Security Zone

Mission 04: Security Zone

Fight in the Wide-Open ONI Exterior

A long and sprawling downhill series of steps, concrete walls, planters, and scenic viewpoints is the stage for this Covenant invasion. After emerging from one of two spawning corridors, climb the steps to the top of the hill, peering down toward the base of the map, where the majority of the enemies come from and where Phantoms drop dozens of infantry. In addition, Wraith tanks mean that taking cover is a must. A rarely grabbed Sniper Rifle is located on the map’s northwest edge.

Data Stream

Expected Enemies

• Grunts
• Jackals
• Brutes
• Brute Chieftains
• Jump-Pack Brutes
• Brute Stalkers
• Drones
• Hunters

Special Enemies

• Covenant Wraith Brutes

Expected Vehicles

• Covenant Phantoms
• Covenant Wraiths

Optimal Weapon Combinations

• Spartan Laser & Magnum
• Magnum & Plasma Pistol*

*After Set 3

Preferred Weapon Combinations

• Carbine & Plasma Pistol
• Carbine & Rocket Launcher
• Carbine & Spartan Laser
• Magnum & Rocket Launcher
• Rocket Launcher & Spartan Laser

Par Score

• 200,000 Points

Notable Offense

Weapons: Spartan Laser and Magnum

Although not every team member can use this weapon combination, the Spartan Laser (located on the west-side upper planter platform) and the Magnum (available from the start) are excellent to employ throughout Firefights in this mission. A steady aim from long distance allows you to completely nullify the Wraiths that are dropped in at the bottom (northwest) end of the hill, and the Magnum is an adept backup weapon that allows you to tag Grunts and Jackals that move too close to you. This single-shot Magnum tagging is less effective on all varieties of Brutes, it is wise to provide Grenade support to a fellow teammate who is paired with you and tasked to help you eliminate Brutes overrunning your area. Or, simply drop the Laser temporarily and pick up a Carbine or the Plasma Pistol.

Weapons: Plasma Pistol and Carbine

This combination or ordnance, or variants thereof (which include the Plasma Pistol), is incredibly useful for dealing with enemies that the Spartan Laser and Magnum combination have trouble with, especially Brutes. A charged and well-timed strike from the Plasma Pistol can nullify any Brute armor; follow this up with Carbine headshots until the Brute falls. For best results, employ this on Captains and Chieftains as they close, and make sure you’re continuously moving.

General Plans

Tactic: Incursion Points—Phantom Drops

There are five Phantom drop points in this mission and no monster closets; this means death from above is an ever-present danger. However, this also means that spotters on high ground can inform teammates about the type of enemy about to scale the hill. For all rounds except the bonus, two Phantoms drop in to the far left or right and toward the middle of the map. The bonus-round Phantom descends above a central platform. A Covenant Wraith and enemy troops always appear at the drop points at the far left and right [1]. The middle-level drop points are closer to the hill’s bottom or farther up the hill, near the Turrets [2].

Tactic: Wraith Takedowns

With the Spartan Laser, the Wraiths pose little threat to your team, although you should destroy them with an accurate strike as early as possible [1]; you don’t need plasma mortar shots raining down as you’re trying to snipe Grunts! If the Spartan Laser has not respawned yet or is being kept by an incompetent player, you’ll need to send two players from your team down toward the Wraith. Although highly dangerous, it is possible for one player to blast it with a charged Plasma Pistol to disable the Wraith, while the other circles behind it to board and destroy it [2]. Three Rockets can also do the trick, but the Wraith can easily maneuver away from the incoming missiles.

Tactic: Playing Defense

With a map that becomes much more dangerous the farther down the steps you descend, using the scenery to your advantage becomes critical to your survival. The concrete planters, walls, UNSC panel defenses, and other barriers are key to your defensive (and therefore longer-lasting) plans. While one of your team makes full use of the Spartan Laser against Wraiths, another should prep Turrets [1] by taking them off their base (this is not the usual tactic but is better than being struck by a Wraith’s plasma mortar) and stockpiling them at the top of the hill, ready to tackle Drones with an abundance of cover that works in your favor. Also, stay on one side of the map; don’t venture into the middle [2] or you’ll be struck by incoming fire from all directions instead of from certain angles, which you can more easily react to.

Cooperative Plans

Tactic: Two-Player Plans

Pairing up for a Covenant showdown is even more advantageous in this mission, due to the lack of space you can use completely as cover (as you’re usually overrun or outflanked if you remain in one place). Watching each other’s backs becomes critical. Stay in the “safe” zone at the top of the hill; being coaxed down to a group of foes usually results in you being surrounded and dying as you scramble back for a Health Pack. Step behind the UNSC barriers as the Phantoms fire on you; then, using a ranged weapon, snipe Grunts and Jackals as they trot up the hill toward you.

For Brutes, have one of your pair shoot them with a charged Plasma Pistol so the Brutes go berserk (which makes them easy to tag) or are weakened. If no one is taking out the Wraith, both of you should emerge from the top of the hill, with one grabbing the Spartan Laser and firing on the Wraith from a distance before returning to your previous position. Meanwhile, the other player should cover the first player. When dealing with Drones and, to a lesser extent, Jump-Pack Brutes, both of you should equip the Silenced SMG or use detached Turrets to tackle these foes. For Drone takedowns, fall back to the entrance steps, using the cover there to help you.

Tactic: Four-Player Foresight

As you’re under constant threat of being outflanked, and defensive cover is difficult to maintain, the best four-player tactic is to break off into two teams of two [1]. Aside from the previously mentioned tactics, there are additional measures you can take. Each pair should be responsible for one side of the hill (left and right). Stay close to the “safe” zone for as long as possible, and always retreat to the hilltop after you venture downhill, or you’re likely to be overrun. There’s no need to encroach on the Phantom drops unless you’re having trouble tackling a Wraith and don’t have access to the Spartan Laser; then employ the Wraith takedown tactic mentioned previously. As with two-player plans, during Drone fights, slay them with SMGs or detached Turrets as quickly as possible [2].

Bonus Round Plans

Tactic: Snipe or Slaughter

A single Phantom drops off a huge number of Grunts at the central platform. Your first priority is to have your team train multiple weapons on the Plasma Turret located on the Phantom’s nose to prevent it from ripping through your health and stamina. Then situate yourselves on the high ground and begin sniping at Grunts with the Magnum or Carbine. If you’re some distance away, you can remain in partial cover until the Grunts close in before constantly moving and attempting headshots to maximize your longevity. Another, usually fatal but point-accruing, plan is to stand on the central platform, just above the Phantom drop point. Arm yourself with a Rocket Launcher and a Fuel Rod Cannon, and lay waste to the Grunts as they disembark. Of course, you’re usually tagged with a Sticky Grenade, so make this suicide maneuver count! For even more danger but similar points, employ the Gravity Hammer until you’re inevitably struck by a Plasma Grenade.