How to Beat the Cortana Level of Halo 3
Remember the promise you made at the end of Halo 2? Assuming you've played it, you promised to come back for Cortana. You're not a liar, are you? No? Then it's time to get her back. Unfortunately, she's still on high charity, now little more than a mass of whatever it is the Flood are made of. This is a tough level, mainly do to the confusing layout and low visibility, combined with swarms of long-distance Flood you usually won't be able to reach. But if you use your ammo efficiently and always keep a sense of where your lanes of retreat are, you may just live to fight another day.
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Instructions
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Finding Cortana
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1
Head along the path into the flood ship. Most of this level is a straightforward path with a few exceptions. Sometimes it can be pretty difficult to even find the path. Arm yourself with whatever you can find for now.
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2
Position yourself behind one of the metallic pillars when you come to a large hill. It will be after you pass through the first two doors. A large number of Flood will soon attack you. Don't be afraid to back up, but you can't do so for too long or you will be trapped back against the back wall. The Flood will come at you in several waves, so take some ground back while you are waiting for the next wave then give it back again in the fight. Only a few Flood will use ranged weapons and even then not very well. If the bulk of the Flood can't reach you, you won't have a problem. In addition, there is a flame-thrower to the left of the hill if you're facing up it. You can use this in the fight or win the fight without it and save it for later. There should be at least one Flood with a shotgun, so be sure you pick it up. Save a few shells, however. The best weapon set moving forward is a shotgun and a long-range weapon, since you will soon face long-range Flood.
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3
Whip out your shotgun when you encounter Flood with plasma swords. It's the only close range weapon that can deal with them safely, and you'll want to save your long-range ammo for long-range fights. Replace your shotgun with a plasma sword when you're done.
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4
Keep heading along the path, killing Flood as they come. Always make sure you know where the geometry is--one of the best ways to get killed in this level is to get caught on something while you're trying to back up and getting swarmed by Flood.
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5
Proceed cautiously when coming to the wide, low room with the mainly metallic ceiling. Chances are you're running low on all forms of ammo by now. You can find a pair of plasma riffles near the edges of the room to the left of the entrance. If you choose to dual wield them, only fire one at a time and only fire single shots while trading fire with long range Flood. This will maximize the accuracy and damage you can get from the available ammo. If a ground Flood gets close, open up. Whatever gun you use, be sure you have the shot before you take it. This room may take awhile at such a slow pace, but it's better to be patient than to run low on ammo and have a checkpoint pop up, leaving you without ammo for the rest of the fight. Once you get through the room, there is a small hallway off to the right. Go inside to find another flame-thrower.
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6
Drop your flame-thrower when you encounter long-range Flood. It won't be any good against them. Be sure to go back for it once the path is clear.
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7
Grab the covenant carbine when you get to the room with multiple stacked levels. There are quite a few long range Flood here, and the carbine will let you clear them out quickly. It will likely be out of ammo by the time you get to the end of the room, so pick up whatever you can find and move on.
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8
Be careful when you get to the reactor room, a circular room refreshingly clear of Flood bio-mass. There are a ton of enemies here and not a lot of room to maneuver on the small platforms. Take out as many as your can from long range before heading onto the middle platforms. Follow the arrow to the room where Cortana waits.
Leaving
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9
Head back to the reactor room and activate the panel on the center console. This will expose a number of pylons that you must destroy. Take them out from long range.
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10
Backtrack along the path you used to get to the reactor room. It will be marked with blue arrows. You don't need to eliminate Flood anymore, just get by them, so ammo conservation isn't nearly as important.
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11
Follow the Arbiter when you run into him.
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12
Jump onto the waiting pelican.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Always have a plasma sword ready when you can find one. You'll only face Flood on this level, and the plasma sword will shred them like tissue paper.
Use the jump boost you get from the plasma sword to get away from the Flood after you strike. When you pull the trigger to jump, immediately push back on the movement stick, and some of your momentum from the jump will carry you away from any remaining Flood.
Throughout the ship, you will find tumor-like pustules. Do not shoot them. They will burst, and small Flood will attack you.
