Challenge Expert 2 is one of those assignments that sounds simple on paper but can turn into a nightmare real quick. The objective? Complete an entire campaign mission without going down a single time. No revives. No second chances. One mistake and you’re starting over.
For aggressive players used to running and gunning through Battlefield 6’s campaign, this challenge forces an uncomfortable shift in playstyle. But here’s the good news: there’s a specific mission that makes this challenge way more manageable than you’d think. Let me walk you through the easiest route to that sweet Deadheader player card title.
Understanding Challenge Expert 2’s Requirements
Before we jump into strategy, let’s clarify exactly what you’re up against:
The Challenge:
- Complete any single campaign mission without being revived
- You normally have 3 revive charges throughout missions
- Going down even ONCE fails the challenge – your revive charges don’t matter here
- The challenge tracks across the entire mission from start to finish
What Makes It Tough: This isn’t about surviving with limited revives – it’s about playing a perfect run. That means:
- No aggressive pushing into enemy positions
- Careful cover usage at all times
- Avoiding explosive hazards and environmental deaths
- Playing more like a tactical shooter than typical Battlefield chaos
The difficulty ramps up significantly on higher settings where enemies hit harder and are more accurate. But since the challenge doesn’t specify a difficulty requirement, we can absolutely cheese this with smart mission selection and the lowest difficulty setting.
The Secret: Nile Guard Mission is Your Best Friend
After testing multiple missions, Nile Guard (Mission 7) is hands-down the easiest way to complete Challenge Expert 2. Here’s why this mission is perfect:
Key Advantages:
- You spend roughly 70% of the mission inside a tank – basically invincible
- Only ONE infantry combat section at the very end
- The infantry section is short, controlled, and easy to manage
- Total mission time: 10-15 minutes on Recruit difficulty
- Minimal enemy density compared to other missions
Compare that to missions like “Always Forward” or “Operation Gladius” where you’re on foot the entire time, facing constant enemy waves, and one stray grenade can ruin your run. Nile Guard is literally designed to be the path of least resistance.
For more campaign collectibles and mission strategies, check out our Battlefield 6 All Campaign Collectibles Guide.
Step-by-Step Walkthrough: Nile Guard Strategy
Pre-Mission Setup
Before you even start, set yourself up for success:
- Select Recruit Difficulty – There’s zero shame in this. The challenge doesn’t care about difficulty, so why make it harder on yourself?
- Choose Nile Guard (Mission 7) from the mission select menu
- Equip any loadout – You’ll barely use your weapons anyway
You’ll be playing as Mul Ibrahim Al-Khatib during this mission, and the game immediately puts you in the commander position of a tank. Let’s roll.
Phase 1: Tank Combat (The Safe Zone)
The mission opens with you commanding a tank convoy through enemy territory. This is where you’re essentially untouchable:
Overpass Section:
- Drive forward until you reach the overpass area
- Enemy tanks will appear and engage your convoy
- Pro tip: Shoot the support columns of the overpass to collapse it onto the enemy tanks below
- This unlocks the Roadside Assistance trophy/achievement as a bonus
- Aim for the concrete pillars supporting the structure
- Way more satisfying than just shooting the tanks directly
Tank-to-Tank Combat:
- Continue advancing through the mission
- You’ll encounter several more enemy armor units
- Your tank can absorb significant damage, so don’t panic
- Prioritize threats in this order: enemy tanks > RPG infantry > everything else
Helicopter Down:
- One of your support helicopters gets hit by a Javelin missile
- Your new objective: enter the town and rescue Captain Yasta
- Navigate through the narrow streets carefully
- Enemy RPG soldiers will be on rooftops and sides – here’s the secret: you can mostly ignore them
- Your tank armor can handle a few RPG hits while you push to the objective marker
Just follow the on-screen objective markers, and you’ll eventually reach the point where you must dismount from the vehicle. This is where the challenge actually begins.
Phase 2: Infantry Combat (The Only Risky Part)
Once you exit the tank, you’re on foot with standard infantry gear. Here’s how to play it safe:
Immediate Actions:
- There’s a shotgun directly ahead when you dismount – grab it
- The shotgun is perfect for close-quarters situations you’re about to face
- Check your equipment and make sure you’re ready
The Final Encounter: This is the only real combat section where you can die:
- Enemy count: Approximately 8-12 hostiles in the area
- Cover is abundant – use it religiously
- Play slowly – peek, shoot, retreat to cover, repeat
- Don’t try to play this like Team Deathmatch – patient play wins here
Tactical Tips:
- Let your AI squadmates draw aggro while you pick off enemies safely
- Throw grenades around corners rather than exposing yourself
- If you have a shotgun, use it for instant kills when enemies push your position
- Headshots end fights faster – our Challenge Expert 4 guide has aiming tips
- Stay near cover exits so you can reposition if you take damage
Health Management:
- If your screen gets heavily damaged effects, stop shooting and hide
- Your health will regenerate if you avoid damage for a few seconds
- It’s better to let one enemy live for 10 extra seconds than risk dying
Mission End
Once you clear all hostiles in the final area:
- Approach the crashed helicopter where Captain Yasta is located
- The mission ends automatically
- Challenge Expert 2 complete!
- Unlock the Deadheader Player Card Title
Total time investment: Under 15 minutes if you don’t die and restart.
Alternative Missions (If You Want More Options)
While Nile Guard is the easiest, some players prefer variety. Here are other viable options:
Second Best: Night Raid
- Stealth-focused mission where you can avoid most combat
- Longer than Nile Guard (~25 minutes)
- Requires patience and stealth skills
- Check our Night Raid Collectibles Guide for mission layout
Viable But Harder: The Rock
- Shorter mission with moderate combat
- Requires solid gunplay skills
- See our The Rock collectibles guide for details
Not Recommended:
- Moving Mountains – too much sustained combat
- Always Forward – constant action, high death risk
- Operation Gladius – long mission with multiple dangerous sections
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t Get Cocky: The biggest mistake is getting comfortable during the tank section and then playing recklessly when you dismount. The challenge isn’t over until the mission ends.
Don’t Skip Recruit Difficulty: Some players think they need to prove something by attempting this on harder difficulties. You don’t. Smart players work smarter, not harder.
Don’t Rush the Final Section: Take your time. An extra 2-3 minutes of careful play beats restarting the entire mission.
Don’t Ignore Environmental Hazards: While Nile Guard doesn’t have many, other missions have explosive barrels, collapsing structures, and other instant-death traps. Always be aware of your surroundings.
Quick Reference: Challenge Expert 2 Checklist
✅ Select Nile Guard (Mission 7)
✅ Set difficulty to Recruit
✅ Survive tank section (basically automatic)
✅ Grab the shotgun after dismounting
✅ Clear final encounter slowly and carefully
✅ Approach helicopter to end mission
✅ Claim your Deadheader title
Reward: What You Get
Completing Challenge Expert 2 unlocks:
Deadheader Player Card Title – A permanent cosmetic title that shows you’ve completed this challenge. Perfect for flexing on your squad that you can actually survive without constantly needing revives.
While you’re working through campaign challenges, don’t miss our guides for other expert missions:
- Challenge Expert 1: Complete Mission Without Firing Gun
- Challenge Expert 4: 30 Headshots in One Mission
Final Tips for Success
Mindset Shift: Think of this challenge as a survival mode, not a standard Battlefield mission. Every decision should prioritize staying alive over completing objectives quickly.
Controller vs KB&M: If you’re on PC, controller aim assist can actually help during the final infantry section for easier target tracking. Just a thought.
Practice the Mission First: If you’re nervous, run through Nile Guard once normally to learn enemy positions and the mission flow. Then attempt the challenge.
Stay Calm: If you take damage, don’t panic. Find cover, let your health regenerate, reassess the situation, and continue cautiously.
Why Nile Guard Works So Well
The genius of using Nile Guard for this challenge is that the mission’s design inherently protects you:
- Tank armor eliminates 70% of risk right off the bat
- The mission naturally funnels you into safe, controlled scenarios
- Enemy encounters are scripted and predictable
- The final combat section is isolated with clear cover options
- No surprise reinforcements or random grenade spam
It’s almost like the developers knew players would use this mission for the challenge. Or maybe it’s just perfect by accident. Either way, take advantage of it.
Ready to unlock that Deadheader title? Load up Battlefield 6, select Nile Guard on Recruit, and show that challenge who’s boss. And if you’re hunting more campaign completions, our Achievements & Trophies Complete Guide has you covered.
Got any other strategies for Challenge Expert 2? The Battlefield 6 community would love to hear alternative approaches! Now get out there and complete that perfect run.
