Cortana (level)/Walkthrough: Difference between revisions

This is a walkthrough for the level [[Cortana (level)|Cortana]].   

For the next area you're going to want to be quick follow the path up and around, you should see a couple of Deployable Covers here.  Grab one and make your way to the large opening to the outside.  There are many Combat Forms here as well as [[Flood Stalker Form|Stalker Forms]] that like to become Ranged Forms.  Load up on Ammo here at the Pelican and get ready to move.  You can grab the [[M7057/Defoliant Projector|Flamethrower]] here, But on Legendary difficulty you have a better chance of Barbequeing yourself than the flood so leave it (Also if you leave it there now it will help you out later, seriously).  From here you have a choice, you can set up your Deployable Cover and shoot out the Combat and Ranged forms, or you can run.  Your going to need as much ammo as possible so while you could clean out this area (and if you're playing the [[Campaign Scoring|Meta-Game]] for points you should) you're much better off just running back in to the left and making your way to the porta and to the next area.  The flood will not follow you once the porta closes.

After you drop through this area you'll run into your first large room again.  And you'll run into [[Thel 'Vadam|The Arbiter]] who will be cleaning out The Flood with the Flamethrower you left earlier.  Run past him and straight to the Pelican.  Hop on board and........

If you're having difficulties beating this level the traditional way, you can attempt to adopt a Speed Run strategy. On Legendary this method is Suicide and you won't advance much beyond the Pelican, but on lower difficulties you can make it through nearly every area without a prolonged engagement with The Flood. AGAIN: This will not work on Legendary.

The next room is going to be your fastest skip of the level.  There are a few things to note though.  To the left side is an opening through which is a Pelican. There is a flamethrower and some weapons and ammo out there, but unless you're already really low on ammo, don't go near it.  You should run straight forward using your MA5C to clear a path straight through the porta.  Once it closes the flood won't follow you.

Drop through the hole in the floor.  There are loads of flood here, mostly stalker forms that change into ranged and tank forms, that will all be trying to take you down. Run forward with your Brute Shot out, shooting Ranged forms and meleeing the Tank Forms .  Once you reach the center of the room you should get a cloaking device.  Don't activate it yet.  Run straight forward out of this room, into the next area. Once you see the Carrier forms stick them with grenades. Advance.  When you reach the left turn bring up your MA5C and activate your cloak.  You should be able to make it to the end of the hall without needing to engage, but if you do, the assault Rifle will make short work of the Combat Forms.   

=== Part 2:Nor Hell a Fury ===

After the cut scene, Head back the way you came.  Here you have no choice but to fight the flood.  Use your energy sword to clear out the first area.  You have to be quick about it, as there are a number of foes here and if you aren't swift you'll be back to your checkpoint.  Once you've cleared your balcony swap your Energy sword for a carbine and snipe any Combat forms that are across form you.  Then drop the carbine for a Spiker and finish off any Ranged forms that remain.  Load up your Brute Shot, and grab a Carbine.  Use the Brute Shot to blow up the Reactors. Then Run.   

Fall through the hole in the floor and run down the thin hallway from earlier using your Carbine and grenades to take out the flood.   

Once you return to the Terminal Room bring up your Brute Shot and '''*run*''' forward.  Toss frags and use your Brute Shot to clear in front of you, and <u>only</u> in front of you.  Keep moving forward and don't look back.  The flood will not follow you from area to area, so move quickly and you won't need to fight as much.

:Each variety of flood has a specific weakness.  No one weapon will be effective against all (save the Energy Sword, but it's range makes it unsuitable against Ranged Forms).  Understand that your best chance of survival is knowing what combination of weapons will provide you with good short range attacks and excellent range, to maximize your overall damage.

*Really there is no difference in how you should approach this mission whether it's on Easy or Legendary.  The only difference is in the overall numbers of Flood (on Legendary they can seem unending) and in how difficult it is to kill them (headshots, not withstanding)  If you can beat this mission on Normal without getting killed, it's a fair bet that you should be able to complete it on Legendary.