TIP OF THE SPEAR

-In order to hit the challenge score some or all skulls will need to be on. Skulls add score multipliers as well as added effects than can help you achieve your objective. Below is a list of recommended skulls to activate.

-Catch: NPCs throw twice as many grenades. NPCs always drop two grenades when dying.
-Double the grenades coming at you but those suicide Grunts may land you a multi kill and having more stickies around can help you take out Elites or other nasties!

-Tough Luck: Needler fire, grenades projectiles (ie. Rocket Launcher, Brute Shot) and vehicular attacks are more easily evaded by the AI. Brutes go Berserk and Grunts will turn Kamikaze more often.

-Cloud: Motion Tracker is fully disabled. Since this level is very open it’s generally quite easy to spot any enemies that could be lurking around any corners.

-Thunderstorm (optional): All enemies go up a grade. Aka harder. Grunts get helmets, all Elites become Ultras.
-Needed to hit the 20,000 score for the challenge. One of the better score multipliers too.
- This skull is optional because it makes the enemies so much harder, you will reach the 25,000 points much quicker but it will be harder to do it, be prepared.





                                                                     










Your primary weapons for this mission will mainly revolve around using the plasma pistol and needle rifle. These two weapons can be found in abundance throughout the mission and they can be used for the EMP medal and head shot medals. You will also start with, and encounter the Grenade launcher as you proceed through the mission. The final weapon of importance will be the Plasma Launcher, it will come in handy against the Wraiths and Hunters.



Right from the word go we are dropped directly into battle with a squad of jackals and grunts being lead by an elite who are also backed up with artillery fire from two fuel rod turrets.
Our primary goal in this situation is to find cover, quickly. But first, let’s get some quick points from the two attacking banshees. Switch your weapon over to the grenade launcher, lead your shot, fire, hold the trigger and wait for the optimum moment to release a blast of EMP to knock out power on both the banshees. If you just happen to EMP the first one that’s cool too. Without power they will fall straight down and off the cliff directly behind you scoring some quick, easy points. Make sue they don’t land on you though.

Now go find cover. Either flank left onto the cliff edge and duck behind the two trees for cover, or flank right to find cover behind a number rocks at the foot of the cliff. Initially you want to hide yourself from the fuel rod turrets while taking out the infantry form a safe secured location.  
Once you are satisfied that the grunts and jackals are dealt with in your immediate vicinity you can go to work on the elite. Try and get some EMP hits on him from your grenade launcher to score an easy head shot from your DMR. Try not to waste too many shots at this section because your grenade launcher will come in handy later in the mission.

Now that the elite is down you can concentrate on the turrets. First rule with these guys is to take no chances, the fuel rods actually home in on you so even if you think by running left you will evade a shot, think again, because those fuel rods will arc towards you. If you are facing one of these turrets directly there is a sweet spot right in the center that allows you to get a head shot on the grunt operating it. The speed and efficiency of getting head shots on a turret grunt comes down to experience. Dodge in and out of rocks progressively moving forward towards the turrets all the while firing head shots at them, which should eventually lead you to overcoming the obstacle.
You can also use your grenade launcher if you are an accurate shot with it, but try not to waste your ammo, it diminishes quicker than you realize.

Once everything is taken care of and the pelican is inbound have a look around for some plasma grenades to take along with you. Also there will be two health packs next to the burnt out warthog by to pelican landing zone if you need them.

If you’re doing a Legendary or LASO run, and you are finding the first area to be a bit overwhelming, there is a route you can take to slip past all of the commotion. Once you have downed the Banshees make your way forward and left until you encounter the cliff edge and some small rocks.
Jump up onto the rocks and run along the very edge of the cliff. Pay attention to the small sections that lay flat. It is possible to use these parts as cover form the fuel rod turrets and also as a stable platform to run across.
Use the large rocks for cover and never stop moving when you are in the open. The fuel rod gun on Legendary is fully automatic and absolutely relentless when you are in view of it.
Below is an example of how to bypass the first section. Be advised though that this shortcut is mainly viable with many or all skulls on due to the head shot and 25,000 point requirements.






In order to satisfy the Bonus Objective we will leave the warthog here and go on foot. Follow the road round to the right, drop down and stay to the left. Once you step up onto the fallen highway three skirmishers will attack you with needle rifles. Use your DMR to get some quick head shots, steal their needle rifles and progress forward.
At the cave entrance turn right and follow the bend round keeping tight against the left side and into cover behind the two rocks.

Take out your grenade launcher and get prepared to EMP the ghost. If you are lucky the elite will be unaware of your presence and you might find him just sitting there doing nothing. Use this opportunity to EMP his ghost sprint to him and hijack that sucker. Don’t forget your bonus objective, no vehicle kills, back up with the ghost and drive it back inside the cave you came from. Now head back out and finish of the Elite with the grenade launcher and needles.
Make your way over to the Covenant weapon crates and secure yourself a plasma pistol trading it in for your grenade launcher.

Head towards the tree to your left and jump down the cliff, keep on heading forward, cross the dirt track and make your way up onto the large boulder. From here you will notice the Revenant has taken a liking to you. Back up down the edge of the boulder and wait at the foot, just to the left. Pull out your plasma pistol and begin charging it, the curious elite will drive right up to you, now is your chance. Freeze his vehicle with an EMP blast, hijack that sucker and turn around and drive off with the Revenant. Once you are satisfied that you have enough distance from you and the elite, get off the Revenant and head back towards him. Charge your pistol up again and unleash a noob combo on the Elite (plasma pistol overcharged EMP blast plus with a quick head shot kill) to score your first often required EMP medals.

With the Elite out the way head directly east and use the large rock for cover as you take out the grunts underneath the grav-lift installation. The Jackals now are your best friends when scoring EMP medals and head shots. Charge up the plasma pistol and fire a blast at the closest jackal, the blast will knock out his shield and send him flying back in a daze, switch to needle rifle, score a head shot for the kill and pick up another EMP medal. Do the same for any remaining enemies around the grav-lift and grab some needle ammo.

Turn backwards and now head towards the turned over ghost and weapon crate. Jump up onto the biggest rock and shoot long range at the enemies surrounding the entrance to the gun saving the elite until last and scoring as many head shots as possible. Push forward for your final kill on the elite, pull a noob combo on him and get your next EMP medal. Scout around for some more ammo and grenades and then head northeast towards the way you initially came in from the beginning. Once you reach the ridge you will see another ghost. You should EMP, hijack and drive away. Then return to the elite for another noob combo EMP medal. Jump up onto the ridge, and take out the AA gun by punching the shield and dropping a grenade into its core.

With the gun exploding behind you head north towards the large cave you entered at the beginning. Stay tight to the left side again and progress out and behind the same two rocks as before. Watch the phantom drop the wraith all the while keeping down and hidden. After a few moments creep out of cover and sprint directly at the back of the wraith. If all goes to plan you have easy access to jump on it from behind and drop a grenade into its generator.

Do your best now to take out the skirmishers using the noob combo to score three more EMP medals. These skirmishers can be a bit tough on legendary so use cover from the surrounding rocks. Pick up the fresh plasma pistol from the crate, grab some needle ammo from the skirmishers and move to cross the bridge.
As you turn the bend you will encounter 3 more skirmishers, it’s up to you if you want to attempt three more noob combos to score more EMP medals or simply take them out from a distance with the needle rifle for more head shots.
Grab the needle ammo from their corpses and the health pack if you need it, progress forward and get into the civilian truck. Drive forward and follow the road, as you jump over the crest keep heading straight forward in a south direction. As you approach the cliff you will see two smaller rocks that you can use to jump on to the larger rock. This lets you gain access to the mining facility, avoiding the bridge and flanking the shade turret and Covenant infantry.



Using the marines as a distraction approach the shade turret keeping cover behind the concrete barriers, score a head shot on the turret grunt and proceed with taking out the remaining infantry. Make sure no more grunts get into the shade because you will be in serious trouble at this range, if that does happen though remember that you can EMP the shade to temporarily paralyze it. Leave the jackals until last so you can obtain three more EMP medals at which point you should now have enough to satisfy the challenge requirements.

Head up the steps and follow the catwalk around to the right, head shot the three skirmishers and proceed a few steps forward so you can see the grunts and jackals on the next level up as you peer through the steel girders. Try and take out as many enemies as possible from this angle, they tend not to shoot back at all which certainly comes in handy.

At this point on legendary there will be three incoming banshees. Observe their movements and either EMP them out of the sky for some good points or make a run for it up the steps and around the right bend. Pay attention to the large purple fuel tank on the left. If it is hit by a banshee bomb then it will be Good Night Vienna for you.

Proceed again, up the next set of steps and acquire some more needle ammo form the weapons crate and also a fresh plasma pistol. One more set of steps awaits you, then you will be at the top of the facility.
Once you reach the top, try as quickly as possible to noob combo the elite before he has the chance to run away. Once he is taken care of you have a plasma turret to deal with. Cross the gangway and proceed along the right edge using the pillars for cover. Once you are close enough, pop out and stick the elite with a plasma grenade. This should hopefully silence the turret and weaken the Elite enough to either kill him or drop his shields, now get that head shot.

Move round the corner and take up position at the top of the stairs. Take out the infantry from long range with the needle rifle and use the plasma pistol to pepper the Elite Field Marshal to remove his shields giving you an easy head shot, some nice points and, if you dont already have it, the Heresy Achievement.





It may be surprising but it is actually relatively easy to plasma pistol the Elite from this distance. Observe his movements, he will jump either to the left or to the right. Fire a three shot salvo of the plasma pistol each time and be prepared to track his movements, It might take a minute or so but eventually you will have his shields down ready for the head shot. Here is a little guide to show how its done:



Make your way to the next building and drop down the hole to take out all the grunts. This is another good place to score some more EMP medals if you need to. Head out back and through the large shutter, head shot the two grants A.S.A.P so they don’t cause you any trouble with the ghosts they are intending to board. Ignore the vehicles and push forward, turn the bend, needle the grunts and noob combo the elite. Keep following the road until you reach the next area.

Below is a video that shows you how to bypass the main battles over the mining facility and also how to skip past the Elite Field Marshal. As with the Landing zone video it is only recommended that you use this shortcut if you are confident that you have enough skulls on to obtain the required 25,000 points and that you are confident you already have close to 50 head shots. This route in particular bypasses approximately twenty enemies so make a wise judgment whether or not to use it.






Drop down the wrecked freeway and jump up onto the first, short, left pillar. Jump across the next one and up on to the remaining piece of road to pick up the DMR. Now drop back down and head round the right path heading southwest.
As you approach the opening of the left bend, crouch, stay back and take out the grunts and jackals all the while keeping out of sight from the far wraith as long as possible. Once the wraith has spotted you pay very close attention to its mortar shots, it’s very easy to assume they will miss because of the distance but they can be incredibly accurate especially on legendary.

With the infantry out the way concentrate on killing the gunner on the wraith, push forward always staying in cover. If you still have a plasma pistol begin firing overcharged shots to paralyze the wraith, if you don’t have one with you then grab a pistol off the floor and begin charging up for the EMP blast. Now paralyze the wraith, jump onto it and beat it down or grenade it to finish it off.

Turn around and now face the ridge that the AA gun is situated on. You will see a Covenant antenna and weapon crate. Make sure you have some grenades and sprint directly at the antenna and jump up the ridge, the momentum of the sprint and a well-timed jump should bounce you up onto the top. From the distance of the crate crouch down and move to the left until you can target the shield door to the AA gun generator. Shoot out the door and throw a grenade inside from as far away as you can manage.
Jump back down the way you came as the gun begins blowing up and take out as may buggers as you can from a distance before it blows up completely. If this tactic did not kill one of the hunters then it should have at least weakened them.

Below is an example of how to take out the AA gun from the rear entrance:



Secure yourself another needle rifle from the crates on the mound with the trees and also the plasma launcher. Begin shooting long range at the grunts and jackals and use the plasma launcher to take out the wraith. Once the wraith is down use the remaining plasma shots on one of the hunters.
Once the plasma launcher has been spent, head backwards towards the west and locate the downed falcon. Retrieve the grenade launcher from there and head back towards the hunters. Using the grenade launcher for attacking and the surrounding rocks for cover, finish off the remaining enemies to secure the landing zone.



The falcon ride now comes down to personal preference as to whether you want to ride the left or right side, I find the right side easier but the choice is yours. Blow up as much as you can while trying to score multikills for better points.

Bellow is a breakdown of all enemies that you will encounter along the canyon. In order of appearance:

Right Side:

-On the bridge, one Elite and three Skirmishers.
-Two Shade Turrets behind the tree.
-Three Elites next to the silo buildings.
-One Wraith.
-One Shade Turret on Central roadway behind the grav-lift.
-Three or four Jackals and some Grunts.
-One final Shade Turret behind the tree.

Left Side:

-On the bridge, one Elite with three Jackals.
-Three initial Shade Turrets with one behind a tree.
-Two Jackals.
-One Fuel Rod Turret. This Turret needs to be located as soon as possible because it has the capacity to kill you instantly.
-One Wraith.
-Three Elites.
-One final Shade Turret.

I believe the left side to be more difficult because in one location the following can be found grouped close together: the Fuel Rod Turret, three Elites, a Wraith and a Shade turret.

The next section will now be split into two. The first part A, is the route you will need to obtain more points and more head shots for the challenge requirements. The second part B, will be a speed run to the end of the mission.

A.   Route for Points.

Grab the Jetpack and take cover behind the Falcon. Your primary objective is to take out the Skirmishers on the rocks, go easy on your ammo though because if you run out of DMR is gets a bit trickier to kill those Skirmishers.
Flank left, and keep your back against the cliff face. Observe all the enemy movements on the rocks and concentrate on the skirmishers.

(If you are familiar with the multiplayer layout of this section the B.O.B elite will spawn where the rocket launcher is. Try and get him for good points. If you don’t know where the rockets spawn, he will be just to the right of the central tree amongst the rocks in a small clearing holding a fuel rod gun.)



Move up the map using the rocks for cover when needed and use the Jetpack to get on top of them for a height advantage on the grunts all around. Push forward up the center, if you killed the B.O.B take his fuel rod gun to eliminate the elite and plasma turret at the intersection. If you missed the B.O.B use a noob combo on the elite, Jorge acts as a good distraction at this point as well so use him to your advantage.

Once you have reached the crest of the hill stay in cover and make sure you stay out of sight from the fuel rod turret. If you hang around for a little while the Banshees will dive down and begin their attack. Use the plasma pistol to down them and let Jorge weaken them with his heavy gun. Use all the weapons at your disposal to kill the Banshee's and pick up some good points.
Alternatively if you do not already have the "Banshees, Fast and Low achievement", jetpack onto one of the highest rocks and use it as a vantage point to hijack one of the them. You may also use the plasma pistol to EMP a Banshee to bring it down out of the sky, making it easier to board.






Grab a needle rifle from the crate and flank right staying tight against the right wall of the cliff face moving in cover as much as possible. You will encounter a small cave that leads you out onto a ridge overlooking the enemy positions and keeping you out of sight from the fuel rod turret. From this vantage point, take out as many enemies as possible.

Once you are satisfied that the area is clear make a push for the lower entrance of the spire. Follow the ramp up to the left to bring you up behind the fuel rod turret. Use grenades and plasma pistol to take out the turret. It’s possible the elite might shoot at you with it so use caution. On the flip side the Elite may jump out and attack you on foot, in which case noob combo him for an easy head shot.
Scout around the base of the spire now and mop up any remaining enemies while getting ammo for the needle rifle, plasma pistol and grenades. You’re now ready to ride up to the top of the spire.

B.   Speed Run.

From the downed falcon pick up the Jetpack and flank right staying tight against the right cliff and take out as many skirmishers as you can see. Try to save your DMR ammo as much as possible. Avoid the large group of grunts as you move up the hill on the far right side. Stay behind the rocks and pipes. Kill the one grunt you encounter and take his plasma pistol.
As you reach the end of the final pipe Jetpack up onto the set of rocks directly in front of you. Once you are on this ridge look up and Jetpack onto the three-pipe structure, then onto the top of the gantry in front of you. Stay on the right side of the gantry to avoid being seen by the fuel rod turret.
Walk to the end of this and jump off forward so you can Jetpack over to the grav-lift and head on up to the top of the spire.



This final section will now be broken into two separate categories. This is due to the difference in enemy layouts based upon a co-op run or a solo run.

Co-op Enemy Layout.

Exit the grav-lift chamber and head on out due northeast to the edge of the spire. Turn left and crouch along to the next door. Instantly head shot the fuel rod grunt and get ready for the sword elite. 99% of the time the elite will throw a grenade straight at you so be ready for that.
Let him charge out on to the edge with you and begin to pepper him with the plasma pistol to pop his shields while you walk backwards and head shot him.

Once you have taken out the sword elite begin to flank around to the other side in order to take out the remaining Elites. Keep your distance from the doors and head shot the grunts whenever they come out from cover. There is one more fuel rod grunt by the button, just like the other side. Stay alert, locate it and kill him as soon as possible.

The remaining Elites use Concussion Rifles which can turn out to be quite problematic. As with the sword elite try and coax them out onto the edge of the spire to make it easier to pepper them with the plasma pistol. Getting the elites to chase you out onto the edge also takes them out of range from the Engineer which is just what you need. If you do venture inside the spire to try and take out the elites, be aware of your surroundings, make sure you have easy access to an exit. If a concussion blast knocks you against a wall you will get pinned down and die pretty quick.

Once you have taken out the Elites, grunts and Engineer you can proceed to the objective and drop the shields of the spire.

Solo Enemy Layout.

Exit the grav-lift chamber and head on out due northeast to the edge of the spire. Turn left and crouch along to the next door. Instantly head shot the fuel rod grunt and get ready for the sword elite. 99% of the time the elite will throw a grenade straight at you so be ready for that.
Let him charge out on to the edge with you and begin to pepper him with the plasma pistol to pop his shields while you walk backwards and head shot him.

If you find that he rushes you quicker than your prepared for you can Jetpack straight up and backwards to gain some distance from his energy sword.

There will be one more fuel rod grunt to take care of as well so watch out for him.
Once all enemies are downed all you have left is to press the button and finish the mission.

Good job Noble.

This looks great rabbit! Awesome job! That speed run you put in at the end is exactly what I do. So much easier.

Thanks man, I missed out the shortcut at the beginning, where you stick to the left cliff and bypass everything. I thought that as a guide to get points and head shots you really need to get the start of the level done. Also missed the shortcut through the stars at the mining facility, maybe i will post that as a video actually.

Looks great Rabbit! Thanks for tackling this

thanks dude, im still working on some videos, i have one ready will PM you- the other one for some reason glitches when i try and save it, might have something to do with it being right after the intro to the level.

Excellent. thank you Sanctus.