Alright, everyone knows how difficult/impossible this mission sometimes is for Security. I tried doing this with my 2nd character who I have not leveled at all and only managed to get the crane repaired (In solo and a few co-op games I found myself in last night).

I'm hoping that this thread will build up to be a collection of Hints & Tips to help players to get past this [censored] level so if you have any, PLEASE share/debate any info you may have. Unfortunately I have none.

The best way to do this is to play the game with friends who are actually good. This game is hard at times because of the crappy people it pairs you with. I recommend having a couple of Engineers with the Gatling Turrets setting up a perimeter and having at least 2 Operatives hacking at the same time, because it takes so long to hack. This mission require you to camp the Crane and is only do able through a good offense and defense so this means you need team players and someone worth a flip. As for any tips I would use the Mossington Shot Gun with the Engineer buff as it can do serious damage and on most shots is 1 hit-KO. For you medics don't waste your supplies buffing people, it is worth less points and ultimately ineffective, I recommend reviving only as you can get up to 7 revives in one life if you have proper skill trees. Soldiers I advise just using your Molotov's and laying down heavy cover fire with quick kills as soon as you see someone. A great one shot kill weapon is the Ritchie revolver as it does incredible damage and one of the most under used weapons the Dragonav Light Rifle as does 1-2 shot kills with long range fire the key to this is using the C-U Gone Scope tho as it gives more equip speed and maneuverability.
If anyone needs any information please feel free to email me or message me on XBOX Live.
Email: munchemz@yahoo.com Gamertag: BLaD3 Danz3r

Yea and this isn't the first thread about it but I have experienced the same thing after the updates...

http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1215623-early-launch-seems-impossible-now/

Commander Keen, I am aware of that threat as I have posted in it. This thread is for hints and stuff on how to beat the level.

DId you ever manage to make it easier for yourself? I remember reading you had some serious trouble on easy? Exactly my problem now.

Play aggressively. Very, very aggressive and handle the objectives yourself.
If you can secure an area long enough on your own for your AI to get there, they can usually watch your back pretty well for a bit. Just gotta grit your teeth and pray for the best.
When you have to hack the launcher - throw down caltrops on whichever side the enemy seems to come from most, throw a sticky grenade on the other side. These are your alarms. When you start seeing damage counters or your grenade explodes, run to the small "room" to your right (facing the launcher) and hide there. Keep hacking. Do not stop hacking unless an Engineer is removing the hackbox. Only come out of that room if you know it's safe to do so and repeat the process.

This map is a pain for a lot of people. Play with some of the forumers here, they can get you through in a breeze. The last few times I've played this map has been with some of these people and we've yet to lose.

Let me do a rundown of what every class SHOULD be doing

Part one- repairing

ENGINEERS: Set up turrets facing the small alley, balcony facing the main barricade, and underground passage. Then start repairing
TIP: be sure to give out weapon buffs to heavies (as always). Also, give the engineers Kevlar if they don't have it.

MEDICS: Buff every engineer (if possible) with a double health buff, metabolism, and adrenaline at times of high stress.
TIP: the Lazarus grenade is going to be really useful if 2+ engineers fall in the same place. Same goes for the FRU.

SOLDIERS: Make sure the medics and operatives are full on ammo.
TIP: Satchel charges placed on the balcony and by the underground passage can be lifesavers when flanked.

OPERATIVES: Throw caltrops down the alley, and fly a UAV down near the entrance to the balcony and hide it.
TIP: Sticky grenades have no problem killing 2+ people at once. Throw one at a lone bot (or stupid player) and watch him run back to his teammates, blowing them up or severely injuring them.

Part two: Hacking

-Replace the main priority to the Operative

That takes care of part 1 the crane which is actually the easy part, it's planting the hack box on the missile controls that is hard as heck

Okay then!

The REAL part 2:

SOLDIER: Give out ammo to your counter-snipers, Medics, and Engineers. Same as always.
TIP: Napalm can be deadly against snipers. Coordinate an attack with a fellow soldier and trap a sniper in with napalm.

ENGINEER: Place turrets on the balconies facing the hackbox, and put pyro mines right next to the hackbox to burn the smart engineers that run back and forth while removing it.
TIP: Buff your counter snipers! The more damage they do, the faster those pesky balcony snipers go down!

MEDIC: As always, buff the main class to the brim (operative). Place a FRU in the small openings below the balconies next to the hackbox to help them heal.
TIP: Lazarus grenades are also very important in this part. If the area is too hot, throw a frag and a Lazarus grenade down, disorienting enemies and reviving your teammates.

OPERATIVE: Throw down a sticky grenade at the hackbox to kill unobservant engineers while they remove it. Caltrops thrown at the ramps leading up to the hackbox and the sniper positions can give you some major XP, and damage people coming up, making them easy prey.
TIP: There is a small sheet of metal behind the hackbox that you can hide behind and avoid snipers. Keep moving, as they can hit your head with a very well-aimed shot.


I'll get into more detail tomorrow. Don't have the time to type my strategies tonight.