Seems this is catching a lot of people out. I'll try and add something that makes it clearer, but for now here are the criteria you need to take into account when choosing a song/mode for a Shadow Mission. Note 1: Tracks with the Shadow Ops Icon can be used to complete the current mission Note 2: Choosing 'Play Random Track' or 'One I've not played yet' will automatically choose a song that will meet the current mission criteria. Mission Restrictions Shadow Missions have some restrictions. These are listed below. In general, songs with the Shadow Ops Icon next to them are appropriate for the mission. Destroy 'x' small ships of type 'y' Any mode. Tracks with Icon present Destroy 'x' big ships of type 'y' Any mode. Tracks with Icon present Destroy 'x' bosses of type 'y' Any mode. Tracks with Icon present Score 'x' points in 1 track Standard Mode Only Accumulate 'x' points Standard Mode Only Complete 'x' tracks on 'y' difficulty Standard Mode Only The track must be longer than 3m:30s You can play on higher difficulty if you wish Collect 'x' pickups of type 'y' Any mode. Any track Death Penalties If you die during a shadow mission, you will lose some of your progress in that mission. Below are the types of mission and their penalties: Destroy 'x' small ships of type 'y' 100% Progress Lost Destroy 'x' big ships of type 'y' Lose 2 Kills Destroy 'x' bosses of type 'y' Lose 1 Kill Score 'x' points in 1 track 100% Progress Lost Accumulate 'x' points Lose 1 million points Complete 'x' tracks on 'y' difficulty Lose Current Track Collect 'x' pickups of type 'y' 10% Progress Lost