Scarab Fighting Strategies
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This page contains information about fighting Scarabs in Halo 2 and Halo 3.
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[edit] Halo 2 Strategies
This section is for fighting the Scarab in Halo 2 on the final part of the level Metropolis.
[edit] Easy
To defeat the Scarab's crew on easy difficulty, players should fire at its crew on the top of the Scarab when they appear with either a Sniper Rifle or Battle Rifle. When reaching the end of the bridge it is recommended to collect a Shotgun, the second weapon is up to you but a Rocket Launcher is recommended. Throwing a couple of grenades at the surviving Grunts, Jackals and Elites is advisable to kill some of them and weaken the others' shields. When the top deck is clear, the Scarab is to be boarded to proceed down to the interior.
[edit] Normal
To defeat the Scarab's crew on normal difficulty fire at its crew on the top of the Scarab when they appear with either a Sniper Rifle or a Battle Rifle. When reaching the end of the bridge it is recommended to collect a Shotgun and a Rocket Launcher. Grenades should be used to kill the surviving Grunts, Jackals, and Elites. Then jump onto the Scarab and eliminate surviving Covenant and proceed down to the interior. Have a Rocket Launcher loaded and fire two or three shots to kill the Ultra and the rest of the crew.
[edit] Heroic
Fire at its crew on the top of the Scarab when they appear with either a Rocket Launcher, Sniper Rifle or Battle Rifle. Collect a Shotgun at the end of the bridge along with a Rocket Launcher. Throw all grenades to eliminate surviving Covenants on the top deck. Once it is clear proceed down to the interior. Using a Rocket Launcher to kill the Ultra and the rest of the interior crew is the best tactic, however even dual wielding Needlers or again using the Shotgun is a good choice.
[edit] Legendary
There are two ways: the quick way, or the slow but reassuring way. The quick way is to jump down onto the Scarab immediately, rush into the control room, blast the entire Covenant in there, and hope you don’t get run down from behind. This is ill advised, however, as even Major Elites are extremely difficult to kill by themselves and can finish you off in less than 3 seconds. The slow but reassuring way is to wait for the Scarab to get to the end of the waterway and fill up on rockets while waiting for it. Use the crates as cover while using the Rocket Launcher against the enemies. At the end of the waterway, take out all the Covenant that come out, then jump down, go in, and finish off whatever Covenant are still inside. Once inside, to kill the Ultra Elite first, by using Plasma Grenades or overcharged Plasma pistol shots, then again use the Rocket Launcher against the remaining hostiles.
[edit] Halo 3 Strategies
For all of the following strategies, the player must destroy the core located at the back of the Scarab. A large wall of armor as well as an energy shield protects it. The core is the metal part you see after you shoot off the shield which is similar to a jackal's shield. When it turns red and starts beeping, escape in the manner you see fit and drop back a bit to escape any harm from the exploding scarab. There are a total of four Scarab tanks in Halo 3: one on The Storm, one on The Ark, and two on The Covenant.
[edit] Hybrid Internal/Long-Range Destruction
On The Storm be quick enough to come upon a Scarab while in the vicinity of a Missile Pod. If this is the case begin firing at the Scarab with the missile pod still attached to its stand, enabling infinite ammunition. The Scarab may show its back to you or you may get a shot at the power core as it moves lateral to your position. In this case shatter the power core from a distance. This is rather difficult to do and requires a large element of luck. More often the missile pod can be used to take down the legs of the Scarab. The Scarab remains grounded for up to thirty seconds, in which time the attacker can cover a large expanse of ground and board it, then proceed with the Internal Destruction method.
[edit] Internal Destruction
A few of the methods below are required to board the Scarab and destroy it from the inside. Here's how:
- There is a walkway on both sides of the Scarab so a plater can jump on them when it is down.
- There are several ways to board the Scarab, some of which are rather harrowing. One way, and the most common way, is to blow the legs and manually jump or gravity-lift to the walkway. Another way is the "Terrain Method". On The Storm, if you proceed to the back of the 'arena', you will find several Marines and several missile pods. Disregard all of these and head in either direction along the hallway until you reach a turnoff. Move along this path, and you should find an elevator, which will take you to a catwalk far above the battle. From here, jump down onto the Scarab. On the level The Ark, when fighting the Scarab, move to the large building located in the center of the area. There you should find a gravity-lift and a Chopper. You will need both of these. Get to the top of the building, and deploy the gravity-lift on the edge. Reverse until you form a line with the gravity-lift and the Scarab. Once the Scarab is close enough, boost over the gravity-lift toward it, and try to land on the main platform (note: It is recommended you leap out of your Chopper if it is going to overshoot the Scarab.).
- On each side of the Scarab, there is a purple panel that can be blown open. They are located towards the rear of the Scarab, just around from the main entrance. Destroy one of these side doors, jump in and kill whatever is waiting. The reason to go in the side is the Plasma Turret located at the main entrance. This way, it doesn't fire at players as they approach.
- The most common approach is to go to board the Scarab at its back ramp while it is down. Go up the ramp in the back of the Scarab. Turn 180°, and kill the enemies down one or both sides of the Scarab in whatever way.
- If the Scarab is disabled, jump up onto the ramp located next to the Scarabs main weapon. From there go straight and turn near the rear of the Scarab and hit the core.
- Shoot at the two side doors out with rockets. The doors come out like two ramps making it easy to jump in with out destroying the legs and shutting down the scarab.
When the Scarab is successfully boarded, follow these steps to finish it off.
- At the very back of the Scarab (above the main entrance), there is the Core. It looks like a bright blue disk, similar to a Jackal Shield. Shoot at the core until it is destroyed. Another way is to use spike grenades to stick the core, this has the bonus of giving a head start from the explosion.
- Turn and jump off the back of the Scarab, and get as far away as possible, because when still too close, the explosion can be deadly. It is advisable, to use a Bubble Shield, if unable to escape the explosion range. Do look out for falling parts of the exploded Scarab. They can hit the player through the Bubble Shield and kill him.
[edit] Airborne
There are a few ways a Scarab can be engaged from the air. The only thing to remember, really, is the Anti-Aircraft gun on its back. Give it a chance and it will tear a Hornet or Banshee apart in seconds. Stay close to the back and find a little sort of blue bolt like that of a Wraith. Shoot it and the back piece falls off, leaving the core exposed. Destroy it, and the Scarab will blow. But this can be hard to achieve seeing as the Scarab will keep turning to face the player not only protect the power core, but to shoot him with its main gun. When piloting a Hornet it would be advisable to lock on to one of the back legs and keep circling around the Scarab, continuously firing at it. The Scarab will eventually buckle and the back plating can be targeted to destroy the power core before the AA-gun comes back online. When piloting a Banshee, it is advised to strafe at the legs or at the panel protecting the core. Just remember, the Banshee's Fuel Rod Cannon's ordinance drops over a period of time.If bombed enough, the Scarab will be temporarily disabled, giving some time to finish it up and watch the fireworks.
[edit] Aerial Drop
- This can be performed on the level The Covenant only, and is especially effective when fighting more than one Scarab in Co-op. Have one player fly a Hornet, with the other player rides in one of the side-seats. The first (piloting) player lands on top of the Scarab. The second (non-piloting) player, gets off the Hornet, and proceeds to destroy the Scarab internally. The first player, meanwhile, flies to the other Scarab and either gets off on top of the Scarab and follows the second player's example, or engages the Scarab in any way they see fit. Only one player can do this in a Banshee, obviously.
- A less risky and possibly more efficient version of this is to treat the Hornet like a transport, dropping the second player, providing support fire and then picking up the second player after the core has been destroyed. This saves the hassle of walking after the Scarab is reduced to rubble, eliminates the potential for being caught in the blast and stops you being overwhelmed by Brutes immediately after. However, it can sometimes be difficult to pick up the second player.
- In single player, if the player rides on the side seat with a marine in the pilot's seat, the marine will let the player board the Scarab. Beware that once the Hornet is left, the pilot will abandon the player.
- It is easy to kill a Scarab by yourself. Get in a Hornet and kill all the people on the scarabs deck. Then land and go destory the power core. You will have about 10 seconds to get to the Hornet and get off the Scarab safely.
[edit] Direct Assault
Keep circle-strafing around the Scarab, and shoot at the large blue disc located below the AA gun on the rear of the Scarab. This disc will turn red, and then disappear. Keep shooting at where it was, until a large chunk of armor falls off the back of the Scarab. This barrier protects the Core. Once the barrier comes away, it may be advantageous to shoot at the legs until the Scarab goes down making easier shooting at the Core. Alternatively, keep circle strafing and try and hit the Core, it doesn't take much to destroy it.
[edit] Indirect Assault
Use an aircraft's weapons to take down a leg, using superior three-dimensional maneuverability to avoid destruction. Land on the ground, get out of the aircraft and proceed to take the Scarab out from the inside. This method is a bit redundant, unless playing meta-campaign, and want the points from all the individual kills inside.
[edit] Land
Land combat depends hugely on what vehicle you use.
[edit] Scorpion
Either engage from an extremely long range, an extremely short range or what is commonly known as a "noob tactic" which is to go behind it with the scorpion, blow off the back and destroy the core. Never use the The Scorpion to challenge the main gun from a middle distance or from a spot hard to get out of. Regardless, getting in close and finally getting under the Scarab is one of the best tactics for the job except for the fact the tank will be destroyed instantly if the Scarab steps on it. Its huge firepower will take down one of the Scarab's leg in as few as 3 shots. The Scarab will then fall slowly enough. After there are two choices: To board it and take out the power core and crew that get in your way or to do the "Noob tactic" you heard about before and get behind it with the Scorpion, blow off the back and destroy the core.
If you are playing Co-op, it's usually best to keep the Scorpion at long range, along with the other player uses a fast, maneuverable vehicle, such as a Ghost or Mongoose to draw Scarab away. When the other player has forced the Scarab to present its back to you, fire at the barrier protecting the Core. Once that has been destroyed, fire at the Core. The Scarab has two side doors. They can be destroyed with an explosion. They can be used to board the Scarab too.
[edit] Mongoose
There are a few ways the Mongoose can be used. The easiest way is to put a Marine on the back with a Rocket Launcher (don't use a Co-op partner, as they run out of ammo), and drive around under the Scarab until it goes down. Then dismount the Mongoose, and hop in the back of the Scarab. Proceed to destroy it from the inside, or fire directly on the Core, since the angle will be easy enough to get. Only do this if you have your own Rocket Launcher or Fuel Rod Cannon, since the Scarab will more than likely have recovered before you can do enough damage with any other weapon. A fun way of destroying the Scarab on The Storm is driving the Mongoose onto it. You will need to drive the Mongoose onto the elevator to and take it to the top. Wait for the Scarab to get close so you can drive onto the back. Drive down the ramp and park it by the control screen. Then kill the remaining enemies and destroy the Scarab's core. Then hurry to the Mongoose and drive out of the Scarab before it explodes. This may take time to do due to difficulty of doing that. Note, the Mongoose will get thrown due to the Scarab's explosion.
Alternatively, the large earthen hills on the level The Covenant make excellent ramps for jumping a Mongoose directly onto the Scarab once it's been downed. Drive the vehicle as far to the rear of the ramp as possible, touching the canyon wall. Once the Scarab is in position, drive as quickly as possible and try to land on the main deck. Fight the enemies, or just run directly to the Core. It is rarely worthwhile to try to recover your vehicle, and it can sometimes survive the Scarab's explosion anyway.
[edit] Warthog
The Gauss Warthog is reasonably effective at bringing a Scarab to its knees. Similar tactics apply as with the Mongoose, except you have more firepower. This is a nice vehicle to use on Co-op, as your partner can take the gun or drive, and you can still have a rocket-armed Marine passenger. Also, while in the level The Storm, if you get a Troop Transport Warthog you can fill it with Marines equipped with Rocket Launchers. It can be more effective than a mongoose with someone using a rocket launcher, but because it is slower, be careful not to get destroyed by the scarab's legs.
The M41 variant of the Warthog is not as effective, but can still get the job done, especially if the passenger is well armed. Also, see above for an alternative strategy, but replace "Mongoose" with "Warthog".
[edit] Prowler
A Brute Prowler with two heavily armed passengers can take down a Scarab fairly easily. This is only possible on The Covenant and The Ark, though, and the Prowler's weak turret makes it very vulnerable to Banshees. Maneuver the vehicle precisely and quickly in order to stay alive. Use similar tactics as with the Gauss Warthog.
The easiest way to actually get a Prowler to the Scarab battle is to use the first tower Chieftain's Invincibility and the rocket launcher from one of the marines. Use the mongoose to get well ahead of everyone else and shoot the first Prowler with a single rocket. If you are playing on a difficulty where this would destroy the Prowler, use a plasma pistol overcharge instead. Activate the invincibility and get to the driver's seat as fast as possible.
[edit] Wraith
Don't attempt this unless you are VERY proficient with the Plasma Mortar. The Wraith's turning speed is too slow to make a short-range attack feasible, so it has to be engaged from long range. However you can use a Wraith at close range against a Scarab as long as you stay underneath it and fire as fast as you can at one of the legs, then follow up by boarding it or firing at the core. This is considerably more difficult than using a mongoose with a rocket launcher armed marine riding on the back, or even just going on foot with a rocket launcher, so a long range strategy is much more advisable. Using natural cover, such as the light bridge structure on The Covenant, it is possible to get a easy shot on a leg while having the scarab unable to shoot at you. Either aim for the legs, and try and get close enough to finish the job yourself, or, in Co-op, have your partner draw the Scarab's attention from you, and fire directly at the barrier and subsequently the Core. Remember to lead your target, as the mortars travel quite slowly.
Another way to utilize the Wraith is to hijack one from a Brute and give it to a Marine, letting them bomb the Scarab from long range with its plasma mortar with great accuracy.
[edit] AA Wraith
If you are skilled enough to use the AA Wraith glitch (see the How to Pilot an AA Wraith trick) to successfully use the vehicle in combat, it can prove quite potent against a Scarab. This tactic can only be used in the level The Storm. Once you have reached the part in the level where you are on a Mongoose with a Marine with a rocket launcher on their back, you will find two AA Wraiths. Destroy one of the them and dismount your Mongoose. (Note: make sure that the Ghosts and Choppers have also been destroyed. Otherwise they will make it very hard to get to the AA Wraith.) Use the glitch and you have a nice anti-Scarab weapon. If you are playing on co-op, you can have two anti-air wraiths as long as you don't destroy either wraith. Mop up the rest of the Covenant and wait for the Scarab. Remember that if you get out of the AA Wraith, it will explode. Take cover near the platforms with the rocket pods on them so you have a place to hide from the Scarab's withering beam. You can "button-mash" with the AA Wraith and let loose hell against the Scarab with the six Fuel Rod Cannons. Just fire on its legs till it goes down and then go around to the back and either board it or blow up the core cover and the core with the AA Wraith. Also remember that the same basic rules as using a normal Wraith against a Scarab apply here as well. This is the one vehichle that staying in side it and blowing out from the back is not considered noobish, since you will lose the Wraith and it takes a lot of skill to get one in the first place.
[edit] Ghost
With the Ghost, you may shoot accurately, and slowly destroy the armor on one of the Scarab's legs, therefore causing it to 'kneel down' and making it possible to board. You can try this at least on The Ark and on The Storm levels. Remember to be wary about the Scarab impaling you with one of its pointy legs, and with no one to distract the Scarab, it can be very dangerous even to approach it on higher difficulties. This strategy is only for fun, as it is considerably slower and more dangerous than any other. Also, on the The Covenant, the Ghost can be used as a way to get on board the right hand Scarab. Wait until the Scarab is facing you, and drive up the ramp of snow, activating your boosts as you go. When you land on the Scarab, get out of the Ghost and walk to the core, and destroy it with any weapon you have.
[edit] Chopper
When using a Chopper, taking out a Scarab can differ in difficulty depending on the level. If it’s on The Ark or The Covenant it's ability to boost into and destroy other vehicles is a great help. If you want to you could use the same tactic as the Scorpion, but the more fun way is to guide the Scarab over to a ledge/ramp where you can then boost off of and onto the Scarab's deck. Then proceed to boost along the side, killing any infantry there and position yourself to either boost again into the core, or just shoot it. This is easiest achieved on The Ark, where the Scarab will usual remain around the general area of the main building in the center. This tactic is possible on The Storm, but is more difficult as first you would have to get a Chopper before it is destroyed by the marines, and getting it up the elevator is quite difficult, as it may not fit. The last danger really is when you finally get up onto the crane, where there’s the risk of one of the marines on the missile pods may hit it.
[edit] On Foot
Get as many explosives as you can. Rockets, Fuel Rod Cannons, Plasma, Spike and Incendiary Grenades, Missile Pods and Brute Shots are the ONLY viable weapons. If a detached Plasma Turret falls it will damage the legs on at least Normal.Use cover to get as close to the Scarab as possible. Ideally, you want to be underneath it. Destroy a leg, and get inside to destroy the core.
[edit] Dumpster
This is only possible through the use of the so-called "Flying Dumpster Glitch" on The Storm[1]. If both co-op players get inside the dumpster while it is on its side, you may make it fly by repeatedly pressing the Jump Button. Note: It is nearly impossible to control the dumpster and, therefore, nearly impossible to attack the Scarab. If you do land on the Scarab, proceed to slaughter its defenders and destroy the core.
