Reaching the FOXHOUND rank in Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is the ultimate challenge for stealth players. It’s not just about finishing the game — it’s about mastering every system, avoiding mistakes, and proving that you can play Snake’s mission flawlessly under Extreme conditions. This guide breaks down all the requirements and provides pro tips to help you earn FOXHOUND rank on your next run.
FOXHOUND Rank Requirements
To qualify for FOXHOUND, your run must meet strict conditions:
- Difficulty: Extreme or European Extreme
- Play Time: 5 hours or less
- Continues: 0 (you cannot die and restart)
- Alert Phases: 0 (no enemy alerts triggered)
- Human Kills: 0 (all encounters must be non-lethal)
- Serious Injuries: 20 or fewer (wounds that require curing)
- Total Damage: 5 LIFE bars or less
- Life Medicine: Cannot be used
- Special Items: Prohibited (Stealth Camo, Infinity, etc.)
If successful, you’ll be rewarded with:
- EZ Gun – a tranquilizer weapon with infinite suppressor durability.
- Infinity Face Paint – provides infinite ammo.
- Stealth Camouflage – lets Snake turn invisible.
- FOXHOUND Trophy – a Gold trophy tied to the rank.
How to Prepare for a FOXHOUND Playthrough
Before attempting a FOXHOUND run, it’s strongly recommended that you finish the game at least once. This unlocks key camos, teaches you enemy routes, and prepares you for the strict conditions.
Essential Camo Unlocks
- Sneaking Suit: Reduces incoming damage during boss fights.
- Brown Face Paint: Helps against The Pain underwater.
- Flecktarn Camo: Saves battery while using equipment.
- Environment-specific camos (Splitter, Desert, etc.): Minimizes time wasted finding them mid-run.
- AT-Camouflage (Ghillie Suit): Unlike Stealth Camo, this is not considered a special item, so you can use it freely once unlocked.
Boss Fights – Non-Lethal Strategies
Since FOXHOUND requires 0 human kills, every boss must be defeated non-lethally. Here are the most effective methods:
- The Pain: Memorize ammo drop spots in the cave. Use the Mk22 and Mosin Nagant to deplete his stamina.
- The Fear: Roll into him when he descends to eat. Preventing his stamina recovery is key.
- The End: Track his sniper positions, chase him down, and use Mosin Nagant shots to drain stamina.
- The Fury: Quickscope with the Mosin Nagant. Four precise salvos are enough to knock him out.
- The Sorrow: Skip entirely by drowning and reviving with the Revival Pill.
- Volgin: Use CQC throw combos and dodge rolls to deal stamina damage safely.
- Shagohod: Learn to quick-reload the RPG-7. Stun-lock its treads in phase two.
- The Boss: Parry her first CQC strike, then kite her while scoring Mosin Nagant headshots.
Pro Tips to Secure FOXHOUND Rank
1. Master Autosave Reloading
Continues and manual saves are limited, but autosaves are not. If you take too much damage, trigger an alert, or miss a stealth route, reload the last autosave and try again.
2. Learn Loot Locations
Running out of Mk22 ammo mid-run is common. Memorize resupply points before boss fights so you don’t lose time or stealth efficiency.
3. Know When to Run
Not every patrol needs to be avoided through takedowns. Some areas can be cleared faster by sprinting past gaps in guard routes.
4. Skip Cutscenes
Cutscenes add to the in-game timer. Skipping them is essential to finish under the 5-hour limit.
5. Take Breaks Strategically
Pausing the game halts the timer, giving you time to rest and plan routes without affecting play time.
FOXHOUND Rank: Is It Worth the Effort?
Achieving FOXHOUND isn’t just about bragging rights. It also sets you up for easier future runs with the EZ Gun, Infinity Face Paint, and Stealth Camouflage. These tools make subsequent playthroughs faster and more creative. Plus, unlocking the FOXHOUND Trophy puts you one step closer to Platinum.
The FOXHOUND rank in Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is a true test of patience, precision, and mastery of stealth gameplay. With careful planning, non-lethal boss strategies, and strict attention to time and damage limits, it’s entirely achievable. Practice on lower difficulties first, then step into Extreme with a clear route — and you’ll join the elite few who can proudly say they earned the FOXHOUND title. Play Now!
