Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Infinity Face Paint FAQ
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Written by: Randy Gamboa (Katamari)
Created: December 02, 2004
Updated: April 08, 2005
Version 1.8
Copyright � 2005 Randy Gamboa
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===============
= What's New? =
===============
Version 1.8 | April 08, 2005
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Just cleaning stuff up and clearing up some conflicting information.
Version 1.7 | January 16, 2005
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Updated the Tsuchinoko section to include information about waiting times.
Reading several e-mails that all ask the same question is quite bothersome.
Version 1.6 | December 29, 2004
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Just fixed up some errors and conflicts within the FAQ. Nothing special.
Version 1.5 | December 24, 2004
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Allowing www.stuckgamer.com permission to host this FAQ. Confirmed remaining
Tsuchinoko capture locations.
Version 1.4 | December 14, 2004
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Updated "Easy Way Out" section to include the trick to catching a Tsuchinoko,
and more Tsuchinoko capture locations.
Version 1.3 | December 13, 2004
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Updated "Common Questions" section. Updated "Easy Way Out" and included a list
of Mousetrap locations that I've found. Removed disclaimer from the
"Progress|Time Guide" section as the time limit does not change depending on
difficulty.
Version 1.2 | December 09, 2004
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Added "Easy Way Out" section, which includes a method other than
rank/statistics for obtaining the IFP. Fixed more spelling/grammar errors.
Version 1.1 | December 07, 2004
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Added/updated questions to the "Common Questions" section. Included more
contributors to the "Acknowledgements" section.
Version 1.0 | December 02, 2004
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First complete version of the guide. The guide will be updated periodically
as I progress through the varying difficulties.
=====================
= Table of Contents =
=====================
I. Introduction
II. General Information
III. Statistic Requirements
IV. Easy Way Out
V. Common Questions
VI. Progress|Time Guide
VII. Acknowledgements
VIII. Legal Disclaimer
IX. Contact
===================
= I. Introduction =
===================
This FAQ was created to be used as a guide for those who want to obtain the
Infinity Face Paint (IFP) in Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. I was able to
compile this guide by evaluating the data I have gathered from several of my
game files in addition to the data I have gathered online from others.
Initially, it took a quite a little bit of convincing and enduring some mild
flaming on the GameFAQs.com forums, but I was finally able to get people to
believe me about the IFP. Thank you for reading this FAQ and it is my hope
that you find it useful in attempting to obtain the IFP.
Please rate this guide after you have read it. Id you wish to send me feedback
on my performance of creating this guide, my contact information is below.
===========================
= II. General Information =
===========================
What is the Infinity Face Paint (IFP)?
The IFP is a special item, in the form of a face paint, that you are awarded
by meeting certain requirements throughout the game.
What does the IFP do?
The IFP grants you an infinite amount of ammunition as long as it is equipped.
However, you must still reload as each clip will still diminish with every
round fired. If you do not have any ammunition for a certain weapon before
you equip the IFP, the IFP will not grant you any additional ammumition. The
IFP does not grant infinite use of any suppressors you have acquired.
What is the in-game description for the IFP?
Face with infinite power. Weapons will not run out of ammunition.
How do I go about obtaining the IFP?
The specific requirements are listed in the section below. Note that there
are currently two confirmed methods of obtaining the IFP. Choose whichever
method you'd like to unlock the IFP in your game.
===============================
= III. Statistic Requirements =
===============================
*These conditions were tested under the "NORMAL" difficulty. I will update as
necessary while I play through the game on other difficulties.*
1. "Play Time" - Completed game time must be under 5:00:00 hours.
2. "Saves" - The number of total saves must be 25 or less.
3. "Continue" - Must be zero. You are not allowed to continue.
4. "Alert Mode" - Must be zero. You are not allowed to alert any of the guards.
5. "Humans Killed" - Must be zero. You are not allowed to kill any humans.
6. "Seriously Injured" - The number of times you were seriously injured must
be 20 or less. Serious injuries are wounds that are
appear on the "Cure" screen of the Survival Viewer.
7. "Life Medicine Used" - Must be zero. You are not allowed to use any Life
Medicine.
8. "Special Item" - You are not allowed the use of special items if you wish
to obtain the IFP.
-----------------
Other Statistics:
-----------------
"Total Damage" - This statistic will naturally remain low as the "No Kills,"
"No Alerts," and "Play Time" requirements do not allow you
the time to recklessly fool around. However, this statistic
is connected to the "Seriously Injured" statistic, therefore,
I assume that there is a limit present. Since this statistic
is much more difficult to test compared to the other stats,
for now I will assume that the limit is set at 10 Life Bars.
That should be plenty of room to work with, unless you enjoy
making Snake suffer.
"Plants & Animals Captured" - This statistic is irrelevant towards obtaining
the IFP.
"Meals Eaten" - This statistic is irrelevant towards obtaining the IFP.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
How did you go about finding these requirements and narrowing them down?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
When I was playing through my No Kill/No Alert game, I had a file saved in
Zaozyorje West and another file saved in Zaozyorje East. Both of these files
met the requirements for obtaining the IFP. So after I first receive the IFP,
I loaded up my saved files and checked each statistic by itself to see what
impact, if any, it would have on the results. For instance, when I wanted to
check the "Continue" statistic, I allowed myself to use a "continue" once,
beat the game, and checked to see if it had any effect on whether or not I was
awarded the IFP. Keep in mind that each statistic was tested individually.
- The "Play Time" statistic was narrowed down to a game completed 4:50:xx, in
which I was awarded the IFP, and a game completed in 5:01:28, in which I was
not awarded the IFP. From this, I assumed that the established time limit is
5:00:00.
- The "Saves" statistic was first narrowed down to between 21 and 26. I
checked 25 saves first since it seems like a nice number, and as it turned
out, 25 is indeed the limit for number of saves.
- The "Seriously Injured" statistic was narrowed down to 19, 20, and 22.
Twenty turned out to be the absolute limit for this statistic.
- The "Continue," "Alert Mode," "Humans Killed," and "Life Medicine Used"
statistics were tested and all share a "Zero" tolerance rule.
====================
= IV. Easy Way Out =
====================
First off, I would like to credit tetra244 on the MGS3 GameFAQs.com boards for
informing us of this method unlocking the IFP.
The requirements for obtaining the IFP using this method are:
- Capture a live Tsuchinoko before reaching the torture scene.
- Recapture a live Tsuchinoko before finishing the game.
- Keep your captured Tsuchinoko alive in your inventory until Operation
Snake Eater is complete.
To catch your first Tsuchinoko, you absolutely must use a mousetrap! The
Tsuchinoko cannot be detected via the Sonar, Motion Detector, or Thermal
Goggles items until you have caught one.
Once you have caught a Tsuchinoko, do not attempt to eat or dispose of it. You
are allowed only one Tsuchinoko per game(*)! Doing so at any point before your
food items are taken away after the torture scene will prevent a Tsuchinoko
appearing in the Tikhogornyj area.
As stated above, your food items are confiscated by the time you are put into
a jail cell on the Groznyj Grad base. To recapture a Tsuchinoko, you must
tranquilize it in the Tikhogornyj area after you receive your equipment from
Eva. The Tsuchinoko spawns about one in-game meter southeast of the tree
nearest to the path that leads to the Tikhogornyj: Behind Waterfall area.
>From here, finish the game as you normally would with a live Tsuchinoko. You
are given the Infinity Face Paint as a reward for your contribution to Major
Zero's Unidentified Mysterious Animal Watcher club and science in general.
You can use special items such as the EZ Gun and the Stealth item and still
unlock the IFP this way.
Once again, all credit goes to tetra244 for discovering this method.
(*) - This statement is true for the majority of people who play MGS3. For
the curious gamers, know that it is possible to catch more than one.
For details, look into the questions section.
--------------------------------
Trick to catching the Tsuchinoko
--------------------------------
Does it seem like your mousetraps never catch a Tsuchinoko? Want to know why?
The reason this happens is because each animal in a certain area has a
corresponding value. This value is used to determine the probability of which
animal you will catch using the mousetrap.
For instance, let us look at the Graniny Gorki South area. The live animals in
the area are: Green Tree Pythons, Reticulated Pythons, Poison Dart Frogs,
Magpies, and a Japanese Flying Squirrel. It is safe to assume that each of
these animals are assigned a point value. For example:
Green Tree Python - 2 points
Reticulated Python - 3 points
Tsuchinoko - t points
The points, in turn are summed up to create value "x" which is used to
determine the chances of which animal you catch through using a mousetrap.
So the probability of catching a Green Tree Python would be 2/x.
Since there is a maximum of one live, uncaptured Tsuchinoko is any designated
area, every other live animal will slim down your chances of quickly catching
a Tsuchinoko.
The trick to catching a Tsuchinoko the first time you lay down a mousetrap is
to change the current probabilty to equal t/x. In other words, you must kill
every other live animal in the area so that only the Tsuchinoko will be
accounted for when the game derives the probability for catching one after you
set the mousetrap. The first time I went to catch a Tsuchinoko, I stumbled
across this trick, but didn't realize that it helped out until I tried
catching the Tsuchinoko in a second game.
The most hassle-free location I have found thus far for catching a Tsuchinoko
is Bolshaya Past South. This is the area that contains the series of
electrified fences. The only animals present in this area are the guard dogs,
which are insignificant as far as the mousetrap is concerned. You simply need
to set a mousetrap here and wait for a short amount of time until your
Tsuchinoko appears.
--------------------------------
Waiting Times for the Tsuchinoko
--------------------------------
The time you wait for a mousetrap to catch any animal is random as far as I've
seen. In the case of the Tsuchinoko, let us take a look at the Bolshaya Past
South area. In my several attempts to catch a Tsuchinoko in this area to verify
the validity of labelling it as a Tsuchinoko Capture Location, it never took
more than five minutes until I caught a Tsuchinoko. I tested several different
spots on this map to ensure that there was no one exclusive spot to place a
mousetrap. However, many people have complained to me via e-mail as well as on
the GameFAQs.com boards that they were unable to catch one in this area, or had
to wait for an extended period of time. This leads me to believe that the time
you wait is either: 1)dependent on external variables, or 2)random.
The solution for this problem you say? Do NOT set mousetraps in the area then
physically leave the game (i.e. sleep, eat, etc.), expecting a Tsuchinoko to be
caught by the time you return. Do NOT set mousetraps and leave them in the game
to do other things, expecting a Tsuchinoko to be caught by the time you return.
You SHOULD set your mousetraps, then move so they are off-screen or leave the
area, and wait for five to ten minutes or until something is caught if it is
sooner than five to ten minutes. If you haven't caught a Tsuchinoko, then pick
the mousetraps up, and place them in different spots. If you are feeling overly
frustrated with the map that you are trying to catch the Tsuchinoko on, move
onto a different map. There are at least 10 different maps you can catch a
Tsuchinoko on, which are listed below, so do not feel as if you have to restrict
yourself to that one map.
----------------------------
Tsuchinoko Capture Locations
----------------------------
[Operation Snake Eater]
1. Dremuchij Swampland
2. Dremuchij North
3. Chyornyj Prud
4. Bolshaya Past South
5. Graniny Gorki South
6. Svyatogornyj South
7. Svyatogornyj East
8. Sokrovenno North
9. Sokrovenno South
10. Sokrovenno West
Note: The mousetrap does not have to be set in a specific spot within the
named area. You can set the mousetrap in any spot within the area so
long as it is not in the proximity of the exit. If the full game screen
narrows down to a wide screen format to signify that you are close to
an exit, do not place a mousetrap in that spot.
Note: If the location is marked "Unconfirmed," it means that I have not yet
personally verified this yet. Once the area has been checked, I will
update this guide. Please do not e-mail me about this as I am already
in the verification process.
-------------------
Mousetrap Locations
-------------------
[Operation Virtuous Mission]
1. Rassvet: NE (relative to the map) section of the crawl-space underneath the
building.
2. Rassvet: Shake down Ocelot after the cutscene.
Note: You can have these mousetraps carry over to Operation Snake Eater.
Simply set them anywhere areound Rassvet. During Operation Snake Eater,
the mousetraps will still be laying in the same spot you set them during
Operation Virtuous Mission.
[Operation Snake Eater]
1. Bolshaya Past Base: Inside the provisions storehouse.
2. Bolshaya Past Base: Inside the east room of the building south of the
provisions storehouse. Under the southernmost bed.
3. Graniny Gokri Lab: Inside the last jail cell.
B1 East (Thanks to solidsnake_cs@***.com for reminding me.)
4. Ponizovje Warehouse: Inside the provisions storeroom.
=======================
= V. Common Questions =
=======================
- Do I need to have beaten the game before I can get the IFP?
No. It is possible to get the IFP in a new game. However, beginning the
game with all of the extra camouflage equipment makes obtaining the IFP
much easier.
- Is it possible to get both the "Stealth" item and the IFP in the same game?
Yes, it is possible as it has been confirmed by myself and others amongst
the GameFAQs.com forums. In fact, I was able to obtain the "SAA," the
"Patriot," "Stealth," the "IFP," and the "Tuxedo" camo all from an entirely
new game.
- By meeting all of the requirements for getting the IFP, will I also receive
the "Stealth" item if I do not have it yet?
Yes, you do receive the "Stealth" item along with the IFP if you do not have
it yet. Keep in mind that this will only happen if you unlock the IFP via
the statistic requirements. If you are using the Tsuchinoko method, you will
have to maintain a zero alert statistic until you complete the game.
- Is it possible to capture more than one Tsuchinoko?
Yes, it is possible to catch more than one Tsuchinoko. In fact, it is
possible to fill your entire food inventory with Tsuchinokos. Doing so,
however, involves a very time time-consuming process. Here is the process:
-Catch a Tsuchinoko but do not pick it up.
-Pick up all of your other mousetraps so only the Tsuchinoko remains.
-Exit the area, then re-enter and repeat the process.
Seems simple, yes? However, the game will register that you have caught one
the moment you pick one up. Once that happens, the game will not allow you
to capture another Tsuchinoko for the rest of the game, or until you reach
the waterfall area if you haven't yet gotten there. Considering that you
can hold a total of 19 food items, it's a battle of time and patience to
fill you inventory with them especially since they will start to disappear
after a certain amount of time.
Also, keeping in mind an average gamer who will pick up the Tsuchinoko
immediately after catching one, I decided to state that you are allowed
only a maximum of one Tsuchinoko during any point of the game.
- Can I still get the IFP after getting "Stealth" via Frogs/Rank?
Yes, you can get the IFP even after getting "Stealth" as this is how it
happened to me the first time I got the IFP.
- Do I need to have a certain rank in order to obtain the IFP?
No, you do not need to have a certain rank to obtain the IFP. You simply
need to meet all of the requirements. Your rank is derived from your
end game statistics, not the other way around. It has been proven that
receiving the IFP is not limited to a single rank.
- Can I use the SAA/Patriot in the same game I am trying to get the IFP?
Yes, you may use those weapons as they are not considered to be special
items. However, keep in mind that you are still required to have zero kills,
so do not use them with the intent of killing any guards or bosses. Restrict
their use to conserving ammo of other weapons while hunting for stamina
replenishing items or simply shooting at walls.
- Can I use the "Mummy" or "Grenade" downloadable camos to get the IFP?
Yes, you can use the downloadable camos since they do not count as special
items. [Thanks to SWEETSIN for confirming this]
- If I use the IFP, will it count as a "Special Item" used on the statistic
screen at the end of the game?
Yes, the IFP is considered a "Special Item." So if you are planning to gain
a certain rank, do not equip the IFP at all.
- Can I use the "Time Travel" trick to beat The End and still receive the IFP?
Yes, using this trick will not count towards your final kill count. The End
'kicks the bucket' due to natural causes. However, you still not gain the
Mosin Nagant by using this trick. To use the "Time Travel" trick, first save
the game once the battle with The End begins. Then reset your PS2 and enter
the "System Configuration" screen and advance the internal clock ahead by
ten days or so. Restart your game, and you'll be notified that you can no
longer fight The End since he has already died.
- Can I still kill animals such as the guard dogs or The End's parrot?
Yes, should you feel the need to satisfy any violent desires. They will not
count towards your final kill count.
- Can I still shoot at the enemies during the motorcycle chase scenes?
Yes, however you are limited to non-lethal weapons, such as the Mk22 or the
Mosin Nagant, only! As long as you aren't directly killing them, it will not
count towards your final kill count. This means you can shoot at both the
enemies that are riding motorcycles and the enemies that are riding the
flying platforms. An even better idea during the bike scenes is to wear the
Cold War camo from Volgin. While you are facing the enemies, they will not
shoot at you. It's definitely easier than trying to tranquilize them.
- Will drowning guards/throwing guards off ledges or cliffs/guard falling to
his death after being tranquilized/pushing guards onto an electrified fence
count as a kill?
I have received numerous e-mails concerning the previous answer I've provided
to this question. Thus, I decided to group these questions together and clear
up any confusion. While I gathering data to form a response to these
questions, I received mixed responses from the MGS3 community. Some replies
claimed that they do not count as a kill, whereas other replies refuted that
claim. Because of this, I highly recommend that you do not attempt to try
indirectly killing any guard if you are trying to unlock the IFP via
statistics. If you are using the Tsuchinoko method, it is up to your
discretion to go out of the way or not to be cruel to the guards.
- Can I get the IFP on the "Very Easy" or "Easy" difficulties?
"Very Easy" is the only difficulty that you cannot unlock the IFP
statistic-wise. You can, however, use the Tsuchinoko method to unlock the
IFP on "Very Easy" [Several people have e-mailed me about this. So I shall
award the credit to the GameFAQs.com MGS3 forums.] It still seems silly to
me for wanting to unlock the IFP on "Very Easy" since you nearly have
infinite ammo compared to the other difficulties.
- Do Cautions or Evasions count as alerts? For that matter, do exclaimation
points or question marks above the guards' heads count as alerts?
No they do not count as alerts. As long as the red "Alert" timer doesn't
initiate, you are in good condition.
- If I go into the Survival Viewer or the Radio/Codec screen, will it pause
the game timer?
No, the game timer will run even if you are just changing camos or calling
Para-Medic. This includes saving the game, so be aware that you cannot enter
the Survival Viewer, and leave the game thinking everything will be just
peachy when you come back.
- Does it matter which SAA I choose in the WIG?
No, the choice you make here will have no impact on whether or not you will
receive the IFP.
- How do I beat the _____ boss? / How do I get past the _____ area without
triggering an alert?
Please refer to IndRockMonster's Boss Guide if you are having problems
dealing with bosses. If you are having trouble with a certain area, I
recommend taking a look at El Greco's Walkthrough. If the area is not yet
listed in his guide, please do not e-mail me asking how to go about passing
the area that you are having problems with.
- How can I get past the GRU/Spetsnaz/Ocelot soldiers?
As stated above, please refer to an appropriate FAQ. I do not wish to
receive e-mails asking for advice in these situations.
===========================
= VI. Progress|Time Guide =
===========================
End of Virtuous Mission: 00:10:00 - 00:15:00
Reach Spetznaz Unit: 00:15:00 - 00:20:00
Beginning of battle vs. Ocelot: 00:25:00 - 00:30:00
Beginning of battle vs. The Pain: 00:30:00 - 00:40:00
Reach Warehouse: Exterior: 00:40:00 - 00:50:00
Receive Key from Granin: 00:50:00 - 01:00:00
Beginning of battle vs. The Fear: 01:00:00 - 01:10:00
Beginning of battle vs. The End: 01:10:00 - 01:20:00
Receive Key from Eva: 01:30:00 - 01:35:00
Beginning of battle vs. The Fury: 01:35:00 - 01:40:00
Receive Officer Uniform: 01:45:00 - 01:55:00
Reach Jail Cell after Torture Scene: 01:55:00 - 02:05:00
Beginning of battle vs. The Sorrow: 02:05:00 - 02:15:00
Beginning of battle vs. Volgin: 02:15:00 - 02:25:00
Reach Zaozyorje West: 02:40:00 - 02:50:00
Beginning of battle vs. The Boss: 02:50:00 - 03:00:00
By aiming for the checkpoints that I have listed, you have an allowance of
nearly 2 hours, with which, you can set your own pace for the game.
=========================
= VII. Acknowledgements =
=========================
animeflip306: I would like to set aside a special thanks to animeflip306 for
not only proving that you can indeed earn both the "Stealth"
item and the Infinity Face Paint in the same game, but for also
providing video proof. Not only did you provide videos for the
results screen, but also video walkthroughs of some of the more
difficult areas in the game.
tetra244: All credit for discovering the alternate method of obtaining the
IFP goes to tetra244.
The following (in alphabetical order) have contributed COMPLETE data from the
end of game results screen, thereby proving the limits I set forth to be true,
or to bring new light upon statistics that I was incorrect about:
b4h4mu7
dyirmz
foreverdone
Kenet
OmniCell
Psychatog123
RedLimit
roskof
skyboy26
SnakeXs
Xenogrudge5
ytdb
==========================
= VIII. Legal Disclaimer =
==========================
This document is Copyright 2004 Randy Gamboa. This may not be reproduced
except for personal, private use. It may not be placed on any web site or
otherwise distributed publicly without prior consent from the author. Use
of this guide on any other web site or as a part of any public display
without prior consent from the author is strictly prohibited, and a
violation of copyright.
----------------------------------
SITES PERMITTED TO HOST THIS GUIDE
----------------------------------
- GameFAQs.com <http://www.gamefaqs.com>
- Gamespot.com <http://www.gamespot.com>
- StuckGamer.com <http://www.stuckgamer.com>
- Metal Gear <http://metalgearsolid3uk.entertainment-iuk.com/>
Solid 3 UK
- Supercheats.com <http://www.supercheats.com
===============
= IX. Contact =
===============
Should you have any questions or comments concerning thie guide send me an
e-mail with "Metal Gear Solid" as the subject title. If you do not take the
time to make your e-mail comprehensible, I shall not take the time to try and
understand you message. I do not wish to receive pointless e-mails, so if you
bother sending one, you shall be blocked. If you have something to contribute
or correct content/spelling/grammar-wise, send me an e-mail. Credit will be
given for those who have helpful submissions. My e-mail address is
Randy1085(at)yahoo.com. My user name is "Katamari" on GameFAQs.com and
"Midori_chan!" on Gamespot.com.
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