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{{Status|Gameplay}}
{{Walkthrough Infobox
{{Title|The Pillar of Autumn/Walkthrough}}
|era = [[File:Era-RE.png|40px|link=Halo: Reach]]
{{Walkthrough infobox
|prev = [[The Package (level)/Walkthrough|The Package]]
||era = [[File:Halo Reach box art.png|40px|link=Halo: Reach]]
|prev = [[The Package/Walkthrough|The Package]]
|next = [[Lone Wolf/Walkthrough|Lone Wolf]]
|next = [[Lone Wolf/Walkthrough|Lone Wolf]]
|name = The Pillar of Autumn
|name = [[The Pillar of Autumn (Halo: Reach level)|The Pillar of Autumn]]
|image = [[File:TPoA Header.jpg|300px]]
|image = [[File:HaloReach - PoA.png|250px]]
|player = [[SPARTAN-B312]]
|player = [[SPARTAN-B312]]
|objective = Deliver Cortana to The Pillar of Autumn
|objective = Deliver Cortana to The Pillar of Autumn
|location = [[SinoViet Heavy Machinery|SinoViet]] [[Asźod ship breaking yards|ship breaking facility]], [[Asźod]], [[Reach]]
|location = [[Sinoviet Heavy Machinery|Sinoviet]] [[Aszod ship breaking yards|ship breaking facility]], [[Aszod]], [[Reach]]
|starting weapons =  
|starting weapons =  
*[[MA37 Individual Combat Weapon System]]
*[[MA37 Individual Combat Weapon System]]
*[[M6G Personal Defense Weapon System|M6G Pistol]]
*[[M6G Personal Defense Weapon System|M6G Pistol]]
|enemies =  
|enemies =  
*[[Covenant]]
*Covenant
**[[Sangheili]]
**[[Sangheili]]
***[[Sangheili Minor]]
***[[Sangheili Major]]
***[[Sangheili Major]]
***[[Sangheili Ultra]]
***[[Sangheili Ultra]]
***[[Special Operations Sangheili]]
***[[Special Operations Sangheili]]
***[[Sangheili Ranger]]
***[[Sangheili Zealot]]
***[[Sangheili Zealot]]
***[[Sangheili General]]
***[[Sangheili General]]
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***[[Jiralhanae Minor]]
***[[Jiralhanae Minor]]
***[[Jiralhanae Captain Major]]
***[[Jiralhanae Captain Major]]
***[[Jiralhanae Chieftain]]
**[[Kig-yar]]
**[[Kig-yar]]
***[[Kig-Yar Major]]
***[[Kig-yar Major]]
***[[Kig-Yar Minor]]
***[[Kig-yar Sniper]]
***[[Kig-Yar Sniper]]
***[[Skirmisher]]
**[[Skirmisher]]
***[[Skirmisher Major]]
***[[Skirmisher Murmillo]]
**[[Unggoy]]
**[[Unggoy]]
***[[Unggoy Minor]]
***[[Unggoy Major]]
***[[Unggoy Major]]
***[[Unggoy Heavy]]
***[[Unggoy Heavy]]
***[[Unggoy Ultra]]
***[[Unggoy Ultra]]
***[[Special Operations Unggoy]]
***[[Special Operations Unggoy]]
**[[Huragok]]
|skulls = All
**[[Mgalekgolo]]
|skulls =
|pagegamelabel=HR
}}
}}


This is a walkthrough for the ninth level of ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', [[The Pillar of Autumn (Halo: Reach level)|The Pillar of Autumn]]. It is written for play at the [[Legendary]] and [[Heroic]] difficulty.. You're accompanied by [[Emile-A239]] and initial loadout is an [[MA37 Individual Combat Weapon System|MA37 Assault Rifle]] and [[M6G Personal Defense Weapon System|M6G Pistol]].


==Level Notes==
==Overview==
* This level can actually be much easier than previous levels on Legendary because of how big its arenas are. Unlike The Package or Long Night of Solace, there are few areas where you're forced into immediate quick reaction danger. If you keep a long distance between you and your targets, then highly deadly enemies will become merely annoying. Remember that distance influences AI; the further you are from an enemy, the less complex tactics they'll use.
This is a walkthrough for the [[Halo: Reach]] level [[The Pillar of Autumn (Halo: Reach level)|The Pillar of Autumn]]. It is written for play at the [[Legendary]] difficulty, but contains notes for lower difficulties. This is the ninth level of Halo: Reach. For this mission you are joined by [[Emile-A239]]. Your Mission is to deliver [[Cortana]] to [[Jacob Keyes|Captain Keyes]] and the {{UNSCship|Pillar of Autumn}}. Your initial loadout for this mission is your trusty [[MA37 Individual Combat Weapon System|MA37 Assault Rifle]] and the [[M6G Personal Defense Weapon System|M6G Pistol]]. It is important to note that as this walkthrough at the Legendary difficulty, all strengths of enemies reflected are at the Legendary level.
* Emile is commonly perceived as useless on this level because of the limited range of his shotgun. Eighty percent of the time this is true, but he can be lured into close-quarters combat with an understanding of how his AI works. Long story short, Emile tries to stay by your location. So if you're nearby a pack of enemies, he'll rush in and join you. If you stay far back and fight from a distance, then so will he.
__TOC__
* The needle rifle is the key to this level. Since you mostly engage Brutes here, it can become akin to a long-range shotgun with its supercombine, provided you use its ammo wisely.
* Although the DMR was your trusty primary for most of the levels, it's actually common enough in this level that you can frequently discard yours and grab another one at the next area.
* There's only one [[Drop Shield]], at the start of Rally Point Alpha, so grab it when you have the chance.
* Brutes cannot be assassinated if they are aware of your presence and that's going to be 99 percent of the time, so don't bother meleeing them. At close range, use a plasma grenade.
* There's a lot of drop-carrying to do in this area, so practice transporting weapons by rapidly switching between them while walking.


==Once More Unto the Breach (Mission Start)==
==Once More Unto the Breach (Mission Start)==
===The Abandoned Bridge===
===Not Rain, Nor Heat, Nor Your Ugly Ass Shall Keep Me From My Duty===
*'''Emile-A239''': "Still with us, Commander?"
You know where you need to go, but getting there is going to be a challenge. Advance until you can see {{UNSCship|Pillar of Autumn}} in the distance. You'll be standing on a high cliff. Look over the ledge and assess the area beneath you. A squad of [[Special Operations Unggoy|Spec-Ops Grunts]] and a [[Sangheili Major|Elite Major]] are directly below you. To the right of the bridge you'll see an [[Sangheili Ultra|Elite Ultra]] with a [[Type-50 Directed Energy Rifle/Heavy|Concussion Rifle]] and some [[Unggoy Ultra|Grunt Ultras]]. There are also some [[Kig-yar Major|Jackal Majors]] scattered around the bridge. Carefully walk off the ledge and slide down the cliff face behind the Major and his squad. If you do it right, you'll take very little damage when you hit the ground, if any. Sprint forward and assassinate the Major. If you don't get him, revert to the previous checkpoint and try again. Taking him out makes doing this part much easier. Once the Major is dead, proceed to kill off his Grunt squad. You have limited ammunition for your pistol so you may want to use your Assault Rifle on them. The Jackals will probably have shielded themselves and started firing on you by this point. Lob a grenade to break up their party and finish the survivors off with your Magnum. Dealing with the Ultra Elite is the tricky part. He's got very powerful shields and a Concussion Rifle, plus a few Grunts backing him up. These Grunts will probably have moved up on your right and started firing at you by now. Take them out and recharge your shields if necessary. You may want to swap your Assault Rifle for a Plasma Pistol or Needler to help fight the Ultra, your choice. Chip away at him until he goes down, staying as far away from him as you can. There are probably a few Grunts left once the Ultra is down, dispose of them as required. Once across the bridge in the building on the right are [[M392 Designated Marksman Rifle]]s and [[M41 SSR MAV/AW|M41 Rocket Launchers]]. Grab both, you'll need them. Get on the [[M274 Ultra-Light All-Terrain Vehicle|Mongoose]]. Emile will hop on the back. Drive as fast as you can. Follow the road and don't stop for anything. You're going to need to be fast and use brake sliding to make some of the turns but you shouldn't ever need to engage any enemies here. Sticking to the defined path is the safest route, where you're least likely to flip over. Continue along the path, jump the gap in the broken highway bridge and dismount.
*'''Carter-A259 (COM):''' "Stay low, let me draw the heat. You just deliver that Package."
*On a side note here, as you approach the bridge you should see a [[Type-52 Infantry Support Vehicle|Phantom]] fly past you. Hold up and wait for it to pass by on Legendary before jumping the bridge; you can survive being shot by the gunners on Heroic but it's much less likely on Legendary.
*'''Emile-A239''': "There's our destination, Six: ''Pillar of Autumn''. Race you to her."
This is your first real fight section. Head into the damaged buiding on the right and drop your Rocket Launcher for an [[M45 Tactical Shotgun]]. Remember where you left the launcher because you're going to come back for it. Head over the barrier and start killing. Stay back and to the left to avoid the two [[Kig-yar Sniper|Jackal Snipers]] in the [[Deployable lookout tower]] with [[Type-31 Rifle|Needle Rifles]]. Once you've gotten rid of the Grunt Ultras in front of you and Any approaching [[Jiralhanae Minor|Brute Minors]], edge left until you can see the snipers through the cab of the truck providing your cover and take them out. Now start clearing the Brutes and Jackals at mid range. These Covenant are mostly [[Jiralhanae Captain Major|Brute Captains]] and Jackal Majors, but there are a few Brute Minors scattered around. Keep a roof over your head when possible. The [[Type-25 Assault Gun Carriage|Wraith]] AI is very accurate and the mortar shot has enormous splash damage. When you go after it, kill the gunner, grab a [[Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol|Plasma Pistol]] off the ground and use an overcharge round to stun the Wraith. Hop on and either hijack or kill it. You can then clear the entrance to the cave area of Jackals and Grunts before going back and swapping out your Shotgun/Plasma Pistol for your Rocket Launcher and reload your DMR to full. Alternatively, you can opt for a more dangerous, but very rewarding strategy. Immediately pick off the Jackals in the tower with your DMR and move along the right side of the area at high speed with Sprint, ignoring all other enemies. Kill the Wraith gunner as you move. Once the gunner is down, close in on the Wraith, which should be almost defenseless. It may boost in an attempt to splatter you once you get close enough, so keep that in mind. Hop on the tank and beat down the driver. Take control of the tank and lay waste to the Brutes and Jackals, who will probably be firing at Emile. Watch out for plasma grenades from the Brutes and overcharge shots from the Jackals. Once you're done, hop out, rejoin Emile and advance into the network of caves ahead, no backtracking required.


The first encounter is a tough one. You have three Grunts with an Elite Major (or Minor) on the left, three more Grunts with an Elite Ultra on the right, three Jackals guarding the bridge, and three Grunt Heavies underneath it. Although the enemies are unaware of your presence when you arrive, they're so closely gathered that trying to take them out by stealth is impossible. Cover is also very limited here, as most of the rocks are too short to hide at and make you a target for grenades. While you have more than enough assault rifle ammo, your pistol only has 24 rounds, half of its total capacity. So you're going to have to make do other weapons while saving your pistol for the absolutely necessary.
===Bad to the Drone===
 
[[Carter-A259|Carter]] has given you a chance, take it. advance again, keeping your DMR out. Your going to run into some [[Yanme'e|Drones]]. They're quick and good shots, but VERY weak. They're easy enough to pick off with the DMR, just take your time and use a single shot for each one, every round counts here. They will often stop and hover to line up shots. Use this time to headshot them (they'll explode if you are successful). The shotgun also works quite well here where the extended range and tighter grouping of the pellets (compared to Halo 3's M90A) are a one shot explosion against drones. Once you are past the first group, you'll get some DMR ammo and an [[Armor Abilities#Drop Shield|Drop Shield]]. If you're on Legendary, the Drop Shield will SAVE YOUR LIFE. Eventually you'll advance to a second group of Drones supported by [[Skirmisher Champion]]s. Their shielding makes headshots the most viable form of termination here. They've all got Needle Rifles. Champions are very fast and agile so you'll need to keep steady and hit them when they stop to shoot at you. When they are down, run back and grab whatever ammo is left for the DMR. Advance into the next area.
First priority is the Elite Major and his Grunts, who are patrolling by a dilapidated flatbed truck. Head to the left, aim for the Grunts and toss a grenades; you should get one or two. The rest you target with your assault rifle, short controlled bursts. When they're dead, the Elite Major will retreat to hide at the truck's front, so head for the back of the truck for cover. Although he'll fire some harassing shots, he won't charge your location. When the three Grunts are dead, Emile will start coming down the mountain, and so the enemies will focus of him. Look past the truck to the bridge and you'll see the three Jackals shooting at him. They'll be oriented such that you can headshot one with your pistol. Once one of the Jackals is dead, the others will retreat up the bridge, and now you'll have a lot more room to move. Emile will now try to regroup with you, and in the process charge at the Elite Major. Sometimes he'll even kill it, but not always, so take it out with melees or assault rifle while it's distracted and injured.
 
Now every enemy in the area is aware of you, but they'll mostly harass from a distance. Your next target is the Elite Ultra, but he's guarded by the six remaining Grunts and the Jackals. He also have a concussion rifle, so trying to rush him is foolhardy. So focus on reducing his guards. Target either of the Grunts. For the Minors and Majors on the right side of the bridge valley, use your assault rifle, as you have plenty of rocks to fire from cover. For the Heavies on the left, use your pistol, as there's less cover on the left and they have better aim. As for the Jackals, stay off the bridge until the Grunts are dead; engage them too early and the Ultra will start blasting you. When he's fallen back because his Grunts are dead, then you can take the bridge. Rather than using your limited pistol shots or one remaining grenade to get them, try the dead Major's {{Pattern|Okarda'phaa|plasma rifle}}. Using the truck on the bridge as cover, orient yourself so you can see their shield but they can't shoot back at you. Then tear through their shield with plasma shots.
 
The Ultra is the last target, and he's fallen back to the cliff on the left across the bridge. With plenty of plasma pistols and hopefully saved magnum ammo, you should be able to noob combo him while he's distracted by Emile.
 
===The Mongoose Drive===
*'''Emile-A239:''' "You think we got time to ''walk'' over there?"
 
The drive down the road with the Mongoose is a brief section that doesn't warrant much strategy. Just keep moving, drift your turns, and don't let Emile drive. But before you drive along, you may want to arm up for a secret encounter. At the small supply house where the Mongooses are parked, there's a dead Marine with a rocket launcher. Inside there's more rocket launcher ammo. In total there are twelve rockets, and four Banshees spawn as soon as the music changes. With four rockets to spare, why waste them?
 
Grab the rocket launcher and look to the right in the sky, just above the cliff that the road passes through. You'll see four Banshees coming in, three in V-formation, one a little off to their right a bit faster. Target them with the rocket launcher's lock-on to blow them up. Their AI increases the closer they get to you, so the first two usually connect while the next two Banshees get more evasive. If one attacks you, use that chance to fire straight into it; they typically just use their plasma shots and not their fuel rods. If they dodge the rockets, wait for a bit, as the rockets typically circle around for a second try. With only four extra rockets, don't use anymore, grab a DMR as well before you leave, then drive along.
 
Only last thing you need to know for the Mongoose drive is that a Phantom flies over after you pass through a tunnel and then it comes over the broken bridge you have to jump. Since it shoots at you with its turrets, avoid it on high difficulties by stopping for a bit and letting it drive past.
 
===The Brute Blockade===
*'''Carter-A259 (COM)''': "Noble, enemy forces blocking the road up ahead."
*'''Emile-A239''': "Got a Wraith! Southeast side!"
 
Across the bridge, the Covenant have barricaded the road. Guarding its end are ten or so Brutes, a few Grunts and Jackals, two Jackal marksmen in a lookout tower, and worst of all, a Wraith at the very end of the road. After them come three more marksmen in the rocks past, and four Grunts that like to go kamikaze.
 
The typical way of this section is safe but tedious. Since you have a hill to shoot from and lots of DMR ammo in the neighboring house, it's easy enough to just pick off all the infantry one by one until it's safe to challenge the Wraith. You're so far away that the Brutes cannot shoot you, but there's so much cover in the area that the battle becomes a long game of waiting for them to exit cover. More risky close-combat doesn't pay off because of the Wraith. Its aim is great with its mortar, and trying to go for the Jackals' needle rifles in the lookout will just have the Wraith blast you out of the air. It will also dodge your rockets if you try to bomb it from long-range. So if you want to do this safely, just stay back on the right of the house and slowly headshot everything.
 
But if you want a much faster and more creative way of clearing this area, then you have to do things a little out of order. The plan is to engage the marksmen-kamikaze group ''first'', so that you can grab their weapons and use them to hijack the Wraith, followed by blasting everything. Done right, the entire Brute pack can be shelled in just two minutes after arrival. Here's how.
 
After you jump over the broken bridge, leap off your Mongoose and cross the road barrier to head to the small cliff on the left. Across it is a weapons house, a garage, and a stone hill that run parallel to the valley full of the Brutes and the Wraith at the end. Get to the left corner of the small cliff and use a Sprint jump to get on the roof of the weapons house. It takes a while of practice, but try to aim for the roof's corner, than the top, then jump up the "steps" to get on top. If you miss, revert the checkpoint or even just run back up to the top. The enemies will be focusing on Emile, and if any Brutes corner you then stick them with a plasma grenade. Once you get on the roof, head along the top and jump on the garage, then at its end sprint jump onto the top of the hill. The Wraith will see you by this point, so keep moving. It's also possible to get on top of the hill by running ''through'' the garage and then sprinting up it, but there may be enemies inside it and they're not going to let you just past them by. Once you're over the hill, the Grunts will charge with grenades and the Jackals will shoot. Use your DMR to target the Grunts first, then the Jackals. Done fast, and you might blow up the entire group.
 
Now you're behind the hill and have plenty of cover to steal the Wraith. Trade your weapons for a needle rifle and a plasma pistol. Then look for the Wraith and take out its gunner. The gunner is always a Brute Captain and he can't be supercombined with the needles if he's in the gunner seat. So shoot him five times in the head to kill him, then close the distance with the Wraith with a plasma pistol overcharge. When you do, Emile will charge through all the Brutes to get to you, so he'll somewhat distract it. Jump on top of the Wraith, switch to your needle rifle, then jump in and out of the gunner seat to force out the driver. Once you're both out, supercombine or sticky grenade him, then jump into the Wraith and ''bomb everything''.
 
Your only worry is grenades, so keep strafing to dodge them. Sadly you can't bring the Wraith with you to the rest of the level, so arm up once everything is dead. Pick up any needle rifle ammo from the dead marksmen around the area and also pick up your rocket launcher that you left. Then follow the waypoint to the caves.
 
===The Drone Caves===
*'''Emile-A239''': "Buggers. Go quiet."
 
The [[Yanme'e]] in the caves are annoying, but there are less of them than it feels like there are. In the first room, there's ten. Use your needle rifle to shoot them; even if you miss a headshot, three bodyshots will kill them. Don't worry about conserving your ammo; there will be more than enough needle rifle ammo in the next area and there's full DMR ammo by the entrance if you need that instead. Also, try to shoot the Drones unscoped, so that their shots don't constantly pull you out of scope. As their numbers diminish, they'll retreat further back in the cave.
 
The next room has five or so Drones, and Skirmisher Majors and Murmillos with needle rifles below them. Focus on the Drones first, as they're the more mobile threat. The three Skirmishers Majors can be picked off from above with a headshot each, and the Murmillos will hang back. Before dropping down after most of them are dead, go back for the DMR and drop-carry it to come down with you; you'll need it for the next area. Then keep your distance and headshot the Murmillos. You're likely low on needle rifle ammo, but you'll find tons from the dead Skirmishers to completely refill it. When you hear the music reach a long low note, that means the area's been cleared. Move on ahead with a needle rifle, a DMR, and your rocket launcher.


==This Town Isn't Big Enough (Rally Point Alpha)==
==This Town Isn't Big Enough (Rally Point Alpha)==
===The Boneyard (Starboard)===
===Junkyard Dog===
*'''Captain Jacob Keyes (COM)''': "This is Captain Keyes of the ''Pillar of Autumn''. We are tracking you, Noble, but we've begun our launch sequence. Proceed to dry dock, Platform D. I'll be on it myself to receive the Package."
Just before you exit the caves on the ground there will be a [[Weapon/Anti-Vehicle Model 6 Grindell/Galilean Nonlinear Rifle|Spartan Laser]] make note of it because you are going to come back for it. Ahead of you is a drop off leading to a large area populated by baddies, usually one Elite General, one Elite Ultra, two Elite Majors, lots of Jackals (Majors and [[Kig-yar Minor|Minors]]) as well as Grunts and Skirmisher Champions. Overlooking the battlefield from the scrapped ship are two Elite Rangers. They won't attack until you eliminate some of the Covenant forces on the ground, so ignore them for now. Start shooting. Clear out the majority of the enemies (get the General and the Ultra, they're the biggest threats). Eventually you will probably be down to the Elite Majors, the two Rangers and some Champions. If you are out of DMR ammo run back and swap it for a Needle Rifle to finish off the Skirmishers. If you like, you can expend your Rocket Launcher ammo here to clear out the enemies and go back for the Spartan Laser, but it's actually easier to use the Laser here to hurt the high ranking Elites. There are three Spartan Lasers in this area so you don't need to be incredibly stingy with your shots. You may want to save the Ultra or General for last and use the Spartan Laser on him (It makes for an excellent screen capture on review). Once all the enemies here are dead, make note of the building below and left of you. There is ammo here you are going to come back for. Hop down and go into the building on your left to restock DMR ammo. Mop up any survivors (the Rangers will probably have attacked by now). A few troopers may have survived the battle, hand off the General's Fuel Rod Gun to one if you want, although they won't last long. Head into the facility directly in front of you and go up stairs. When you reach the top you'll find a huge balcony with a Spartan Laser on one side and a [[Sniper Rifle System 99 Anti-Matériel|Sniper Rifle]] on the other. This is why you saved the Rocket Launcher ammunition earlier. Use one rocket apiece to knock out the Shades, it makes this section that much easier. You can also simply DMR snipe the gunners, but the guns are often manned again and could easily catch you by surprise. The reason the Spartan Laser is useful here is because of the Ghosts (usually two). They move around a lot and are tough to hit with the slow-moving rockets. Kill them with the laser, or use the Sniper Rifle, it's not very useful otherwise in this section. Mop up survivors with the DMR. It may seem like an endless horde, but you should be able to plug through it with ease. The third Spartan Laser in this area is on the ground underneath the scrapped ship, near where Emile and any surviving Army troops will be fighting. If you want this laser, poke around underneath the ship to find it. Once you've cleared the area, reload your DMR and head to the left hand side of the structure, there is a conveyor belt across to the other side head over and look into the building from the roof openings. You'll see two Elite Ultras, an [[Sangheili Minor|Elite Minor]] and some Grunts. Knock them off with the DMR. You can use the noob combo on the Ultras if you like, but KEEP THE LASER. Go back and get it if you swap for a Plasma Pistol. Keep your DMR always. If you backtrack out the door to the ground level entrance to the room (you came in from the roof) there is a case with DMR ammo. Advance to the next section.
*'''Emile-A239''': "We'll be there, sir."
*'''Keyes (COM)''': "You'd better be, soldier, because my countdown has no abort."
 
The Boneyard is the largest battlespace in the level, and there are tons of ways to complete it. But the safest and most efficient way to use what you have available at the cliff to you enter from before heading down. At the cave exit you'll have a grenade launcher, a Spartan Laser, frag grenades, and an Armor Ability case carrying both Armor Lock and Drop Shield. And of course you have your weapons from before, needle rifle, DMR, and rocket launcher.
 
Despite your safety from on high, you actually do need to hurry as you carry your weapons from the previous section. Below you are two fields separated by a wall. The left field has some troopers fighting a bunch of Jackals, some Skirmishers, and an Ultra Elite. The right field has some more troopers fighting some Jackals, Skirmishers, and an Elite General armed with a Fuel Rod Gun. Hanging back are an Elite Minor and Major, and two Ranger Elites really far back on the deck of the parked ''[[UNSC Commonwealth|Commonwealth]]''. Keeping the troopers alive is to your benefit. While they're around the enemies will focus on them than on you, but you need to hurry because they're not going to last long against this horde.
 
Your first priority is the General. He's too far away to kill you with his cannon, but surviving him isn't the hard part. Your first inclination might be to blast him out with the Spartan Laser. But the Laser has been nerfed since ''Halo 3''. It only has four shots now, and each shot is roughly twice the strength of a sniper round. Since Generals and Ultras take three sniper shots on Heroic and four shots on Legendary to be killed, this means one laser won't be enough to kill him. Worse, his shields recharge in only four seconds, and it takes five seconds to charge a second shot. So if you try to take him out with only the Laser, he'll tank every shot. After taking one, he'll also be aware of your presence and dodge a lot, making aiming harder. The only way you'll kill him with just the laser is if the beam also hits the broken trucks some yards away and he's close enough that the combined laser+explosion kills him. So if you're going to hurry to kill him and save the troopers, here's what you do.
 
As soon as you hear a female trooper yell out "Spartan, over here!" and Emile has a dialogue with Captain Keyes, make a beeline for the weapons at the cave opening. Keep your DMR, and trade your rocket launcher for the Spartan Laser. Charge up a shot, aim for the General, and right after it strikes switch to your DMR and shoot his shields until it breaks and he's headshot. Now that he's dead, pick off all the Jackals and Skirmishers you can from this cliff with your DMR. No worries about ammo, since there's plenty more DMR ammo ahead. As for the Elites, use the Spartan Laser. With the Ultra, use the same strategy, laser and then DMR. The Major and Minor will hang by the trucks and can be blown up, and you should be able to laser at least one of the Rangers. Once your laser ammo is depleted, go back to grab the Drop Shield and your needle rifle and rockets.
 
Head to the right field where the General was; it's much more open than the left field and the cover is bigger. Be sure to drop-carry all three of your weapons down there too. Your priority is any Elites still alive, and this closer range the Noob Combo is the most effective. The remaining Ranger will move up now and he'll have a concussion rifle; all the other Elites should have plasma weapons. Use your DMR and any plasma pistol you can find before the Elites arrive, and deploy your Drop Shield if things get hairy. If you need bullets, there's a dropped DMR by the cover closest to the cliff. If there are any Skirmishers alive alive, let them come to you; they carry plasma pistols and can basically bring a fresh one to you should you need it. Don't use your needle rifle at all, but the rockets are utility. If you find yourself in an extreme emergency, the rockets are your "get out of jail card". You can use up to four to save yourself if you need to blow up a rampaging Elite ''immediately''.
 
Once everything is dead, leave your DMR behind, take your needle rifle and rockets, and head for stairs leading to inside the ''Commonwealth''.
 
===The Boneyard (Port)===
*'''Trooper #2''': "Ah, Sierra, you made it!"
*'''Emile-A239''': "So far. TAC eval?"
*'''Trooper #2''': "They got this facility covered from all angles. We'll give you covering fire. Take the flank, there has to be a way around."
 
You're leaving behind your DMR because there's plenty more inside, and also because of a time-sensitive matter: a [[BOB]]. A Gold Ranger Elite may spawn at the other end of the next area and you want all the time you can to snipe him. He'll be on the far right by a Shade turret, and it will take three to four sniper shots to kill him.
 
The port side of the boneyard is mostly Grunts, a few Elites, two Ghosts, and three Shade turrets. Most of the enemies are too far away to seriously harm you, and you have plenty of long-range weapons with you at this balcony. There's a sniper rifle with twelve rounds, a Spartan Laser, another Spartan Laser on the ground floor, and a DMR crate to the left near the stairs. Plus you have your needle rifle and rockets. Set aside your needle rifle for now and use the rockets to destroy the Shades. While you could use the Spartan Lasers, you should save one of them for later and it's easier to fire-and-forget a rocket than to charge up the a laser and hope the Shade doesn't notice you for five seconds.
 
After the Shades are destroyed, the next priority threat is that Grunts with Fuel Rod Cannons. Headshot them with the DMR or sniper rifle. Feel free to use all the sniper ammo on all the other Grunts and Elites, and any remaining rockets can be used on the Ghosts. Emile will be on the ground floor distracting them, and sometimes he'll even hijack one. If they're still around and the rockets have missed, lure them close to you so you can use grenades or use one of the Spartan Lasers; save the ground floor one. Once everything is dead, drop down (the fall won't kill you, just cause some shield damage), cross the field, and bring along your DMR, needle rifle, and a Spartan Laser.
 
You have one more room on the opposite side  before completing the boneyard: the generator room. Inside there will be two Ultra Elites, two minor Elites, and some Grunts. While you could possibly noob combo the Elites with a DMR and plasma pistol, there's a more explosive way of beating it. Before entering the building, leave your needle rifle and laser for your DMR, spare plasma grenades, and a Fuel Rod Gun from the dead Grunts. There should be enough ammo for three FRG clips. Then enter the building via the stairs on the outside left. This will take you to the second floor, where past the door you'll see an Ultra Elite standing by unaware. Stick him with a plasma and then blast him away with a fuel rod; you'll need both to kill him. The enemies inside will panic and the other Ultra will come up the stairs for you. As he reaches the top, stick and blast him too. If you screw up, fall back and Emile might distract him. The rest of the enemies will stay on the ground floor and thus can be easily bombed with the remaining fuel rods.
 
===The Trapped Troopers and the Hunters===
*'''Marine''': "Spartans! Drydock's through that structure across the way. Punch through, we'll back you up."
 
Before entering the next area, it's necessary to note a frequent glitch. When leaving the boneyard and going further into the next room, the game will load the next area and in the process de-load all the previous ones. If you're drop-carrying weapons, then sometimes it will despawn the weapon currently on the floor and leave you only with the two you're carrying. If you drop-carry them quickly enough, then most of the time you'll avoid this. But if it keeps happening, then your utmost necessary weapons are your needle rifle and Spartan Laser. There will be no DMR ammo in this section and the next, but there will be enough needle rifle in the room following those to replenish half capacity, plus more DMRs. Use your needles sparingly.
 
You'll pass through a hallway and office to reach a wide room with windows, overlooking smelting machinery where three Jackals, three Grunts, and an Ultra Elite are fighting troopers. The Jackals and Elites are fighting some cornered soldiers in the room below, and the Grunts are on a walkway on the right taking potshots at the troopers with you. Priority target is the Jackals, as the troopers they're fighting should be kept alive to keep the Elite distracted. Break the windows and shoot out the Jackals with your DMR (or needle rifle, but it will have to be needle combines instead of headshots.) When the Jackals are dead, head to the right and headshot the Grunts. Grab a plasma pistol from one of them and noob combo the Elite. Move quickly, because a Phantom will come soon carrying two more Elites, either Majors or Ultras. One has a concussion rifle and the other dual wields plasma rifles. If you retreat to the far right (the opposite side from where you entered), they might pass you by and focus on the troopers, letting you take them by surprise. When they're all dead, return for your DMR, needle rifle, and Spartan Laser and keep moving on.
 
Now comes what would be an extremely challenging battle: the Hunters. Two Hunters are in the next area protected by a team of Skirimisher Murmillos, and the only weapon you're provided to fight them with are assault rifles and shotguns. But fortunately, you've brought a trump card: the Spartan Laser. Hang back and headshot the Skirmishers while the enemies are distracted by Emile. Then when they're dead, snipe both Hunters with the laser. Aim carefully, because you've only got four shots and it takes two to kill each Hunter. Sometimes you might get lucky; the laser has small splash damage and might kill ''both'' Hunters at once if they bunch together. Then return for your needle rifle and move into the building ahead when they're all dead.
 
===The Smelting Plant===
*'''Emile-A239''': "Go to the east! Keep moving!"
 
The first half of the smelting room reverses your own strategy for the previous areas. Now you're on the bottom of the room while marksmen snipe at you from above. Three Jackal marksmen pick at you from the left balcony with needle rifles, and two groups of shield Jackals defend the right balcony and path to the stairs. But while they are annoyances who can be headshot easily, there's a more dangerous threat in the room: an Elite with an [[energy sword]]. On Heroic, he's an Ultra Elite; on Legendary he's a Spec Ops Elite cloaked with active camo. So you need to remain aware while counter-firing if he's coming or not. Don't stay scoped in for too long; check the area and even jump on top of one of the barriers with a crouch jump if you feel unsafe on the ground. There's a spare DMR to your left facing the balconies if you need it, and there's an ammo crate with more under the balconies.
 
When all the Jackals above are dead, move up carefully and grab a plasma pistol from one of the dead Jackals. Fall back, and the Elite should charge. If you're lucky, he'll focus on Emile and give you more time to repel him. Use the noob combo to kill him before he reaches you. Then grab your DMR and needle rifle and head to the top floor.
 
The upper balcony is shaped something like a rectangular donut. Walk along the side and scope in. You'll see a door on the other side open, letting in an Elite and three Grunts. The Grunts can easily be headshot as they're coming through the door. The Elite is more troublesome, as he's a dual-wielder and this balcony has long sight lines for him to spam you from. So after headshotting the Grunts, go to the left side to avoid his fire. There's slightly more cover on this side of the balcony, and you can collect a plasma pistol from the dead Jackals there to noob combo him. Stay in cover, wait for him to be distracted by Emile, then blast him.
 
Before you leave, refill any needle rifle ammo you might have used via the dead marksmen. There's roughly 35 to 44 rounds in the area, enough for two magazines. Refill DMR ammo too from below, then go through the door and up the stairs until you reach some Marines fighting a Jackal and two Grunts. Either headshot them or take them out with a plasma grenade (you may want to save your frags, as you won't get more in the next area). Even with a {{Pattern|Okarda'phaa|plasma rifle}}, the Jackal is no big threat.
 
==Keyes (Rally Point Bravo)==
[[File:Holdout Heatmap.jpg|thumb|275px]]
*'''Emile-A239''': "Noble to Keyes: we're at the pad."
*'''Keyes (COM)''': "Copy, Noble. My Pelican's ready. Clear an LZ, and I'll meet you there."
*'''Emile-A239''': "Will do, sir. All right, Six... This is it. I'll man the big gun. You just get to the platform and deliver that Package."
 
Before covering the final battle, it's best to talk about the battlespace of this final area, the ''Pillar of Autumn'''s dock. The dock is comprised of five areas which are: a north landing pad, a west rock plain, an eastern rock plain, a center platform, and a two-story building stocked with weapons. The weapons base is likely where you'll usually be, but you'll have to move from there when enemies storm it. Since you can be attacked from any side, keep a close eye on your radar to be sure you don't get flanked. The many stairs can be used as cover and to throw off enemies' aim. There will also be some Marines joining you, but they'll all be killed in the final wave guaranteed.
 
As for weapons, inside the base you'll find assault rifles, grenade launchers, shotguns, and a few armor abilities. More importantly, [[Hidden weapons on The Pillar of Autumn|there's a hidden crate with DMRs]] that will be absolutely vital. To get it, go to the back of the base and melee the wall or go inside and melee the small box inside. If the crate falls off the cliff or gets stuck inside, revert the checkpoint and try again. There's one more DMR lying around in the western plain, and a sniper rifle with twelve rounds on the roof of the base.
 
The last thing to know is that the waves come in based on enemy numbers. When there are two enemies left, the next Phantoms will come. If you need time to heal and grab ammo, leave three enemies alive at a distance. Emile will be in the mass driver above you, but he's just loud noise; none of his shots strike the Phantoms that actually land. The one way he's useful here is his voice cues. If he says any of the following lines quoted below, that means the next wave is coming.
 
===Wave 1===
*'''Emile-A239 (COM)''': "I'm in position! I'll take out as many dropships as I can."
 
Wave 1 lands as soon as you arrive. It consists of assorted Jackals and Heavies Grunts already on the ground, and two Phantoms carrying Brutes that fly in very soon after. When you enter the area, stay on your balcony and don't go down the stairs yet. Use your high ground to shoot down as many Jackals and Grunts as you can before the Brutes show up. When they do, stay back a little so they're distracted by the Marines. Use your DMR for this section; it isn't time to use your needle rifle yet. When you kill enough of the Brutes, they'll retreat from the center platform to the western plain. Use this opening to get the hidden DMRs and refill ammo.
 
Since there's only a few enemies left, your priority is to target the ones most likely to ambush you when Wave 2 comes. The most dangerous foe will be a Brute Captain with a Plasma Repeater, which is much faster and stronger than the Minors' Spikers. This Captain likes to stay far back in the western plain behind some boulders. Wait for him to come out of cover and then use the needle rifle; it'll be faster than five DMR headshots.
 
When there are only three enemies left, restock your ammo, look for plasma grenades, and head to the top floor of the weapons base where the Marines and sniper rifle are. Kill the last enemies and prepare for Wave 2.
 
===Wave 2===
*'''Emile-A239 (COM)''': "Hold them off until Keyes gets here!"
 
Wave 2 is two Phantoms. One carries a pack of Brutes and lands at the central platform. The other carries Jackals and two Brute Chieftains, and it drops them at the eastern plain. Despite being further away, the eastern Phantom is the more dangerous. One of the Chieftains has a Fuel Rod Cannon, the other has a Gravity Hammer, and they'll charge straight for you after they land. But they're momentarily stunned when they land and you have a sniper rifle. That's your one chance. When the Phantoms fly in, pick up the sniper rifle, aim out to the eastern plain, and aim a little to the left of the boulder in its center. The Fuel Rod Chieftain will land, and it'll have two headshots to kill him. Then the Hammer Chieftain will land, and he'll take two headshots as well. Try not to use more than four or five shots (you'll need this sniper rifle again later), but make sure he's downed quickly.
 
If your shots miss or don't kill them, priority is the Hammer Chieftain as he'll reach you first. Don't panic, wait for him at the right stairs to your base, and stick with a plasma grenade. Once his shields break, shoot needles into him until he explodes. If you miss killing the Fuel Rod Chieftain, then don't use your sniper rifle, use your DMR to wear down his shields. Even though he's the highest ranking Brute in-game and has a ton of health, his shields are no stronger than a Minor Elite's. He'll either hang back by the plain or head to the balcony where you first entered the area. Break his shield then shoot three needles to detonate and kill him.
 
Once both Chieftains are dead, the only big danger is other Brutes possibly charging for your base. Take out Brutes with the needle rifle and keep an eye on your radar. Save the Jackals left in the eastern plain for last. You're going to have to abandon this base now for Wave 3, so head for that plain when it's down to three enemies left again. DMR or frag the Jackals, then turn in prep for the last Phantom wave.
 
===Wave 3===
*'''Emile-A239 (COM)''': "We've got more on the way."
 
Once again two Phantoms fly in, and the first one lands right above the base you were sniping from. The other lands at the western plain, so its troops will take longer to reach you. The first Phantom carries a Brute pack and the second drops in some Grunts and Brutes. Although the Brute pack has a Chieftain with a plasma launcher, his shots are very easily dodged. The greater threat is actually the Grunt team because one of them is a Heavy Grunt with a Fuel Rod Gun. Additionally both Phantoms blast down any remaining Marines, so you're on your own.
 
When Wave 3 arrives you should be at either the eastern plain or at the balcony where you first entered. Your loudout should be your needle rifle, DMR, and perhaps any plasma pistol from the Jackals you just killed. Hang back, maybe deploy your Drop Shield, and wait for the Phantoms to leave as they'll often shoot you with their chin gun and side turrets. Then start needling Brutes. The Brutes on top of the base will all be Minors, but keep an eye out for the Chieftain with them and any troops coming from the second Phantom, especially the Heavy Grunt. As soon as you see that Grunt, headshot or needle him him ASAP. The other Grunts will be Ultras and Majors, but they'll all have plasma pistols and so shouldn't be much threat. Feel free to use almost your needle rifle ammo in this wave and watch for Brutes that charge for you. When the Chieftain is in range, use a plasma pistol overcharge to drain his shields and then fire your needle shots.
 
When there's just two enemies left, Emile will radio Captain Keyes that the area is clear, unless the Chieftain is still alive. Kill anyone remaining and then gather weapons for the last fight of the level. Near Keyes' Pelican under the center platform is a good place to leave your weapons. Put the Grunt's Fuel Rod Gun, the Chieftain's plasma launcher, your needle rifle (what's left of it), and keep your DMR and sniper rifle with you as you go to the Pelican.
 
===The Zealots===
*'''Keyes (COM)''': "Noble Six, get on that mass driver and clear me a path."
 
The final duel of the main campaign is now. Up ahead on the way to the mass driver is going to be three [[Sangheili Zealot]]s, four or five [[Special Operations Unggoy|Spec Ops Grunts]], (on Legendary) an Engineer, and their leader a [[Sangheili Field Marshal]]. The Grunts will all have plasma pistols, the Zealots dual-wield plasma rifles, and the Field Marshal holds a [[Fuel Rod Gun]]. But as for you, you have all the weapons you just stockpiled before the cutscene plus more in the base. You're plenty armed.
 
After the cutscene ends, stand still but draw your sniper rifle, which should have at least one or two magazines left if you conserved its ammo. Look up at the door leading to the mass driver, where they'll be multiple Spec Ops Grunts and a Zealot waiting up there. Snipe the Zealot; it'll take three headshots on Heroic and four on Legendary. Wait longer, and another Zealot will step out and you can snipe him too. If you run out of sniper ammo, use your DMR to break his weakened shields. At this distance, he'll be too far away to shoot you or react to your shots. Then pick off the Grunts with your DMR before they flee inside; you'll need their plasma pistols.
 
Before going up the stairs and inside, it helps to drop carry your stockpiled weapons up there. If you want, you can also trade your Drop Shield for a Hologram from inside the base, and still top off DMR ammo should you need it. At the door you'll find the dropped plasma rifles and plasma pistols from the dead Elites and Grunts. These will also be useful.
 
Inside the base, there will be any remaining Grunts, at least one more Zealot, and the Field Marshal patrolling behind them. Headshot the Grunts, since at close-range they'll use their plasma overcharge and toss grenades. On Legendary, there will also be an Engineer floating above providing overshields to the enemies. If you still have needle rifle ammo, use that to shoot it. If not, use the plasma launcher with a locked-on shot or shoot with your DMR. As for the Zealot or Zealots, they're a bit trickier. Use the Hologram to lure them or use the Drop Shield if you head in then fall back. They tend to roam from the room on your left to the structures on the ground floor. If they go in the left room, use a plasma pistol-DMR combo to kill them. If they stay far back and try to shoot you while you're at the door, then use a plasma rifle to wear down their shields from afar.
 
That leaves the Field Marshal, the last and toughest of them all. Not only does he wield a Fuel Rod Cannon, but he draws an energy sword if you get too close, and his shields can resist one plasma overcharge. And he's got the high ground. The Noob Combo is still the best way to take him out, but you need to lure him close first. Use the Hologram to draw his fire so you can cross the room. When heading up to his balcony, send the hologram too first to detect where he is. It's also possible to ambush him, as the balcony has two stair entrances. He'll try to guard the one on the right, so consider sending a hologram there while you sneak past up the stairs to the left. When he's close, fire a plasma pistol overcharge and fire two DMR shots, one to break his shield and the other a headshot. If he lives and draws his sword, fall back ''immediately'' and try to combo him again.


===The Mass Driver===
===Break On Through (To the Other Side)===
*'''Keyes (COM):''' "Cruiser, moving into position. I need it dead!"
Once inside the facility you are going to run into an anteroom next to a large machine room. Clear the back of the machine room of Jackals and Grunts and steal a Plasma Pistol (swap temporarily for your Laser). A few Ultras and maybe a Major will appear. Use an overcharge shot to eliminate their shields, then pick them off with the DMR. Go back and grab the Spartan Laser. Advance through and peek around the next corner, there is a group of Champions and two [[Mgalekgolo|Hunters]]. This is why you have the Spartan Laser. This fight is VERY difficult without it. Now if you can get a shot on the Hunters' backs you can kill them with one laser shot. If not, two shots each and aim a little high so to avoid hitting the shield arm. Finish off the Champions with the DMR. When they are dead you can advance into the building. Here there are Jackal snipers on the upper deck and a DMR on the ground near the barrels, so restock on ammo and start clearing. An Elite Ultra will sneak up on the right with an [[Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword|Energy Sword]] and gut you if you are not careful. When he shows up, retreat and make him go after Emile. Emile can finish the Ultra by himself, as he can't die, or you can assassinate it. Grab the sword or a Plasma Pistol from the dead Jackals. Check the Sword's battery when you pick it up. Don't bother with it if you're below 50-60% battery. Once you've cleared the catwalk, go up the stairs, another group will appear from the forward doorway, including an Elite Ultra. Use the Sword (or the noob combo) and DMR to kill them quickly. Now under the stairs is a room with a case of DMRs, grab one and head back through the door. Clear out the Grunts then move forward. A container with [[M319 Individual Grenade Launcher|Grenade Launchers]] should be in front of you. Keep the Sword or swap it for the Grenade Launcher, your choice. If you don't have the Sword, pick up the Grenade Launcher. Again, KEEP THE DMR.
NOTE: If you prefer the Needle Rifle to the DMR, and took one from the caves where you encountered the Drones, Jackal Snipers, and Skirmishers, it's arguably more powerful in the next section; however, you will have to be very judicious with your shots throughout the level to have enough ammunition for it by this stage for it to be useful.


With the Field Marshal dead, it's time to man the Mass Driver. In it you'll be engaged by multiple Phantoms and Banshees before aiming for the incoming {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}}. While this section is easily done on Heroic and lower, it's much more luck-based on Legendary. In Legendary the Covenant's projectiles are so strong and travel so fast that often times it's impossible to complete this section in one go. So if you're worried things will go awry, enter and then exit the mass driver to trigger the Phantoms and hide by the stairs. Then when the cruiser arrives, run back up, deploy a hologram to distract all the dropships, jump in the mass driver, and fire a single shot at the cruiser to end the mission.
==Keyes(Rally Point Bravo)==
===This is Why They Call Me Hyper Lethal.===
Head out onto the landing pad area. Now there are several strategies for dealing with this area. You are going to have to defend this area against several (3-4) waves of enemy troops, consisting of Brutes, Jackals and Grunts. No Elites, so in a way you lucked out. You should have a DMR or Needle Rifle primary weapon at this stage. Your secondary will be either the Grenade Launcher, Shotgun, or Energy Sword. Evaluate your area of operations before things get hectic. There is a building to the left side of the platform, with a Sniper Rifle on the roof as well as health packs and ammunition for the Assault Rifle, Magnum, and Grenade Launcher on the ground level. Shotgun and additional Magnum ammunition can be found in the basement. Simple strategy is best here and you should stick to it. Hold the high ground. DMR ammo is hard to come by here, so make every shot count. (There is ammo by a dead soldier on the rocks on the lower left side of the battlefield, and extra can be obtained with [[Hidden Weapons on The Pillar of Autumn|a glitch]]. The first wave of Phantoms will drop troops to the rocks to the left of the landing platform at the far end and in the rocks directly to the right of you on the gangway. Stay only the gangway only leaving to get more ammo. Pick off as many enemies as you can with the DMR. Keep an eye on your motion tracker because Brutes are going to try to get in your face. The Grenade Launcher or Shotgun should do fine at keeping them away. The Grenade Launcher is hard to use, but its high damage allows it to kill at a farther range than the Shotgun or Sword, and there's plenty of ammunition for it if you picked it up before you started the battle. Employ it on clusters of infantry for good effect (Jackals in particular). Your Marine allies will almost certainly be wiped out during the course of the battle. When you hear the call for the second wave of enemies (they drop on the right side of the battlefield, the music will change dramatically as a cue), grab the Sniper Rifle. There will be two [[Jiralhanae Chieftain|Chieftains]] here, one with a [[Type-33 Light Anti-Armor Weapon|Fuel Rod Gun]] and one with a [[Type-2 Energy Weapon/Hammer|Gravity Hammer]]. Focus on the Fuel Rod Chieftain. Because he won't dodge much, the Sniper Rifle is a great choice to take him on, just don't waste ammo, you'll want the Sniper shots later. Two headshots will take him down. Quickly swap out your Sniper Rifle and retrieve the weapon you dropped. The Gravity Hammer Chieftain will charge you, drop grenades on him and keep backing away. If he gets close enough to swing, jump over him away from the Hammer to dodge the force of the strike. Keep hitting him and he'll go down eventually. Swap his Gravity Hammer for your Grenade Launcher if you're low on ammunition, otherwise keep the Grenade Launcher. Finish off the remaining enemies to trigger the last wave. You can head to the main landing platform to gain a pretty good vantage for your last showdown, or you can stay on the roof of your building. There will be a couple of Brute Minors and a Chieftain with a [[Type-52 Guided Munitions Launcher/Explosive|Plasma Launcher]], plus any surviving Brute Captains and Jackals from prior waves. Use the DMR to clear the everything but the Chieftain. Once you're down to him, bring out the Gravity Hammer. If you have enough ammo left (unlikely), use the DMR, it's much less risky than closing with the Hammer, but if you can close quickly enough you can finish him off and grab the Plasma Launcher for yourself. If you stay on the roof, this wave will drop right on top of you. Fire Grenades into the mass of Brutes before they can spread out to kill or wound most of them, or charge in with the Gravity Hammer or Energy Sword. This is very dangerous, but rewarding if you pull it off. Now [[Jacob Keyes|Captain Keyes]]' [[Dropship 77-Troop Carrier|Pelican]] will drop in, before you go to him, grab that Sniper Rifle off the roof and head over to the Pelican to deliver your [[Cortana|precious cargo]].


But if you're going to do this the hard way, then here's what to do. Two rules. First, prioritize Banshees. They may be smaller, but they're faster than Phantoms, have much longer range with their weapons, and one fuel rod from them will kill you. Second, check your blindspots every three shots. Phantoms that come from above or from the right tend to be harder to see and those are the ones that will cause you problems. And as an optional rule, don't be discouraged. If your shields recharge, that's a sign that you're doing good and can survive this bout.
===My Name is Spartan B-312. You killed my Teammates. Prepare to Die.===
You're on your own, but there's work to be done. Equip the Sniper Rifle, there is a [[Sangheili Zealot|Elite Zealot]] on the far gangway near where you came in. This is what you've been saving the Sniper Rifle for. Ventilate him, it should take three quick headshots, you MUST be precise. Reload, a second Zealot will exit, you should send him on the [[Greatest Journey]] the same way. Reload, a third Zealot may appear at the door, if you have the shot, take it. If not, leave him for now. Pick up a DMR if you can find one, otherwise a Magnum will do. Clear out the Grunts from a safe distance. Once you don't see any more Grunts move to the doorway where the Zealots and Grunts came from. There is an [[Huragok|Engineer]] here. Hit him with a few shots from the DMR or use the Plasma Launcher if you still have it to take care of it. This will draw out the last Zealot if you didn't kill him with the Sniper Rifle. Pick up a Plasma Pistol and noob combo him. If you were unsuccessful with the Sniper Rifle, the noob combo is your best chance. Do not try and engage a Zealot in close quarters if possible. They often dual-wield Plasma Rifles and are excellent shots with a very powerful melee. Coupled with their very strong shields, you will always be disadvantaged in a close quarters battle. Strafe and use the Plasma Pistol and DMR to chip their shields away. Once all three Zealots are down, your last individual enemy is ahead, a [[Sangheili Field Marshal|Elite Field Marshal]] with a Fuel Rod Gun. He's a good shot with it and will put a shot into your face if you charge him. Try using the overcharge shot to pop his shields, if you miss, just try again. Once you knock out his shields he'll drop the Fuel Rod Gun and pull out an Energy Sword. Don't panic. If you're in close, you can run around behind him and assassinate him while he does the animation to pull out the sword. If not, just wait till he starts charging and headshot him.


As soon as you enter the mass driver, charge a shot and fire at the first Phantom you see. Fire at two more before looking up and shooting a Phantom coming from overheard. Then the Banshees will start to spawn from the left. Shoot at them then look up or to your right again for more approaching Phantoms. The general principle with Banshees is this: if three spawn at once, there's a good chance that you'll die or at least lose some health. If it's two, the odds are even, and below the odds are in your favor. Aim carefully to be sure you don't miss because the mass driver shots take a long time to recharge, about as long as the Spartan Laser.
===You....Shall Not....Glass!!!===
OK. You're down to your last hurrah. The [[15cm Mark/2488 1.1GJ MAC|Mass Driver Cannon]] is just up the stairs. Now you can hop in the driver's seat and plug away at Phantoms and [[Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft|Banshees]] until the [[CCS-class Battlecruiser]] is in range and then fire. However, on Legendary this requires ridiculous timing, absurdly accurate fire and more than just a little luck. It's much easier, and completely safe to hop into the turret, then hop out and run down the stairs, wait for the right moment (Keyes will cue you at the right moment). Run up, hop in, aim, fire, pump your fist, you just completed your mission and ensured the escape of ''Pillar of Autumn''.


*'''Keyes (COM)''': "Fire ''now'', Lieutenant! Hit her in the gut!"
==Legendary Notes==
*This level requires you use all of the skills you learned in previous levels, from vehicles to assaults to firefights, you do it all here.
*Conservation of ammo is often key here. While for skilled players headshots aren't too difficult, less experienced players often use too much ammo aiming for center mass and doing less damage, especially on Legendary. Practice your sniping skills, while they may not always be necessary, they will always be useful.
*There are three Spartan Lasers on this level. Use them right and you'll be able to keep one to the end of the level.
*This can never be stressed enough, know your weapons. You may be most comfortable with a DMR and Plasma Pistol, but if all that's around is a [[Type-25 Carbine|Brute Spiker]] and a Plasma Rifle, you'd better be able to wield them effectively.
*Never Surrender the High Ground. there are several areas here (no less than 4) where you will have height and range on your enemies, use these positions to keep yourself safe and the enemy dead.
*Any skull would be good here. You are going to face the most deadly enemies on this level anyway and they're all going to be in front of you. There's plenty of weapons around and no one ever went wrong with more grenades. Only Iron may be something of a stickler here as it is a fairly long level and repeating the whole thing if playing solo will be a little tedious.
*If possible, and when all the weaker enemies are dead (Grunts, jackals, etc) sneak around to the back of the enemies, while your allies distract them, and assassinate, move back to cover and rinse and repeat. This is best used against elites for it takes forever to take down there shields at long and med range and they move to cover after shield is down. If you're too close, well, good luck dodging all the concussion rounds they send at you.
*If there are other weapons lying around, like assault rifles, plasma rifle, etc. Pick em up and use em against weaker enemies, for it will conserve your ammo on your preferred choice of weapons.


After one minute and fifteen seconds of shooting dropships, the cruiser will lower its shield and charge its [[energy projector]]. At Keyes' urging, fire a mass driver shot into it to end the level and the ''Halo: Reach'' campaign.
==Notes for Lower Difficulties==
*Heroic difficulty has more enemies but they are easier to defeat. Plan on seeing more Elite Majors and Brute Captains.
*One shot with a Sniper Rifle will kill nearly all Elites. You can kill almost any Elite after you find them with a single well placed shot to the head (two at the most).


==External links==
*{{Plain|[https://youtu.be/Xqk6krm2FYU Hokiebird428's Legendary guide]}}
*{{Plain|[https://youtu.be/1KY7fW2A9QM RC Master's Legendary speedrun]}}
*{{Plain|[http://halo.bungie.org/gameplay/reach_mythic/poa.html Mythic Tyrant's LASO guide]}}


{{succession box | before = ''[[The Package/Walkthrough|The Package]]'' <br />| title =Halo Reach Campaign Walkthrough for: | years = '''''The Pillar of Autumn''''' |after = ''[[Lone Wolf (level)/Walkthrough|Lone Wolf]]''}}
{{succession box | before = ''[[The Package (level)/Walkthrough|The Package]]'' <br />| title =Halo Reach Campaign Walkthrough for: | years = '''''The Pillar of Autumn''''' |after = ''[[Lone Wolf (level)/Walkthrough|Lone Wolf]]''}}
[[Category:Halo: Reach walkthroughs]]
[[Category:Walkthrough]]

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