Mission Two
Mission Objective: Now that you've entered the underground base, advance through the operation points, destroying a docking station and base at Op. Able and Op. Baker. Beware of the toxic gas container at Op. Charlie.

Primary Objectives: Destroy docking station at Op. Able. Destroy enemy headquarters at Op. Baker. Destroy Smoke Jaguar Forces. Reach elevator to surface at Op. Charlie.

Secondary Objective: Destroy Truck Convoy.

Difficulty: Hard

Mech Recommendation: Orion or Thor if salvaged. If not, beef up the torso armor and load up on close-range lasers and carry one set of LRMs.

For most players, Operation Two, Mission Two should provide the first real challenge. Facing off against two Orion Mechs and a scatter of other forces can be tough, especially if you're rumbling around in your default Mech. If you have salvaged a more powerful Mech, give them a run-through. If not, experiment with different configurations, such as adding more armor or laser weaponry, and take your time at each stage, trying not to face too many enemies at once.

When the level begins, you have two Mechs, an Orion and a Shadowcat, advancing from two positions. You have two main options at the beginning. One makes the beginning more difficult but the midgame easier; the other option causes the beginning to be easier but the midgame to be much harder.

If you wish to only face off against the Orion (a challenging adversary), then head east toward the tunnel leading to Op. Baker. Before the Shadowcat enters the tunnel, fire some laser bolts at the very top of the cave. You'll destroy part of the ceiling, which crumbles into the tunnel, blocking the Shadowcat from entering. This allows you and your lancemate to battle the Orion - the odds certainly are in your favor. But, this forces you to reach Op. Baker from the front, a much more difficult task.

Destroy the entrance to this cavern to make the initial part of this mission much easier - but the end much more difficult.

Our suggestion is to take the route that forces the beginning to be more difficult - thus you'll be taking on two Mechs right at the start. Head straight for the Shadowcat and get it out of the way first. The Orion will likely take awhile to get over to you or could be distracted by the Mobile Field Base. After the Shadowcat is destroyed (or if you hear the MFBs calling for help), head back and destroy the Orion. Take out the legs so you can salvage this solid Mech. Use your lancemate effectively here to assist in the battles. Repair and rearm at the MFBs if needed.

Now, instead of heading to Op. Able to complete the first objective, slowly make your way to the tunnel the Shadowcat entered. Cycle through available targets until you bring up the two laser platforms surrounding the base. Take these out from this angle using long-range weaponry. These laser platforms are quite tough if you have to advance to Op. Baker from the northern position.

Head back and rearm and refit in the MFB as needed. Move to Op. Able and the truck convoy station there (along with two bulldogs) escape back to the headquarters at Op. Baker. A Mech should power up inside Op. Able. Eliminate it if possible, though it probably will retreat around the corner, back to Op. Baker. From this point you can move around the corner and attack Op. Baker from the northern position, but your better choice would be to return the start position and attack Op. Baker from that tunnel where the Shadowcat entered at the beginning of the mission.

From this choke point, you can fire on the Elementals and Firefly Mech from a distance. Plus, if they advance to your position, you can back up into the large cavern and take them out as they enter. Once the Elementals and Firefly Mech are destroyed (sometimes the Firefly hangs back to guard the truck convoy), blow apart the headquarters at Op. Baker and salvage a Thor Mech among other quality items.

Proceed up the ramp next to the base and destroy the truck convoy stationed inside. If the Firefly Mech decided to hang out here, take it out as well. At this point, you should probably rearm and repair before heading into the final challenges. Call the MFB into Op. Able or Op. Baker (both zones are safe now) and repair. If you want to be safe, send the MFB back to the start position.

Start your march toward Op. Charlie. Go slowly, however. Take your time until a Mech powers up just inside the new cavern. This Blackhawk Mech isn't that tough, but if you go any further, you'll awaken an Orion near the chemical containers. Take out the Blackhawk and repair if necessary. Now, go through the tunnel toward Op. Charlie. In a moment, you'll hear over the radio that the Orion Mech has been ordered to destroy the chemical containers to flood the cavern, killing everyone inside - including you and your lancemate.

As soon as you hear the radio broadcast, charge Op. Charlie and get the Orion's attention. Be very careful when firing around this area. If you destroy the containers, you won't have much time before the cavern is flooded. Instead, lure the Orion into the water pool and fire everything you've got at its legs or any other part of its body. This is the last Mech to defeat so don't worry about needing ammo.

Once the Orion is destroyed, approach Op. Charlie. Again, be very cautious around the containers. Even if your Mech just bumps the containers, they could break, flooding the cavern. Destroy the gate door leading into Op. Charlie with a laser weapon, proceed through, and the level ends.

Next: Operation Two, Mission Three