Scavenge Mode: Basics — Left 4 Dead 2 eGuide

Welcome to the debriefing for two additional game modes: Survival and Scavenge. The following chapter gives overview tactics, labeled maps, and specific advice for each map.

A Can-Do Attitude: Scavenge Basics

The ongoing gas crisis has reached its peak in Scavenge mode, where up to four human players attempt to locate Fuel Cans, return to a centrally located portable generator, and refuel it to keep it activated.

Meanwhile, up to four Infected players try to stop the generator from being refueled by any means necessary. The humans have superior weaponry. The Special Infected have Common Hordes and a variety of prehensile mutations designed to rend and tear. Who will win? Your team, if you digest the following information!

The wanton savagery and fuel rationing of Scavenge mode in full effect, shown from both human and Infected perspectives

In every match, certain elements are constant:

1. When the action begins, the humans start near the generator (or Blue 22 car). They can leave a designated “grid” of white diagonal hash marks at any time to begin the match, or once the timer counts down from 45 seconds.

2. During this prematch time, the humans gather equipment, items, and weapons (which are always contained within the starting grid), and spin 360 degrees around to view all the Fuel Can locations (outlined in white).

3. During this same time, the Special Infected players can prowl the entire map in an ethereal (blue) state, using unique “claw climbing” marks to ascend buildings and other structures to reach high points, many of which the Survivors cannot reach. An Infected spawns when it is out of the field of view of the Survivors; the onscreen information tells you when this is.

4. When the match starts, a main timer counts down from 01:30.00 to zero. For every Fuel Can the humans brought to the generator and poured in, an additional 20 seconds is awarded. As there are 16 Fuel Cans to find, the theoretical maximum time you can play is 06:50.00 (01.30.00 + [16 x 20 seconds = 05:20.00]).

5. Fuel Cans can be shot by survivors at any time. Once they’ve been picked up, Infected can spit on them or move them with Boomer explosions, but cannot move them with swipes or claws.

6. The first half of the match ends when the Surviving Team wipes (dies and restarts the map), or all the Fuel Cans are used or destroyed. The number of Fuel Cans successfully poured into the generator is the total. Now the sides switch, and the Infected players are now Survivors and vice versa.

7. If the timer reaches zero, the match still continues if at least one Survivor is still carrying a Gas Can. The Survivor will then either fill up the generator (thus increasing the timer), or drop the Can (usually after a Special Infected attack), ending this part of the match.

8. The team with the higher round score (based on between three and five rounds) wins the match. If the score is the same, then the winning team is the one that got that number in the least amount of time. If the scores are both zero, then the team that survived the longest wins.

Heed the following general advice to strive for Fuel Can domination:

Be warned that the longer the Survivors delay the match’s start, the longer the Infected can plan a counter attack, and get into position. Plan as you run!
The order of grabbing Fuel Cans should be the nearest ones first, then the Fuel Cans that are farther away. As Scavenge maps can be quite large, understand the time it takes to reach a certain point, so you can deem whether the run is even possible. After countless matches, you should be able to work out, in seconds, the time it takes to reach every Can cluster.
The Fuel Can carrier is almost defenseless (the player can swipe at foes with the Can to cause a Melee Strike), so it is up to the other teammates to chaperone. Know when you’ve got backup, and when you need to drop the Can, remove a threat, then pick up the Fuel Can and continue again.
Guarding the generator, or at least clearing any foes from that location while another teammate returns with a Fuel Can is an excellent plan. Guard the player as the refueling takes place; if the pouring Survivor is struck, the pouring is aborted.
Splitting into pairs can allow Survivors to head in completely different directions to gather Fuel Cans more quickly. You sacrifice offensive power for the prospect of a quicker refilling.
Throwing Fuel Cans is a key to success, and this is handy when you find Cans positioned on floors or ledges above ground level. Have two of your team reach a Fuel Can, then throw it down to a teammate who takes it back to the generator. Be warned: Thrown Cans can be exploded by Spitter acid!
Survivors need to obtain as many Fuel Cans as they can, as quickly as possible, and empty them into the generator. However, one well-guarded Fuel Can poured into a generator is better than four poorly guarded Fuel Cans sitting in grass after their carriers were overwhelmed!
Try setting off as a group to a location where four Fuel Cans are close to each other and move from point to point, grabbing each Can in a round trip. Even if some of the Cans are dropped on the return journey, there’s a good chance one or two of your team will make it.
Special Infected have a number of areas only they can utilize, such as rooftops, thickets, and other hidey-holes. But waiting around corners, letting Survivors pass, and then attacking them always works well.
The Special Infected have particular roles they are well-suited to: A Boomer backs up other Special Infected, or charges a Fuel Can carrier. A Charger crashes into the carrier, setting up a run that bisects the generator (aiming for a spot well away from the Survivors for the Charger to pummel his victim). The Hunter uses height advantage to leap and pounce on Fuel Can carriers, or those protecting the carrier, so others can finish the job. The Jockey steers Survivors away from Fuel Cans and the generator. The Smoker lies in wait, either choking a foe near a Fuel Can, or he disrupts a pouring.
The Spitter has a specific and important role to play; it can explode Fuel Cans that have been dropped or thrown by Survivors.
Therefore, it is an excellent idea to use the Spitter as a guard near the Generator, so it can spit on the foes pouring gas, who then stop. You can’t pour gas and take damage at the same time.

Scavenge Achievements

Icon	Name	Description
	Hunting Party	Win a game of Scavenge.
	Gas Guzzler	Collect 100 gas cans in Scavenge.
	Cache and Carry	Collect 15 gas cans in a single Scavenge match.
	Scavenger Hunt	Stop the enemy team from collecting any gas cans during a Scavenge match.
	Fuel Crisis	Make a Survivor drop a gas can during overtime.
	Gas Shortage	Cause 25 gas can drops as a Special Infected.