The Bridge (Left 4 Dead 2)

"Encountered? Boy, I am covered in zombie blood and puke and eyeballs and twenty other parts I don't even recognize. We are immune as SHIT!"

- Coach

The Bridge is the fifth and final chapter of the final campaign, The Parish. After the Survivors escaped from the ruins of New Orleans, they learn that the U.S. army is abandoning the mainland and trying to hold out at sea on large cruise ships. The Survivors take this chance, and make a run for it.

Walkthrough
You start off in a safe room with two floors. It's a good idea to grab some adrenaline, as unlike most rescues, you have to move to where the rescue vehicle is, rather than wait for it at a spot. Walk outside the safe room and there is a radio next to a body. Use the radio and the soldier on it will tell you to get to the other side of the bridge. Activate a console that will make the bridge lower and you will be able to get across. Be ready to get out your adrenaline, because you are going to need it. There are many ways to get across the bridge, but if you want to know each look at the Strategy section. Be careful of Chargers, especially in Versus, because they will charge you off the bridge if they get a chance, and there are many chances. The same will happen with Jockeys, but there is less danger unless you are split apart. The cars, however, are perfect for just that, so be careful. At the point where you can see scaffolding on the side of the bridge, a Tank will spawn, and the music will start. It's best to stay on the scaffolding, as the Tank will have a lot of trouble hitting a car at you from there. After you kill or ignore the Tank, there is an oil tanker with a ladder on the back. Climb up it, and continue onto the slanting part of the bridge. After getting onto the level area of the bridge, turn right, past the military vehicle, and keep going. By this time, you should have seen the "Rescue has arrived" message, and be able to see the helicopter. After you get through the cars, there is a Heavy machine gun, which is basically useless unless you want to fight the Tank which spawns about the time you arrive there or to help out Survivors who are behind. This is not advised, however, as it is not needed to kill the Tank to finish the chapter, and the landing pad containing the helicopter is very close by. Jump down onto a bus and run to the helipad. Get on it and you will be awarded with the sight of the bridge blowing up.

Jeep Method

 * After you've crossed the CEDA tents, look for the jeep with the mounted Heavy machine gun.
 * Have one person mount the gun, one behind him, and two below the jeep.
 * The person behind the gunman should look out for Spitters, because they could damage all Survivors in one pool.
 * When the tank comes, one person should be the bait and the rest concentrating fire on the tank.
 * Once the area is cleared, make a dash for the helicopter and escape.

Bus Method

 * Before reaching the helicopter, you will see a bus located at the downside.
 * At least two Survivors have a melee weapon or a shotgun; it kills Common Infected very quickly.
 * Two people should be in the front and back, and the rest in the middle.
 * Everyone should stay above the bus and kill any Infected in sight.
 * Keep a lookout for Smokers, because they can drag you off the bus.
 * Separate in groups of two to take down the Tank.
 * One should throw a pipe or a bile bomb to distract the Infected while running to the rescue vehicle.

Pump & Run

 * Have everyone grab an adrenaline shot, a shotgun of some sort, a pipe bomb, and a melee weapon.
 * Stick together like glue, and always have at least 1 person by your side to make help arrive faster.
 * If you haven't found any replacements, use your shot when you get to the Tank. Run past him and over the gas tanker. When the vehicle horde spawns, throw your pipe to make getting to the vehicle easier.
 * If done perfectly, everyone who doesn't already have it should get Bridge Over Trebled Slaughter.

Left Flank

 * Have your whole team pick up shotguns and a melee weapon, pipe bombs, and if possible, have one of your teammates carry a Bile Jar. It is also recommended to have one person on your team use an Assault Rifle or a Hunting/Sniper rifle.
 * Call the horde, and then have your team run down the left side of the bridge, it is the clearest path on the bridge. Do not stop for anything.
 * Have one melee user in the front of the pack, run in a line. Have your Sniper/Assault teammate clear out Special Infected, be sure to point them out to him/her so he can dispatch them quickly.
 * Have two shotgun users in the back, one with a previously mentioned pipe bomb, one with the previously mentioned Bile Jar.
 * Run down the left side, mowing down zombies. When you see the Tank, have the shotgunner with the Bile Jar throw it at the Tank. If you didn't find a Bile Jar, just run past him.
 * Practice this over and over, you'll get a feel for the layout of the bridge, and know exactly what path you need to take.

The Survivors
Of course, if the Tank climbs on the scaffolds with you, you still need to get off, or you will be smashed. (Possibly even off the bridge!)
 * Plan ahead. A good plan is better than just running and hoping for the best.
 * You need to keep moving as much as possible.
 * New comers should be on the lookout for gaps in the bridge. A few careless steps can send you off the edge.
 * It's good to stop for a few seconds every now and then to clear the path ahead, but tell your teammates when you do this, and then quickly resume movement.
 * When the Tank comes, you can climb on the scaffolding on the left and right sides of the bridge to avoid being hit by cars.

The Infected
Keep in mind that during this level, you should be moving just as much as the Survivors. There are various holes in the bridge and the sides are usually not protected by gates, so carrying Survivors off the edge will cause them to hang or fall to their death. Do note that even while you are spawning, should you fall, you will die and have to respawn. Press the use key the instant you start falling to spawn along side the closest Survivor to prevent such mishaps that could cost you and your team.

Hunters: Try to pounce the last Survivor during moments of confusion (Tanks, Boomer Bile, etc.), as most Survivors will keep moving before they realize their teammate is in trouble. It's a good idea to claw weak Survivors who usually trail the pack until you incapacitate them, and then hide and then pounce the rescuer to add more damage to their team.

Jockeys: You can do wonders on this stage, especially if the Survivors are scattered. If you can successfully ride one, you can take them way backwards and/or cause them to hang on the side of the bridge. Be aware that this will most likely end in your demise, so have a buddy close at hand to take care of any rescuer, or your sacrifice will be in vain.

Chargers: When the opportunity arises, try to charge a Survivor off the bridge from the sides or one of the many holes in the middle of the bridges. If this isn't possible at the time being, try to grab the Survivor at the back and carry them back. This way Survivors either need to go back and kill you, or leave thier teammate to die.



Smokers: Try to grab the one that is behind. This can slow the whole Survivor team down. They will either run back to save him, buying your team more time, or run ahead, leaving him to die. Also remember that the many holes in the bridge can instantly incapacitate or kill a Survivor, so try to drag stragglers off whenever possible. Your tongue will break and you can hide. As with Jockeys, have a buddy close to grab any wannabe heroes.

Boomers: Try to vomit on Survivors when possible. This will summon a horde that can slow down Survivors, especially those that are in the front and away from the other Survivors. This will leave one person fighting off the horde. Remember that when you explode, you can push players back. Take care when near captured Survivors or Tanks, but attempt to explode near Survivors who are close to holes or the sides of the bridge.

Spitters: You might not do so well this level as the Survivors are constantly moving, your spit is stationary once fired and there are usually multiple paths through the bridge. There are also no "good" hiding spots to take cover in. Attempt to do as much damage to the Survivors as you can, trying to get in places where they have to go, such as the ladder on the fuel truck after the Tank. Also, since most players won't cross goo even here, try to spit to split up the Survivors so your team can pick them off, or put the Survivors in immediate (and deadly) danger. Another way to slow Survivors is spitting at where they need to call the pilot, though there is not a great hiding spot to do this from. If you plan to do this, expect to die shortly after you spit.

Tanks: If the enemy team is not climbing on the scaffolds, you can easily bash them with cars. It's a great way to slow down Survivors and then rush up to them. Do realize that even though you are a feared team member of the Infected, the large number of cars and the distance you will spawn from the Survivors will mean more time to get to them. It is usually faster to punch cars out of the way then bother jumping and hopping over them. Keep an eye on your frustration meter. Be aware that there are several propane tanks on the bridge, and if Survivors time it right, they can stumble you off into the water.

Achievements
Start out at the safe house and grab a automatic weapon, a melee weapon, a pipe bomb, and adrenaline, and a First Aid Kit. Call the pilots to lower the bridge. As soon as it is lowered, rush to the left and stay there. As soon as you encounter the Horde, use your adrenaline. About 50-60% of your way to the chopper, there should be a truck with its back open, and adrenaline usually spawns there. Take it. Now continue your path to the left and ignore the tank that comes, just run straight to the Gas Truck that has the ladder on it. After that keep to the left! There are many holes you fall through that can ruin your 3 minute run. Throw your pipe bomb after you are off of that part of the bridge, Then Make a run for the Chopper!

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