Last City Liberation
Enemies Encountered
- Cabal: Psions, Phalanxes, Legionaries, Incendiors
- Cabal: Sub-Boss: Incendior
- Cabal: Boss: Dominus Ghaul
Objectives
- Defeat Ghaul (continued).
Command Ship Cargo Bay
Super: Recommended
Grenades: Recommended
Warning!: Restricted Zone
Head up the ramp to a relatively compact cargo bay area. Streaming out of the far door are six Psions (three moving to each side of the bay) and a couple of Phalanxes, Legionaries, and an Incendior Sub-Boss (Void Shield). Head around the left side of the room’s perimeter so you can quickly neutralize half the Psions, then attack the closest targets, with Phalanxes being the main concern because they can shield others.
Remain at range, and tackle the Sub-Boss Incendior last unless you’re confident you can defeat him without breaking off the attack and letting his shields recharge. Then, move through to the circular elevator, allowing access to the command ship’s exterior.
Another option is simply to charge forward, passing by all enemies to the elevator and riding it up, ignoring all combat.
Final Confrontation: Dominus Ghaul
Super: Recommended
Grenades: Recommended
Warning!: Restricted Zone
Defeating Ghaul: Reconnoiter: After heading along the outer spine of the craft, you face down Ghaul, and combat begins. Just aim at his head until he moves out of range and the complexities of combat increase. At this point, you should explore the structure of the battlefield (in this case, the command ship you’re fighting on).
Traveler’s Light: Ghaul flies around this craft, returning to bathe in a column of unnatural light from time to time. This column is directly ahead of you (as you enter the fight), and it’s not worth moving any farther toward the front of the ship than this point.
Linked tunnels: There is a lower section on either side of the upper “spine” of the craft, each with a tunnel that links to a central tunnel and then to the opposite side. Here, you can rush to replenish your energy if you’ve been
struck or if you need to reload, change weapons, or hide. Note the tall metal cylinders on the craft at each entrance; look for them during combat so you know where to head. Also, note a second central tunnel farther back under the main spine of the craft, which is useful for moving back and forth between the lower exterior sides.
Cover opportunities: The metal cylinders and various metal barriers along the sides of the craft can act as cover. In general, though, there aren’t many areas to hide behind, aside from the tunnels.
Columns of Boundless Light: During the second and third parts of the battle, the rear part of the craft on each side has a Column of Boundless Light, which automatically recharges your Super and Abilities. This is critical to reach during an otherwise lengthy battle.
Cabal infantry: Expect Psions and Legionaries to help their master all the way through combat. During parts two and three, Incendiors and Phalanxes also appear, arriving on the super-structure to annoy and impede you. Periodically clear these foes, usually by rushing them with headshots and a melee attack to finish. These actually become useful because the ammo they drop replenishes your supplies, especially helpful for your Power weapons.
Begin by focusing on the removal of Ghaul’s first third of his health. Ghaul spends most of his time in the air and has three main attacks.
His foot-stomp (executed after landing) is highly damaging at close range, so stay away from him unless you’re waving a shotgun in his face as you charge forward and back. He has a grenade launcher that punts out a grenade one at a time; strafe or jump away from that. He also has a variation on a Guardian Super attack: a flaming sword he lobs down while flying. This can damage you severely, so quickly jump away from it before it strikes you.
React by aiming all your firepower at Ghaul’s head. Fast-firing rifles or hand cannons are great. Shotguns are dangerous but effective. Sniper rifles are tricky because he keeps moving. Grenades and launchers are tricky because he can easily avoid those projectiles in the air. Be sure to launch your Super; connect with Ghaul’s head, and don’t worry about “wasting” it, as there’s more light available soon. Continue to punish Ghaul’s head until he loses his first third of health and retreats to his column, the Traveler’s Light.
As Ghaul retreats into his maelstrom of purple light, remove all Cabal infantry threats, as many as possible once a new dropship arrives to deposit more Psions and Legionaries on the super-structure. While you’re fending off the lesser foes, step into either Column of Boundless Light on the ship, recharging your Super and Abilities. When the purple column disappears, you can focus on removing the second third of Ghaul’s health.
Ghaul attacks with his grenade launcher (two grenades at a time now), still has his foot-stomp, and has learned a variation on a new Super: a crackling maelstrom and some deadly melee strikes. However, a quick-thinking backpedal usually results in this attack missing. Return the favor with a Super just after Ghaul finishes his, when he’s most exposed. Couple this with any Abilities you favor before returning to a Column of Boundless Light and recharging. Repeat the Super attack until Ghaul’s health ebbs away to a third. Alternately, headshots from your favored weapons eventually do the trick, though you need to keep moving (and hiding) to avoid his wrath.
The light is affecting Ghaul, and the tide may be turning. While he’s writhing in his purple maelstrom, make short work of the Cabal infantry on deck, using your grenades (and grenade launcher) to clear the area and perhaps pick up ammunition. Bathe in either Column of Boundless Light so your Super is ready to go. Note that the columns move to the lower part of the craft, near the tunnels.
Ghaul himself uses both the previous Supers he has acquired from the Traveler’s Light, after attempting to strike with his final super, a giant void shield which he can hurl at you. This is easily dodged if you watch Ghaul conjure the ball and leap before it arrives. Though he’s more vicious, and you’ll usually need to use the tunnels to protect you, he eventually yields to several Super attacks directed at his head, or countless bullets aimed at the same place. Keep on the offense, returning to bathe in more light for a recharged Super until Ghaul takes a tumble he doesn’t get up from. The mission is over. The Red Legion has been defeated!