How to Get the 4th Gadget Slot in 007 First Light

The 4th Gadget Slot in 007 First Light is something you will notice is missing right from the start of the game. You begin with 3 out of 4 slots available, and unlocking the final one takes patience. It is not hidden behind a side quest, a collectible, or a TacSim upgrade — you simply have to keep playing through the story. This guide explains exactly when and how the 4th Gadget Slot unlocks and what it means for your loadout.

TL;DR

• You start 007 First Light with only 3 out of 4 gadget slots available.
• The 4th Gadget Slot unlocks during Mission 7: Knightfall, near the end of that mission.
• It is tied to story progression — no side quests, TacSim upgrades, or collectibles required.
• It is not missable. The unlock happens automatically as part of the mission.
• The Q-Watch is always equipped and cannot be removed, so the 4th slot gives you three freely customizable gadget picks.
• The Missile Pen and Laser Strap are recommended for the final slot once unlocked.

How Many Gadget Slots Does 007 First Light Have?

007 First Light has a total of 4 Gadget Slots. These slots are how Bond’s Q-Watch loadout is structured. The Q-Watch and Q-Lens are always equipped and cannot be removed. The remaining slots are where you assign the gadgets you want to bring into the field.

When you start the game, you will notice that the loadout screen shows 3/4 Gadget Slots. The fourth slot is locked and grayed out. This is not a bug — it is intentional, and the slot unlocks later through story progress.

You can read more about all the gadgets available in the game in the full 007 First Light all gadgets guide, and for tips on the best combinations once you have all four slots, check out the best gadget loadout guide.

When Do You Get the 4th Gadget Slot?

The 4th Gadget Slot unlocks towards the end of Mission 7: Knightfall. This is one of the later missions in the game, so you will be playing with just 3 slots for a good portion of the campaign. Unless you rush through the main story, expect to wait until you are well into the second half of the game before the 4th slot becomes available.

The unlock is tied to a story event within Knightfall — it happens automatically as part of the mission and you will know it when you see it. It is not connected to any optional objective or challenge, so you cannot miss it as long as you complete the mission.

How to Unlock the 4th Gadget Slot — Step by Step

There is no complex unlock method here. Here is what you need to do:

• Play through the main story missions in order. Do not skip missions or try to find a shortcut. The slot is gated behind story progress.
• Reach Mission 7: Knightfall. This is the Webb Industries mission where Bond infiltrates a tech-heavy office complex. The mission involves hacking, sensor puzzles, and working with Greenway to shut off security systems.
• Progress to near the end of Knightfall. The 4th Gadget Slot unlock happens as a story event during this mission. Keep going and you will receive it automatically.
• Check your loadout after the unlock. From this point forward, every time you select your loadout before a mission, you will be able to equip 4 gadgets in total — including the permanently slotted Q-Watch.

The upgrade is not missable. You do not need to complete any specific challenge or side activity to trigger it. Just play through the mission normally.

What Changes When You Get the 4th Gadget Slot?

Once the 4th Gadget Slot is unlocked, your loadout flexibility increases significantly. You can now equip three freely chosen gadgets alongside the always-equipped Q-Watch. This means more tools for every situation — whether you prefer stealth, distraction, or direct combat.

The extra slot is especially useful in the later missions of the game, where encounters become more complex and having the right combination of gadgets can make a real difference. It also opens up more challenge completion strategies, since certain challenges in late missions are much easier with a full four-gadget loadout.

If you are still working through earlier mission challenges, keep in mind that you can complete all challenges on any difficulty and with any number of gadget slots — nothing is locked behind the 4th slot specifically. However, having it available makes many of the harder sections much more manageable. You can revisit earlier missions using Chapter Select to try different gadget combinations. Here is how to replay missions in 007 First Light.

Is the 4th Gadget Slot Tied to TacSim or Upgrades?

No. The 4th Gadget Slot has nothing to do with TacSim, Intel currency, or any upgrades. You cannot buy it early, grind for it, or unlock it through any method other than reaching the relevant point in Mission 7: Knightfall during the main campaign.

This is different from how some gadgets unlock. While individual gadgets like the Shockwave Camera, Flash Mine, Smoke Pods, and Missile Pen are tied to completing specific story missions, the 4th slot itself is its own separate unlock that happens as a narrative event rather than a reward for finishing a mission.

For context, here is roughly when gadgets unlock through story progress:

• Q-Lens, Q-Watch, Laser, and Dart Phone — unlock together after completing The Heart of the Matter.
• Shockwave Camera — unlocks after Uninvited.
• Flash Mine and Smoke Pods — unlock after A Matter of Considerable Delicacy.
• Missile Pen — handed to you during Knightfall.
• 4th Gadget Slot — unlocks near the end of Knightfall as a story event.

What Are the Best Gadgets to Put in the 4th Slot?

Once the 4th slot is yours, you have a decision to make. The best options to fill it depend on your playstyle, but two gadgets stand out:

• Missile Pen — This is the heaviest gadget in the game and fires a guided explosive. It is great for taking out reinforced cover, groups of enemies, or vehicles. Since it unlocks during Knightfall — the same mission as the 4th slot — it pairs naturally as your new addition to the loadout. It is the best pick for combat-heavy missions.
• Laser Strap — The Laser doubles as a lockpick and a combat opener. It lets you cut through wires and locks, and can temporarily blind enemies for a finishing move. It is ideal for stealth and exploration-focused runs.

If you are going for a balanced setup across all four slots, a strong combination is the Q-Watch, Q-Lens (both permanent), the Dart Phone for distractions and pickpocketing, and either the Missile Pen or Laser Strap depending on the mission ahead. See the full best gadget loadout guide for detailed recommendations for each mission type.

Can You Complete All Challenges Before Getting the 4th Slot?

Yes. All challenges in 007 First Light can be completed without the 4th Gadget Slot. Even some of the trickiest missions with packed challenge lists — like The Past Never Dies with its 23 challenges or All the Time in the World — can be fully completed with just 3 slots. Having the 4th slot simply gives you more flexibility in how you approach situations, not additional access to content.

If you are working on challenge completion and want tips for specific missions, here are some helpful guides:

• Against the Odds challenges guide
• A New Home — all challenges
• Classified Papers challenge guide
• Scorpius Disguise — Soldier Boy challenge
• Hotel Manager’s Safe — Wine Connoisseur challenge
• All missions, challenges, and collectibles guide

Other Useful 007 First Light Guides

• How long to beat 007 First Light
• All difficulty settings explained
• All outfits in 007 First Light
• How to change outfits
• How to get intel clearance level
• 007 First Light PC requirements
• Twitch Drop rewards guide
• Joshua Pike investigation guide
• All pre-order and Deluxe Edition items

007 First Light is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, and the Epic Games Store. For the latest news from the developers, visit the official IO Interactive site.