Of all the enduring mysteries and challenges within the sprawling, open-world tactical espionage opus Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, the acquisition of advanced weaponry stands as a primary driver for exploration and progression. While the game generously provides basic arms, the true power—the silenced lethal and non-lethal arsenals, the heavy machine guns, and the game-changing rocket launchers—is locked behind the collection of Weapon Blueprints. These invaluable documents are scattered across the war-torn landscapes of Afghanistan and Central Africa, hidden in outposts, crash sites, and secret research facilities. This guide serves as your comprehensive resource for locating these crucial blueprints, methodically organized to empower you to build the ultimate arsenal for Mother Base.
Understanding the Importance of Blueprints
Before embarking on your collection spree, it's crucial to understand why these blueprints matter. Simply put, finding a blueprint is the only way to unlock that weapon for development in the iDroid menu. Without the blueprint, even if you have the required GMP and resources, the weapon will remain greyed out. Furthermore, many blueprints unlock multiple variants of a weapon. For instance, finding the blueprint for the AM MRS-71 rifle unlocks the base model, followed by progressively advanced grades (e.g., Grade 2, Grade 3, etc.) as you fulfill other development prerequisites. This system directly ties your exploration efforts to your combat effectiveness, rewarding thoroughness with superior firepower.
General Tips for Blueprint Hunting
- Use Your Int-Scope: Your most valuable tool is the binoculars. Tag every enemy in an outpost from a distance to plan your infiltration route.
- Listen for Intel Team Updates: Your support team will often radio in with hints. Phrases like, "We've got intel on a valuable material in the area," frequently point to the presence of a blueprint or key resource.
- Look for Glowing Crates: Blueprints are always found inside small, distinctive wooden crates that emit a soft yellow glow. They are identical to the crates containing key resources like Biological Materials or Precious Metals.
- Check Every Building: Blueprints are often tucked away in obscure corners, on desks, inside shacks, or even on elevated platforms. Leave no stone unturned.
- Utilize Quiet and D-Dog: Both buddies are exceptional for locating collectibles. D-Dog, once fully developed, can mark resources and key items (including blueprints) on your map. Quiet can also scout areas and mark targets and items when given the order.
Key Afghanistan Blueprint Locations
Central Base Camp:
- Blueprint: UN-ARC-NL (Non-Lethal Assault Rifle) - Located in the large building at the northern end of the base, on the second floor in a small office room.
Wakh Sind Barracks:
- Blueprint: Burkov (Pistol) - Found in the eastern part of the base, inside a long barracks building on a desk.
Da Smasei Laman:
- Blueprint: SVG-76 (Assault Rifle) - Located at the very top of the ancient ruins. Requires careful climbing or use of a helicopter drop-off on the summit.
Da Ghwandai Khar:
- Blueprint: Kabarga-83 (Shotgun) - Inside the main cave tunnel system. From the entrance, take the first left and look for a small alcove on the right side before the large open area.
Yakho Oboo Supply Depot:
- Blueprint: Hail MGR-4 (Grenade Launcher) - Found inside one of the two large hangars in the center of the depot, on a shelf.
Spugmay Keep:
- Blueprint: AM MRS-71 (Sniper Rifle) - This is a critical early-game find. It's located on a wooden table in the watchtower at the very top of the fortress. Reaching it requires a full, stealthy ascent.
OKB Zero:
- Blueprint: CGM 25 (Anti-Tank Missile Launcher) - This late-game area houses a powerful blueprint. After passing through the underground tunnel, you'll emerge near a large radar dish. The blueprint is in a small storage room in the building adjacent to the dish.
Key Africa Blueprint Locations
Mfinda Oilfield:
- Blueprint: Rasp Short-Barrel (SMG) - Located inside the central refinery structure, on a walkway overlooking the main floor.
- Blueprint: Geist P3 (Pistol) - In the administrative building at the southern end of the facility, on a desk in an upstairs office.
Kiziba Camp:
- Blueprint: URAGAN-5 (Revolver) - Found in the prison block area. It's inside the warden's office, which is the building with the communication equipment antenna on its roof.
Ngumba Industrial Zone:
- Blueprint: Brennan LRS-46 (Sniper Rifle) - Located in the building complex on the western side of the river. It's on the upper floor of a partially destroyed structure.
- Blueprint: Hi-Hedge (Claymore Mine) - In the same complex, check the small storage shack near the western cliff edge.
Lufwa Valley:
- Blueprint: Serval (Anti-Material Rifle) - One of the most powerful sniper rifles. The blueprint is found in the small "Lufwa Valley" area on the map, just south of the mansion. It's inside a decrepit shack nestled in the rocky valley.
Gova Airport:
- Blueprint: FB MR R-Launcher (Rocket Launcher) - Located inside the main airport hangar, on a workbench against the wall.
Nova Braga Airport:
- Blueprint: stun Arm (For D-Walker) - This is inside the large airport hangar. It's on a metal shelf near some vehicles and crates.
A Final Word on Strategy
Rushing into every outpost guns blazing is a surefire way to miss these well-hidden items. The core design of The Phantom Pain encourages methodical, patient exploration. Approach each location as a puzzle box to be solved. Use nighttime and sandstorms for cover, distract guards with magazines or Noisemakers, and Fulton extract everyone and everything of value once the blueprint is secured. The effort you invest in hunting down these blueprints will pay massive dividends, transforming Snake from a vulnerable fugitive into a legendary, undetectable phantom armed with the most sophisticated technology on the battlefield. Now, go forth and develop your arsenal.
