Desperados III is a ruthless Wild West real-time tactics game where you command a ragtag band of outlaws. You’ll need to combine the unique skills of characters like John Cooper and Hector, who initially struggle to cooperate, to overcome seemingly superior foes. It’s a deep strategy experience that requires careful planning and on-the-fly decisions as you navigate dangerous environments.
This guide is your companion through every mission, offering strategies to overcome challenges and find all the collectibles. We’ll help you tackle tough objectives like finding Hector in Mission 5: O’Hara Ranch, dealing with groups of Long Coats, and completing all Baron Challenges. Plus, we’ll guide you to unlock every badge and achieve the best possible outcome for your gang.
Chapter 1
Your friendly guide to Desperados III's Chapter 1: The Doctor & The Bride. Learn about John Cooper, Doc McCoy, Kate O'Hara, and the initial missions.
Hey there! Ready to dive into the Wild West with Desperados III? This guide is gonna walk you through the very first chapter, 'The Doctor & The Bride,' like we're old pals sharing tips. Think of it as your friendly nudge in the right direction, no lectures here!
So, the story kicks off in 1875. This game is actually a prequel, meaning it tells us how things got started before the first _Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive_. We're going to learn all about John Cooper, the main guy. His whole quest is to track down a bandit named Frank, who, unfortunately, is responsible for the death of John's dad, James Cooper.
Early on, Cooper meets Doctor McCoy. Doc was hired by a big corporation, the DeVitt Company, to protect a train Cooper was on. This train was heading to a town called Flagstone.
Once you get to Flagstone, your buddy Hector Mendoza will fill you in. Turns out, Frank is hanging out at the mansion of the local mayor, who's about to get married.
Now, about that bride-to-be, Kate O'Hara. She's not just marrying the mayor for love; she's trying to get her hands on some important documents related to her family's ranch. But surprise, surprise, the mayor already sold her ranch to the DeVitt Company! Things get heated, and Kate shoots the mayor just as Cooper shows up looking for Frank. You and Kate will have to make a quick escape from the mansion and head over to the O'Hara Ranch to defend it from DeVitt's goons. Doc McCoy joins in to help, and thankfully, you'll manage to fend them off, though Kate's uncle Ian sadly doesn't make it.
Keep an eye out as you progress! The game does a great job of introducing new characters and story elements, so just focus on the mission objectives and you'll be fine. Remember, this is just the beginning of Cooper's journey!
Once Upon a Time
Guide your young John Cooper through the 'Once Upon a Time' prologue in Desperados III. Learn core mechanics, stealth tactics, and how to use distractions to overcome early challenges.
Alright, so this first mission, 'Once Upon a Time,' is basically your grand introduction to Desperados III. You'll be playing as a young John Cooper, and it’s designed to teach you the ropes. Think of it as a prologue and a tutorial all rolled into one.
Walkthrough
- 1You start off following your dad, James Cooper. Just stick with him along the path. Keep an eye out for a tutorial page tucked behind a wagon – grab it to learn about the characters and how their abilities work.
- 2Up ahead, you'll see a guard by a gate. You've got a couple of options here: you can either hop over the nearby house or just duck into the bushes. The key is to get out of his line of sight before you move through the gate.
- 3Once you're past the gate, head behind the wagon. There's another guard you need to deal with. Your trusty coin throw is perfect here – toss it to distract him, making him look the other way so you can advance.
- 4Next up, crouch down and make your way to the bushes ahead. You'll see a horse nearby. Throw another coin at the horse – this is a great way to knock out anyone standing behind it without raising an alarm.
- 5Your dad, James, will handle the other guard for you. Now, the gate ahead is locked. Head west from here and you'll find some vines you can climb. Once you're up, throw the ladder down so James can follow you.
- 6Keep moving forward and get behind the barrels. Ahead, there are three guards. Use your coin distraction again – throw it to make them look away, then you can slip past. After that, climb the ladder and jump over to the next roof.
- 7From the roof, jump down and make your way to the bush on the right. There's an enemy near the cliff. Throw a coin to distract him, and James will move in to knock him out. Remember to tie him up and drag the body into the bush so he doesn't get spotted.
- 8Now, advance further and you'll see some platforms. Jump across them. Then, walk towards the vine. Throw a coin to distract the enemy closest to you. Quickly run to the other side, climb the vine, and interact with the crane. This will take down the enemies below.
- 9Finally, proceed forward and you'll meet up with Cooper's father. This completes the chapter!
Tips
- Don't forget to use the tutorial pages you find. They're there to help you understand the game's mechanics, which are game-changing for later missions.
- Getting a handle on the coin distraction is key. It's your go-to for dealing with guards without resorting to direct confrontation, especially early on.
- Always be mindful of enemy cones of vision. Hiding in bushes and using cover is essential for staying undetected.
- Pay attention to your father's actions; he'll often help out with guards or provide support.
Troublemakers in Flagstone
Guide for Desperados III's Troublemakers in Flagstone mission. Learn how to make 4 deaths look like accidents and bury Josh.
Walkthrough:
- The mission begins with a cutscene (a non-interactive cinematic the game plays automatically) (an in-game cinematic) showing the locations of the gang leaders. After the cutscene, Cooper and Hector will be outside the saloon.
- Hector is playable and can carry two bodies, run with them, and throw them. He can also carry Bianca (a Beartrap), whistle to lure enemies, and perform a one-hit melee kill/stun on Long Coats.
- In the first area, use Bianca and Hector's whistle to lure one of the two bandits and the Longcoat outside enemy view. Takedown the second bandit, then have Hector kill the Longcoat. Leave this area for the city. You can move through the city without suspicion if you avoid acting suspiciously.
- To earn the
Running Late on Payday
Complete the Desperados III Running Late on Payday mission. Learn how to earn badges like saving civilians and killing bandits with dynamite.
Walkthrough
- 1Take the tutorial page ahead to learn about takedowns, then use your knife to deal with the first enemy.
- 2Walk to the bush and throw the knife on the next enemy.
- 3Retrieve your knife, then climb up the ladder and jump over the cars to find a group of civilians you can save for a badge.
- 4Jump down, crouch walk to get the page about firearms, and defeat the gunman ahead. Another enemy will see the body and climb down the ladder; defeat him.
- 5Climb up the train and proceed. Look to the waterfall to find the first golden chicken (there are 3 total for an achievement).
- 6Proceed to find two gunmen pointing guns towards a doctor. You can approach the first and throw your knife at the other, then knock out the one in front of you, or use firearms.
- 7After saving McCoy, he becomes playable. His skills include dragging bodies while crouched, throwing a gas bag to lure and blind enemies, healing himself and others, and a long-range revolver.
- 8Walk across the tree log, hide in the bushes, and throw McCoy's bag to lure an enemy. Take the chance to defeat him and retrieve the bag.
- 9Throw the bag again to lure the next enemy and defeat him.
- 10Deal with an enemy in a sniping point ahead using McCoy's gun. Use Cooper to climb up the vines and throw down the ladder for McCoy.
- 11Walk to the bushes and wait for a patrolling enemy to move away before taking down the first one in a group, then deal with the rest one by one or use showdown mode.
- 12After clearing the area, climb down the ladder and enter showdown mode to take down two enemies near a bush.
- 13You will find another group of civilians held hostage by four enemies. To earn badges for distracting 3 enemies with a coin and killing 3 bandits simultaneously: throw a coin to distract, then use showdown mode to set Cooper to shoot two bandits and McCoy to defeat a third.
- 14After dealing with them, climb up the train. Take down the two bandits on the left once they stop talking.
- 15Head for the bushes and take down the bandit holding civilians hostage while the bandit carrying material is further away. Consider sparing bandits carrying material to kill them with dynamite later for a badge.
- 16Use McCoy's gun to take down the poncho in the sniping point, then deal with the bandit near the rocks.
- 17Take down the hidden dev (Billy “Beer Hatin’ Rugface” Ben) on the east to rescue civilians, then climb the ladder. You can kill 3 enemies by pushing a rock onto them or spare the one carrying material.
- 18Advance and deal with the poncho next to the wagon.
- 19A civilian is held hostage on a platform at the top of the tunnel; if you take too long, they will be killed. Send McCoy to deal with the bandit near the far horse and position him behind the wagon.
- 20Have Cooper climb the rocks, defeat the enemy near the fire camp, and coordinate an attack to take down the enemy near the tents and the one near the wagon.
- 21Position McCoy with a clear shot at the gunwoman. If you kill the bandit above the ladder, she will kill the civilian. Coordinate to defeat both her and the bandit above the ladder simultaneously to rescue the civilian.
- 22Get the dynamite and throw it down to clear the tunnel. The alarm will go off, and bandits will appear. You can kill these bandits using dynamite to earn a badge.
- 23Meet up near the rocks to complete the mission.
Tips
- You can distract enemies with Cooper's coin and take them down one by one.
- Use showdown mode (a mechanic that allows you to queue up actions for your characters) to coordinate attacks.
- Consider separating your characters to deal with enemies more effectively.
- The first hidden dev is John “Bastard Operator” McRoth, operating a crane near the start of the level.
- The second hidden dev is Billy “Beer Hatin’ Rugface” Ben, holding hostages near the train.
- There are 3 golden chickens across the game; killing them earns an achievement.
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