Navigating the high-stakes environment of the Midnight Sapphire resort requires precision, especially when tackling the big fish gray zone mission. As one of the more complex tasks assigned by Handshake in the 0.4 Spearhead update, players must infiltrate heavily guarded villas and hotel suites to uncover the whereabouts of President Narith Sayavong. This mission isn't just a simple fetch quest; it involves multiple stages of data decryption and the discovery of hidden rooms that are easily missed by the untrained eye.
In this big fish gray zone walkthrough, we will break down every objective, from securing the initial hardware key to accessing the secret presidential chambers. Success in this mission yields significant reputation gains with Handshake, but the stakes are high—failure results in a notable reputation penalty. Follow these steps carefully to ensure you extract the intelligence and make it back to base in one piece.
Task Overview and Rewards
Before heading into the Midnight Sapphire region, it is vital to understand the requirements and the potential payoff. The Big Fish task is an multi-stage exploration mission that tests your ability to navigate hostile urban environments.
| Reward Category | Reward Detail |
|---|---|
| Experience Points | 900 Exp |
| Vendor Reputation | +1,125 with Handshake |
| Currency | $6,870 USD |
| Special Items | 1x Specialized Equipment Repair Kit |
⚠️ Warning: This task carries a failure penalty. If you die while the task is active, you will lose 50 Reputation with Handshake. The task only becomes available again after a 20-minute cooldown.
Required Items for Big Fish
To complete the big fish gray zone objectives, you must have specific keys in your inventory. While one is a standard world drop, the other is a quest-specific item found during the mission.
| Item Name | Type | How to Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| Villa Luisa Key | Permanent Key | Random drop from AI in Midnight Sapphire |
| LAF Hardware Key | Quest Item | Found on the 1st floor of the Hotel during the task |
Step 1: Locating the Laptop in Villa Luisa
The first phase of the mission takes you to the northern edge of the Midnight Sapphire resort. You are looking for Villa Luisa, a luxury residence situated along the lake.
- Approach the villa from the north to avoid the heavy patrol presence in the main resort area.
- Use the Villa Luisa Key to unlock the main entrance.
- Head toward the bedroom area located behind the bar.
- You will find a laptop on a desk. Attempting to interact with it will reveal that it is locked and requires a hardware key for data transfer.
Step 2: Finding the LAF Hardware Key
Once you realize the laptop is inaccessible, your next destination is the main Midnight Sapphire Hotel. This is a high-traffic area for both AI and enemy players, so move with caution.
The LAF Hardware Key is located on the first floor. Enter the hotel through the main lobby and locate the reception desk. Behind the reception area, there is a corridor leading to various administrative offices. You need to enter the office situated directly next to the "Midnight Sapphire Hotel Office Key" room. The hardware key will be sitting on a desk inside this office. Ensure you have at least a 1x1 slot in your inventory to pick it up.
Step 3: Data Transfer at the Villa
With the LAF Hardware Key in your possession, return to Villa Luisa.
- Interact with the laptop again.
- The hardware key will automatically be used to bypass the security.
- Wait for the data transfer progress bar to complete.
- Once finished, the objective "Access and transfer all the data from the laptop" will mark as complete.
Step 4: Retrieving Intel from the 4th Floor
The final and most dangerous part of the big fish gray zone task involves infiltrating the fourth floor of the Midnight Sapphire Hotel. This floor serves as the presidential suite and is heavily fortified.
Locating the Embassy Message
Head to the fourth floor using the elevators or the service stairs. Look for a large meeting room. To the right of this meeting room is a door leading to a private office. Inside, you will find the Embassy Message sitting on a table. This is the first piece of intel required for Handshake.
Accessing the Secret Room
The second piece of intel, "Sayavong's Escape Plan," is hidden within a secret room.
- Stay on the fourth floor and locate the main office desk in the presidential suite.
- Look closely under the desk; there is a hidden button.
- Pressing this button will open a concealed door in the wall.
- Enter the secret room and grab the documents from the table.
| Intel Item | Specific Location |
|---|---|
| Embassy Message | 4th Floor, office next to the large meeting room |
| Escape Plan | 4th Floor, secret room (accessed via button under desk) |
Tactical Tips for Midnight Sapphire
The big fish gray zone mission takes place in one of the most contested zones in Gray Zone Warfare. Success requires more than just knowing the locations.
- Suppression is Key: The AI in Midnight Sapphire often wear high-tier armor. Use AP (Armor Piercing) rounds to ensure you can clear the hotel corridors effectively.
- Team Up: Attempting the 4th-floor infiltration solo is extremely risky. Having a teammate watch the service stairs while you interact with the secret button is highly recommended.
- Inventory Management: Since you need to carry quest items (Hardware Key and Intel documents), ensure your secure container has space if you want to protect these items in case of an engagement.
- The Cooldown: Remember that dying resets your progress and penalizes your reputation. If the resort is currently a "hot zone" with multiple enemy squads, it may be better to wait for a quieter window.
FAQ
Q: Where exactly is the button for the secret room in the Big Fish task?
A: The button is located on the underside of the large wooden desk on the 4th floor of the Midnight Sapphire Hotel. You typically need to crouch to see the interaction prompt.
Q: Can I find the Villa Luisa Key inside the hotel?
A: While the key can technically drop from any AI in the Midnight Sapphire region, it is most commonly found on the guards patrolling the villas surrounding the lake.
Q: Do I need to extract to complete the big fish gray zone mission?
A: Yes. Like most intel tasks in the 0.4 update, you must successfully extract with the documents in your inventory (or secure container) and hand them over to Handshake at the base camp to receive your rewards.
Q: What happens if I lose the LAF Hardware Key?
A: If you lose the key before completing the laptop data transfer, you must return to the 1st-floor office in the hotel to pick it up again. It will respawn as long as the task is active for you.