Spartan Ops/Season One/Departure/Core/Walkthrough

The level takes place in Cauldron, and you start at one "end" of the level. Make your way to the first UNSC ammo crate and pick up a Battle Rifle if you want one. Make your way through the cave and you'll see 2 Grunts being watched by a Phantom. You now have 2 options to attack here:

1.You can stay on the bottom path and take out the Grunts quickly, although the Phantom will see you and take a few shots before leaving.

2. You can take the top path that leads to a vantage point over looking the main Covenant dropzone, giving you superbly better view of your foes, but this puts you directly inview of a Grunt using a plasma turrent. Because of the Grunt's small size, it'll take several shots to destroy the turrent and it wil be impossible to headshot him.

Which ever way you pick, the Phantom leaves to alert the Covenant of your prescence, and a drop pod with more reinforcements. The enemies in this area add up to about 8 or so Grunts, 5 Jackals, and 3 Elites.Hang back and let the Elites and Grunts charge you so they have to fight more on your terms and be forced to group together. On higher difficulties, the Elites are high ranking and one might even have a Fuel Rod Cannon. As you climb the ramp leading to the platform, 2 Phantoms will fly in behind you. They won't drop any Covenant, but they will take potshots at you as they fly away. After dealing with the ene Most of the Jackals will tend to stay back and stay on the top platform, so you'll be eliminating them last.

After you clear the area and hit a switch, another Phantom appears from the direction you're facing, and 2 Ranger Elites fly in, one of them definately holding a Fuel Rod Cannon on Heroic or harder. Get rid of them before 2 more switches appear. Activate them both.

The door ahead opens, and a large number of Grunts bunched together and 3 Elites will file out. toss a grenade among the Grunt crowd, then take out the Elites as they charge. The last Elite has a Concussion Rifle, so save something extra for him. Upon entering where the came from, a steep ramp will lead to the last set of Covies. 3 Elites, with one holding a Fuel Rod Cannon, supported by 4 Jackals and a few Grunts. One his manning a plasma turrnet on the raised platform on the left. Phatoms again fly overhead to bombard, so take cover and take it slow. Take out the Elites first, then the turrent and then the rest. Grab some ammo and and pick up the plasma turrent when you activate the next switch.

A large group of Promethians will spawn to attack. In total, ther are about 30 Crawlers, 4 Watchers, and 4 Knights. About 10 the Crawlers will spawn in your immediate area and attack. However, the platform you are on gives you an easy advantage. The elevation forces the Crawlers to all move up the ramp leading up to you, and all you have to do is sit there and pick them off as they come. Since they'll only attacks in groups of 2-3, it's even easier. The remaining Crawlers will hold back, 2 or 3 being snipers. Head back up to the massive slope you