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Walkthrough - "Déjà Vu - Gryphon Revisited v2.01"

Nuk'Ratha Pass

Map Author: Willis "Nihm" Perry
Weapons: ASMD, Rifle.
Creatures: Mercenaries, Mercenary Elites, Devilfishes, Nali Cows, Tentacles, Skaarj Warriors, Skaarj Scouts, Skaarj Berserker, Skaarj Infantries, Skaarj Snipers.
Bosses: Merc Leader Noork.
Difficulty:

"The Mercenaries have arrived"

After passing Triskaden, this map isn't really something in challenge. What it has to be pretty tough is the Boss. Optionally, killing everyone in this map by yourself can be hard in a certain part (if you aim for a good score and bragging right). Anyway let's start.
Equip DP and exit from the elevator area. Toward you there are a Mercenary and an Elite one. Kill firstly the normal Mercenary, he just dies after one bolt of a normal DP shot. Then go for the Mercenary Elite busy against the Skaarj Warrior. Pummel the robot with the DP like mad. He'll problems in attacking because of the Skaarj distracting him. Now go for the Skaarj Warrior. This one tends to retreat somewhere and shoot. Kill him with the DP. Now save the game and advance in the valley and over the rock on the right. You'll encounter two angry Mercenaries. If you are on the tip of the piece of stone you're on (it's pretty large) you'll have only to worry about the missiles (strafe for this, and watch out for their splash damage). The Mercs Machine Guns can hit only things in a limited height (both over and below). DP is more than good here, the annoyances are just their Invulnerability Shield (which lasts 9 seconds after its activation). If anything goes wrong, use the boulders and fences as cover, it's not that hard. Flak Cannon may help you there, but only as a last resort. Now that they're killed, return at the start of the level. Here you'll find two NHPs, and also an ASMD and a Rifle near the hut. There are two messages there:

"When I helped this Nali for the first time against the Skaarj, he said I was welcome here forever. Since then I have been living here and have helped drive off the skaarj for the Nali. They are the most sympathetic race I have ever seen."

"Nu'Takatha log: My cows are growing old, and as am I. I was exiled from my village for experimenting with weapons. Now I camp near a skaarj installment..."

Now proceed to the path where you killed the last two Mercs. On the left there's a message and a structure:

"Ri'Dak Log: Day 24: Stupid Lurtz, I guess he didn't realize the dangers in creating this base beside the merc's. I guess that's why he is dead. There have been at least 5 mercenary attacks during the last 4 days. Each time my translator catches a phrase about some kind of "Artifact"..."

As you enter the place...

"Skaarj Monitoring Base #5001. Security Class: 5. Commander: Lurtz"

In this outpost you'll just find two Bandages and a Flak Box (if you have more than 41 Shells, don't get it). The portal here is broken so you have to proceed to the next areas through the valley.
You'll find a funny message along the way, near the dead "Dante" body:

"R. Gundy: Ugh, what kinda luck do I have? First I crash on the ISV-Kran and have to escape Gryphon, and now I have escaped from a Skaarj prison after crashing yet ANOTHER ship into Gryphon. This is Bull shit."

Now save the game and equip the ASMD. The next situation revolves on a battle between four Skaarj Infantries ambushed by two Mercenaries in front of them and two Merc Elites from behind... and these ones shoot Eightball rockets. Are you good with ASMD Combo? Whatever. Go there and trigger the battle. When you see all the guys forming a big group, do an ASMD Combo two or three times over them (accuracy is needed). This will probably take care of the four Skaarj and the two normal Mercenaries. Now if you want the max score, you have to kill at least any of the Skaarj left before they take care of a Merc, or viceversa. Not seeking the score? Ok continue as normal. You have to watch out to the Elite ones because of their rockets. Finish them with other ASMD shots (try to spend only 20. If you like having all the weapons to max, you can then get the ASMD at the start of the map if you already didn't get it). Flak is also useful (then get the Flak Box inside the outpost). When they are all dead, proceed to the lake section behind the fence. In the water there are three Devilfishes guarding a Stinger Ammo and a Clip. On the stone bridge above you'll find various barrels containing three Health Packs while in the house a Flashlight and a message:

"Nali Elder: For 3 months I have been gone, and I arrive home from the sunspire to be attacked by these robotic creatures that are disturbing our peace. The Skaarj are bad enough on us."

Now return in the previous area and take the only pathway left, near the NHP found here. Pass another NHP, the bridge and the turn, then remain there. Three Mercenaries near the house will seek your death. This fight is easy. Just stay some steps before the ramp and waste them with DP, strafing when necessary to avoid their rockets (don't worry about the Machine guns). DP's secondary shots work good here, just be patient with their shields. When they are dead, save the game and descend. There's a message:

"Day 15: From a great castle and through valleys have I traveled to find a livable place. Now finally I have reached one, but there is a lot of violence going on. I wonder what the merc's are looking for..."

Now equip the RazorJack and put between the house and the fence on the right, but more far from the building. Strafe on the right and you should see two Skaarj Snipers, wielding Eightballs. Just shoot two blades on both Skaarj heads and they are dead. Standing in the position that I told you will make you 90% invisible from them. Just don't try to waste many Razor ammo. Now proceed to the house entrance, where you'll find a Sludge Ammo and a Razor Ammo (don't pick this up!). Inside the structure there are four Bandages and a Flak Box.
Go inside the Skaarj outpost, called:

"Entering lava research center #004"

There's a hub after this corridor, where only the door on the left is opened. The other ones:

"Door out of order, due to be fixed when SLC Repair crew arrives. Take the lava stream detour please."

So take the accessible door:

"Entering Lava stream room. For examination of Lava density, and source heat output."

In this room there's a lava river and after the first turn, a Skaarj Scout working on a panel. Decapitate him with the RazorJack by hitting him on the head (two headshot/one headshot plus three normal blade hits/six blade hits and it is over). Do this before he has a chance to attack. Check the panel:

"WARNING: The Core mines are under attack by mercenaries. They dont seem to be damaging the structure itself, but they are killing workers and soldiers. All persons be on alert!"

Proceed now to the big area where you'll see the map's worst nightmare escaping. There's the broken door passed before on the wall near the entrance plus two Health Packs. In the middle of the area there are two Bandages. Now check for a passage in the pile of crates on the right for a wooden box containing the Invisibility (thanks MMAN for this).
There's another closed door in the opposite wall:

"Fan room off limits. During mercenary attacks many fans have been damaged and may cause harm. The door has been locked until further notice."

Now go in the path used by Noork. Enter the next room and kill quickly the Mercenary with headshot blades. Do the same thing for the Skaarj Scout. Your blade weapon is too fast and overpowered for them if you have good accuracy. In this place you'll find an Health Pack over a crate and a ASMD Core, with a message near it:

"Kevin "Waffnuffly" Letz Log: Travel is easier now that I am at ground level and it's not so hot that I'm getting blisters. I can usually hide in the shadows as the attacking merc's and skaarj fight. Last night I fought a merc hand to hand, the bastard kicked me in the nuts! I wish I had a fusion cannon to fry that butt-wipe with."

Enter the door on the left and check the message of the dead Merc:

"Mercenary Log: We must pass through this mining complex to reach the underground skaarj installment that we were planning to attack. There is no use in attacking this useless mining structure, I dont know what the skaarj see of importance in the cores magma anyways. If any of them get in my way, I'm going to blast them."

Now stay on this balcony and look for the Skaarj Berserker working with a computer. Headshot him again by staying on this ledge. He'll try to hide himself behind the yellow panel, but part of his head can still be visible and you have also the secondary fire. Once he's killed, check the computer in which he was working:

"Core Elevator Powered down. Doors are shut."

Press the button behind you and re-read the message:

"Core Elevator Powering up... Doors opened"

Return now outside the outpost for the Razor Ammo and then go for the elevator to descend in the floor below. Don't worry, the explosions will not harm you. Proceed in the lava corridor. You should see a Tentacle hiding on the roof after the lava pit. Kill him with the DT and do the same for a Tentacle in the same position, but before the pit (on the left as you enter the next room). Now descend to the lava bridge and fight a Skaarj Warrior with the DP. He's on the retreat side, so stay on the ledge before the bridge and kill him by avoiding the projectiles through strafing methods (the Skaarj may get stuck on those iron bars attached to the walls).
Now pass the bridge and watch out at the earthquake which will break part of its edge on the right. Here you'll find a Clip, a Rocket Can (don't pick the ammo up), two Bandages, an used Armor (68% of durability, but it has 95% of defense against attacks) and a message:

"Hellscrag, SquadLeader: My team is nearly dead, and I'm pissing blood from a punch a mercenary gave me. One of them seemed larger then the rest, the others seemed afraid of him. I think he is the leader."

Enter the last room and use the computer to open the doors:

"Core Exit Doors Activated. Lava control streams status: OKAY Tarydium Control Tanks: OKAY Temperature: 44 degrees celcius."

Time to go the last cave-like room. Before entering, SAVE THE GAME and equip the Amplifier and the DP...

Boss Fight: Mercenary Leader Noork
Health: 1740
Difficulty:
Attacks:
1)Noork's Elbow (90 health): a name for his fast Melee Punches. TO BE AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS!
2)Machine Gun: (10 health per hit): Noork's machine gun. Weakest attack and easy to avoid.
3)UT Seeking Rockets (75 health): Noork shoots UT's RL rockets. Their Splash damages cover a big radius. TO BE AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS!
4)Invulnerability Shield (last 15 seconds after activation): boss's ultimate cheap tool. He activates it even if there's a rat walking below him :P
5)Taunt: Instantly kills you. J/K :) Best time for an attack by yours.
Description:
A Mercenary boss leading his troopers to conquer Triskaden Station and find this mysterious Artifact. He's known to be strong and fight his enemies in the cheapest way possible.

I. Hate. This. Boss.
Really, this guy can just pwn you in every way he want. It's impossible to beat this at the first three tries. He's just hard for his missiles: incredible speed, damage, splash damage and radius. Not to mention the kickback (oh! A lava lak-GAME OVER). Then the melee damage (but you never manage to stay near him for two seconds) and lastly, his goddamn Invulnerability Shield... fifteen full seconds after activation, and it is just the right time for him to pwn you. Not good. Well, this boss can be killed by dropping him in the lava pool (the one of the broken bridge. The other one has BlockActors and so Noork can't fall in it) if you don't care about points, but it is even harder (but rarely he's capable of jumping in that lava pool for a nice suicide. Still no points though :().
Don't cry anyway, there's a strategy against this bastard like anyone. Firstly, make sure where Noork appears: from above or from a nook on the left (after the big boulder). Reload the game then. As he appears shoot at him an Amplified normal DP bolt. He'll get hurt and activate then the Shield. Now run back to the bridge room and wait him near the ramp with the Automag. As he appears, shoot and retreat to the other ramp, by staying away from the various walls because of his rockets. After shooting 20 bullets to his metal body and still not got heavily hit by him, save the game. Now equip the Eightball and run around the bridge and lava pit rooms, letting him follow you. Watch out as he sometimes stop near the bridge to ambush you with rockets. To prevent this (he shouldn't be behind you during this), just use a DP secondary fire bolt in that room or advance SLOWLY near that area. Now to damage him perfectly with your explosive weapon, let him descend one of the ramp, while you are in front of him waiting. If the boss is descending the pathway by jumping (the other way is descending normally by SHOOTING you, so remember that), charge 3 bombs and drop them on him (you may save before this for perfect hits). If done correctly and still haven't lost a lot of health, retreat to a safe position and save the game. You should do this until you consume 12 rockets, and trying to avoid all the possible attacks (also don't harm him if he has the shield). After any successful assault (good hits and quite no damage), save the game. The hard thing is the Eightball's auto-lock, as it will trigger Noork's shield if you're aiming at him with this weapon. The solution is just to switch tools when you are going to damage him. He may take a while to learn, so be patient. The last part is devoted to the DP. Noork should now cease to running to you, in order to find covers by your hits. He can be extremely dumb in this mode. For a start, send him another Amplified shot, then retreat and save the game if this mini-assault gone correctly. The DP is very fast for Noork's Shield activation of you are near him, and when Noork starts to get afraid of you, he'll become less aggressive and running around. Just lure him to the bridge room and stand in the ramp corridors. Then quickly go to him, pray that he does not shoot rocket in that moment (which isn't common anymore) and DP him again one time (no amplified shot anymore). Then retreat and save again. Do this with patience until this nightmare dies. When he dies, take a beer and be happy :)

As the cheap dude is dead, take the ammo on the bridge (if you haven't picked already them up) and go for the room where you encountered Noork. The doors are opened there, so go to the lift. Along the way you'll find two Health Packs. Take the lift to the last corridor and finish the map.

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Quick Links | Introduction
1. Back Again 2. E'Nara Town 3. Cellars of E'Nara 4. Temple of Somana 5. Valley of Shia'dorle 6. Catacombs of Shia'dorle 7. Shia'dorle Refuge 8. Nd'defel's Defeat	9. Palace of Chizra 10. Temple of Novana 11. Entry to Triskaden 12. Triskaden Station 13. Nuk'Ratha Pass 14. Fortress of K'etrith 15. Kra'Filnish Valley 16. Location Z-14
Boss Strategies | Easter Eggs | Conclusion