The Covenant (level)/Walkthrough: Difference between revisions

From takeoff, ascend to maximum height straight away -- it's hard to see, let alone shoot, Banshees operating at a high level when you make a low level approach. Also, flying high keeps you save from the Anti-Air Wraith and its accompanying Brutes on the small island below. You can deal with them once the initial squad of Banshees has been shot down. As you engage, saturate enemies with fire by holding down '''RT''' and pressing '''LT''' every three seconds; even if they are out of range, you can still damage enemies.

The three Wraiths should be your top priority, most notably the Anti-Air one. Make sure you continue strafing when firing at it. Always keep on the move -- it's embarrassing to be destroyed by a normal Wraith's mortars because you stayed in one position for too long. You don't actually need the automatic lock-on feature of your Hornet's rockets -- they stay in one position, so manual aiming will suffice.

After landing, swap your Beam Rifle for the War Chieftain's Fuel Rod Gun. Try to remember the rifle's location, since you'll come back later to reclaim it.

It is possible, though difficult, to use a Banshee for this part of the level. The Banshees will fight you, but if you kill the Brute and save the Banshee, try to make it land on the islands or small extensions in the mountain edge. Banshees are, however, not the best vehicles for this part of this level. Their lack of homing missiles and vertical landing (helicopter-like stopping) will make you an easy target if you try to pilot one, so only attempt to use them if you're looking for a challenge.

The first room is identical to that of Tower 1. In fact, all but one of the towers are completely the same. But in the next battle, cover is more crucial than ever. [[Hunters]] and [[Drones]], both of which appear here, are both very lethal and hard to defeat. A battle with Drones requires reliable cover to evade the many projectiles they'll fire at you. A battle with Hunters requires dodging their powerful beam and keeping your distance so they don't bludgeon you to death with their shields. There is a way of dealing with the threat effectively. The Drones don't actually spill out until you move too far forward, and they are deadly against your Elite allies, so it's wise to stay put behind the screen unless for good reason.

As soon as the final Drones retreat, go outside and retrieve your Beam Rifle before moving on. Trade your other weapon (which should be either a Carbine or Battle Rifle) for a Needler, and make sure you collect as much of its ammunition as you can.

Replenish your supply of Needler ammo if required (gaining the maximum amount of needles should be easy). As you approach the elevator, a swarm of Drones will try to surprise and slaughter you. Dive into the alcove to the right as your position, and pick them off at will. The Elites should be able to effectively dispatch the Drones and finish off the attack force within seconds. The Needler is a hopeless weapon against Drones, so it is a good idea to backtrack and pick up the Battle Rifle (or Carbine) that you set aside earlier, prior to ascending the elevator shaft. Note that another Terminal will be where it was in the first tower, on the opposite side of the elevator. Check it, and then head up the elevator.

Make sure you grab two [[Mauler]]s to [[dual wield]] at the weapons dispenser before you deactivate the shield barrier. A cutscene will play, as large, damaged chunks of the [[Flood]]-infected ''[[High Charity]]'' will crash through the window, releasing [[Flood Combat Form|Combat]] and [[Flood Infection Form|Infection Forms]].

As soon as the cutscene ends, temporarily drop one of the Maulers and grab the Plasma Cannon dropped by the War Chieftain. Constantly fire as Combat Forms charge at you. This will be especially useful when encountering the shielded variety. It may be difficult to handle the Infection Forms as you concentrate on the more deadly targets, so expect them to reanimate the corpses of the Brutes you dispatched earlier. Once the area is visibly clear, drop the turret, pick up your second Mauler, and head towards the elevator. Be careful -- there may be more Combat Forms hidden out of sight.

When your descent is complete, you'll see the [[Thel 'Vadamee|Arbiter]] and any surviving Elites fighting several Combat Forms (and any Covenant stragglers you may have missed). Immediately rush down to offer your assistance. The battle won't be too intense; the amount of assailants may vary, but it shouldn't be too much of a problem. Make sure all the Flood bodies are smashed before you continue -- [[melee]] any that are still intact.

The Arbiter will board the Phantom and cloak, while Pelicans drop off a [[M12G1 Light Anti-Armor Vehicle|Gauss Warthog]], a Mongoose, and a [[Scorpion]]. The Elites will go join the Marines. Obviously, you'll want to be driving the Scorpion; choosing the Warthog or the Mongoose will make the upcoming encounter much more challenging due to your lack or firepower. You will also want to get the Marine carrying the Rocket Launcher to get on the Scorpion.

==''Journey's End'' (Rally Point Bravo)==