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Gears of War 3 eGuide
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Contents

  • Introduction
    • We’re All Stranded Now
    • About This Guide
  • Characters
    • Overview
    • Delta Squad
    • Supporting Cast
  • Basic Training
    • Overview
    • Controls
    • Campaign Modes & Difficulties
    • Navigating the Battlefield
    • Combat
  • Weapons
    • Overview
    • Assault Rifles
    • Power Weapons
    • Heavy Weapons
    • Pistols
    • Grenades
  • Enemies
    • Overview
    • Lambent
    • Locust
  • Campaign Walkthrough
    • Act 1
      • Prologue: Troubled Past
      • Chapter 1: Anchored
      • Chapter 2: Abandon Ship
      • Boss Battle
      • Chapter 3: Homecoming
      • Chapter 4: Helping Hand
      • Chapter 5: MVP
      • Chapter 6: Hanging by a Thread
    • Act 2
      • Chapter 1: Shipwreck
      • Chapter 2: House of Sand
      • Chapter 3: Forced Entry
      • Chapter 4: Trench Run
      • Boss Battle
      • Chapter 5: Hijack
      • Chapter 6: Airborne
      • Chapter 7: Touchdown
    • Act 3
      • Chapter 1: Unbreakable
      • Chapter 2: Rescue
      • Boss Battle
      • Chapter 3: Breakneck Run
      • Chapter 4: Ghost Town
      • Chapter 5: Brothers to the End
    • Act 4
      • Chapter 1: Ashes to Ashes
      • Chapter 2: Crater
      • Chapter 3: Hang ‘Em High
      • Chapter 4: Batten Down the Hatches
      • Chapter 5: Bon Voyage
      • Chapter 6: Watery Grave
    • Act 5
      • Chapter 1: Home Away From Home
      • Chapter 2: Blackout
      • Chapter 3: Shattered House
      • Chapter 4: Threshold
      • Chapter 5: Ascension
      • Chapter 6: Reckoning
      • Boss Battle
  • Multiplayer
    • Movement
    • Advanced Movement
    • Gears Concepts
    • Cover
    • Combat
    • Team Play
    • Weapons
    • Map Attributes
    • Multiplayer Modes
    • Multiplayer Arsenal
      • Weapon Spawning
      • Weapon Damage Table
      • Rifles
      • Shotguns
      • Pistols
      • Grenades
      • Power Weapons
      • Heavy Weapons
    • Horde Mode
      • Horde Basics
      • Base Building
      • Horde Quick Tips
    • Beast Mode
      • Overview
      • Waves
      • COG Forces
      • Fortifications
      • Cash
      • Beast Forces
    • Multiplayer Maps
      • Overview
      • Checkout
      • Drydock
      • Gridlock
      • Hotel
      • Mercy
      • Old Town
      • Overpass
      • Sandbar
      • Thrashball
      • Trenches
  • Collectibles
    • Act 1
    • Act 2
    • Act 3
    • Act 4
    • Act 5
    • Ribbons
    • Medals
    • Mutators
    • Weapon Skins
    • Multiplayer Executions
    • Multiplayer Characters
    • Avatar Awards
    • Achievements

Gears of War 3 Guide › Campaign Walkthrough › Act 1

Chapter 6: Hanging by a Thread

Objectives

Cross the bridge.

Secure the zip-line landing zone.

Search the bridge for a Stranded camp.

Secure the tollbooths area.

Defeat tickers dropped from upper deck.

Eliminate the Locust mortar crew.

Use the Mortar on the Locust Gas Barge.

Locate a Ticker storage area.

Drop Tickers onto Lambent Leviathan.

Collectibles

Tollbooth Tokens

Bayonet

COG Tag

The Sights of Sera

Cole and the others have reached the top of Hanover Cougar Stadium, but the cable car is nowhere to be seen. Sam finds a few meat hooks that can be used to zip-line down onto the bridge. You have to cross the bridge quickly before the CNV Sovereign down below sails past. With any luck, they can lend Marcus and company a hand with the Leviathan.

Centennial Bridge

Cross Centennial Bridge

Cole and the others made it to the top of the stadium, but the cable car is long gone. Fortunately, Sam finds some hooks they can use to zip-line down onto the bridge. Use the pistol to shoot the fuel drums on the two balconies to the right, then the ledge to the left. This quickly kills the Drudges in each spot and racks up a number of points for those playing Arcade mode.

Be ready to start firing on the red fuel drums the moment the zip line begins.
Secure the Zip-Line Landing Zone

Upon landing, take cover behind the guardrail in the center lane. Wait out the Gunker’s initial Imulsion attack. He has a couple of Drudge with him, so you want to reach tall cover quickly. Lob a Frag Grenade at the Gunker, then run in the opposite direction to find extra Frag Grenades. Advance along the bridge’s left side and take cover behind the blue dumpster on the left. This offers excellent protection against the Gunker and Drudges. Use the Boomshot from the stadium to take out the multiple Drudges and Gunker while squad mates advance along the road’s right side. It’s okay to use up the Boomshot ammo here, but save at least one Frag Grenade.

Use the tall cover on the left and the Boomshot from the stadium to dispatch the Gunker—its explosion may well destroy the Drudges too!
Search the Bridge for a Stranded Camp

Gather ammo and advance along the bridge’s left side, toward the barricade up ahead. It may have been a Stranded camp once, but now it’s infested with Locust. And it’s very well enforced.

Secure the Tollbooths Area

CO-OP TACTIC

The battle at the tollbooth area is the perfect opportunity to practice team tactics with friends. Depending on how many human players you have, split up to send one or two teammates forward to contest the tollbooths and Savage Grenadiers on the ground. If you have three or more human players, make sure at least one or two hangs back to deal with the Snipers and the Drones with the OneShot. The Snipers and OneShot enemies are a lot harder to spot when you’re up close near the tollbooths.

Roadie Run into cover, and use the Boomshot or a Frag Grenade to take out the Locust manning the makeshift Multi-Turret in the center tollbooth. This is your first priority, but don’t leave your head exposed for long—Snipers are nearby!

Now use the Boltok or Hammerburst to take out the Sniper up above it to the left. Three more elevated Snipers and Grenadiers are to the right, and one even has a OneShot. Use the taller cover directly in front of the center tollbooth, and pan across the structure on the bridge’s right side to look for more enemies.

Get a Frag Grenade inside that tollbooth near the turret right away, or you’ll certainly be pinned down!

Blow Up the Second Booth

The right-hand tollbooth may appear closed at first, but the shutters soon open, revealing another deadly enemy. Take aim on the fuel drums to the right of the booth to blow the whole thing sky high. You can even do this before the shutters open if you want to minimize your risk.

Several other Grenadiers attack from the right. Mow them down and advance slightly closer to the tollbooth, remaining in cover.

[#16] Tollbooth Tokens

This collectible is among the easiest to find, particularly if you use the Multi-Turret inside the middle tollbooth. Put some change in your pocket by picking up the Tollbooth Tokens on the ground. They’re to the right of the steps leading into the middle booth.

Moments after you kill these left-hand enemies—and Baird is done talking—the gate on the left opens, and a pair of Boomers, numerous Grenadiers, and a Butcher march in. Quickly man the Multi-Turret in the middle tollbooth and open fire. There may be a Grenadier in the leftmost tollbooth as well, though not with a turret. The gun has surprising power and a very high fire rate, but its accuracy leaves a lot to be desired. Fortunately, the targets are quite big. Fill them full of lead to finish securing the area.

The Multi-Turret is comprised of four Retro Lancers welded together. It’s exactly as terrifying as it sounds.

[#17] Bayonet

Continue past te barricaded tollbooth area and spot the large, red shipping container on the right. Destroy the wooden crate inside it to find the Bayonet on the ground inside. The container is to the right of the guardrail, between the two “Stay in Lane” signs.

Cross Centennial Bridge (Cont’d)

Continue ahead, down onto the bridge’s lower deck. Multiple Grenadiers are down below, near makeshift fortifications and shacks. This is a good spot to use Incendiary Grenades and to collect Hammerburst or Retro Lancer ammo, along with some Frag Grenades. It also presents an exceptional opportunity for devious flanking maneuvers!

Use the ladders and the catwalk to sneak up on the Savage Grenadiers from the other side of the bridge.

Listen for one of the COGs to yell out a flanking order—this is your cue to head left, past the white van, to a ladder on the edge of the bridge. This ladder leads down to a catwalk below. Follow the catwalk past the COG Tag, to the ladder up ahead on the right-hand side. Climb the ladder to sneak up behind the Locust near the Multi-Turret on that side of the road.

Make a dash for the Frag Grenades near the white van. Then descend the ladder off to the left to access the catwalk below for a perfect flanking opportunity!

[#18] Cog Tag

Clear out the Locust from within the darkened lower deck area. Then wind through the shacks behind the turret and around the barriers. Step out onto the right-hand walkway on the edge of the bridge. Descend the ladder here to the catwalk suspended below the bridge. Follow the path around to the COG Tag. You can also pick up this COG Tag after you descend the ladder on the bridge’s left-hand side.

A number of Tickers attack as the group passes the shacks to the left. Your first concern should be the Grenadier on the Multi-Turret to the left. Carmine may take him out with the Torque Bow, otherwise use a Frag Grenade. Take cover, hang back, and use the assault rifle to eliminate the Tickers before they get too close. If you have a remaining Boomshot rocket, hold onto it!

Put some cover between you and the Tickers, and then open fire with the assault rifle. Try not to be too close when they explode.

Tickers Times Three

Three small waves of Tickers attack in this area. Hang back and let them come to you, otherwise you risk triggering all three spawns at once.

It’s time to head back up to the upper bridge deck, but there are two ways. One way is to climb the ladders at the end of the lower deck. The other way is to detonate the large fuel truck on the right; the explosion drops a ramp-like section of the upper deck and provides a shortcut to the top.

Explosive Shortcuts

Shoot the fuel tanks on the back of the right-hand truck to drop the road surface, providing a quick shortcut back to the upper deck. Using this ramp puts you in close proximity to the enemies above. We recommend it if you’re playing co-op, or if you have Boomshot ammo on hand. You can avoid some of the Tickers and the Troika on the left if you detonate the truck quickly and rush up the ramp. Your AI-controlled squadmates will likely climb the ladders beyond this ramp and may not join you in time to help if you rush ahead.

Rush up the sloping road surface and quickly take cover behind the concrete barrier. Use the Boomshot to eliminate the Boomer down the road on the left. Switch to the assault rifle or Boltok, wait for your squadmates to join you, and then sweep the area of Grenadiers.

Slip through the razor wire beyond the Locust on the road. Follow the outer walkway to where the decking begins to crumble. Enter the side room, and descend the ladders to where Cole directs the team to split up.

Split Path: Catwalk

Choosing the lower path requires Cole to fight alongside Sam on the catwalk below. Several Grenadiers are in the distance, on the catwalk’s center. Take cover behind the barrier before you pass the wooden crate, and use the Boltok to headshot the Grenadiers as they raise their heads.

There isn’t a lot of room on the catwalk, so it’s best to keep your foes at a distance.

Climb the ladder on the right to assist Baird and Carmine on the deck above. Cole and Sam ascend to a point that offers a great opportunity to flank the enemies above. Gather the ammo, reload your weapons, and continue past the gate.

Split Path: Lower Deck

Grenadiers armed with rifles as well as Incendiary Grenades heavily reinforce the area straight ahead—don’t underestimate their aim with the grenades. Approaching them head-on can be quite dangerous.

Take cover behind the truck, and use the Boomshot to destroy the lumber piles that the Grenadiers use for cover.

It’s much better to flank around to the right and take cover behind the large truck’s wheels. This gives you a clean shot at the Grenadiers and Grunts without being exposed to grenade tosses. Hold them off while you can to buy time for Baird and Carmine to climb the ladder on the right and flank them.

Defeat Tickers Dropped from Upper Deck

A large container falls, dropping Tickers onto the road up ahead. Keep your distance and use the assault rifle to pepper the Tickers with shots. If you’re using a Retro Lancer, it’s important to pulse the weapon. Otherwise, you spray a lot of bullets and don’t necessarily hit any of the Tickers. Tickers move fast and get in close to detonate. Immediately roll away if the Ticker stops and begins to shudder; this is the sign that it’s about to explode! Ascend the fallen road surface on the right to return to the upper deck—the COGs must traverse the upper deck to bypass obstacles on the lower level.

This falling crate of Tickers is just the sort of inspiration Baird needed to devise a plan for dealing with the Leviathan.
Eliminate the Locust Mortar Crew

A group of Locust far in the distance showers the upper road deck with random mortar fire. Fortunately, several red shipping containers are scattered throughout the bridge deck. Use them for cover as you advance on the Locust position.

Stay on the road’s left side, as the center median blocks access from the right beyond the second container. Duck in and out of the containers and wait for explosions to stop. Then Roadie Run and dive into the next container for safety. If you get downed, crawl into a container and wait to be revived.

Stand far enough inside the container to avoid splash damage, but close enough to the exit to see when the salvo has ended.

Equip the Boomshot you find in the third container, exit on the left, and sprint to the fourth container for cover. Exit the fourth container and run at an angle to the right, sprinting along the outer sidewalk to where it sticks out beyond the collapsed portion of road. This offers a tremendous vantage point from which to attack the Locust down below. Use the Longshot you found earlier or the Boomshot from the container to take them out.

Aim the Mortar at a semi-steep angle and about five clicks’ worth of power to ensure enough height to hit the Gas Barge.
Sprint along the right-hand sidewalk with the Boomshot or Longshot for a clean view of the Mortar crew below.

CO-OP TACTIC

Send only one person forward from container to container, drawing the Locust crew’s attention so the others can move up safely. This avoids delays from bumping into one another or from being unable to exit/enter the containers in time. The mortar fire is random until one of the Gears gets close enough for the Locust to spot him, then the Locust target that individual unit.

Mortar Fire

The Mortar is a devastating heavy weapon that can rain down explosive shells on distant enemies. Though it expels a bouncing fireball-like projectile when quick-fired while carrying it, the weapon is most effective aiming it from cover. Use the Left Thumbstick to adjust the tube’s tilt, and hold the Fire Weapon button to determine the shot’s power. Longer button presses yield longer shots. The Mortar guarantees an instant kill on all but the most resilient foes.

Use the Mortar on the Locust Gas Barge

Descend the collapsed roadway to where the Locust were, and pick up the Mortar. A Locust Gas Barge is approaching from the left.

The Gas Barge has heavy weaponry, including mortar fire. Quickly duck for cover near the concrete barrier and fire the Mortar at the barge. Don’t max out the range, as the Gas Barge is closer than you think. Just make sure to pull back on the controls (unless your controls are inversed) to aim steeply so the Mortar doesn’t sail low. The goal is to rain mortar fire down onto the Gas Barge from above.

Locate a Ticker Storage Container

The COGs have come to a dead end, but fortunately the Gas Barge succeeded in creating a ramp back to the lower level. Pick up the Boomshot at the slanted walkway’s base, but save it for topside. The only way to continue is via the lower deck, but cars and holes in the bridge surface block the way. That is, until the Leviathan’s tentacles smash through the bridge and knock aside the cars!

The tentacles that smash through the bridge on the left don’t spawn Polyps, only those from the right.

The tentacle may clear the way for the COGs to advance, but tentacles bring Polyps! Have your assault rifle ready, and fire rapidly at the Polyps. Advance slowly and let the squad take the lead, or at least walk alongside them. Most of the Polyps scamper around to the right, while others leap over the crate. Defeat the Grenadiers ahead, and use the ladders in the distance to return to the upper deck.

Arcade Tips

The Locust are no friends of the Lambent, and they attack the Polyps if given the chance. This is no time to befriend the enemy of your enemy—those Locust are stealing your points! Advance slowly to draw the Polyps toward you before they attract the attention of the Locust up ahead.

[#19] The Sights of Sera

Climb the ladders to the bridge’s upper deck one last time, but don’t head off to fight more Locust just yet! First, find this handy sightseeing guide in the other direction. Turn around to face the ladder you climbed, and walk to the left to find the collectible.

Speaking of Sightseeing…

The binoculars on the side of the bridge near the stairs are fully functional. You can even use them to check out the Leviathan’s attack on the ship below!

Locust protect the final stretch of bridge between the COGs and the crate of Tickers. Though it’s dangerous, this actually gives the COGs multiple ways to proceed.

For starters, a Boomshot is on the far left as soon as you walk up the steps from the sidewalk. A Longshot is also on the walkway to the right. Use either weapon and advance along the left side, past the gap in the road. Mantle the barrier, and kill the Locust manning the Multi-Turret inside the hut. Detonate the fuel truck across the bridge to take out any Locust in the area—one may even have a OneShot. Then use the Multi-Turret to clear out the others.

Man the Multi-Turret to tilt the odds in your favor.

Alternatively, you can flank around to the right and sneak up behind the enemy inside the shack with the Multi-Turret. Kill him, and then use the Multi-Turret or Boomshot to detonate the fuel truck parked next to the enemy with the OneShot. Be fast about it, though, as you don’t want the Drone with the OneShot getting a bead on you!

Drop Tickers onto Lambent Leviathan

As you near the crate of Tickers, another batch of two to four Locust bursts onto the scene from behind. Mount one of the turrets that you freed and take them down.

It’s possible to rush the Ticker crate and complete Act 1 without defeating the other Locust, but where’s the fun in that?

The Ticker container is just ahead on the bridge’s right-hand side. Marcus and the others have lured the Lambent Leviathan to the ship’s bow, directly under the center of the bridge. Approach the container and give it a kick to pour dozens of Tickers down onto the Leviathan.

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