Episode 7: A New Strain

After talking to the Sheriff and Jacob at Town Hall, head to the Monument area. Be prepared - there's a large group of infected to clear. If you want a challenge, you can go at night for extra XP rewards. Be careful when clearing all zombies, watch for militia zombies wearing body armor. Due to their front armor, it's best to attack from behind. Recommended strategy: Use Molotov cocktails and scattered gas cans in the area to quickly clear. Prioritize dealing with Spitters - one is usually near the truck, another on the monument itself.

After clearing, investigate all interactive points in the area. The key is a strange device outside the truck - interact with it, then slide open the truck container door. Inside, you'll find a loot crate (requires lockpicking, medium difficulty) and an empty gas can.

While the next objective is to head to the distant E&F Factory, Olivia will notify Crane to first secure a nearby safe house in the suburbs. This safe house is marked with a tapestry - it's an apartment building you can climb into through an open window. Follow the usual safe house procedure: close the main entrance and windows, clear infected inside, then restore power.

Restoring power requires following the blue cables to the bottom floor of the apartment building to find a locked door. Climb into the vent shown, enter the basement, clear infected inside, then flip the circuit breaker to restore power. Return to the safe house room and flip the switch to officially secure it, gaining some extra XP. You can rest here to prepare for subsequent missions.

After entering the factory area, don't head straight for the main entrance marked by the mission. Try moving around the perimeter - you'll find the Baron's armed men everywhere. To find another way into the factory, go left and you'll see several stacked trailers. Climb up to reach a white broken pipe - this path leads to the factory upper level. But be warned, there are armed guards up there too. Remember, stealth is optional, but if you choose to fight, prioritize eliminating armed guards first - their firepower can quickly reduce your numbers.

Enter the factory interior through the open door on the upper level. Going down to the main courtyard triggers a cutscene. After that, you need to deal with a batch of armed soldiers here. Again, watch for enemies with assault rifles - take them out first if possible. After clearing all enemies, go through the double doors here to meet a scientist. He'll tell Crane the Chimera escaped to the forest near the scrapyard, and you'll need that device and gas can to lure it out.

Fortunately, you can find some gas cans in the basement level. Go through the door marked 'EXIT' to an area with a locked door at the bottom. Climb into the vent and eventually enter a basement with some infected. Carefully eliminate them, then use your Survivor Sense - you should find gas cans scattered on the ground. Pick one up, then retrace your steps back out of the factory to the new mission marker location - the nearby scrapyard.

From the gap you exit, go straight then left. Be careful not to attract infected, especially Runners, unless in co-op mode where you'll need to deal with them. The scrapyard isn't far - try to go directly there. After placing the gas can in the device, prepare for another ambush by Baron's militia. Use the Ranger Shotgun you stole from the scientist at E&F Factory - headshots can quickly eliminate these enemies. After wiping them all out, place the gas can in the device to lure the Chimera and prepare for a boss battle.

Like previous Chimera battles, the Behemoth fight has two phases with similar basic attack patterns. It will swing its arms to slam, heavy punch the ground creating linear shockwaves - attacks you should be familiar with. But if you let your guard down, the second phase gets complicated.

Midway through the battle, the Behemoth summons Biter zombies. Though they're minions, they're very annoying if they pounce while you're dodging. Additionally, the Behemoth becomes more frenzied, even performing three consecutive ground pounds. Strategy is simple: Flexibly dodge its attacks and try to stay behind it for damage. It will also lift surrounding wrecked cars and throw them at you - stay away from these vehicles. Through successful attacks and dodges, you'll build your Beast meter. Activating Beast Mode lets you and teammates more easily deal massive damage. Slowly whittle down its health - when HP drops to about 10%, a finisher animation triggers, easily ending the fight with virtually no trouble. Don't forget to allocate your newly acquired Beast skill point.

Mission basically complete. Just find a vehicle nearby, make the long trek back to the monastery, deliver the Chimera blood sample to Olivia, and complete this main quest. Mission Rewards: - 10,000 XP - Survivor Jacket - 500 Old World Currency - Co-op Loot Box (in co-op mode)