Sniper Elite 5: How to Get a Silencer and Suppressed Ammo

There's very little as satisfying in gaming as a slow-motion headshot in the Sniper Elite games. To make them feel even better, you'll want to attack bad guys undetected. To do that, you'll need to make sure your weapons aren't making much sound. To help you out in the new game, we're here with a guide on how to get a silencer in Sniper Elite 5 and where you'll find suppressed ammo.

You start the game with a pretty standard sniper rifle, a pistol, and a Welgun SMG. They're fine at their jobs, but taking on a base swarming with soldiers won't be easy with all the noise they make. Grabbing a silencer will make your life a lot easier, and the cool cinematic kills will become more frequent: which is always a good thing.

If you're looking for more on Sniper Elite 5, we also have guides on whether the game is on Xbox Game Pass or not and how to redeem the pre order bonuses. We'll have a lot more once the game launches, too, so keep click that blue link to land on our hub.

How to Suppressed Ammo in Sniper Elite 5

While a silencer will be what you're really after, getting suppressed ammo will go part of the way to ensuring you're not making much noise.

They're also available much eariler in the game, allowing you to keep quiet in the early missions.

Called Subsonic Ammo, the Special Ammo type is significantly quieter than standard ammo, so you won't be immediately spotted when firing a rifle loaded with it.

You'll find suppressed ammo lying around in the first mission of Sniper Elite 5. You can loot it from the bodies of some enemies you kill, but you won't unlock it for yourself until later.

Once you complete 'Factory', the game's fourth mission, you'll unlock Subsonic ammo for your Sniper Elite 5 loadout, allowing you to add it to your arsenal before you set off on a mission.

You can equip up to two special ammo types (once you've unlocked the ability to do so) and Subsonic ammo is definitly one you should take along.

subsonic ammo, suppressor, sniper elite 5, silencer
expand image

How to Load Subsonic Ammo

Once you have some suppressed ammo, you'll need to load it into your weapon by holding L1 if you're on PlayStation (LB on Xbox), selecting the weapon you're using, and then pressing R1 to cycle to the correct ammo type of the three you should have on your person.

Once you run out, you'll automatically be switched back to standard ammo, so keep an eye on how many bullets you have left before you accidentally raise the roof with your non-silenced rounds after a sneak attack.

How to Get a Silencer in Sniper Elite 5

Now for the more useful part: getting an actual silencer that you don't have to worry about wearing out.

While you'll find silenced weapons out and about in missions, you'll want one on your own rifle from the start. Unfortunately, that can take a while.

subsonic ammo, suppressor, sniper elite 5, silencer
expand image

You need to unlock the Sniper Elite 5 silencer by first finding workbenches out and about in the game's missions. For example, the four silencers available for the starting rifle, the M. 1903, all require you to find workbenches.

This has been done to promote exploration in levels so that you're not just heading for the target and peacing out. Taking the time to look around and find the workbenches ultimately rewards you with cool gameplay perks like the silencer, so they're worth seeking out.

subsonic ammo, suppressor, sniper elite 5, silencer
expand image

How to Equip a Suppressor in Sniper Elite 5

Once you've found the right workbenches, you can equip the suppressors (or silencers) you've unlocked from there, or you can make sure they're equipped when you start a new mission or attempt a previously completed one.

Then, you won't have to worry about making a whole lot of sound for the rest of the mission. Do note, though, that suppressors aren't entirely silent: they just reduce the range at which shots can be heard. That obviously shouldn't be a problem for most sniping, but if there's a guard on a path between that bush you're hiding in, they'll probably know what's up. Good luck.