[Primary Objective: Place a Rhino at the marked second position]

Looks like Anders wasn't totally correct: another Rhino is needed in order to punch through the dome. The second spot is located to the west of where the first Rhino is situated. As with escorting the first Rhino, you can expect Covenant forces guarding the second position. Nasty enemies garrisoned in twin towers between the first and second Rhino positions are the biggest threat, so focus on ridding them first. Rebuild your forces before ordering a second Rhino and walking it to the second position. Ideally, you should take a Scorpion with you for use against Covenant structures near the second position. Destroying them is a must before setting the Rhino in position. Once it's set, it isn't a half bad idea to send a Scorpion to patrol the area between the two Rhinos. At any point should your Rhino start losing health, you can use the Heal & Repair ability to boost them until you can eliminate the attack Covenant forces.

[Primary Objective: Transport a Rhino to the marked third position]

Yet another Rhino is needed for the attack, this time in a remote position requiring aerial transport. Order a Rhino from the pad, then call in a Pelican transport from the Spirit of Fire via the directional pad. Direct the Rhino to the Pelican and transport the pair to the western edge of the map to the position.

[Primary Objective: Get Rhinos to the last two marked positions]

Amazingly, three Rhinos wasn't enough to get the job done and Anders believes it will take another pair. The final two positions are located on the eastern half of the map. Assemble your Scorpions and Spartans back at your base. Commission a Rhino and escort it with your army to the fourth position. Locust need to be taken out before embedding the Rhino, but your Scorpions should make short work of both Locust. Immediately following placement of the fourth Rhino, a wave of Covenant forces rushes your base. Send all of your units back to defend it. When clear, order the final Rhino and take it to the fifth position to the east of the last one. There's a small set of Covenant structures to destroy that should pose no problem if you have kept your Scorpions and Spartans in good condition. If you only have a single Scorpion, you should restock to have at least 2, preferably 3. Additionally, make sure to check on your previously-placed Rhinos. If they have been destroyed, you'll need to replace them before the mission can proceed. With all five Rhinos in place, a hole gets blasted through the dome and you're given free reign over the Mac cannon for a few moments before the mission ends.

Optional Objective: Kill 50 Banshees

As long as you built turrets at your base and upgraded them with anti-air missiles, you should have no problem whatsoever blasting 50 Banshees out of the sky. Of course, aim at any that you encounter as you explore the map and complete the primary objectives too.

Optional Objective: Claim two ONI Reactors

Using two squads of Marines, claiming a couple reactors is not only extremely easy, but highly recommended for increasing your energy intake. Direct one squad of Marines to the ONI reactor to the east of your base and the other to a reactor at its west. Simply garrison the squads into the reactors to claim them.

Optional Objective: Destroy the dome generators and air defenses

With the defensive dome down, you're given full control over the orbital turret on the Spirit of Fire. Just let loose and start destroying the generators and air defenses.

Black Box--Upon delivering the third Rhino via Pelican transport, collect the black box on that platform.

Skull--The skull is situated behind a hangar next to your base. It appears once you've eliminated 50 Banshees.

Mission 07: Scarab

[Primary Objective: Destroy the Super Scarab]

Although this might sound like a simple mission with its one objective, it's a rather tough one. Destroying the Super Scarab is difficult because of its incredibly powerful attack laser. Your base is shielded from sight, but if units near the northern wall are seen by the Scarab it will fire on them and the wall. If the wall comes under too much fire, it will crumble and leave the base vulnerable. In short, you need to tread careful on this map to avoid putting your units in precarious spots. Vehicles are the only way to go in this mission, so when you build up your base don't bother constructing a barracks. Instead, get a supply going and a vehicle depot. You should start drafting Warthogs and Scorpions to accompany the trio of Rhinos granted to you, putting more resources behind the Warthogs and upgrading them. While the Scorpions are more powerful, the Warthogs are quicker to move from the Scarab's blast. Work quickly to build up your vehicular army and max out the population. Immediately send them up to the Scarab, timing it so that you have the maximum amount of time to fire on it before the laser arcs back. Approaching it from the east is best because you can retreat to an alcove in the corner of the map to avoid the laser when it turns. Covenant forces will harass you along the way. Ignore them if you're interested in just completing the mission. You're likely to run low on units as the mission wears on, so constantly queue up Warthogs and the occasional Scorpion. As you're directing your vehicles to fire on the Scarab, remember to call in a Mac cannon blast when you have enough resources and it's been fully charged. The moment the Scarab's health has been depleted, the mission ends.

Optional Objective: Destroy all enemy power nodes (7)

The rate at which the Scarab's laser turns is handled by power nodes littering the map. Seven in total, destroying them slows down the turret for easier attacking; in other words, slowing the Scarab down gives you more time to attack it before the laser comes back around. The downside to locating all the power nodes is that you have to simultaneously avoid the laser as you explore the map while cleaning up Covenant forces defending each node. Each node is situated in a conspicuous location, so all you need to do is take a retinue of Warthogs in a circle around the map, ending with a run up the center to get them all.

Optional Objective: Kill 10 Locust

Most of the Locust in this mission are guarding the power nodes tied to the Scarab. Should you decide to take out all of the power nodes, you'll also end up destroying just as many Locust too.

Black Box--Situated with supplies in a cave on the eastern edge of the map.

Skull--With 10 Locust destroyed, you can venture to the northwestern corner of the map (to the left of the Scarab) for the skull that appears.

That concludes Act II of the campaign. Come back Monday March 16 for the Act III Guide.