Spec Ops: The Line Achievement Guide & Road Map

Spec Ops: The Line
Spec Ops: The Line Achievement Guide

Overview
-Estimated achievement difficulty: 7/10
-Offline: 50/50
-Online: 0
-Approximate amount of time to 1000: 15-20 hours
-Minimum number of playthroughs needed: 2 (One on “Suicide Mission” and one on “FUBAR”)
-Number of missable achievements: None! (Level Select)
-Do cheat codes disable achievements? No cheats
-Does difficulty affect achievements? Yes (Hardest 2 difficulties)
-Glitchy achievements? None!
-Unobtainable achievements? None
-Extra equipment needed? None
-Additional Notes:

There is an achievement tracker within the game
You can reload checkpoints (or die) and not lose any progress
Stats carry over between playthroughs
No online pass is required
You can use auto-aim and still unlock all achievements.

Useful Links:
Achievement Trading Thread (Find other players for Online play)
FLIPADELPHIIA’s video achievement guides
FLIPADELPHIIA’s Intel Guide (Txt + Video)
FLIPADELPHIIA’s Decision Achievements Guide
Nozza's FUBAR Tips

Introduction
Welcome to Spec Ops: The Line! This game is a 3rd-person shooter that takes place in the desert city of Dubai. You will command two other soldiers as well as yourself during your trip to Dubai in an attempt to evacuate survivors. The game is tough on the hardest difficulty, and even the masters of the shooting genre will surely be tested on the "FUBAR" difficulty, which you will need to play through to get the full 1000. You will need to first play on "Suicide Mission" difficulty first though to unlock "FUBAR". The game actually is very short compared to most shooters, but you will likely die enough time to make each chapter seem longer than it really is. Regardless, the game is very fun and has a great story line that you will surely enjoy.

"Suicide Mission" difficulty
If you plan on achieving the full 1000, you will want to start your first playthrough on the "Suicide Mission" difficulty. On this playthrough, you will learn the techniques needed to prosper throughout the game and will train you for "FUBAR" difficulty later. Try and unlock "Deer Hunter" and "All You Can Be" during the first chapter of the game, and make sure to collect all of the intel on this playthrough using THIS guide. When a decision comes up, choose whichever one you want on this playthrough, just make sure you remember which ones you chose so you can get the other decision based achievements on your FUBAR difficulty playthrough. You can also try to go through the first three chapters on here without dying or reloading a checkpoint for the "Sierra Hotel" achievement, although if you do not get it, don't fret, and just continue on. Finally, try to get as many kills as you can with the weapons needed for each achievement on this playthrough.

"FUBAR" difficulty
Once you have finished Suicide Mission, you should have a good feel for the game, as well as the majority of the achievements needed. Now start up a new game of the newly unlocked FUBAR difficulty. Make use of Lugo's sniper for long range targets, and Adam's seemingly endless supply of grenades for enemies behind cover. Pick the decisions you did not pick last playthrough to get the other decision achievements. Make sure you check out Nozza's FUBAR Tips HERE before you start, and keep these in mind throughout your playthrough.

Mop-Up
You likely have every achievement by now except maybe the "Sierra Hotel" achievement. If that is indeed the case, load up a new game on "Walk on the beach" difficulty, and play through three chapters without dying or reloading a checkpoint. This can be done very easily and in only about 30 minutes. If you are missing any achievements that require kills with certain weapons, load up the appropriate chapter and boost the kills.

Conclusion
The game is pretty straightforward, and wont take to long for 1000, however FUBAR difficulty was personally, one of the hardest "hard" playthrough's I have done and will rank right up there with Call of Duty 4 on my list. However, if you followed this roadmap, as well as the guide below, you should now have 1000! Congratulations on a well deserved completions and for beating one hell of a game!

[x360a would like to thank Maka, FLIPADELPHIIA, Nozza x360a & Foxxy Kyle for this Roadmap]

Intel Operative

50
Recover all Intel Items.
(19)
Please view this thread for a text verision by FLIPADELPHIIA:
https://www.xboxachievements.com/forum/showthread.php?t=376237

You can also view the videos HERE.
Recon

25
Recover 12 Intel Items.
(2)
See “Intel Operative”.
Spotter

10
Recover one Intel Item.
(1)
See “Intel Operative”.
Deer Hunter

20
Kill an oryx. (campaign only)
(7)
An oryx is an animal that looks a lot like a gazelle. Right after the tutorial in Chapter 1, you'll be prompted to rappel down the side of a bridge. As you get to this point, don't rappel but look down off the side to the right and you'll see a group of Onyx's.

It is also possible to get this achievement at the end of Chapter 10 - Part 2, when the truck crashes. After walking you will be given a pistol with one bullet in it. Leave your team mate to die, and take the pistol with you. At the end of the path, an oryx will be feeding on a dead body, just line up the shot and kill it.
All You Can Be

20
Complete any chapter with 60%+ accuracy without dying or reloading a checkpoint.
(5)
If you are going for this achievement specifically, just load the first chapter (new campaign) on Walk on the Beach (easy) difficulty. Use the pistol to ensure accuracy, and have your teammates do most of the work by using the commands. You can view the video for more information on the mission, and the intel locations for Chapter 1. The mission is only about 15 minutes, so it isn't too long.
Sierra Hotel

50
Complete three chapters in a row without being killed or reloading a checkpoint.
(11)
My advice is to complete the game to unlock all the difficulty achievements first. If you still haven't unlocked this achievement, just select the easiest diffculty and start a new campaign, being very careful, and unlocking it during the first 3 chapters.
The Human Factor

20
Kill an enemy by tagging him with a sticky grenade. (campaign only)
(1)
The first time you pick up stickies is in Chapter 6, and you can get the achievement as soon as you pick them up if you're careful. You simply have to aim and toss it at an enemy and hit him. You can hold to view where the grenade will be tossed. Once you hit him, he will kind of do a little panic dance and then blow up.

During Chapter 7, there is a guaranteed spot to get this one. You will eventually come to part where you have to shoot out a big glass in order to continue. After that you rappel down into a desert area, and you will come across several guys standing around, not noticing you. Before firing at them, look for a sticky grenade crate right as you enter the area. Crouch down and aim the grenade at one of the guys, making sure to stick him.
Preventive Diplomacy

20
Kill an enemy just as they are throwing a grenade. (campaign only)
(4)
When an enemy is about to throw a grenade, he will will draw his arm back and hold it in the air a few seconds. As long as you kill him before he throws it, you will get the achievement.

If you reload a checkpoint, the same enemies will always throw grenades. If you find an enemy that is throwing a grenade, feel free to reload the checkpoint, and then stare at him until he raises his arm, and then kill him for the achievement. You can also unlock it through natural progression.
Army of One

20
Kill 3 enemies with a single grenade. (campaign only)
(4)
There are plenty of opportunities to get this achievement. The grenades are powerful, so this achievement isn't too bad at all. Near the beginning of Chapter 2, when you pick up your first pair of grenades, you will have a chance by throwing one into the room when you get ambushed. You can also wait a little bit later in the mission to find a group of enemies. See the video for 2 examples.

You shouldn't worry about this as you'll have plenty of opportunities for this.
Damn Close

20
Kill an Edged Weapon Expert while he is up to 5 meters away. (campaign only)
(2)
The very first time you encounter an edged weapon expert will be in Chapter 5. After your first sniper fight, you will fall down to an area. Some enemies will then come running through the doorway, and your team mates will tell you that one of the enemies is an edge weapon expert. He will be sprinting at you with his hand up in the air. Once he's close enough, take him out with whatever weapon you have, although I recommend a shotgun. If he gets to you, it's instant death. If you miss the opportunity, you can reload the checkpoint or attain it later in the game.
Airspace Control

20
Kill 10 enemies while they use zip lines or are rappelling. (campaign only)
(5)
This may have to be boosted, but luckily it is quite easy to do so. During Chapter 11, you will flank a group of enemies, and take control of a turret. Once you do, look up and an enemy will begin to zipline towards you. Make sure to kill him while he is coming down the line, and then reload the checkpoint and repeat until you have the achievement.
Close Combat Carnage

20
Kill 4 enemies with a shotgun in 10 seconds or less. (campaign only)
(5)
I found this one easiest to be done at the beginning of Chapter 6, when you become stranded. Go over to the right hand side from your start point to find grenades and a shotgun. Proceed down this hallway, and you should have just flanked 4 enemies, with a shotgun in your hands at a very close range. Kill them all to unlock the achievement.

If you are having trouble using the above method, just keep at it, and use the shotgun in close quarter combat situations when enemies are running towards you, and you can always try to try the difficulty down.
Battle Management

20
Kill 50 enemies using only the Attack Command. (campaign only)
(2)
Battle command is when you instruct your teammates to kill an enemy. Simply press and hold and select an enemy, and one of your teammates with attempt to take him out. Once the enemy is killed, it will count as an attack command kill. Remember, you are only able to mark 1 enemy at a time as well.

Note: It is suggested that you leave this after getting most of the gun specific kill achievements. You are most likely to get a lot of kills using Attack Command during your "FUBAR" difficulty playthrough.
Adapt and Overcome

20
Blow up 10 explosive objects, killing at least one enemy each time. (campaign only)
(8)
You will find many explosive objects scattered around the game. They are dark red and have a fire hazard symbol on them. They are scattered all over starting as early as the first chapter. Simply shoot ten of them and make sure that each time the explosion kills at least one person. If you kill more than one person with a single explosion, it still only count as 1 on the counter.

If you find a spot where there are enemies near explosives close to a checkpoint, you can just keep reloading the checkpoint until you unlock the achievement. I good spot to get this achievement is during Chapter 10, Part 2, where you use the grenade launcher from the side of the truck.
Situational Awareness

20
Stun an enemy by dumping sand on their head. (campaign only)
(6)
You will get this achievement while playing through the game, and it's hard to miss. There are multiple ways to get it, but all you'll need to do is trigger some piled up sand, causing it to spill onto an enemy.

Chances are that you will unlock this achievement randomly when shooting at enemies and using explosives, although in case you don't have it, there is a spot where it is almost guaranteed. While playing Chapter 10, there will be a point where your team mates are trying to unlock a door, and you will have to hold out the position for them. The room will be now stormed with enemies. Wait a few seconds for enemies to fill the room, and now shoot the glass pane on the ceiling, letting sand fall onto them. This will unlock the achievement for sure, if you were unable to get it while playing.
Good Training

20
Sprint into cover 10 times while under fire. (campaign only)
(3)
You will attain this achievement easily within the first few chapters. Just make sure to use and sprint towrads cover whenever you are near enemies. You're character will slide into the cover, and if enemies are shooting at you, you will get one tally towards this achievement.
Blind Luck

20
Kill 5 enemies using blind fire. (campaign only)
(2)
Get in cover, and then press without aiming. If you can kill 5 total enemies, you will gain this achievement. Easily done using an assault rifle during the first chapter.
In Your Face

20
Kick an enemy by vaulting over a cover. (campaign only)
(2)
This happens when you vault over cover (using ), and an enemy is on the other side of it. This will make your character kick the enemy. This may be hard to get on the harder difficulties as most of your battles will take place at range, but there are a few places you will be able to get it. You can always revisit chapters on lower difficulties once you beat the game.

A notable place to get this is during Chapter 10. There will be a cutscene where one of the bad guys has one of your partners at gun point. After the cutscene, go forward and you will see a soldier on the other side of a barricade with his back to you. Mount the barricade, press to vault over, and you will kick him right over the edge. The level is set-up specifically for you to do this.
Applied Force

20
Hit 10 enemies with your melee attack. (campaign only)
(1)
For this achievement, you have to run up to any bad guy and press . It does not have to kill him; you simply have to just land the melee attack. It can be quite hard to do on the harder difficulties. If you don't get this achievement during your normal playthroughs, try to lower the difficulty and play Chapter 2, running up to enemies and using the melee attack.

There are multiple places to boost these kills. It can be boosted right at the start of Chapter 2, even on higher difficulties. Near the beginning, run down the ramp and 2 guys will be standing near the edge of the walkway. They won't turn around, so run up to them, press to kill both of them. Now look right, there will be a 3rd enemy, so quickly run down to him and press again. Now simply restart the checkpoint and repeat. It is also easy to boost right at the beginning of Chapter 6. Also, remember that an execution does not count towards this achievement. They must be standing and alive.
Aim High

20
Kill 250 enemies with headshots. (campaign only)
(2)
A headshot can be attained with almost any weapon, including Rifles, Pistols, SMGs, Snipers and Shotguns.

Just play through the game and chances are that you will unlock this achievement during your first or second playthrough. There is not really a good place to boost this, just try your best to aim for the head. When you get a headshot, you'll get a short slow-mo moment during the gun battle. This is like an in-game trigger to show that you got one.
Marksman - Grenade

25
Kill 50 enemies with grenades. (campaign only)
Weapons that count:
Frags
Sticky grenades

Just make sure to use your grenades wisely, on larger groups of enemies and this achievement will unlock with natural progression, most likely during your first playthrough. It can also be boosted in Chapter 2 when you come across your first grenade ammo box. Just pick up the grenades, kill the enemies in the room, and reload the checkpoint.
Marksman - Heavy Arms

25
Kill 150 enemies with any heavy weapon. (campaign only)
Weapons that count:
Grenade Launcher
RPG
M249 SAW
AA-12

The best place to "boost" this is during Chapter 10 - Part 2, where you protect the truck using a grenade launcher. Just keep killing enemies to progress. If you want, you can purposely die when you see the helicopter, and it will start you back at the beginning of this section. Otherwise, just use the weapons posted above, the most common being the M249 SAW, which you can pick up from tougher enemies.
Marksman - Sniper

25
Kill 50 enemies with any sniper rifle. (campaign only)
Weapons that count:
Scout Tactical
M-99 Sniper rifle

You will have a fair amount of opportunities to pick up the Scout Tactical sniper rifle throughout the game, although it will never really have much ammo. Just pick it up when you can, and try to get as many kills as possible with it.

If you want to get these out of the way as soon as possible, just keep replaying the checkpoint where you first come across a sniper rifle.
Marksman - Shotgun

25
Kill 75 enemies with any shotgun. (campaign only)
Weapons that count:
M1014
W1300

The first shotgun you will get will probably be the W1300 during the 3rd chapter, although there are plenty littered throughout the game. They are not very powerful unless you are very close range, so keep this in mind. Just rotate through whatever weapons are available to you, and you will get this achievement with natural progression.

If you are desperate for kills, start Chapter 6, go to the right hand side to pick up the shotgun and kill as many enemies as possible. Then reload the checkpoint.
Marksman - Small Arms

25
Kill 100 enemies with any pistol or SMG. (campaign only)
Weapons that count:
M9
Magnum
Desert Eagle
UMP
P90

Just try to play a chapter or two using a pistol and you will easily get this achievement. Otherwise, this is easily attained through natural story progression.
Marksman - Rifle

25
Kill 350 enemies with any rifle. (campaign only)
(3)
Weapons that count:
M4A1
417
FAMAS
Scar
AK47

The rifle is the most common weapon in the game, however it also requires the most kills. Just use them when you come across them, and eventually you should kill enough enemies to unlock this.
The Road To Glory

30
Live and let die.
(6)
This achievement can be unlocked during the Epilogue. To play the Epilogue, you must choose to shoot the enemy at the end of the game.

For this achievement, you must use your gun to open fire on the troops in the camp. You can reload the checkpoint, and now complete the other decision.
The Road Back

30
Live and let live.
(1)
This achievement can be unlocked during the Epilogue. To play the Epilogue, you must choose to shoot the enemy at the end of the game.

For this achievement, you must choose to lay your weapon down when prompted. You can reload the checkpoint, and now complete the other decision.
Too Late The Hero

30
Carry on, soldier.
(1)
During Chapter 15, at the end of the game, you will come to a point where you have to decide whether or not you should shoot someone.

For this achievement, you must to shoot him, using .
A Farewell To Arms

30
You are relieved.
(4)
During Chapter 15, at the end of the game, you will come to a point where you have to decide whether or not you should shoot someone.

For this achievement, you must let him live, by not shooting him, and letting him count down to zero. After this decision, you will be returned to the title screen.
A Line, Held

10
Choose restraint.
(8)
Chapter 13, you will come to a part where you must find one of your partners in the town. After a cutscene, you will be surrounded by a large group of civilians. You can choose to shoot the civilians causing them to flee or shoot in the air.

For this achievement, shoot your gun up into the air let the civilians run away. Proceed, making sure not to kill anyone, and the achievement will pop. You can reload checkpoint and get the other decision or wait for your 2nd playthrough of campaign.
A Line, Crossed

10
Choose vengeance.
(1)
Chapter 13, you will come to a part where you must find one of your partners in the town. After a cutscene, you will be surrounded by a large group of civilians. You can choose to shoot the civilians causing them to flee or shoot in the air.

For this achievement, open fire on the civilians. Once you kill a few and the rest run away, you will unlock the achievement. You can reload checkpoint and get the other decision or wait for your 2nd playthrough of campaign.
Unfriendly Fire

10
Save a bullet.
(2)
At the beginning of Chapter 11, you will come to a point where you see Riggs trapped under a burning vehicle. You have a gun with one bullet. You can either choose to shoot him and put him out of his misery, or you can walk away and let him burn.

For this achievement, just walk away and leave him burning under the car. You can reload checkpoint and get the other decision or wait for your 2nd playthrough of campaign.

NOTE: If you have not yet gotten the Deer Hunter achievement, now is an almost unmissable time to get it. Since you chose not to shoot him, your hand gun still has one bullet in it. As your walking away, you will see an oryx right in your path out in the open. Shoot him and the Deer hunter achievement is yours.
Friendly Fire

10
Show mercy.
(1)
At the beginning of Chapter 11, you will come to a point where you see Riggs trapped under a burning vehicle. You have a gun with one bullet. You can either choose to shoot him and put him out of his misery, or you can walk away and let him burn.

For this achievement, just use your gun and fire the one bullet into his head, instantly killing him. You can reload checkpoint and get the other decision or wait for your 2nd playthrough of campaign.
Damned if You Don't

10
Buck the chain of command.
(7)
Right in the beginning of Chapter 9, rappel down and continue on. After the cutscene, will be surrounded by snipers. You can either follow their orders and shoot the civilian or you disobey and shoot the soldier.

For this achievement, you will need to open fire on the enemies. Do this by making your way behind the car on the right hand side, and shooting the snipers one by one. The game automatically saves after your decision, so you will have to get the achievement for the other decision using chapter select, or another playthrough
Damned if You Do

10
Follow your orders.
(4)
Right in the beginning of Chapter 9, rappel down and continue on. After the cutscene, will be surrounded by snipers. You can either follow their orders and shoot the civilian or you can disobey and shoot the soldier.

For this achievement, you'll have to follow their orders. Do not open fire on them, and instead shoot the civilian (hanging on the right). The game automatically saves after your decision, so you will have to get the achievement for the other decision using chapter select, or another playthrough.
A Man of Patience

10
Playing it smart.
(6)
During Chapter 7, you will come to a point where three soldiers are beating up Goul. You have to decide whether to let him die and sneak out of the place, or step in and shoot the guards, causing a big fire fight.

It is recommended that you save this decision for your FUBAR playthrough. For this achievement, you are going to let the guards kill him and then you will sneak out. To do this, while the guards are still interrogating him and beating him up, go all the way to your left and follow your teammate. You will jump down and from here on out, you cannot be spotted, for it will result in a fire fight. Listen to your partner and be sneaky. The achievement will pop once you have completed this section and moved on to the next area. The game automatically saves after your decision, so you will have to get the achievement for the other decision using chapter select, or another playthrough.
A Man of Action

10
Play it loose.
(3)
During Chapter 7, you will come to a point where three soldiers are beating up Goul. You have to decide whether to let him die and sneak out of the place, or step in and shoot the guards, causing a big fire fight.

For this achievement, you are going to want to save him and shoot the guards before they kill him. You can have to continue through the area and kill all the enemies before the achievement unlocks. The game automatically saves after your decision, so you will have to get the achievement for the other decision using chapter select, or another playthrough.
A Bridge Too Far

10
The end of the line.
This is story related and cannot be missed.
The Great Escape

10
Get out of here!
This is story related and cannot be missed.
Three Kings

10
Stand united.
This is story related and cannot be missed.
The Horror

10
Face the horrors of war.
This is story related and cannot be missed.
Desert Storm

10
Engineer an exit strategy.
This is story related and cannot be missed.
The Lost Battalion

10
We have contact.
(2)
This is story related and cannot be missed.
Treacherous Ground

10
Look out below.
This is story related and cannot be missed.
They Live

10
What's lost is found.
(2)
This is story related and cannot be missed.
Boot

15
Complete game on "Walk on the Beach" difficulty.
(2)
See “MFWIC”
We Were Soldiers

20
Complete game on "Combat Op" difficulty.

See “MFWIC”
The Devil's Disciple

30
Complete game on "Suicide Mission" difficulty.

See “MFWIC”
MFWIC

50
Complete game on "FUBAR" difficulty.
(68)
You can unlock FUBAR difficulty by first completing one playthrough on “Suicide Mission” difficulty.

You can find a lot of extra tips for easily beating FUBAR difficulty in this thread, by Nozza:
https://www.xboxachievements.com/f...d.php?t=377701

Remember, enemies will always do the same thing when you reload the checkpoint, and you are free to enable auto-aim from the options menu.