If you’ve made it deep into Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (kudos if you have!), you may have noticed something strange in the mission list: Mission 46 is missing.
The game jumps from Mission 45 straight to 47, but Mission 46 is the true ending of The Phantom Pain. If you want to fully wrap up the story, this hidden mission is essential.
Step 1: Unlock Mission 45 First
Before you can unlock Mission 46, you need to complete Mission 45, which only becomes available after clearing Side Op 150.
Requirements to Unlock Side Op 150:
- You spared Quiet at the end of Mission 11.
- Quiet is still available as a buddy.
- You’ve reached maximum bond with Quiet.
- You’ve viewed the Mother Base cutscene where a scientist is exiled.
- You’re not using the “Butterfly” emblem design.
Once these conditions are met, Side Op 150 will unlock. Be prepared, because completing it will automatically trigger Mission 45.
Step 2: How to Unlock the Missing Mission 46
Now that Mission 45 is done, you’re one step closer to unlocking Mission 46, the final piece of the story.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Complete all main missions, including Mission 45 and Missions 47 through 50.
- Finish all yellow-highlighted Side Ops, as these are the key story-related side missions.
- Upgrade Mother Base significantly. You don’t need to max it out, but you should enhance multiple platforms and staff levels. Keep upgrading until Mission 46 unlocks.
Once these steps are done, Mission 46 will appear and you’ll experience the game’s real ending.
Why Mission 46 Matters
Mission 46 is not just an extra cutscene: it’s the final chapter of The Phantom Pain. It ties together crucial story points and gives closure to Big Boss’s journey.
Unlocking it might take some time, but if you’ve already reached this far in the game, a few extra Side Ops and base upgrades are worth it to see the full ending.