Metal Gear Solid 5 update reverses plot point and tweaks FOB

The latest update for Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain tweaks FOB, PF ratings, gears, and much more. The update also reverses a major plot point (not discussed in the official patch notes, of course).

A major part of the update focuses on online FOB missions. New security devices for your bases are now available, and so is the anti-reflex research. Apart from these, minor tweaks have been made to the game’s story and PF rating screen. All the details of the update can be found below.

PF Rating

The update features changes to the user interface of the PF Rating screen. Revised displays of the factors contributing to your PF’s overall strength will give better understanding of your PF’s status.

Grade 8 gear and new Online Development Items: 

Players will now be able to develop Grade 8 equipment as opposed to the previous grade 7 upper cap. Grade 8 equipment is classified as new online development items, which are items that continue the development process even when you’re not playing the game.

New FOB security devices:

The update brings gun-cam defenders which are guns attached to cameras. The security devices are all online development items.

Anti-Reflex research:

This will narrow the amount of time an invader’s Reflex Mode is active and is available as a Medical Team unit function. The higher your Medical Team’s level gets, the shorter an invader’s Reflex Mode time will be.

Stealth Mode in FOB: 

While infiltrating a rival’s FOB, using Stealth Mode will cause your Predicted field of movement to disappear from the defending player’s iDroid. The defending Intel Team will also be unable to search out your general location.

Third FOB: 

An option to build a third Forward Operating Base has also been added, resulting in major increases in max. staff capacity.

New rookie and beginner functions:

Obtaining the ‘Chicken Hat’ and ‘Lil’ Chick Hat’ is now easier. A ‘Rookie Assist Function’ is added to Espionage Ratings, preventing rookie players from losing Espionage Points when they fail at FOB invasions or defenses.

Miscellaneous Tweaks:

• The top rankings for PF Rating and Espionage Rating will now be displayed.
• Resources in your online inventory, from now on, can also be sold.
• The issue with certain DLC uniform equipment not having its advertised effect is now fixed.
• In-game notifications of events and other news have been improved.

The update also reverses a major plot point.

Due to obvious reasons this has plot spoilers and if you’ve not yet finished the story, proceed with caution.

[Spoiler Below]

Towards the end of MGSV‘s story, Quiet leaves the motherbase and disappears into Afghan deserts never to return. The update now gives you a way to get back your sniper buddy to assist you on your missions. Reddit user Brotigan posted that playing the mission ‘Cloaked in Silence’ seven times brings her back to your motherbase. This will change the name of the mission to ‘[Reunion] Cloaked in Silence.’

[End of Spoiler]

The game was released on September 1st and received positive reviews. The game is also remembered as a turning point in Konami’s history, as series creator Hideo Kojima is said to have left the company after the game’s release.