overarching story about organized crime and corruption. Side missions flesh out the narrative.
Advanced Strategies
Role Optimization
The difference between an average build and an optimized one is massive:
For Point Man (S-Tier):
- The Point Man enters rooms first, engaging threats immediately. This role requires fast reflexes and accurate snap-shooting. The M4A1 or G36C provides stopping power for immediate threats. Point Man is the most dangerous role but sets up the team for success.
- Core gear: M4A1 or G36C, flashlight, light armor for mobility, flashbangs
- Stat priority: Reaction time, weapon accuracy, breaching speed
For Breacher (S-Tier):
- The Breacher handles door entry tools: C2 explosives, shotgun breach, ram, or lockpick. Choosing the right breach method based on door type and intel is critical. The Breacher sets up the entry for the entire team.
- Core gear: Breach tools (C2, shotgun, lockpick), MP5 for CQB, flashbangs
- Stat priority: Breach tool selection, door assessment, timing coordination
Mechanic Interactions
Understanding how Ready or Not's systems interact is where the real optimization lives:
door breaching + suspect compliance: Every locked door can be breached multiple ways: kick (fast, loud), shotgun breach (fast, damages behind door), C2 explosive (fast, stuns room occupants), lockpick (slow, silent), or ram (moderate speed). Combined with suspect compliance, shouting at suspects (press f) orders them to comply (drop weapons, get on ground).
non-lethal options + team AI commands: Beanbag Shotguns, Pepperball Guns, Tasers, and Flashbangs incapacitate without killing. When paired with team AI commands, your team follows commands: stack up (form up at doorway), breach and clear (enter room), fall in (follow you), hold (stay position).
evidence collection scaling: Missions contain evidence items (drugs, weapons, documents) that must be collected for bonus points. Some evidence is hidden in drawers, under beds, or behind fake walls. Thorough room searching after clearing threats maximizes mission score.
Weapons Efficiency
| Weapon | Best Use Case | Why |
|---|---|---|
| G36C | Point Man | A versatile assault rifle with good accuracy, moderate recoil, and high damage. |
| MP5 | Breacher | A submachine gun with excellent handling and low recoil. |
| M4A1 | Point Man | The highest-damage assault rifle available. |
| Beanbag Shotgun | Negotiator | A non-lethal shotgun firing fabric beanbag rounds. |
| Pepperball Gun | Negotiator | A semi-automatic non-lethal weapon firing irritant projectiles. |
Location Efficiency
Gas Station (Tutorial difficulty): A small-scale mission with few rooms and suspects. The Gas Station teaches basic room clearing, compliance, and evidence collection. The confined space makes flashbang usage highly effective.
Hotel (Medium difficulty): A multi-floor hotel with numerous rooms, corridors, and suspects. Each room must be checked individually. The Hotel tests systematic room-clearing discipline and team coordination across multiple floors.
Meth House (Hard difficulty): A drug lab raid with armed suspects and hazardous materials. The tight residential layout creates dangerous CQB encounters. Chemical hazards (meth lab fumes) require gas masks. Suspects are often high and unpredictable.
Hospital (Very Hard): An active threat scenario in a hospital with civilians, patients, and hostile suspects mixed together. The highest civilian density makes target identification critical — shooting a civilian fails the mission. Requires extreme fire discipline.
Port (Hard difficulty): A large industrial port with open areas, shipping containers, and warehousing. The Port has long sightlines (unusual for RoN) and numerous hiding spots. Multiple entry points require strategic approach planning.
Mistakes Even Veterans Make
- Shooting before shouting for compliance — this is unauthorized force and tanks your mission score even if the suspect was armed.
- Not mirroring doors — entering a room blind leads to ambushes that kill team members. Always mirror before breaching.
- Skipping flashbangs to save time — the 2-second stun window flashbangs provide prevents more deaths than any weapon. Use them on every contested room.
- Leaving suspects un-restrained — a surrendered suspect who isn't zip-tied can pick up a weapon and attack from behind as you pass.
- Using lethal weapons on missions where non-lethal is viable — S-rank scores require non-lethal takedowns. Bring Beanbag Shotgun on every mission.
Efficiency Quick Reference
| Aspect | Optimal Choice | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Point Man | S-tier, best overall |
| Starter | Breacher | Most forgiving for learning |
| Weapons | G36C | Best resource-to-power ratio |
| First area | Gas Station | Basic tactics practice, evidence collection training, scoring fundamentals |
| Priority mechanic | door breaching | Everything else builds on this |
Pro Quick Tips
- Mirror under every closed door before entering. The optical wand or mirror gun shows room layout, suspect positions, and civilian locations — knowledge that prevents friendly casualties.
- Flashbang doorways before entering EVERY time. The 2 seconds of flashbang stun gives your team a massive advantage for room clearing. Carry 3+ flashbangs per operator.
- Shout for compliance (F key) at every suspect encounter before engaging. Even if they don't comply, you've established legal grounds for use of force. Skipping compliance commands reduces score.
- Start with Breacher, switch to Point Man when ready
- Invest in G36C above everything else
- Clear areas in order: Gas Station → Hotel → Meth House → Hospital → Port
- door breaching + suspect compliance together are stronger than either alone
For full build details, check builds. For progression path, see the walkthrough.
