Whispering Oaks Ravine

Atop the Cliff—Ravine Entrance

Down on the ground after carving your way down the third motel staircase, you’ll see a straight road with a police car on it running parallel to the motel.

2A

It is devoid of Items (the only problem are lurking Infected), so ignore this road and search for the trail of flagstones around the back of the motel. To your left is a steep ravine, which you can skid down immediately.

2B

A far better plan is to continue along the top of the cliff to a grassy promontory (picture 2). Move down to this area, which offers views of the Whispering Oaks Fairground in the distance. Inspect the sleeping bags and take the items on the promontory.

Drop from the Top

2C

From the promontory, make sure all of your team are embarking on the subsequent descent at the same time, and begin to skid down the earthen ravine.

Look at the guide map; the light sections of the ravine wall are too steep to stay on without sliding, so prepare for a slip.

If you’re interested in the (random) items on either of the lower grass promontories, stand directly above them before you slide.

At the bottom of the ravine is a series of wading pools. Prepare for immediate evisceration and fend off possible undead incursions from the bushes.

Death at the Bottom

2D

Standing in the middle of the ravine, or wading through the shallow water is an excellent way to perish quickly if you’re swarmed.

Instead, stay on the initial, near side of the ravine so you’re only being attacked from your left. Pay special attention to the trees and bushes; seek and destroy any Special Infected that think they can get the better of you.

When every team member is ready, follow the bank of the river (now wading pools) between the trees, killing anything not called Ellis, Nick, Coach, or Rochelle.

At some point, you must cross the shallow river. The safest area is the open water with the half-submerged car.

There may be items to snag nearby, as well as a mass of Infected dashing in from the weeds. Cross the water one or two at a time so other team members can provide covering fire, and always check behind you.

Use the car as a stepping stone if you wish. Unless you’re interested in outhouse construction in the Deep South, ignore the ramshackle restroom.

Up the Other Side

2E

Locate this position across the other side of the river; it offers an accessible route up the opposite side of the ravine, which is fortunately less steep, but unfortunately features more ravenous undead to deal with.

It is important when navigating this hilly terrain that you stay reasonably close to each other so you can watch each other’s backs and quickly react to a sneaky Special Infected attack from the numerous shadowy shrubbery.

Welcome to Whispering Oaks

2F

Stagger to the top of the hill, and prepare for the final push. You may be set upon by multiple foes (watch for enemies heading up the ravine behind you) so stay together as a team, concentrate on the more pressing targets such as Special Infected, and use the large open flat area to strafe and dodge enemy attacks with ease.

Continue into the parking lot, or (if the fight isn’t going well), optionally head into the back of the white truck for safety (assuming you can swing a Melee Weapon).

Be extremely careful you don’t summon the Horde by knocking or shooting any of the parked cars with alarms.

Instead, concentrate on rushing to the Safe Room; remember your objective is to stay alive, not blow the heads off everything.