DISCLAIMER:
This Mod is designed to be HARD, I will not be making it easier, if anything I may seek to make it harder. If difficulty is not for you, you may want to try a different mod. You've been warned.
Constructive criticism that takes this into account will be considered, any that does not (constructive or otherwise) - will be dismissed.
It is also designed with coop in mind, I have no current inclination to balance around commander mode, but if I revisit this idea in the future, I will make it known.

With the addition of new difficulty settings, be advised it changes nothing, the difficulty of this mod is homogenised.

TERMINOLOGY:
Each mission's AI will fall into one of the following "skill" categories that are (Weakest to Strongest): Thug, Criminal, Terrorist, Private Security and Militant.
The terms 'Suspects' and 'Civilians' in the context of mission numbers, do not factor pre-placed individuals, only the randomly added ones after the hard coding of the map.


INSTALLATION:
The downloaded archive contains this file structure:
Ready Or Not\ReadyOrNot\Content\Paks
Simply merge it with your game installation.

pakchunk99-Mods_AAO_P.pak must be inside the Paks folder.


MISSION BREAKDOWN:
Each mission will have brief details and descriptions so you will have some idea of what to expect, as well as the design philosophy behind each change. Please understand, this was a personal project aimed at our community, and I have decided to share it on the chance there are players out there who also thrive in a challenging environment, and if you are not sure if you are one of these individuals, I challenge you to try this out – through trial by fire, you will discover yourself, either perish in fire or rise from the flames, reborn.

RECOMMENDED MOD(S): Gunfighter, LessPlayerHP (Will be balanced around 100HP).

CASE FILES:



"Seizing a moment of opportunity, a posse of delinquent young adults execute their plan in order to support a crippling addiction."

Details:

Suspect Difficulty: Thug


Suspect Count:

Casual: (5 - 8) 
Standard: (6 - 9) 
Hard: (7 - 10)

Civilian Count:

Casual: (4 - 8)
Standard: (6 - 12)
Hard: (8 - 16)



Description:

This mission is probably the easiest mission in the game, and I wanted to keep that part of it's identity relative to the overall design philosophy of this mod, essentially acting as a warmup while players find their feet for the difficulty of this mod. However, if you're used to playing vanilla, this may still surprise you, so don't let your guard down.




"Michael Williams has killed his mother and taken his younger brother hostage. LSPD has been tasked with responding. Move quickly."


Details:

Suspect Difficulty: Thug


Suspect Count:

Casual: (8 - 12) 
Standard: (10 - 16) 
Hard: (12 - 18)

Civilian Count:

Casual: (5 - 10)
Standard: (6 - 12)
Hard: (8 - 16)


Description:

This mission continues the trend of the previous mission, and doesn't deviate too much from it's Vanilla "feel", this should prove more difficult than vanilla though, but not too challenging compared to the higher difficulty missions.




"The detectives have been following a new lead to locate a key source of methamphetamine storage in Los Suenos, tracing a potential “affordable housing” development in 213 Park."


Details:

Suspect Difficulty: Thug


Suspect Count:

Casual: (16 - 24) 
Standard: (20 - 28) 
Hard: (24 - 32)

Civilian Count:

Casual: (6 - 10)
Standard: (8 - 12)
Hard: (10 - 16)


Description:

This mission continues the trend of the previous missions, but introduces the larger enemy counts on subsequent missions, this may introduce a significant difficulty jump when the environmental limitations are factored in, so be prepared.





"Seized data-center assets point to the owner operating in one of the poorest neighborhoods: The Row. SWAT have been deployed to serve a search warrant on the Brixley Talent Time to assist with investigations into an illicit pornography ring."


Details:

Suspect Difficulty: Criminal


Suspect Count:

Casual: (8 - 12) 
Standard: (10 - 16) 
Hard: (12 - 18)

Civilian Count:

Casual: (4 - 6)
Standard: (4 - 6)
Hard: (5 - 8)


Description:

This is the first mission that introduces an AI skill jump, it's not too drastic but if you let your guard down, you will die. This will be the first test of your groups abilities to work together as a team.




"A former USIA analyst has a warrant for his arrest over the suspected murder of five police officers in Makade County, Greater Los Suenos. Gerard Scott, 55, waited out the front of East Makade Police Department with a loaded Mini-14 after setting a car alight on the street in front of the department. He then shot at officers while they attempted to extinguish the alighted vehicle. Witnesses on the street reported his vehicle as he drove away."


Details:

Suspect Difficulty: Militant


Suspect Count:

Casual: (3 - 5) 
Standard: (3 - 6) 
Hard: (3 - 6)

Civilian Count:

Casual: (0 - 0)
Standard: (0 - 0)
Hard: (0 - 0)


Description:

Not going to lie, this mission can be absolutely brutal. Increases to AI skill and extra traps, a slow and methodical approach will most likely be best. A decent introduction to the individual capabilities of the hardest AI, do NOT underestimate them, you will pay dearly.




"A group calling themselves the "Left Behind" are taking matters into their own hands by attempting to kill a politician responsible for a budget cut proposal to the already under-supported VAMC in Los Sueños."


Details:

Suspect Difficulty: Militant


Suspect Count:

Casual: (8 - 16) 
Standard: (10 - 20) 
Hard: (12 - 24)

Civilian Count:

Casual: (4 - 6)
Standard: (4 - 6)
Hard: (5 - 8)


Description:

This is probably the hardest mission post-changes, so keep that in mind. A careful blend of caution and area control will be essential to tackle this mission. Also make sure to keep in mind, that the gentleman with the light machinegun is a high threat target. I hope you like suffering.




"A data-storage facility run by @Mindjot. Scrubbed IPs from content found in the residence of a now-convicted pedophile led to the distribution source of explicit child pornography."


Details:

Suspect Difficulty: Terrorist


Suspect Count:

Casual: (10 - 18) 
Standard: (12 - 20) 
Hard: (16 - 24)

Civilian Count:

Casual: (8 - 16)
Standard: (10 - 20)
Hard: (12 - 24)


Description:

This mission plays out pretty much the same as Vanilla, but room for error is much reduced, controlling the flow of enemy movement is essential to navigate this gruelling cqb mission. If you're struggling, reducing your required angle coverage can also help you advance, doors and corners.




"LSPD have been tipped off that a costal home is harboring a family responsible for the modification of weaponry, making semi-automatic weapons able to be switched to fully automatic. They also sell weapons here."


Details:

Suspect Difficulty: Militant


Suspect Count:

Casual: (3 - 6) 
Standard: (4 - 7) 
Hard: (4 - 8)

Civilian Count:

Casual: (0 - 1)
Standard: (0 - 1)
Hard: (0 - 1)


Description:

Much like 'A Lethal Obsession', this mission plays out pretty much in a similar fashion, just minus the amount of traps. Don't underestimate your enemies or you will pay the price.




"Suspected of importing weaponry for the gang Los Locos, LSPD detectives visited the premises. A shootout followed, with one suspect being killed in front of the building. SWAT have been called in to respond."


Details:

Suspect Difficulty: Criminal


Suspect Count:

Casual: (16 - 24) 
Standard: (20 - 28) 
Hard: (24 - 32)

Civilian Count:

Casual: (6 - 10)
Standard: (8 - 12)
Hard: (10 - 16)


Description:

This mission feels similar to Vanilla, but made much more difficult when you are caught out in the open, advancing cover to cover and understanding the limitations of your capabilities are key here, your mind is your best weapon.




"Having taken down a distribution center for an illegal child-pornography ring operating out of Los Sueños, the LSPD cyber-crime team has now located the man profiting from its sales. LSPD SWAT have been sent to his home on a warrant service."


Details:

Suspect Difficulty: Private Security


Suspect Count:

Casual: (12 - 20) 
Standard: (16 - 24) 
Hard: (18 - 26)

Civilian Count:

Casual: (10 - 18)
Standard: (12 - 24)
Hard: (14 - 28)


Description:

This mission is one of the more difficult ones, pay special attention to windows, low-lit areas and try not to bite off more than you can chew. My advice would be to make sure you are thorough with your clearing, lots of positions (especially outside) are easily overlooked. 




"An active shooting has been reported in a community college. Time is critical, move fast."


Details:

Suspect Difficulty: Criminal


Suspect Count:

Casual: (1 - 1) 
Standard: (1 - 2) 
Hard: (1 - 3)

Civilian Count:

Casual: (12 - 24)
Standard: (16 - 32)
Hard: (20 - 40)


Description:

I tried to do something unique with this mission, I significantly reduced the suspect count, increased the bomb count, reduced the bomb timer and massively increased the civilian count. This mission is probably the hardest one to accomplish solo, and may even require a 4 man team to split into two groups; One team hunting for bombs, one team hunting the active shooters. Watch your fire, make sure you identify your targets before you engage.




"Task force operation connecting BDRTAC, FISA, and SWAT to stop the exfiltration of key Los Locos targets fleeing across an ancient underground tunnel to Tijuana."


Details:

Suspect Difficulty: Criminal


Suspect Count:

Casual: (12 - 18) 
Standard: (16 - 24) 
Hard: (20 - 32)

Civilian Count:

Casual: (6 - 12)
Standard: (8 - 16)
Hard: (10 - 20)


Description:

This mission is a bit of a break from the gruelling previous missions, it's by no means easy but should be a welcome reprieve if you make it past the previous missions. Pretty standard approach, long-range firefights in the underground section could prove a little more difficult, keep terrain in-mind and make sure you're confident you can make it to your new location when repositioning.




"Rogue Secret Service agents sympathetic to the plight of The Left Behind, have occupied the fourteenth floor of the Clemente Hotel, threatening to execute Senator Fremont's family on video. D Platoon is dispatched to neutralize the terrorists before they can carry out their threat."


Details:

Suspect Difficulty: Private Security


Suspect Count:

Casual: (10 - 18) 
Standard: (12 - 20) 
Hard: (16 - 24)

Civilian Count:

Casual: (4 - 8)
Standard: (4 - 8)
Hard: (5 - 8)


Description:

For a mission that has quite difficult AI, this mission isn't too bad, it flows quite well and has good synchronicities. If you're struggling, my advice would be again to control the flow of suspects to ensure you do not get flanked and to prevent the need of back-tracking, be thorough and regimented in your clearing and watch your angle-exposure.




"US airstrikes have targeted villages housing a notorious terrorist group in Northern Yemen, which has ties to US cells. One such cell is known as The Hand, who have enacted a domestic response to the military incursion."


Details:

Suspect Difficulty: Terrorist


Suspect Count:

Casual: (10 - 16) 
Standard: (12 - 18) 
Hard: (16 - 24)

Civilian Count:

Casual: (12 - 20)
Standard: (16 - 24)
Hard: (18 - 26)


Description:

I love this mission, it can be quite difficult. Watch your fire, bomb-strapped civilians and suicide bombers are everywhere, but do not underestimate the capabilities of the standard suspects, make sure to identify your targets and pay special attention to trigger discipline.




"With the impetus to now crack down on mobsters operating in Los Suenos, LSPD raids a suspected trafficking exchange point in North Hills. Exercise extreme caution."


Details:

Suspect Difficulty: Private Security


Suspect Count:

Casual: (10 - 18) 
Standard: (12 - 20) 
Hard: (16 - 24)

Civilian Count:

Casual: (8 - 16)
Standard: (12 - 24)
Hard: (14 - 28)


Description:

Another mission that isn't too difficult, just remember your discipline and factor your approach, try not to be careless in the outdoor areas as you can quickly get overwhelmed from different angles.




"An officer has been killed in the line of duty. He lays dead on the driveway of Cherryessa Farm. Your team is to deploy and clear the strange compound."


Details:

Suspect Difficulty: Criminal


Suspect Count:

Casual: (12 - 20) 
Standard: (16 - 24) 
Hard: (20 - 28)

Civilian Count:

Casual: (6 - 12)
Standard: (8 - 16)
Hard: (10 - 20)


Description:

This mission isn't too difficult, most of the difficulty is environmental. Be careful dismissing angles as clear because of muddy geometry and foliage. And watch out for that sun-glare, it WILL kill you at some point.




"After the Club incident, remnants of "The Hand" go to rescue the lone surviving leader, now placed under police supervision at Coastal Grove Medical Center ICU."


Details:

Suspect Difficulty: Terrorist


Suspect Count:

Casual: (12 - 20) 
Standard: (16 - 24) 
Hard: (20 - 28)

Civilian Count:

Casual: (16 - 32)
Standard: (20 - 40)
Hard: (24 - 48)


Description:

Great mission, good blend of everything you want, full of lots of challenge. Not really much to say about this mission, it plays out pretty much as it used to, though the bomb timer is reduced to incentivise speed and violence of action. Do not get careless though, while your first priorities are the bombs, do not be too reckless.




"Joint strike operation between LSPD, FISA and ATF. on Los Suenos' major shipping port. Federal and State authorities were tipped off on large shipments of weapons moving thorough the area, leading to a major crackdown to capture and detain any individuals involved."


Details:

Suspect Difficulty: Terrorist


Suspect Count:

Casual: (18 - 32) 
Standard: (20 - 40) 
Hard: (24 - 48)

Civilian Count:

Casual: (8 - 16)
Standard: (10 - 20)
Hard: (12 - 24)


Description:

Same format as Vanilla, no real changes other than a large increase in suspect count. It's not really an easy mission to begin with, so bear that in mind.




"The recent hurricane has driven the Greenside homeless to the 'Dormitories' in search of a roof over their heads. The Dorms have long been on the LSPD watchlist as a place of ill-repute and is long overdue a clean up. The combination of increased homeless presence and the general damage to the building is reason enough for the LSPD SWAT to be called in to sweep through the building and clear out the troublemakers."



Details:

Suspect Difficulty: Thug


Suspect Count:

Casual: (16 - 24) 
Standard: (20 - 28) 
Hard: (24 - 32)

Civilian Count:

Casual: (8 - 16)
Standard: (10 - 20)
Hard: (12 - 24)


Description:

While the AI on this mission are individually pretty weak, the increased suspect and civilian counts with more roamers make for a pretty chaotic mission, it's not overly difficult but your test will come in the form of sensory overload, coverage and trigger discipline.




"Agent Mike Esperanza alias Alejandro has been exposed as an undercover LSPD agent, and members of the Los Locos have been dispatched to his address to extract their pound of flesh."


Details:

Suspect Difficulty: Criminal


Suspect Count:

Casual: (8 - 14) 
Standard: (10 - 16) 
Hard: (12 - 18)

Civilian Count:

Casual: (6 - 10)
Standard: (8 - 12)
Hard: (10 - 16)


Description:

Your biggest threats on this mission are sun glare and being flanked. If you keep those in mind, this is pretty standard just a bit more difficult. Very unforgiving though, and make sure you clear structures entirely (inside and out), or you will most likely regret it later in the mission.




"A home invasion is in progress. We're looking at a potential hostage situation. 911 calls confirm there are civilians in the property and we've just received word from a private security company that a panic room alarm has been triggered. What we know is that a group of eco-terrorists has gained access to a luxurious home of a prominent lobbyist in the oil industry. The suspects are all armed, while several groups of civilians are also sheltering in the property. These include the property owner and his wife who are considered high-level targets. Contain the threat while ensuring all civilians are brought to safety."


Details:

Suspect Difficulty: Private Security


Suspect Count:

Casual: (8 - 14) 
Standard: (10 - 16) 
Hard: (12 - 18)

Civilian Count:

Casual: (6 - 8)
Standard: (8 - 10)
Hard: (8 - 12)


Description:

This mission isn't particularly difficult, but individually the AI can be be a significant threat and make sure you maintain discipline while clearing the many areas that you will need to. This is more about Seek and Destroy.




"The son of a Qatari oligarch recently collected 'The Seraglio', a luxury vessel currently under an outstanding BOLO order due to recent sexual assault reports. Sighted in Los Suenos, the vessel draws C.O.A.S.T's attention, and as the situation escalates to a kidnapping and hostages, SWAT is called to board."


Details:

Suspect Difficulty: Terrorist


Suspect Count:

Casual: (10 - 20) 
Standard: (12 - 24) 
Hard: (16 - 24)

Civilian Count:

Casual: (10 - 20)
Standard: (12 - 24)
Hard: (14 - 28)


Description:

A pretty linear mission, pay special attention to your flanks. I recommend a balance of a methodical and speed-oriented approach as this mission has an active shooter timer, upon expiration the suspects will begin executing civilians.




"Rig HeavyWell A-101, the first rig permitted to drill in the lucrative oil reserves off Los Suenos, has been attacked by the eco-terrorist group UPF, who have taken hostages. S.W.A.T. with jurisdiction under an amendment to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, have been called to the scene."


Details:

Suspect Difficulty: Terrorist


Suspect Count:

Casual: (12 - 20) 
Standard: (16 - 24) 
Hard: (20 - 32)

Civilian Count:

Casual: (4 - 8)
Standard: (4 - 12)
Hard: (5 - 18)


Description:

This mission is hard for one reason, it's an absolute maze. Be very careful when proceeding through the underbelly areas and outside. Not too difficult, but you can lose your life in an instant if you switch off.




"The half-built luxury resort, The Elysian on Los Suenos Peninsula, stands as a reminder of the city's failed future and has become a hub for crime. LSPD responds to reports of illegal activity as two sides gather there to trade beyond drugs and guns."


Details:

Suspect Difficulty: Thug


Suspect Count:

Casual: (28 - 40) 
Standard: (32 - 48) 
Hard: (40 - 56)

Civilian Count:

Casual: (1 - 1)
Standard: (1 - 1)
Hard: (1 - 1)


Description:

This mission isn't particularly difficult, just watch out when breaching larger areas, as your utility has greatly reduced efficacy, also watch out for many holes in the geometry that you can be shot from. I pretty much wanted to make it feel like assaulting a stronghold, enjoy the firefight.




"This dilapidated building could qualify as a high rise, as far as the Rollers and decaying city of Los Sueños are concerned."



Details:

Suspect Difficulty: Thug


Suspect Count:

Casual: (7 - 12) 
Standard: (8 - 16) 
Hard: (10 - 20)

Civilian Count:

Casual: (3 - 6)
Standard: (4 - 8)
Hard: (5 - 10)


Description:

This mission has a lot of verticality as well as the AI has every opportunity to take hostages, not crazy difficult but can take you by surprise if you don't execute entries properly.





"This restaurant will definitely pose a health and safety risk to your team"

Details:

Suspect Difficulty: Thug


Suspect Count:

Casual: (6 - 12) 
Standard: (7 - 14) 
Hard: (8 - 16)

Civilian Count:

Casual: (3 - 6)
Standard: (6 - 8)
Hard: (6 - 12)


Description:

This mission is pretty linear, but there are several chokepoints that can catch you and your team out, if you underestimate their threat. Pretty straight forward if you follow strict breaching proceedures.



Supporting Me:

If you made it this far, then I thank you for giving my mod your time. I will never charge for access to anything I make, but if you found value in this mod and would like to help me keep the lights on, you can do so through Paypal.

Thanks again, good hunting.