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How to Extract Skulls in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain – A Comprehensive Guide

Extracting the Skulls in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain isn’t just about brute force; it’s about strategy, timing, and having the right tools. You can’t simply walk up to them and Fulton them at any time. The core requirement is unlocking the Parasite Suit development. This unlocks the ability to develop Parasite Containers, necessary for extracting the Skulls. You do this by finishing Mission 28: Code Talker and reaching level 25 with both your R&D and Medical Teams. Then, you need either the Wormhole Fulton or a Fulton Cargo upgrade. Finally, and crucially, do not wait until the end of the battle to extract them. Once they’re defeated, they can disappear before you even get close. Get in there and Fulton them immediately.

Understanding the Skull Units

The Skull units are not your average enemies. They are formidable foes with unique abilities and behaviors, depending on the type you encounter. They range from armored Skulls to sniper Skulls, and each requires a different approach to subdue and extract. Knowing your enemy is half the battle.

Types of Skulls and Their Weaknesses

Armored Skulls: These Skulls are heavily armored and resistant to most forms of conventional weaponry. Focus your attacks on their heads. An anti-material rifle can effectively knock out their armor with well-aimed headshots. Alternatively, using explosives and heavy firepower can quickly deplete their stamina.
Sniper Skulls: Sniper Skulls are agile and deadly at long range. The most effective countermeasure is to use environmental conditions to your advantage. Changing the weather, for example, with the weather-changing device, can cause them to become disoriented and vulnerable. Focus fire with a suppressed anti-material rifle to the head.
Mist Skulls: These Skulls control a dense fog that obscures vision and hinders movement. Thermal vision can help you see through the fog, but the most effective way to deal with them is to exploit their vulnerability to electricity. A well-placed lightning strike can quickly eliminate them.
Camouflage Skulls: These Skulls can become invisible, making them difficult to track. Equipping yourself with night vision goggles or thermal vision can help you spot them. Using sound-based tactics, such as throwing decoys, can also draw them out of hiding.

Essential Equipment and Upgrades

Before you attempt to extract the Skulls, make sure you have the following:

Wormhole Fulton or Fulton Cargo Upgrade: This is non-negotiable. Without it, you won’t be able to extract them.
Parasite Suit: As mentioned earlier, you unlock the ability to develop Parasite Containers and subsequently extract the Skulls after beating Mission 28: Code Talker and reaching level 25 with your R&D and Medical Teams. The blueprint for the Parasite suit is unlocked at this time.
Powerful Weapons: An anti-material rifle is crucial for taking down armored and sniper Skulls. A grenade launcher, such as the Fakel-46, is effective against multiple Skulls. The multi-homing-rocket launcher or D-Walker are also excellent choices.
Quiet with Brennan: Equipping Quiet with her Brennan rifle allows her to effectively engage and eliminate the Skulls for you.
Weather Changing Device: Useful for disorienting sniper Skulls.

Tactical Strategies for Extraction

Stealth and Evasion

While it might seem counterintuitive, sometimes the best approach is to avoid direct confrontation altogether.

Mission 1: Phantom Limbs: Change your landing zone to the southern section of the map to avoid encountering the Skulls and extract Miller without any problems.
Code Talker Extreme: In this mission, you can bypass the Skulls by sticking to the right side of the map after they appear. Climb the wall cracks to the left of the waterfall and sneak past or flank them.

Direct Engagement

If you choose to fight, here’s a breakdown of effective tactics:

Ambush Tactics: Set up ambushes near choke points or areas where the Skulls are likely to patrol. Use explosives and heavy weaponry to quickly eliminate them.
Environmental Exploitation: Use the environment to your advantage. The fence in Metallic Archaea provides cover and limits the Skulls’ ability to surround you.
Divide and Conquer: Concentrate your attacks on one or two Skulls at a time to quickly eliminate them.
Quiet Support: Let Quiet take point with her Brennan rifle. Her accuracy and firepower can significantly reduce the Skulls’ health.

Mission-Specific Strategies

The best strategy for dealing with Skulls depends on the mission.

Where Do the Bees Sleep?: Use a Fakel-46 grenade launcher to quickly eliminate the Skulls. Use the ledge inside the caves to stay concealed and blast them with the Fakel launcher.
Metallic Archaea: Stay mobile and use the fence to block their attacks. Constantly call in supply drops to replenish your ammunition. Concentrate on one or two Skulls at a time to eliminate them quickly.
Airport Encounter: Use the Anti-Air emplacement weapon in front of the airport building. Its rapid fire capabilities can quickly eliminate a Skull in less than 30 seconds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. When can I start extracting Skulls in MGSV?

You unlock the ability to extract Skulls after completing Mission 28: Code Talker.

2. Do I need to use non-lethal means to extract Skulls?

No, you don’t need to use non-lethal means to extract them. Lethal is often easier. Just approach and Fulton them when their health/stamina is depleted.

3. What happens if I wait too long to extract the Skulls after defeating them?

If you wait too long, they will get up and jump away before you can approach them. Extract them immediately after they are defeated.

4. Can I extract the sniper Skulls?

Yes, you can. They can only be Fultoned if you have the Fulton Cargo Upgrade/Wormhole. You only need to extract one sniper Skull to complete the objective.

5. What is the best weapon to use against the Skulls?

The multi-homing-rocket launcher or D-Walker are excellent options. You can also equip Quiet with her Brennan rifle and let her eliminate them.

6. Is Code Talker a Skull?

No, Code Talker is not a Skull. He was an elderly Diné (Navajo) biologist who specialized in parasitology and was contracted by Skull Face to modify the vocal cord parasite.

7. How do I get the Parasite Suit?

The blueprint for the Parasite suit is unlocked after beating Mission 28: Code Talker and reaching level 25 with your R&D and Medical Teams.

8. What are the missions where the Skulls appear?

Skulls are encountered in Mission 1: “Phantom Limbs”, Mission 6: “Where Do the Bees Sleep?”, Mission 16: “Traitors’ Caravan”, Mission 28: “Code Talker” and Mission 29: “Metallic Archea”.

9. Can I sneak past the Skulls?

Yes, you can. In Code Talker extreme, you can bypass the Skulls by sticking to the right side of the map and climbing the wall cracks to the left of the waterfall.

10. Do I need the Wormhole Fulton to extract Skulls?

Yes, the Skulls can only be extracted via Wormhole Fulton or a Fulton Cargo upgrade.

11. How do I easily beat the Skulls?

Use the appropriate weapons for each type of Skull, exploit their weaknesses, and utilize the environment to your advantage. For sniper Skulls, use weather-changing equipment to disorient them. The Games Learning Society might appreciate the tactical depth involved in these engagements.

12. Can bullets penetrate skulls?

Yes, many bullets can easily penetrate a human skull. The performance of any individual bullet depends on the caliber, weight, construction, and velocity.

13. How do I avoid the Skulls in Mission 1: Phantom Limbs?

Change the landing zone from the default position to the southern section of the map to avoid encountering the Skulls.

14. What is the best strategy for fighting the Skulls in “Where Do the Bees Sleep?”

Purchase and develop a Fakel-46 grenade launcher and use it on the Skulls. Utilize the ledge above inside the caves to stay concealed and blast them.

15. Why can’t I extract the Skulls?

Ensure you have completed Mission 28, reached level 25 with your R&D and Medical teams, developed the Parasite Suit, and have either the Wormhole Fulton or a Fulton Cargo upgrade. Remember to extract them immediately after defeating them.

By mastering these techniques and strategies, you’ll be well-equipped to extract the Skulls and conquer Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. It is not an easy task, but with the right tools and tactics, it can be done. Good luck, soldier! Be sure to visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more about the educational aspects of gaming.

How do you extract skulls?