Who Is the ICA Handler in Hitman 3 Berlin?
The ICA handler in the Berlin mission of HITMAN™ III is not a traditional handler figure that Agent 47 directly interacts with. Instead, the 11 ICA agents in Berlin, including Jiao, operate as a hit squad, with Jiao likely acting as their on-site leader and coordinator, rather than a handler in the typical sense of providing missions and targets. These agents are not in contact with the International Contract Agency (ICA) in the usual mission briefing capacity. They are, rather, rogue agents, operating outside of official ICA parameters. They are in Berlin for their own purposes, hunting 47 himself as the main target. It is crucial to remember that Agent 47 is no longer working with the ICA at this point in the narrative and is on a self-directed mission.
The Unique Nature of the Berlin Mission
Unlike other missions in the HITMAN™ franchise where Agent 47 receives detailed instructions and guidance from a handler, the Berlin mission is intentionally different. It’s a hunter-versus-hunted scenario. The ICA agents in Berlin are there to eliminate Agent 47 and their presence is not sanctioned by the ICA’s Board of Directors. This makes the Berlin mission a more intense, unpredictable, and strategically challenging experience for players.
Why Are the ICA Agents in Berlin?
The key to understanding the role of the “handler” or rather, the purpose of Jiao and her team lies in the broader narrative of HITMAN™ III. Agent 47, along with Diana Burnwood, had already betrayed the ICA to work with the Shadow Client, also known as Lucas Grey, who is later revealed to be Agent 47’s clone brother, Subject 6. This betrayal created a schism within the ICA, leading to the deployment of these rogue agents to hunt down 47. The ICA is no longer a reliable source of information or direction. The Berlin mission highlights the consequences of 47’s and Diana’s actions, placing them squarely in the sights of their former allies.
Jiao’s Role
Although Jiao is the on-site team lead, she is not providing any mission-specific intel or instructions to Agent 47. She is the leader of the team hunting him. As such, her role is more about coordinating the efforts of the rogue hit squad. She operates in a non-traditional handler style; she is a target for Agent 47, not a guide. This changes the typical flow of a HITMAN™ mission, making it necessary for players to observe the agents, locate them within the environment, and identify them using the clues around them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many ICA agents are in the Berlin mission?
There are a total of 11 ICA agents in the Berlin mission. Players only need to eliminate 5 of them to complete the mission’s main objective.
2. Why are the ICA agents disguised?
The ICA agents disguise themselves in a similar way to Agent 47 to blend into their surroundings and not draw attention to themselves. This makes it difficult to identify them at first glance, requiring players to analyze their behavior and conversations.
3. How do you identify the ICA agents in Berlin?
You can identify the ICA agents by observing their routines and listening to their radio conversations. Once they start talking into their mics, they become marked on the map, making it easier to track them down.
4. Who is Rolf Hirschmüller?
Rolf Hirschmüller is the owner of Club Hölle in Berlin, where the mission takes place. He is also secretly the leader of the Berlin chapter of the Ragnarok Disciples biker gang.
5. Where can I find Agent Montgomery?
Agent Montgomery is located on Level -2 of the club. He can be found roaming around the dance floor and meeting with Rolf Hirschmüller in his office.
6. What happens if you call a meeting with all ICA agents?
There is no in-game mechanic to call a meeting with all the ICA agents in Berlin. The main challenge is to locate and eliminate them individually.
7. Why did Agent 47 betray the ICA?
Agent 47 betrayed the ICA after discovering the Shadow Client was actually his long-lost clone brother, Lucas Grey. He and Diana covertly started working with Grey to assassinate Providence members.
8. Who is the Shadow Client?
The Shadow Client is the alias of Lucas Grey, who is Agent 47’s clone brother, also known as Subject 6.
9. Who runs the ICA?
The ICA is run by a decentralized Board of Directors with various cells of agents, handlers, analysts, and support personnel.
10. Is Agent 47 a clone?
Yes, Agent 47 is a cloned human, the “47th” clone from a secret cloning project, which forms the central plot of the first HITMAN™ game, Hitman: Codename 47.
11. What are the 48s?
The 48s are a group of less sophisticated clones, unlike Agent 47. They are mindless and do not have critical thinking abilities, acting simply on command.
12. Who is Agent Smith?
Agent Smith, also known as Carlton Smith, is a recurring character throughout the HITMAN™ franchise, often appearing as a CIA agent and tritagonist in the original series.
13. Does Agent 47 regret killing?
As far as the games show, Agent 47 does not experience regret for the targets he eliminates as he is working for others who request the kills. He is motivated by his professional obligations and the contracts he fulfills.
14. What happens if Agent 47 injects himself with the serum in the final mission?
If Agent 47 injects himself with the serum in the final mission, he will erase his memory of the past three games, essentially turning him back into a compliant tool for others to use.
15. Is Agent 47 rich?
Agent 47 has earned a significant amount of money throughout his career, with estimates ranging over $100 million. However, his initial earnings were donated to charity, leaving him initially without funds.
In conclusion, the ICA handler in the Berlin mission, as we traditionally understand it, is non-existent. Jiao functions as the on-site leader of a rogue hit squad tasked with eliminating Agent 47. The Berlin mission is a unique and challenging experience in HITMAN™ III, forcing players to rely on their observation and strategic thinking rather than traditional handler support. This highlights the shift in 47’s allegiances and the complexities of the narrative.