Navigate Part 8 of Half-Life 2, including the Water Hazard section, lock gates, and long jump mechanics. Learn strategies to avoid damage from Combine.
Walkthrough
- 1When dropping into the duct, slide back and forth to enter it. Be aware that doing so too much can cause damage.
- 2Drop down to the XP grate before any Manhacks (MHs) enter the duct. Facing the MHs as they hover over the vertical section can minimize or eliminate damage.
- 3Press forward and stand as you drop onto stacked barrels in room #1. Run off the barrels to the floor and toward a large vertical pipe.
- 4Two EBs (Energy Barrels) are at your 1:00. Grab the closest EB and place it against the vertical pipe. Jump onto the EB, then onto the upper walkway (Wkwy).
- 5Turn right again and sprint to the opening ahead and to the left leading to room #2. Run the Wkwy and drop down to the pipe with the flood valve and turn it to begin flooding the three rooms.
- 6Quickly make your way back to room #1, sprint to and hop over the railing to the grated floor below, then down the ladder to the flooding area.
- 7In room #3, if you struggle with the long jump, surface for air, dive back down, and shoot the boards from the middle to the right end of the recess to free up a spool.
- 8To perform a long jump, press and hold forward and sprint keys, press jump at the very edge of the ledge, and do not press crouch until mid-air.
- 9Jump off the ladder and swim through the tunnel to room #3, then up to the ladder. Climb the ladder to the ledge, orient to the ledge across the water, then long jump to it.
- 10Stand and exit, locate the ladder, climb, and ignore the probe if possible. While facing the fence, turn right, run along the ledge, and drop into the water.
- 11Pull out your pistol and continue to run left. Two POS (Pistol-only Soldiers) will rappel in from above; you can headshot (a shot that lands on the enemy's head, usually an instant kill) both with practice.
- 12Run over their dropped items, jump from the barrel to the Wkwy, switch to and knock over (KB) the SC (Security Camera) then enter the tunnel Pswy (Passageway) KB ready.
- 13There are three MHs ahead and possibly two behind you with a probe. Run by the three MHs and KB them out of your way.
- 14Sprint along the left side of the tunnel and jump over the lower crate, then turn into the lighted tunnel and climb the ladder.
- 15Hop along the planks to the end, KB the SC, then drop to the ground below. You may take minor damage from some MHs.
- 16Ignore the toxic area and Lambda cache ahead. Sprint at the pipes ahead; you will slide under them to the ground and take no damage.
- 17Continue to the rebel station, access the SMG ammo crate and any available health, then proceed to Water Hazard.
- 18Ahead is a maze with zombies (Zs), bugs, toxic sludge, and electrified debris. Keep moving, sprint only on clear straightaways, and avoid sparking wires.
- 19Take your time past the sparking wires and through the freight container. Do not touch the walls inside the freight container to avoid a HC (Heavy Cannon) rocket.
- 20Barrier #1: Park beside the concrete platform, locate the wheel, raise the gate, ignore the HC, run to, and jump into the boat.
- 21Barrier #2: This is a ramp puzzle. Place two barrels in the submerged cage to align both sections of the ramp. Climb the leaning tree trunk to the ledge, grab the first barrel in the outflow pipe and jump into the water. Place it in the cage. Swim up to the barrel at the edge of the water, grab it, and place it in the cage. Swim up, sprint to the boat, and drive over the ramp.
- 22Barrier #3 (Lock Gate #1): Pass the POS shooting from the wooden platform and head for the gate. Locate the corner niche to the left after the sludge bar. Park the boat tight into the corner, exit the boat, put your back to the bulkhead, and boat to your 9:00. Pull out your pistol and toggle zoom. Locate the distant EB above and to the right of the lock gate.
Tips
- The difference between Half-Life 2 (HL2) and Half-Life 2: Deathmatch (HL2ud) is the approach to the flood valve. Pay attention to your drops to avoid prematurely entering the water, forcing you to reroute back to the valve.
- If your health is above 50%, avoid stopping at Lambda symbols as you are more likely to lose health and time than gain.
- Taking damage from MHs can be minimized or eliminated by facing them as they hover over the vertical section of duct.
- MHs have not followed the player down to the second duct grate or the room below in testing.
- Avoid touching the walls in the freight container to prevent damage from a HC rocket.
- If you receive significant damage, it is likely within the freight container.
- Keep moving through the maze, only sprinting on clear straightaways.
- Take your time past the sparking wires and through the freight container.
- The route to Black Mesa East has been updated to eliminate the overhead gate, building, four POS, and extensive running.
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