In the fast-paced world ofNotoriety, stealth is just as important as firepower. One of the most effective ways to handle guards and civilians without raising alarms is by knocking them out. Knowing how to knock people out in Notoriety can mean the difference between a silent heist and a chaotic shootout. Whether you’re trying to stay undetected during a stealth run or want to reduce the number of threats before things go loud, understanding the mechanics behind takedowns is essential. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about incapacitating enemies quickly and quietly.
Understanding Knockouts in Notoriety
Knocking someone out in Notoriety refers to taking down an NPC (either a guard or a civilian) in a non-lethal way. This method is primarily used in stealth missions where maintaining a low profile is critical. Instead of using firearms that make noise and attract attention, players can silently disable threats and continue the heist undetected.
Knockouts are achieved using melee attacks, special equipment, or certain strategies that rely on timing and positioning. You can’t just run up and start swinging knocking someone out effectively requires planning and understanding how NPCs behave.
Why Knockouts Matter
Here’s why knocking out NPCs is a valuable tactic in the game:
- Maintains stealth: Avoid triggering alarms or alerts that can complicate your objective.
- Conserves ammo: You save your bullets for when things truly go loud.
- Provides control: Fewer active enemies means a safer environment to complete your goals.
- Enables objective completion: Some tasks require a stealth approach, and knockouts help make that possible.
How to Knock People Out in Notoriety
To knock out NPCs efficiently in Notoriety, you need to follow a few core steps. Timing, stealth, and choosing the right tools are all crucial. Let’s look at each of these in detail.
Step 1: Equip a Melee Weapon
The first requirement for a knockout is having a melee weapon equipped. You can choose from a range of melee tools like the baton, knife, or fist. Each has different speeds and animations, but all can be used to knock someone out if aimed properly.
- Baton: Quick and quiet, perfect for guards.
- Fist: Slower but still effective, often used early in the game.
- Knife: Fast and reliable, but may not be non-lethal depending on the settings.
Make sure your melee weapon is set to non-lethal if you’re aiming to knock out rather than kill.
Step 2: Approach from Behind
To successfully knock someone out, you must approach them from behind while undetected. Guards and civilians have vision cones, meaning they can only see in front of them. Stay out of their line of sight and move quietly.
Use crouch mode to reduce the sound of your movement. Keep an eye on patrol patterns and wait for the right moment. The best time to strike is when the NPC turns around or stops moving. Stay patient and don’t rush the takedown.
Step 3: Use the Takedown Command
Once you’re close enough, use the melee attack command to initiate the knockout. Your character will perform a takedown animation, and the NPC will be rendered unconscious. Timing is key press too soon or from the wrong angle, and you’ll alert the target instead.
If you’re unsure, test your timing in offline mode or during early levels where the stakes are lower. With practice, you’ll be able to perform clean takedowns quickly and efficiently.
Step 4: Manage the Body
After knocking someone out, the body remains in place. If another guard or civilian sees the unconscious NPC, they will raise the alarm. Always move the body to a hidden location after a knockout.
- Drag the body into a dark corner or behind furniture.
- Use body bags if available to fully conceal them.
- Close doors behind you to keep the scene hidden.
Managing bodies is a crucial part of stealth gameplay. A good knockout followed by poor cleanup can still end in disaster.
Best Situations to Use Knockouts
Not every moment is right for a knockout. Knowing when and where to strike is just as important as knowing how. Here are the ideal situations:
Patrolling Guards
Guards who move along predictable paths are perfect targets. Wait for them to isolate themselves from others before striking.
Camera Blind Spots
Some areas are out of camera view. Lure guards into these spots and knock them out without risking detection by surveillance.
Solo Civilians
Civilians often react unpredictably, but if they’re alone, you can take them down to prevent them from calling the police or warning others.
Tips to Improve Knockout Efficiency
Improving your knockout skills takes practice and attention to detail. Here are some tips to help you master this stealth mechanic:
- Invest in stealth perksthat improve melee speed or reduce noise.
- Use sound distractionslike pagers or deployable noise tools to lure NPCs into ambush zones.
- Watch patrol patternsclosely before moving in.
- Work with your teamto coordinate takedowns in multiplayer sessions.
- Learn map layoutsto find optimal ambush spots and hiding locations.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced players make errors when trying to knock people out. Avoid these common pitfalls to stay efficient and stealthy:
- Attacking from the front always flank the target.
- Forgetting to hide bodies leads to alarms every time.
- Ignoring camera placement cameras can catch your knockout.
- Not checking for nearby NPCs others may hear or see the action.
Advanced Tactics
Once you’re comfortable with basic knockouts, you can explore more advanced strategies:
Chain Knockouts
If two NPCs are close together but not facing each other, you can take one down and immediately disable the other before they react. This takes speed and confidence, but it’s possible with practice.
Luring Techniques
Throw items or trigger minor alerts to lure guards into isolated areas. This is a strategic way to separate targets from groups before knocking them out.
Coordinated Team Knockouts
In co-op gameplay, coordinate with teammates to take down multiple targets at the same time. Count down and execute the melee attacks simultaneously for maximum effect.
Learning how to knock people out in Notoriety is a vital part of mastering the game’s stealth mechanics. From equipping the right melee weapon to choosing the right moment, every decision you make affects your success. When done correctly, knockouts keep your operation quiet, efficient, and professional. Practice in lower-risk heists, observe enemy behavior, and refine your timing to become a silent enforcer in every mission. Whether you’re playing solo or with a crew, stealth knockouts will always be one of the smartest tools in your criminal arsenal.