Editing H5G:Reunion/Walkthrough

{{Status|Gameplay}}
{{Title|Reunion/Walkthrough}}
{{Walkthrough infobox
||era = [[File:H5G-KeyArt-Vertical.jpg|40px|link=Halo 5: Guardians]]
|prev = [[H5G:Evacuation/Walkthrough|Evacuation]]
|next = [[H5G:Swords of Sanghelios/Walkthrough|Swords of Sanghelios]]
|name = Reunion
|image = [[File:H5G PK JohnBlueTeamonGenesis Screenshot.jpg|270px]]
|player = 
* 1st player: [[John-117]]
* 2nd player: [[Frederic-104]]
* 3rd player: [[Kelly-087]]
* 4th player: [[Linda-058]]
|objective = Investigate [[Genesis]] and find [[Cortana]].
|location = [[Genesis]]
|starting weapons = 
* [[MA5D assault rifle]]
* [[M6H2 magnum]]
* [[Oathsworn]] [[M45D shotgun]]
* [[M395 DMR]]
* [[Nornfang]] [[SRS99-S5 AM sniper rifle]]
|enemies = 
* [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|Covenant]]
** [[Sangheili]]
*** [[Sangheili Storm]]
*** [[Sangheili Warrior]]
*** [[Sangheili Commander]]
*** [[Sangheili Ranger]]
** [[Kig-Yar]]
*** [[Kig-Yar Storm]]
*** [[Kig-Yar Heavy]]
*** [[Kig-Yar Sniper]]
*** [[Kig-Yar Ranger]]
** [[Unggoy]]
*** [[Unggoy Storm]]
*** [[Unggoy Heavy]]
* [[Promethean]]s
** [[Promethean Crawler]]
** [[Alpha Crawler]]
** [[Promethean Watcher]]
** [[Armiger Soldier]]
** [[Armiger Officer]]
** [[Armiger Sniper]]
** [[Promethean Knight]]
** [[Knight Commander]]
** [[Warden Eternal]]
** [[Z-510 focus turret|Focus Turret]]
|skulls = Grunt Birthday Party Skull, Fog Skull
|pagegamelabel = H5G
}}
This is a walkthrough for the seventh level of ''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'', [[H5G:Reunion|Reunion]]. It is written for play at [[Legendary]] and [[Heroic]] difficulties, although it also contains notes for lower difficulties and [[cooperative play]].

== Level notes ==
* The first half of this level features only Covenant enemies, making the [[Noob Combo]] viable. This tactic should be abandoned in the second half of the level, where only Promethean enemies are encountered. In this case, the [[Z-110 Boltshot|Boltshot]], [[Z-130 Suppressor|Suppressor]], and [[Z-250 lightrifle|LightRifle]] become highly effective replacements.
* As with before, Fred is armed with his DMR, Kelly with her shotgun [[Oathsworn]], and Linda with her sniper rifle Nornfang. Their disposable secondaries are M6H pistols. Nornfang and Oathsworn both lack their built-in boosts and upgraded attributes from multiplayer, so assume their weapons are functionally normal.
* While John now has visible damage on his helmet's faceplate, this does not affect his first-person view.
* The Tilt skull makes the Covenant enemies easier to deal with, especially the Elites as their shields become even more vulnerable to plasma-based weaponry.
* This level also marks the introduction of the [[Tufasumo-pattern plasma caster|Plasma Caster]], a powerful Covenant plasma grenade launcher. Its primary fire mode launches a single plasma grenade that can bounce around and doesn't stick to enemies, while its secondary fire mode unleashes a larger plasma blast that adheres to the first object or enemy it hits before exploding into multiple plasma grenades.
** Characters that are hit by a Plasma Caster's charged shot will complain as if they were stuck with a Plasma Grenade, although the Plasma Caster's projectiles do not inflict unrevivable damage, so Spartans downed by Plasma Caster charged projectiles can still be revived as usual.
* Due to an oversight, upon beginning the second half of the mission, any AI-controlled teammates will replace their secondary weapons with their usual Magnums.
* The [[Phaeton]] is a formidable aerial VTOL vehicle with the ability to perform slipspace translocations to evade danger or propel itself forward. Its primary armaments consist of autocannons that gradually increase in firing rate but overheat, while its secondary armaments allow it to fire pulse missiles that are highly damaging and can seek out targets. As the level has two Phaetons, only one member of Blue Team can join you in a Phaeton.

== Level start ==
* '''Fred''': "Where are we?"
* '''Kelly''': "No comm traffic on any band. No long-range uplinks at all."
* '''Linda''': "Long way from nowhere then."
* '''John''': "We were brought to this location for a reason. Search ahead."

The mission begins with Blue Team on the platform where the [[Guardian Custode|Guardian]] from [[Meridian]] has parked. Head to the Forerunner facility ahead and up the ramp to the Forerunner console. It will play [[Spartan signals#Oly Oly Oxen Free|Oly Oly Oxen Free]]. Interact with it to take the lift down. Follow the grass-covered path surrounded by many strange plants and rock structures, and watch for a fork in the path to the left near a few shallow ponds. Going to the left-hand path at the fork and climbing it to the top will reveal the corpse of [[Jeem Ribfi]], as well as a [[Type-56D needler|Needler]] and the first piece of [[Mission Intel]], Unggoy Personal Log 083 1/2, next to him. Alternatively, you can also climb up this ledge from the left of the main path.

=== Covenant crash site and camp ===
* '''Fred''': "There's the rest of the Covenant."
* '''John''': "Ready up, Blue Team."

Eventually, you will come across a ledge blocking your view of the canyon below, where you can see the burning wreckage of a [[Mikpramu-pattern Phantom|Phantom]] as well as several Covenant forces who survived the crash landing but are acting confused. To the right is another passageway leading to an overlook where a Grunt holding the [[H5G:Skulls#Grunt Birthday Party|Grunt Birthday Party]] skull is located, alongside two [[Mosa-pattern carbine|Carbines]], two Plasma Grenades, and an [[Domotos-pattern energy sword|Energy Sword]] to his right. Approach the Grunt from behind and hold the action button (default: X) to kick him off the ledge. The Grunt Birthday Party skull will then appear where he once stood. Don't forget to climb up the small ledge on the way back to find Unggoy Personal Log 083 2/2, the second Mission Intel item.

Returning to the main path, there are multiple ways to tackle the first group of Covenant forces. The first is to toss a grenade and then open fire with the Magnum, Assault Rifle, or Carbine. The resulting grenade explosion should set off the nearby [[plasma battery|plasma batteries]] and kill most of the Covenant forces. If some of them survive, finish the rest of them with your weapons. The second way is to perform a Ground Pound; however, this is risky, as if the trajectory is too close to the plasma batteries, the nearby plasma batteries will also take away all your health and you will be downed. The third way to attack the first group of Covenant forces is to sneakily attack them from the tunnel on the left-hand side, which can be accessed by a destructible wall that breaks from a single Spartan Charge. The wreckage of the Phantom has several flames that will harm players, so try not to stand on them for too long.

After taking out the first group of enemies, the player can proceed forward through the canyon. They can either take the ground level path on the left or climb up the rocks on the right. On higher difficulties, it is recommended to climb up the rocks on the right. Look at the glowing path of orange flora and turn around to jump up and climb into a high cave with the dead body of a Marine as well as the Mission Intel item UNSC Marine Status Update and a [[M57 Pilum|Rocket Launcher]] and [[ARC-920 railgun|Railgun]] next to his dead body. Take both weapons and give them to your teammates. A hidden UNSC ammo crate here also allows infinite ammo replenishment for the Assault Rifle, Magnum, and DMR (if playing as Fred on co-op). Afterwards, continue climbing the rocks on the right and prepare to fight another group of Covenant forces at their camp below. A nearby Covenant supply crate houses a pair of [[Gespu-pattern fuel rod gun|Fuel Rod Cannons]] which you can either use or give to teammates. Moreover, a special Needler called the [[Talon of the Lost]] can be found here on the right-hand path in the cracks of the lower ledges just below where the Fuel Rod Cannons are stored. The Talon of the Lost can score supercombines on even heavy targets, which will prove useful in the later parts of the level.

Using your newly acquired weaponry, take out the Jackal Sniper from the ridge across and then the Grunt Heavy armed with a Fuel Rod Cannon before they can cause any real trouble. The Noob Combo will easily take care of any Elites, as will the [[Zubo-pattern beam rifle|Beam Rifle]] positioned not too far from the Talon of the Lost's location. Staying on the upper ledges on the right is vital on Legendary difficulty, and making use of the Railgun and Fuel Rod Cannon to take out the Elites is recommended. The Carbine and Magnum can take out any Grunts and Jackals easily, with the highest priority given to the Jackal Sniper and Fuel Rod Cannon-wielding Grunt Heavy. The Phantom that's stationed here will remain idle for a short amount of time and fire off [[heavy plasma cannon]] rounds at you before eventually flying away. This Phantom can be destroyed on Heroic and Legendary difficulties to unlock the "[[No Witnesses]]" achievement. For a guide on unlocking that achievement, refer to its specific page.

The alternate approach involves fighting the Covenant camp's forces on the ground by taking the side passage to the left. It is blocked by a destructible wall, which is easily broken with a single Spartan Charge. Break through it to reach a Covenant supply crate with several Carbines which you can use against the enemies here. Climb up the rocks on the left to take out the Jackal Sniper and find another Carbine, as well as the Jackal Sniper's Beam Rifle.

Once the campsite is cleared out, replenish your ammo reserves before proceeding to the path ahead. It splits before converging at a chokepoint where an enemy [[Shea'p-pattern plasma cannon|Plasma Cannon]] has been stationed. Avoid taking the low middle tunnel, as you will expose yourself and your teammates to unnecessary damage. Instead, take either the left-hand path or scale the slopes on the right to gain the high ground. Use the Carbine and/or Beam Rifle to pick off the Grunts, Jackals, and Elite here from your vantage point or simply unload Fuel Rod Cannon projectiles on them. After this group of enemies is down, the path splits up again. The left-hand trail has a breakable wall that you can smash through to get the drop on the next group of enemies ahead. On the other hand, the right-hand trail allows you to engage them from a high vantage point with the Plasma Cannon that you just took care of.

=== The second Forerunner facility ===
* '''Any member of Blue Team''': "There's a Forerunner facility here."
* '''Fred''': "The Covenant seem to think it should belong to them."
* '''John''': "Break through their line."

The next group of enemies consist of a few Grunts and Jackals, which shouldn't be too difficult to take out, but like with the campsite from earlier, there is a Grunt Heavy with a Fuel Rod Cannon that should be dealt with immediately. A Jackal Ranger armed with a Carbine is perched on the rocks to the right and can be killed with a single headshot from any precision weapon. The few Elites here that are armed with Storm Rifles can be taken out with heavy weapons or the Noob Combo. Watch out for the Phantom in the distance, as its heavy plasma cannon can deal great damage to Blue Team if they are caught unprepared. On Legendary, this firefight is incredibly chaotic and can result in unprepared Spartans dying quickly. To ensure survival, take out all of the Grunts as quickly as possible, then immediately take cover behind the large rock with the Carbine and Needler. Take out the Jackal Ranger on the rocks to the right and the Grunt Heavy with the Fuel Rod Cannon.

To the left of the main path is a small tunnel that is guarded by a breakable wall. Smash through it and go all the way to the end of the trail here to find a dead Grunt and a nearby Plasma Caster. This weapon will prove highly useful in the next section, so pick it up.

Return to the main path and take out the Grunts, Jackals, and Elites that charge towards you. Then, take out the Jackal Ranger on the rocks on the left and climb up the right-side rock formation. At the top of this rock formation is another Jackal Ranger that should be taken out before climbing the rocks to reach the vantage point. At the top of the path leading to the second Forerunner facility are two [[Bmur'resh-pattern Shade|Shade Turrets]] that can easily be taken out with the Plasma Caster's charged shots. The Plasma Caster can also take out the remaining enemies here, but beware of an Elite wielding this weapon who can also return fire with it. The alternative approach is to smash through the nearby breakable wall on the right and head through a side passage containing a Storm Rifle and Fuel Rod Cannon. These weapons will be helpful in taking out the Covenant forces here, but it is recommended to also climb up the right-side rock formation to get to the vantage point.

On Legendary difficulty, it is vital to kill as many Grunts and Jackals as possible before advancing on the Forerunner facility. The Shade Turrets should also be destroyed from afar with the Fuel Rod Cannon and Plasma Caster, as otherwise the Shade Turrets will easily down Blue Team in seconds, forcing a restart from a previous checkpoint. Additionally, watch out for Elites throwing grenades from below as you advance.

Once all of the Covenant forces here are dead, drop from the ledge and check the alcove underneath the Shade Turrets to find the third Mission Intel item Forerunner Record: Search 1/5. Afterwards, proceed into the Forerunner facility to find two Forerunner weapon racks containing Boltshots, Suppressors, and [[Z-400 splinter grenade|Splinter Grenades]]. Turn around and head up the next ramp to discover another Forerunner console playing Oly Oly Oxen Free. Interact with it to take the lift down into a tunnel leading out of the facility and towards the edge of a chasm. To your left are rocks you can climb up to find a special Fuel Rod Cannon, the [[Pool of Radiance]]. This Fuel Rod Cannon is slightly slower to shoot, but its projectiles explode an additional two times upon impact, have a proximity airburst fuse, and deal damage over a wider area. It is a highly powerful weapon to use in the upcoming second half of the level where Prometheans eventually appear, but it's also incredibly risky to use at close-quarters as its additional explosions can and will kill the player if they get caught inside the blast radius.

At the edge of the chasm is a light bridge that will activate. Cross it to head to the second half of the level, heralded by a long cutscene where Blue Team examines the chaos and devastation brought upon the Covenant in the canyon. At the end of the path lies a door from which the Warden Eternal appears and introduces himself.

=== The Mantle of Responsibility ===
* '''Warden''': "You answered her call. Why? What do you intend when you reach her? Shall I begin? When you see her, you intend to..."
* '''John''': "I've come to bring her home."
* '''Warden''': "If you understood what she has become, you would not speak of such juvenile concepts as home."

After the lengthy cutscene ending with the Warden Eternal introducing himself to Blue Team, you will end up in a long tunnel. There are no enemies here, but that will quickly change once you progress forward. The path splits three times, and on the second split, there is a breakable wall to the left. Destroy it and enter the tunnel from here. Immediately to your right is a spiral-like hallway housing Forerunner Record: Search 4/5, the fifth Mission Intel item in the level, at the end of its small walkway. Return to the path and enter the first open area. At the end of this path lies a [[Z-750 binary rifle|Binary Rifle]], which should be picked up immediately. The first group of Prometheans will spawn in as well.

Your first real threat here is a lone [[Armiger Sniper]], who is armed with the deadly Binary Rifle that deals unrevivable damage. On Heroic and Legendary, it is certainly fatal if even just half of the beam hits. On [[Easy]], it is also fatal, but only to an unshielded player, and even then, only a headshot to an unshielded player is a guaranteed kill. Fortunately, the Armiger Sniper is the most lightly armored of the Armigers in the game, as he dies to a single headshot from any precision weapon. Take him out first, and then destroy the two [[Promethean Watcher]]s before taking on the Armiger Soldiers below. Be careful when engaging the Watchers, though, as they will catch any thrown ordnance, including Plasma Caster projectiles, and throw it back at you. The Binary Rifle easily kills them, even on Legendary difficulty where they can survive a single shot if the beam doesn't hit their head. The Armiger Sniper's Binary Rifle can be looted for more ammo or given to a teammate if needed. On the lower-level path are two Forerunner weapon racks containing a Boltshot, Suppressor, and LightRifle. The LightRifle and Boltshot will prove extremely useful as they can easily take out the Armiger Soldiers here.

After wiping out the first group of enemies, proceed forward through the caves to spawn another set of Prometheans, including the highly dangerous [[Armiger Officer]]s, who are armed with [[Z-520 splinter turret|Splinter Turret]]s that deal incredible amounts of damage and knockback, which can easily disrupt Spartans performing a revive and cause all of Blue Team to die quickly. However, there is also a decent amount of cover that can be used to block the Splinter Turret projectiles. Promethean Watchers will also spawn, so eliminate them first before proceeding to take out the remaining Prometheans. Prioritize the enemies here in the following order: Watchers, Officers, and regular Soldiers. Once the enemies here are dead, backtrack towards the start of this canyon to find the second-to-last piece of Mission Intel, Forerunner Record: Search 2/5.

Once you reach the end of the tunnel, you will be greeted with a large valley battlefield. Before entering this battlefield, ammo up and make sure to have a LightRifle and Binary Rifle (or Pool of Radiance if it hasn't been used already). Your teammates should also be equipped with LightRifles, Binary Rifles, or any other powerful weapons you may have kept from earlier. As you approach the edge of the tunnel, look to your left to find a breakable wall. Drop down and destroy it to gain access to a tunnel in which you and your teammates can hide. This is important as the next fight is a boss fight.

=== Battle with the Warden ===
* '''Warden''': "Your time has passed, Warrior-Servant. Your battle fought and done."

The Warden will eventually spawn in. This is the second time he is fought throughout the entire campaign (third if counting the [[Flaming knives on Osiris]] easter egg in the [[H5G:Osiris|first mission]]), and like with the [[H5G:Unconfirmed|previous encounter]], several Prometheans will also spawn to assist him. However, the Prometheans spawned here are more dangerous as they now also include a Knight Commander and Battlewagon, both of which are armed with deadly [[Z-390 incineration cannon|Incineration Cannons]] that can instantly vaporize a Spartan. Ranged weapons, as well as the Pool of Radiance, will prove invaluable here against the Warden.

Immediately take cover inside the tunnel to the left and order your teammates to stay close to you as you fire away at the newly spawned Crawlers with the LightRifle. The Soldiers can be dealt with by using the Boltshot and LightRifle, although the LightRifle by itself will also work. This tunnel leads to an upper lookout which serves as a vantage point where you can find a Binary Rifle. As always, take out the Watchers first as they can not only shield the Warden, but even heal him as well. The deadly projectiles from the Knights and the Warden can be avoided by simply falling back into the side tunnel to break their line of sight and cause the projectiles to harmlessly explode on the terrain rather than on a Spartan. If you are still carrying the Pool of Radiance, now is the best time to use it. Its projectiles will greatly damage the Warden, with the weapon's starting ammo count being enough to leave him open to being finished off. Just be careful not to fire it at close range, as otherwise its splash damage will also kill you.

The tunnel on the right also leads to another passage leading to another upper lookout where you can flank the enemy, albeit with a greater degree of risk than the left-side ledge, so use it only after you have exploited the left-side ledge for long enough. A special Incineration Cannon, the [[River of Light]], can be found in an alcove below this ledge as well. You will need to jump up and clamber onto it to reach the weapon, and attempting to do so while the Warden and his guards are still present is risky. However, it can also do great damage to him, especially with its higher rate of fire and its charged shots unleashing a stream of regular projectiles. Should these projectiles hit a Spartan, they do not inflict unrevivable damage, so he/she can still be revived if downed with the River of Light. The River of Light can be picked up either during the Warden fight or after.

On Legendary, attempting to fight the Warden head on is extremely dangerous and will almost certainly result in Blue Team dying. For this reason, it is best to engage him from a distance and keep your teammates close to you. Attacking him from the left-hand lookout will still prove useful, but eventually your ammo will deplete. Aim for the Warden's head with your Binary Rifle and then your LightRifle, making sure to always take cover whenever he is about to unleash a ranged attack. Once the Warden is down, drop down onto the ground on the right to restock on LightRifle ammo and finish off any remaining Prometheans.

After defeating the Warden and his guards, Cortana will chime in, expressing surprise that Blue Team has finally made it to the planet they are on. She reveals its name to them: Genesis. During the banter between her and Chief, a light bridge leading out of the valley will open. Cross it to step on a platform containing the seventh and final piece of Mission Intel, Forerunner Record: Search 3/5, which you should interact with. Afterwards, cross the second light bridge, and you will enter the Forerunner facility that serves as the final activation point for the Gateway. Climb up the first ramp to find Boltshot, Suppressor, and LightRifle ammo, as well as Splinter Grenades, then turn around to find and activate the final Forerunner console. You will be taken back down to the lower level to cross the second light bridge again, this time going right to cross the final light bridge into the canyon, which is marked by a door that will open as you walk towards it. Get through the door to begin the final part of the level.

=== The path to the Gateway ===
* '''Cortana (COM)''': "The Gateway is on the other side of these canyons. The Warden is sending troops to stop you. You can fly these Phaetons across the canyon, or take footpaths to reach the other side."
* '''John''': "Alright Blue Team. Let's go."

The path to the Gateway immediately splits into two, thus giving you two different approaches as to how to navigate the canyons leading to the Gateway. Either way, the journey to the Gateway won't be easy, as the Warden will send in Prometheans, including Crawlers, Soldiers (plus Officers with Splinter Turrets), and a lone Knight Battlewagon with an Incineration Cannon. Moreover, Focus Turrets will also spawn on the path to the Gateway; while these barely do any damage on Easy and Normal, they can do a moderate amount of damage on Heroic and are highly dangerous on Legendary, easily downing a Spartan with full shields and health.

==== Option 1: Phaetons ====
[[File:H5G-Phaeton firing1.png|thumb|Frederic-104 firing his Phaeton's autocannons against a Focus Turret.]]
The right-hand fork leads to a pair of Phaetons that you can fly. These Forerunner gunships are as formidable in movement as they are in combat. Performing a slipspace translocation to evade danger or propel onself forward is nominally similar to the [[D'nomlhe-pattern Banshee|Banshee]]'s evasive maneuvers, although the button inputs used are different. Moreover, the Phaeton can switch between its autocannons and pulse missiles. Although it doesn't have the Banshee's energy shielding and overheat-free weaponry, it is still quite durable regardless, as it can take quite a bit of punishment before exploding. Since there are two Phaetons provided, only one member of Blue Team can accompany you in the air, thus leaving the other two Spartans to travel on the footpaths. This applies to both solo play and co-op.

Once you are in the air, take down the breakable walls using the autocannons and then destroy the Focus Turrets that spawn in. A fast way to destroy them is to fire the Phaeton's pulse missiles and immediately switch to the autocannons after the last projectile has been launched, making sure to never let up. Even on Legendary, these Focus Turrets will fall easily to the Phaeton's weaponry, especially if you land shots on the Focus Turret's core as it is charging up. Proceed to the next area and quickly take out the Focus Turrets here, but make sure to watch out for Soldiers on the footpaths from below. The Phaeton can easily evade enemy fire with its slipspace translocation maneuver.

When ready, destroy the next breakable wall and proceed forward to encounter another pair of Focus Turrets. Take them out before proceeding. The footpath here contains a small group of Crawlers which can be vaporized easily with the Phaeton's pulse missiles. Fly up and turn around to encounter the lone Knight Battlewagon with an Incineration Cannon. Quickly kill it before it unleashes a charged shot, which can seriously hurt if it lands. Afterwards, fly up to the opening above and take down th