How to Choose the Right Suspects in Operation Red Circus
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Choosing the correct suspects in Operation Red Circus in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is crucial to achieving the best outcome for the mission and the game’s story. Unlike many missions where your targets are clearly defined, this operation requires you to be a detective, using collected evidence to identify three Soviet agents working for Perseus. Selecting the wrong suspects will only lead to the capture or elimination of the Spymaster, Vadim Rudnik, while his agents remain at large, creating a less desirable outcome. The key to success lies in meticulously analyzing the evidence gathered throughout the campaign.
Understanding the Evidence
The entire process of identifying the correct suspects relies on three key pieces of evidence:
Franz Kraus’s Ledger
This ledger acts as the cornerstone of your investigation. Found during the “Brick in the Wall” mission in Franz Kraus’s apartment, the ledger contains specific dates and locations related to each of the three suspects. It is imperative to review the “Review Suspects” section of the evidence board and identify any individuals who were present at the listed locations on the indicated dates.
Cassette Tape
The cassette tape, gathered from another mission, provides vital information about the gender of the suspects you are seeking. This crucial piece of evidence immediately reduces the pool of potential suspects, as it will confirm whether each of the three is male or female.
Dead Drop List
The final piece of evidence, the Dead Drop List, is similar to Franz Kraus’s Ledger. It provides another set of specific dates and locations associated with the three suspects. This secondary list serves as a crucial confirmation of your findings from the ledger and ensures you have the correct three agents marked on your evidence board.
The Process of Identification
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Review the Suspect List: Begin by examining the entire list of potential suspects. This list contains individuals with varying backgrounds and affiliations.
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Analyze Franz Kraus’s Ledger: Note the dates and locations documented in the ledger. Then, compare these against the suspect profiles in the “Review Suspects” section. You’re looking for any suspects that match these details.
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Utilize the Cassette Tape: Use the cassette tape to narrow down suspects based on gender. This eliminates any remaining suspects who don’t match the indicated gender of the three agents.
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Cross-Reference the Dead Drop List: Verify your findings by checking the suspect’s activity against the dates and locations provided by the Dead Drop List. Anyone who matches the times and location on the both the ledger and drop list is a prime suspect.
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Mark the Correct Three Suspects: Once you’ve confidently matched each piece of evidence to three specific individuals, highlight them on the evidence board. Only then are you ready to complete the mission.
The Importance of Thoroughness
It is crucial to be thorough during this investigation because choosing the incorrect suspects will impact the success of the mission. Rushing the investigation or making assumptions based on incomplete information can lead to you eliminating the wrong agents, letting them escape while only capturing the Spymaster.
Operation Red Circus: FAQs
1. Who are the three suspects in Operation Red Circus?
The three suspects in Operation Red Circus are not pre-determined; they depend on the evidence you collect throughout the game. They can be a combination of eight characters, but each game will have a specific three depending on the evidence you find. Based on the ledger, cassette tape, and dead drop list, the specific individuals to mark can be identified. The game uses codenames for these spies: Bearded Lady, Strong Man, and Juggler.
2. What happens if I choose the wrong suspects?
If you choose the wrong suspects, you will still complete the main objective of the Operation Red Circus mission, eliminating Vadim Rudnik, the spymaster. However, the three Soviet agents that were supposed to be captured will go free, resulting in a less-than-ideal mission outcome.
3. Can I complete Operation Red Circus without evidence?
No, you cannot effectively complete Operation Red Circus without the proper evidence. The ledger, cassette tape, and dead drop list are all necessary to identify the correct three Soviet agents. Without them, you cannot identify the correct agents.
4. Where do I find Franz Kraus’s ledger?
Franz Kraus’s ledger is located during the “Brick in the Wall” mission, specifically inside Kraus’s apartment. You’ll need to infiltrate his living quarters and locate the ledger amongst the contents of the apartment.
5. What information does the cassette tape provide?
The cassette tape reveals the gender of each of the three targets. This information is crucial for eliminating some suspects and narrowing the remaining suspects from your list.
6. What is the purpose of the Dead Drop List?
The Dead Drop List provides an additional set of dates and locations associated with the three targets. This information is used to cross-reference the data in Franz Kraus’s ledger, confirming you have identified the correct suspects.
7. Is Operation Red Circus a timed mission?
While there is no specific time limit within the mission to identify the suspects, it’s best to gather the correct evidence before starting the mission to properly identify the suspects, the less time you spend in the mission identifying them. It is important to take your time and gather all the evidence to make the right choices.
8. Do I have to complete Operation Red Circus before the final mission?
Operation Red Circus is a key part of the main story and does not have to be completed before the final mission. However, the information gathered for the mission can effect your ending. It is best to be thorough to make sure you have the best possible ending.
9. Does the choice of suspects affect the ending?
Yes, the choice of suspects affects the mission’s outcome, and therefore, the story. Correctly identifying the three agents ensures they are captured or eliminated along with Rudnik, achieving a more positive result. While it doesn’t change the ending overall, it does impact the success of the operation within the mission itself.
10. Can I go back and collect evidence if I missed it?
Yes, you can reload the mission to collect missed evidence. If you’ve started the Operation Red Circus mission and feel as though you didn’t collect all the evidence or are having difficulties, go back and collect what was missed. The evidence is crucial.
11. Is Adler a good guy in Call of Duty: Cold War?
Adler is a complex character with morally ambiguous motivations. He’s not a traditional “good guy,” but rather an anti-villainous figure who uses questionable methods to achieve his goals. His actions in Call of Duty: Warzone and Call of Duty: Mobile further complicate his character. He is a complex and morally grey character that has an anti-heroic role.
12. What happens if I betray Adler?
Betraying Adler in the campaign will result in a different ending to the story. To achieve the “good” ending you should choose to tell the truth. Doing so will lead to the final mission, where you can attempt to stop the activation of the Greenlight nukes.
13. Who should I save: Park or Lazar?
In the storyline, choosing to save Park is considered the official choice. This is supported by Park being a selectable operator in the Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War multiplayer, which takes place after the campaign. It is implied that Lazar does not survive.
14. What is the significance of Perseus?
Perseus is the main antagonist of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. He is a Soviet operative who is trying to destabilize Western governments. The story of the game revolves around the CIA trying to hunt him down, and your success against his plans and operatives, such as Operation Red Circus, will affect the story.
15. Where do I find the evidence for Operation Chaos?
You can find the three pieces of evidence required for the Operation Chaos mission in different missions: The Coded Message To Qasim, the Numbers Station Broadcast, and the Frontpage of the Observer Newspaper. You must complete the “Red Light, Green Light” mission first. They will allow you to decrypt the floppy disk necessary for the Operation Chaos mission.
By thoroughly analyzing the available evidence – Franz Kraus’s ledger, the cassette tape, and the Dead Drop List – players can confidently identify the three correct suspects in Operation Red Circus. Doing so ensures that the three Soviet agents working for Perseus are neutralized, leading to a more favorable outcome within the game’s narrative. Remember, attention to detail is key to success in this mission.