The Ground Branch 1.0 update finally introduces the beginning of the game’s campaign, starting with Operation Onyx Flame, a tense night raid that serves as the campaign’s prologue. Unlike the standard missions, this one feels much more scripted, with changing objectives, a cinematic extraction sequence, and a focus on clearing a heavily defended compound.
If you’re struggling to finish the mission or simply want to know what to expect before jumping in, this guide walks you through every objective, recommended loadout, and the safest route to complete the prologue.
Note: This guide contains story spoilers for the opening campaign mission.
Ground Branch 1.0 Guide – Kill or Capture Mission Walkthrough
The campaign begins with Operation Onyx Flame, set in northwestern Pakistan during a covert nighttime raid.
Your team is tasked with infiltrating a fortified compound and eliminating a high-value terrorist leader before extracting from the area.
Primary Objective
- Eliminate Shamsuddin Al-Karashi
Secondary Objective
- Gather intelligence from Al-Karashi’s residence
Although gathering intelligence is optional at first, it’s worth doing if you reach the target room quickly enough.
Recommended Loadout
Since the mission takes place shortly after midnight, visibility is extremely limited.
Before deploying, consider bringing equipment suited for close-quarters combat.
Recommended gear includes:
- Night Vision Goggles
- IR Laser
- Weapon-mounted flashlight
- Assault rifle with full-auto capability
- Frag grenades
If you’re using Night Vision, avoid high-magnification optics whenever possible. A holographic sight or aiming with an IR laser is much easier during indoor fights.
Starting the Mission
You’ll begin outside the target compound with permission to engage hostile forces immediately.
The briefing mentions only a handful of enemy fighters, but don’t rely on that number. Additional enemies can appear throughout the mission, especially around the compound.
Move slowly and clear the outer buildings before entering the main house.
Clear the Compound
The safest approach is to eliminate enemies around the exterior first.
Watch for guards:
- Near the outer walls.
- Along the road leading to the compound.
- Inside smaller buildings near the entrance.
- On rooftops overlooking the compound.
Taking your time outside reduces the chances of getting flanked once you enter the main building.
Use Grenades to Open Entry Points
One useful feature introduced in Ground Branch 1.0 is destructible doors and gates.
Instead of searching for alternate entrances, you can use frag grenades to destroy:
- Locked gates
- Exterior doors
This creates faster entry routes and prevents you from getting trapped at chokepoints.
Clearing the Main House
Most of the mission’s difficulty comes from clearing the compound itself.
The interior is dark, cramped, and filled with tight corners where enemies can appear without warning.
For indoor combat:
- Switch to your weapon light if Night Vision becomes difficult to use.
- Keep your rifle on full-auto.
- Check every doorway before pushing forward.
- Clear each room completely before moving upstairs.
Patience is far more important than speed during this section.
Find the Target
The mission objective is located on the top floor of the main residence.
After clearing the upper rooms, you’ll eventually find Shamsuddin Al-Karashi.
Once he’s down, don’t leave immediately.
You must confirm the kill before the objective updates.
Failing to interact with the target means the mission won’t progress.
Gather Intelligence
If you still have time, search the target’s room for intelligence.
Possible items include:
- Hard drives
- Documents
- Cell phones
- Other electronic devices
Collecting these items completes the secondary objective and provides additional mission progress before extraction.
Extraction Changes Mid-Mission
After confirming the target, your original extraction plan doesn’t go as expected.
The helicopter attempting to extract your team is shot down, forcing command to change your objective.
Instead of heading to the initial extraction point, you’ll receive new coordinates leading to a safe house elsewhere in the city.
Open your tablet or map to view the updated objective marker before moving.
Escape Route
Once the new extraction location appears, retrace your route back through the compound.
Since you’ve already cleared most enemies on the way in, returning the same way is generally the safest option.
However, don’t assume the area is completely secure.
Before leaving the compound, check:
- Rooftops for remaining snipers.
- Rear corners near the walls.
- Guards hiding behind cover close to the exit.
Missing even one enemy here can quickly end the mission.
Final Stretch
The last part of the mission requires running down the main road toward the updated extraction point.
Be careful near the end of the route.
Several enemies commonly appear:
- Behind roadside cover.
- Near the extraction smoke.
- Around the final corner before the objective.
Clear these threats before stepping into the extraction zone.
Once you reach the marker, the mission ends and the campaign progresses to the next operation.
Mission Rewards
Completing Operation Onyx Flame:
- Finishes the campaign prologue.
- Unlocks the next campaign mission.
- Introduces the story and overall campaign structure for Ground Branch 1.0.
Operation Onyx Flame is a strong introduction to Ground Branch’s new campaign mode. Rather than feeling like a typical sandbox mission, it combines tactical room clearing, scripted story moments, and changing objectives that keep you on your toes. The shift from a straightforward raid to an emergency escape after the failed helicopter extraction adds plenty of tension, especially during your first playthrough.
The mission can be challenging—particularly if you’re still getting used to night operations—but taking a methodical approach, using the right equipment, and clearing each area carefully will make it much more manageable. Once you’ve completed this prologue, you’ll be ready to move on to the next chapter of the campaign.