Epitaph

General Tips
The power weapons that everyone will flock towards are the Gravity Hammer and Rocket Launcher, but don’t forget about the Shotgun and Brute Shot – they’re both just as powerful in their own unique ways, and they’re less likely to be surrounded by a bickering rabble.

A Power Drain lies behind the Gravity Lift that propels players to the Rocket Launcher platform. It won’t land on the platform if you throw it into the lift, but it will travel over it – which is enough for the passing device to strip your target’s shields (Fig. 1).

On the other side of this Gravity Lift, there is a Needler. This is a great weapon to have during the early-game rush for the Rocket Launcher and Gravity Hammer. If you can arrive unfashionably early, you will be able to devastate enemies squabbling over the ostensibly more desirable weapons with controlled bursts of pink mist.

The Rocket Launcher platform is not fixed – it sways, rocks and may even flip if hit by bullets or explosions (Fig. 2).

The Gravity Hammer is positioned in the very centre of the building, but you’re better off taking it somewhere where you are less exposed. The walkways outside are a particularly good stalking ground. Note that there is an Overshield power-up very close to the Gravity Hammer spawn point. If you pick it up on the way, you’ll have a potentially commanding advantage over your rivals.

Beware of enemies “door camping” outside – you’ll die more than a few deaths at the hands of opponents loitering out of sight beyond the shield barriers, especially when they wield powerful melee weapons.

As with all levels that feature energy shields over doorways, try to avoid getting involved in cat-and-mouse battles with opponents on the other side. They’re actually quite time-consuming, and there’s always a huge risk that someone else will pick you (or, frustratingly, your opponent) off while you’re distracted.

Grenades are deadly on the outside walkways. Many players are in the habit of jumping in an attempt to minimize blast damage (or simply to avoid bullets), and they can be thrown over the edge by the explosion (Fig. 3).

If you’re the climbing type, you’ll be pleased to hear that there are some interesting points you can reach inside the main building. Firstly, you can jump on top of the buttresses either side of the Rocket Launcher platform. This is both a good escape route, and an interesting camping spot – you can drop down at the back and be out through a door very quickly if needs be. Note that you can reach the furthermost buttress via the tiny ledge on the wall (there are actually a few of these), and even make your way to a small platform in the far corner. Of course, you’re an easy target for anyone that spots you up there, but it’s a potentially interesting place to be (Fig. 4).

The Shotgun spawn point (on the lower level of the outside walkways, to the far north of the building) is an excellent position for defending a VIP. Enemies can drop down from the upper walkway, and attack via the doors, but the back exit is completely secure – it’s a Gravity Lift, which (with a certain pleasing irony) leads to the Bubble Shield spawn point. If you position your VIP next to it, the curvature of the walkway will protect him or her from enemy bullets and grenades, and there’s a ready-made escape route should the defending force be overpowered.

Quick Facts