007 First Light: All TacSim Challenges

007 First Light TacSim challenges are a big part of the game’s long-term content. The Tactical Simulation mode – short for Immersive Agent Training and Tactical Simulator – is a separate game mode with its own missions, rewards, and challenge lists. If you want to earn Intel, unlock gadgets, and prove you are the best Double-O agent, here is every TacSim challenge broken down by category.

TL;DR – TacSim Challenges at a Glance

• TacSim is an optional mode accessible from the main menu or Q’s basement during the story.
• There are 12 standard global challenges and 6 specialised training programs split across Escalations and Operations.
• Completing challenges earns Intel, which you spend in the TacSim Shop on gadgets, weapons, and cosmetics.
• Three unique trophies/achievements are tied to TacSim: What If…?, A Change of Pace, and The Readiness is All.
• No unique story outfit is locked behind TacSim, but the Intel rewards and unlocks are worth it.
• Each Escalation has tiers: The Training, The Test, and The Showdown, escalating in difficulty.

What Is TacSim in 007 First Light?

TacSim stands for Immersive Agent Training and Tactical Simulator. It is an optional game mode you can access directly from the main menu or from Q’s basement at certain points in the campaign. It gives Bond a series of combat and stealth challenges to complete in isolated environments pulled from the game’s locations.

As you complete TacSim missions, you earn Intel – the mode’s dedicated currency. Spend Intel in the TacSim Shop to buy new gadgets, weapons, and cosmetic rewards. The mode is also being used by IO Interactive as the primary vehicle for future post-launch content, so it will keep growing over time.

TacSim is available from early in the game. The first Escalation, Advanced Tactical Training, unlocks right after Bond returns from the nightclub mission. If you want to know exactly when TacSim becomes available, check the how long to beat guide for a clear sense of the game’s pacing.

All Standard TacSim Challenges

These challenges are global. That means you can complete them in any TacSim mission, not just specific ones. Complete as many of these as possible while working through the Escalations and Operations to maximise your Intel gains.

• TacSim Hub Introduction – Complete the guided tutorial inside the Tactical Simulation Hub. This is almost impossible to miss. Just launch TacSim and follow Selina through the objective markers.
• Classified Papers – Collect a file on the floor opposite the TacSim mission board, by the workstation with a plant. The description is [REDACTED] in-game, making it easy to overlook.
• Full Pockets – Use four different gadgets during a single mission. Equip the Q-Watch plus three gadgets bought from the TacSim Shop, then use all four during your run.
• The Driver – Complete any mission wearing the Chauffeur outfit. This outfit unlocks after finishing all challenges in the All the Time in the World category.
• Shotgun Specialist – Complete any mission only eliminating enemies using a shotgun. Advanced Tactical Training works well here. Purchase a shotgun from the TacSim Shop first and equip it before starting.
• Pistol Specialist – Complete any mission only eliminating enemies using a pistol. Advanced Tactical Training is ideal since the mission naturally uses pistols anyway.
• Dropping In – Do three takedowns from above in a single mission. Advanced Close Combat Training has plenty of elevated positions with enemies below.
• The Chemist – Complete a mission with at least three chemical gadgets and no battery gadgets equipped. The Phone Dart, Smoke Pod, Flash Mine, and Missile Pen all count as chemical gadgets.
• The Technologist – Complete a mission with at least three battery gadgets and no chemical gadgets equipped. The Laser Strap, Q-Watch, and Shockwave Camera are your battery gadget options.
• All In – Grab rush two enemies over a ledge in a mission. Hold R2/RT near an enemy at a ledge edge to trigger the grab rush. Arctic Skies is built around this mechanic. For more detail on the technique, the how to rush over an edge guide covers it fully.
• Mix It Up – Eliminate enemies with at least three different weapon types during a single mission. The Assault is the best choice here since enemies carry a wide variety of weapons you can pick up and use.
• It Wasn’t Me – Do a takedown and then a bluff within 10 seconds. In Lords of Rust, take out an enemy in the open without being spotted, then immediately press Circle/B to bluff the nearest enemy who reacts.

For broader gadget strategy across the game, the all gadgets guide and best gadget loadout guide are worth checking before you start equipping for TacSim runs. Also, if you haven’t unlocked your fourth gadget slot yet, the guide on getting the fourth gadget slot explains exactly how.

All Escalation Challenges in TacSim

Escalations are the core TacSim missions. Each one has three difficulty tiers – The Training, The Test, and The Showdown – plus a set of unique challenges tied to that specific scenario. Work through them in order since later tiers are locked until earlier ones are completed.

Advanced Tactical Training Challenges

This is the first Escalation available and acts as a hands-on tutorial for combat mechanics. It is the easiest of the Escalations.

• Advanced Tactical Training 1 – Complete tier 1. This is a guided tutorial. Follow the button prompts as they appear.
• Advanced Tactical Training 2 – Complete tier 2. You need to perform a vault disarm, a charged attack, a double leg shot, a Focus Headshot, and a shoot disarm. All of these are demonstrated with on-screen prompts during the tier.
• Advanced Tactical Training 3 – Complete tier 3. Face 13 enemies in the Iceland compound. Going loud will trigger 6 reinforcement enemies including one with a sniper rifle, so stealth or a fast aggressive clear is recommended.

Advanced Close Combat Training Challenges

This Escalation focuses entirely on melee combat and is where takedown techniques like dropping in from above are easiest to practice.

• Advanced Close Combat Training 1 – Complete tier 1 following the combat tutorial objectives.
• Advanced Close Combat Training 2 – Complete tier 2. The melee mechanics from tier 1 are tested here under real pressure.
• Advanced Close Combat Training 3 – Complete tier 3. The final tier is a full combat gauntlet with no shortcuts.

If you are struggling with the parry timing in close combat, the how to parry guide covers the window and technique clearly.

Lords of Rust Challenges

Lords of Rust is where stealth and bluff mechanics are tested in a more open environment. This is the best Escalation for completing It Wasn’t Me.

• Lords of Rust 1 – Complete tier 1 of the Lords of Rust Escalation.
• Lords of Rust 2 – Complete tier 2. Stealth routing becomes important here.
• Lords of Rust 3 – Complete tier 3. Plan your approach carefully and use bluffs to avoid alerts spiralling out of control.

The bluff mechanic is also used across the campaign. If you want to understand when to use bluffs versus takedowns more broadly, the when to bluff, lure, or take down guide is a solid reference.

The Assault Challenges

The Assault is a combat-heavy Escalation where enemies carry a wide range of weapons. It has 8 challenges in total and is the best place to complete Mix It Up and weapon-type challenges.

• The Assault 1 – Complete tier 1 of The Assault.
• The Assault 2 – Complete tier 2. Enemy variety increases here.
• The Assault 3 – Complete tier 3. This is the hardest Assault tier and requires efficient weapon switching and positioning.

Arctic Skies Challenges

Arctic Skies is built around the grab rush mechanic and has enemies positioned near ledges and drops throughout. It is the easiest Escalation for completing All In.

• Arctic Skies 1 – Complete tier 1 of Arctic Skies.
• Arctic Skies 2 – Complete tier 2. The environment becomes more hazardous as the tier progresses.
• Arctic Skies 3 – Complete tier 3 and deal with the most challenging enemy layout in the Escalation.

Clean Infiltrations Challenges

Clean Infiltrations is the stealth-focused Escalation. Ghost runs and no-alert clears are the theme throughout. Patience matters more here than in any other TacSim mission.

• Clean Infiltrations 1 – Complete tier 1 without triggering alerts.
• Clean Infiltrations 2 – Complete tier 2. Enemy patrol patterns get tighter.
• Clean Infiltrations 3 – Complete tier 3. A full ghost run with no margin for error at this level.

All Operation Challenges in TacSim

Operations are longer, more complex TacSim missions compared to Escalations. They combine multiple mechanics and tend to have their own unique challenge conditions rather than the standard tier format.

The Garden Party Challenges

The Garden Party is one of the Operations available in TacSim. It blends social infiltration with stealth and combat, making it one of the more varied TacSim missions.

• The Garden Party Operation challenges – Complete each objective within the Operation’s unique parameters. Watch for challenge-specific conditions tied to disguises, gadgets, and target interactions during your run.

Disguise-based challenges in TacSim use the same mechanics found across the main campaign. If you need a refresher on how disguises work in practice, the how to change outfits guide is helpful, and the full outfits list shows everything available to equip.

TacSim Trophies and Achievements

Three trophies and achievements are directly tied to TacSim progress:

• What If…? – Unlocked by completing specific parameters inside the virtual testing grounds.
• A Change of Pace – Tied to completing a TacSim milestone.
• The Readiness is All – Awarded for reaching a specific TacSim completion threshold.

If you are going for the platinum or full achievement list, the trophy and achievement guide has all 37 listed with unlock conditions.

Tips for Completing TacSim Challenges Efficiently

A few things are worth knowing before you dive in. First, buy your gadgets from the TacSim Shop before starting a run. Several challenges are locked until you own specific items, and launching without the right loadout wastes a full attempt.

Second, run the standard global challenges alongside Escalation-specific ones. Most standard challenges like Full Pockets, The Chemist, and Dropping In can be knocked out during your normal Escalation playthroughs without needing dedicated runs.

Third, treat earlier tiers as practice. Tier 1 and Tier 2 of each Escalation are not just required gates – they are the safest place to learn enemy layouts and patrol routes before you attempt the harder Tier 3 versions.

Finally, if you want to review Intel spending and what the TacSim Shop offers before committing, the how to get Intel clearance level guide explains how the progression system works and what unlocks at each tier.

All Global Challenges and Collectibles

TacSim challenges are separate from the game’s story challenges and collectibles, but if you are working toward full completion across the whole game, the all global challenges guide and the all missions, challenges, and collectibles hub are the two most useful reference points.

For dialogue-heavy missions where you are also managing challenge conditions, the A Night Out dialogue choices and outcomes guide is worth reading since that mission unlocks TacSim access in the first place.

Where to Get 007 First Light

007 First Light is available on PlayStation Store, Xbox, Steam, and Epic Games Store. More about the game from the developer can be found on the IO Interactive official page.