Mission: [ 8 ]

Achievements: - Mission 08 cleared (20)

-“Volcano” explorer (20)

Remove the Genessa on the walls ahead, to prevent further Trilid swarms. Anchor up up to the containers and to your right up the ramp. Activate the Data Post, and move across the beam. Once you have the VS Rocket Launcher shoot at the Neegal you saw entering a few moments ago. Move down the hill killing all Neegal that spawn. When you reach the containers, shoot the Genessa, or fuel tanks. Hitting either one will make everything explode anyways, and torch swarms of Sepia/Sydsepia. Activate the data post, and fight off the Sydsepia onslaught. Moving around the corridor to your left, climb aboard the GTF-11. Push through the doors, and watch for a few Raibee. Inside you’ll have a new Cakti to play with, and a good time to blow up the approaching Neegals. Pilot the Cakti to the next Data Post and then into the Volcano facility. Quickly look to the ceiling and remove all Genessa from the location. Next take out the Trillid. The Cannon is over-kill right now, so use the Vulcan laser. Get onto the road and  watch for Raibees and a Godon as you move towards the Data Post. Once you can activate the Data Post. Before you make it to the red transport container more Neegal will appear. Once all’s clear, blast through and get yourself the Faze. (Yes it’s hard to part with the Cakti but necessary). Just use the Faze to get to and activate each Data Post. Just run to the southern exit. Kill off the Cyclops’s , and get into the Faze. Destroy the structure holding up the VS over the lava. Then grab yourself the Hardballer. As you push over the bridge and travel the roadway to the 18 wheelers you’ll encounter more NEVEC soldiers and two VS’s. You’ll have to take out another Cakti up ahead, but it won’t be a tough battle like in mission 07. Activate the next Data Post ahead, and drop into the shaft.  If you want to use the Hardballer for the boss battle, it’s best to switch VS’s as well. In the next room are two more VS’s to take out, so grab the EM Laser once you drop onto this landing. Activate the next Data Post. Move in so you can attach both the Rocket Launcher and EM Laser to your VS. Now you are ready to blow up anything. When everything is clear, and you’re ready to move on, go back, put your new toys onto the Hardballer, and proceed.

Battle the D-Cakti:

The D-Cakti will be commanding 3 Cakti. Use the EM Laser to stun each of the Cakti, and then blow them up with the Rocket Launcher. Once they’re clear move in on the D-Cakti. Like the Cakti, the D-Cakti is strongest in Tank formation, and will have it’s weakest point on the backside. In normal form, the central hub is still the weakest point, but likewise weaker from the back. The Vulcan Laser will give you a few problems but nothing damaging, so don’t beat yourself up if you can’t avoid it. Unlike the Cakti, in tank form drilling, or hovering to drop over you will not inflict as much damage as a direct hit with the Missiles Launcher or Cannon. Dash away from the D-Cakti when it hovers, or tries to drill rush you. When it’s ready to fire the cannon hover or dash aside, the shot is on a straight trajectory. The Missiles while stronger are a bit slower, giving you more time to react to their approach. Use the Grenade Launcher once you run out of Rocket launcher ammunition. And if you take too much damage, there are still two other Hardballers near the storage crates. Hover over it when as it finishes an attack to get a fast shot on its weaker back. Don’t waste shots when it’s in tank form, you likely will not be presented with a view of its back, or lower side to make a worthy shot on it. If you can, then go for it though.

Target Marks: Target spells “Volcano”

-V- On the beams used to travel to the VS Rocket Launcher, “V” is just west and beyond of the VS weapon.

-O- Between red containers on the first floor room of the complex like-structure.

- L- Looking south-east in the room with lava, up on the ledge behind several pipes.

-C- On top of the transport container with the Faze inside it.

-A- Under the road, at the intersection, anchor yourself up onto a slanted bridge support beam.

-N- Jumping off the roadway onto the metal bridge, “N” is resting on a crossbeam.

-O- behind the giant fan, looking south, “O” is sitting just behind the blades.

Mission: [9]

Achievements: - Mission 09 cleared (20)

-“Rainbow” explorer (20)

Your first encounter...more NEVEC soldiers. Kill them, and grab yourself a new Plasma Gun. Use the crates or trucks for cover as you activate the Data Post. As you look to the east you’ll notice several VS and Turntables, you’ll want to destroy from the safety of this point. Three of the VS’s are sitting on small landing platforms in the ditch or by the cliff. Move ahead and under the overpass you’ll find some VS weapons to help take out further NEVEC forces. Anchor up to the large platforms by the poring lava and up to the highway. If you still need to take out some VS, the Turntable is an excellent weapon right now. Blow open the transport container, and take a Granseed, or X-Seed. (I Suggest Granseed). Over the Lava, watch for two X-Seeds, activate the Data Post, and through the gate.

A few Jellon in here but nothing to fret about. In the shaft, blow up all Genessa, Sydsepia, and Jellon you can see. As soon as it’s safe, activate the Data Post and anchor down to the next level. Once in the Cakti use it to drill your way through the cave. Once you encounter the Godon and Bolsepia, use the Cakti to blow through these beasts, and onward until you encounter a few Dongo, and the larger cavern. Grab the Granseed once you can, and continue to the next chamber. Watch out for the Skalt, they’ll push right up infront of you on this path. Nothing the Granseed can’t take care of, but they can catch you off guard. As soon as you blast the doors open at the end of the mineshafts you’re back at the NEVEC dome fortress. When you clear the Akrid, and the Godon is it came up the ramped entrance, blast open the storage container, and grab the Hardballer. Move into the next section to activate the Data Post, kill the infesting Bolsepia and Genessa, and move into the domed chamber ahead.

Battle Tencale:

Well this battle may remind you of the Roman Coliseum. Stay to the outer edge as the Tencale emerges so as not to be hit by some of its annoying attacks. As you are fighting you’ll also have dozens of Bolsepia to attend to or ignore. Just remember, Bolsepia explode T-Eng, and cause damage as such at close range, try to blow them up while they are near the Tencale. Be sure to avoid its stinger attack. It’s a bit hard to predict but when you see it pulling back to whip out at you, you can time yourself and dash aside quickly. The Tencale will try several other attacks such swinging its legs to try and smash you like other Akrid before it. Be careful when moving under it as well, the Tencale will drop itself on top of you if given the chance. Likewise the Tencale will ensure it will shoot you with webbing and pull you towards the Bolsepia. Besides the warning I’m sure you’d like tips to beating the Tencale. Well as you should guess, the Tencales weak spot are the joints on its legs. Shoot off at least two legs and bring the Tencale down, you’ll have a few seconds time to blast away at the kill spot on the Tencales back now. After a few seconds the legs will grow back, and the Tencale will be standing upright again. Everytime you blow off those legs, remember to collect the T-Eng. Likely the Hardballer will be destroyed. Its okay, you’ll have an X-Seed and a Cakti in the room. Never waste a minute even between dashing away from an attack, keep hammering its legs to get to that back. If you do switch to the X-Seed next, your shotgun will inflict heavier damage to its back, and can finish it off.

Target Marks: Target spells “Rainbow”

-R- On the second road, that circles the mountain, look to the roads end by the lava-fall. “R” is on the roads edge.

-A- Look to the room near the shaft full of Genessa, in the back corner is “A”.

-I- When you find the X-Seed in the mines, “I” is resting up on the ledge just left of the X-Seed.

-N- Near the Granseed, for the spotlight on the western wall. “N” is next to the spotlight.

-O- At the end of the small corridor, behind the storage tank.

-B- Next to the light on the floor, on the ramp leading into the facility.

-W- In the last room with the Data Post, look to the opened transport container. “W” is in the back corner of it.

Mission: [10]

Achievements: - Mission 10 cleared (20)

-“Blizzard” Explorer (20)

First things first, grab you Granseed, and move over to the edge of the cliff. Now just blow everything up. There are some Zebets on the tunnel, so get the. A Godona and a few Neegals. Once clear, move to the street, and head down to the underground tunnel for a Hardballer. Drop into the tunnel and in this room you’ll encounter a Gorechryatis. There should be a VS weapon or two lying around, picking up the shotgun will finish this fight fast. Watch for a few Raibees too as you’ll have to get out and activate the Data Post near the trailer. Collect some ammo, maybe switch to the second Hardballer. When your ready move down the next hole. Ready up for a huge battle. Activate the Data Post, and move ahead.

Battle the Saizarod:

The largest Akrid in existence. You’ll have to fight this battle in small stages. First shoot the glowing thorn-shaped hooks, “feelers”. When the Saizarod pulls back into its cave, you’ll have to follow on foot, pull out the best weapon you have and drop in after it, and give it a shot to the exposed spores. When another one grows back, it’s time to move back to the VS. You’ll continue like this until the probing feelers are successfully removed. Which is twice for each feeler. The next part you’ll want to spend a lot of time hovering, to evade the various lava attacks the Saizarod will use on you. There will be a few Trilid and Parajellon flying about, but they’ll be taken out in the crossfire, focus on the Saizarods mouth, every time it opens and a giant tongue-like tentacle extends out.  This will be the new weak spot to hit. Charge up the Laser Rifle, and give that a direct hit. The Rocket Launcher of course will work just as well, and better if you have both of these mounted on the same VS. If you get close the Saizarod will spew a stream of lava at you, and this attack will inflict the most damage next to lava bombs it will fire from its mouth. A warning to this latter attack is a gas resonating from the Saizarods mouth.

Once the Saizarod falls, you’ll continue the level through the door to its back. Activate the Data Post ahead, and move into the facility. There is another Gorchryatis and more NEVEC soldiers in this hanger. There are 3 other Data Posts you can activate in this room, on the left side. In the room, you’ll encounter Trilid, NEVEC soldiers, enemy VS, and Genessa. It’s a great time to build up a lotttt of T-Eng, so you may want to take advantage of it before heading out. Once you’ve turned on the Data Posts, head through the gate to the next hanger. I suggest using a Hardballer when you go into the next room. There will be several vital suits lying around, which you can use at your leisure. Take out the two enemy VS’s that will jump you as you enter this base. The parking garage for the VS’s makes good cover and you can switch up VS’s if you don’t want the Hardballer to sustain a lot of damage. There is one Hardballer you should switch to before heading to the elevator. On the left side of the facility. Grab it and move ahead.

Battle Bandero’s Heavy Ivan:

Grab an EM Laser upon enter the room (to your left). Bandero will use 3 different attack methods. The missiles are nothing to worry a lot about. You can dodge them or blow them up as they come after you. The columns in the facility will offer you plenty of protection. When Bandero’s arms extand he’ll try to grab you and give you a powerful electric shock. If you travel as he begins the attack, reverse dash, and fire while doing so, he’ll be standing in one spot, make a nice target. One good thing about this battle is how easy it is to recognize Bandero’s attacks. Bandero will also charge up the Heavy Icans sword, and lunge at you, in an impaling attempt. Avoid this as it will inflict incrediable damage. A quick dash should do the trick, and one better you can swing yourself around him, and get in a few good shots on his back. When you run out of Rocket Launcher ammo, use the shotgun. The shotgun is one weapon that will cleanly break through the Ivan’s shielding ability.

Target Marks: Target spells “Blizzard”

-B- On the road were it’s illuminated by a light look for metal leaning against the wall. “B” is behind the metal

-L- In the area leading to the NEVEC base. Behind a rock in the north-east corner.

-I- In the area with the Gorchryatis blast away the storage bin. “I” is behind them near the Hardballer.

-D- Resting atop a ledge near the “white” building in the area with the Gorchryatis.

-Z- Next to the 4 creates with a Data Post on it in the 1^st hanger after Saizarod.

-Z- To the right of the hanger door, across the caution strip.

-R- Look South, “R” is inside the red transport container with a Hardballer inside.

Mission: [11]

Achievements: - Mission 11 cleared (30)

-“Stardust” explorer (30)

This level is one of the quickest and straightest shoots you’ll venture. (well… until the boss). When you move into the shaft, you’ll encounter several NEVEC VS, and Cyclops’s. However the Yuri is far superior to anything you encounter at this point. While taking out these last NEVEC VS’ keep flying up the shaft, and to the last battle.

Battle Dennis Isengard and the Billion Sword:

When you are outside about to battle this mega-VS, it’s best to put your attention on the elevator for a second, and you’ll see the rotating rings with yellow orbs; shoot the orbs so as the Billon Sword will take on less power. (It helps a little). Learn the attacks carefully. During the entire battle you want to be firing the Vulcan Laser, or the EMF blades projectile attack. When the Billion Sword fires the missiles, they are slow so you can dodge them, or shoot them. When it fires a pulsing plasma rounds, these are likewise easy to avoid, simply drift in the same direction as the Billion Sword. When the Billion sword attacks with its Plasma guns, sweeping both vertically and horizontally, you want to back away as far as you can, just outside of their range. A warning to this attack is a chest high salute of the Billion Swords cannon-like arm. You can break down the Billion Sword piece by piece with the EMF shots, and Vulcan Laser, however if you want to move in for a horizontal swing, the best time is when the it fires several homing lasers. You’ll need to stand still or move backwards as they come at you, wait for them, and then dodge. Moving as fast as you can, you should be able to give the Billion Sword one good swing. I suggest the Horizontal blade it will allow you pass by the Isenberg easier.

Once the Billion Sword becomes weak it will spin with two extended plasma swords. Keep your distance return to shooting at such a range until they drop. Once they do, you can move in for another swing.

Target Marks: Target spells “Stardust”

-A- When entering the tunnel to the shaft, turn and face the doorway.

-S- When you enter the shaft look at the floor in the center of the room.

-T- While standing on the floor after grabbing S, look under the landing platform from the tunnel you just came out of.

-R- Near the NEVEC logo, under the first ring resting on a platform, while flying up to the next landing.

-D- After getting “R”, “D” is on the next level of the same ring, racing the wall which slants to you.

-U- On a landing like “R” beneath the second ring.

-T- Halfway up the 3^rd section of the shaft, hidden against the triangle designed walls. Looking west.

-S- Looking East, this target mark is in the same section as T, about 2 triangles lower.

Written by xTheGunslingerx