Hitman: Traditions Of The Trade Walkthrough - A Complete Guide

Hey everyone, are you ready to dive back into the thrilling world of Agent 47? Today, we're going to break down the "Traditions of the Trade" mission from Hitman: Contracts. This level is a classic, packed with tense stealth gameplay, intricate level design, and, of course, some seriously satisfying assassinations. Whether you're a seasoned Hitman veteran or a fresh recruit, this walkthrough is designed to help you navigate every challenge, master every disguise, and execute your targets with deadly precision. So, grab your fiber wire, polish your silverballers, and let's get started!

Understanding the Mission: Traditions of the Trade

The Setup and Objectives

"Traditions of the Trade" sees Agent 47 infiltrating the luxurious Hotel Gallard in Budapest. The primary objective is to eliminate two targets: The Chef and The Manager. Both are located within the hotel, protected by security and surrounded by potential witnesses. The mission also offers several opportunities for bonus objectives and environmental kills, adding to the replayability factor. Before we jump into the details, remember, patience is key. This level encourages you to take your time, observe the environment, and plan your approach carefully. Rushing in guns blazing is rarely the most effective or elegant solution in a Hitman game. The beauty of the game lies in the creative approaches to eliminating the targets.

Key Areas and Locations

The Hotel Gallard is your playground. Familiarizing yourself with the layout is crucial to success. Here are some key areas to keep an eye on:

• The Lobby: The main entrance, often patrolled by guards and reception staff. A high-traffic area, making blending in a challenge.
• The Kitchen: The chef's domain. A bustling environment with cooks, waiters, and a variety of potential hazards (like, you know, knives).
• The Restaurant: Where the manager often spends his time, with tables, staff, and a VIP section.
• The Hotel Rooms: Offering multiple points of entry, disguise opportunities, and often, valuable intel.
• The Service Corridors: Ideal for moving around the hotel undetected, but watch out for staff. These are the backstage areas.

Understanding these locations is essential. Study the map, plan your routes, and always have an escape strategy in mind.

Preparations and Loadout

Before starting the mission, it is important to choose the right gear for the job. While you can't customize your loadout in Contracts like in later Hitman games, you still have some choices. Here are some recommendations:

• Silenced Pistol: Essential for silent takedowns and eliminating isolated guards or cameras.
• Fiber Wire: A classic, silent, and deadly way to eliminate targets up close. You will rely on this a lot.
• Lockpick: Opens doors and provides access to restricted areas. A must-have for any Hitman.
• Coin: For distracting guards or luring them into advantageous positions. An old but gold trick.

Make sure to equip the gear that best suits your playstyle. If you prefer stealth, prioritize silenced weapons and tools for silent takedowns. If you are going for a more aggressive approach, you may opt for a more powerful pistol, but remember that this will make things more complicated.

The Chef: A Culinary Elimination

Finding the Chef

The Chef is usually found in the hotel kitchen. The kitchen is a restricted area, so you will need to find a way to enter without raising suspicion. The best way to do this is to obtain a chef disguise. This can be done by subduing a chef and taking his uniform. A good opportunity is to observe the kitchen entrance, find a chef who is alone, and take him down quietly.

Methods of Elimination

There are several ways to eliminate the chef, some more creative than others. Here are a couple of approaches:

• The Poison Approach: This is a classic. Find a way to poison his food. The kitchen is a good place to start your search for poison. If you can sneak into the kitchen undetected, you can find the chef's meal and poison it. This method requires timing and patience to get it right, but it's a silent and effective assassination. To do this, you might need to find a kitchen worker to distract the chef, so he can eat the poisoned meal.
• The Accidental Death: There are several environmental hazards you can exploit. For example, if the chef gets too close to a gas canister, shoot it to cause an explosion. Be careful, though, as you can also get caught in the blast. Alternatively, wait for him to be in a more secluded place and use the fiber wire. Remember that patience is key when going for this option.

Carefully observe the chef's routine and choose the method that best suits your stealth style. Remember to blend in after the hit, discard the evidence, and move on.

Escaping the Kitchen

Once the chef is taken care of, you will need to exit the kitchen without being detected. If you took out a chef for the disguise, you are already well on your way. You may even be able to walk out with confidence. Be aware of the presence of other staff members and guards. If there are any witnesses, eliminate them or hide their bodies to avoid raising the alarm. The service corridors are a good way to get out of the kitchen undetected.

The Manager: A Meeting of Fate

Locating the Manager

The Manager is often found in the restaurant or moving between different areas of the hotel. He is usually accompanied by bodyguards, making the assassination more challenging. You will need to carefully observe his movements and plan your approach. Use the hotel layout to your advantage, and look for opportunities to isolate him from his guards. Study his routine, and find out where he goes and when.

Elimination Tactics

Like with the chef, you have several options for taking out the manager:

• The Sniper Approach: If you can find a good vantage point with a clear line of sight, you can use a sniper rifle to eliminate the manager from a distance. However, this is a risky approach, as it can alert the guards and trigger a lockdown. Also, the sniper rifle is not always available. Careful planning is needed for this.
• The Fiber Wire: A more up-close and personal approach. The fiber wire is your best friend when it comes to silent assassinations. You can use it to eliminate the manager when he is alone or when his guards are distracted. To do this, you need to find a good opportunity, and quickly strike. The method is silent and effective, and you can quickly hide the body.
• The Environmental Kill: There may be opportunities to cause an accident. If the manager goes near a balcony, you can push him over. If he's near a gas canister, you can trigger an explosion. However, it requires careful planning.

Each method has its advantages and disadvantages. Choose the one that best suits your playstyle and the circumstances.

Escaping the Scene

After eliminating the manager, you must escape the scene without being caught. Blend in with the other guests or staff. Use the hotel's layout to your advantage, and avoid areas with heavy security. The escape can be as simple as walking out of the front door if you're quick and discreet. Remove all evidence, dispose of the body, and make sure that you do not raise the alarm. Quickly leave the area and complete the mission.

Advanced Strategies and Tips

Mastering Disguises

Disguises are your key to success in "Traditions of the Trade". They allow you to access restricted areas and move around the hotel with less suspicion. The chef and waiter disguises are particularly useful. Pay attention to who can see through your disguise. A waiter cannot wander around the kitchen area without arousing suspicion. A chef will not be able to roam through the hotel lobby. Be aware of the limitations of each disguise, and avoid getting too close to enemies that can recognize you.

Utilizing the Environment

The Hotel Gallard is full of opportunities to use the environment to your advantage. Exploit them. Use vents to move between rooms, use gas canisters to create distractions or cause accidents, and take advantage of any environmental hazards you can find. A well-timed explosion or a strategically placed tripwire can make all the difference.

Maintaining Stealth

Stealth is paramount. Avoid unnecessary conflicts, and prioritize silent takedowns whenever possible. Always use the silenced pistol or fiber wire to eliminate targets. Be careful about witnesses. If you are caught, consider distracting them or hiding their bodies. Learn to move around quickly and silently. Crouch when moving through high-traffic areas, and never run unless you have to.

Planning and Observation

Before taking any action, always observe your targets and their surroundings. Study their routines, identify their weaknesses, and plan your approach carefully. Watch guard patrols, and identify blind spots where you can move undetected. Plan multiple escape routes in case your first attempt goes wrong. Planning and observation are the keys to success in this mission. You can save your progress at any time, so do not be afraid to experiment, make mistakes, and learn from them.

The Final Execution and Escape

The Grand Finale

After eliminating both targets, it's time to make your escape. Your escape route depends on the approach you have taken. If you have been discreet, you can walk out of the front door without raising suspicion. However, if you raised the alarm, you will need to find another way out, such as through the service corridors or a hidden exit.

Completing the Mission

Your final task is to get out of the hotel. When the targets are dead, and you have eliminated all witnesses, head toward your designated extraction point. The extraction point is usually located somewhere near the entrance. Use the hotel's layout to your advantage to get away undetected. Your success in this mission depends on your planning, your execution, and your ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Be patient, think critically, and most importantly, enjoy the thrill of the hunt!

Conclusion: Agent 47's Legacy

"Traditions of the Trade" is a great mission. It is a fantastic example of what makes the Hitman series so great. With its intricate level design, challenging objectives, and multiple approaches, it encourages players to think outside the box and to replay the mission again and again. You can improve your skills and master the art of silent assassination. So go out there, embrace the challenges, and become the ultimate assassin. Good luck, 47, and happy hunting! This guide has provided you with all the information you need to successfully complete the mission. Now it's your turn to put your skills to the test and become a true master of the "Traditions of the Trade".