The Crane

"What do you call 5,000 infected lawyers?"

- Zoey

"The crane will lower that dumpster, then we can jump across"

- Francis

The Crane is the second chapter of the fourth campaign, Dead Air. The Survivors are in the Harbor View Hotel's kitchen. They get back to the rooftops, by passing through the hotel's upper floors, to then reach the crane. In the first Crescendo Event of the Campaign, they must activate the crane which lowers a dumpster to get to another rooftop. The Survivors are usually given two Gas cans to burn the Infected. Later, the Survivors arrive in the upper floors of an office complex. They navigate down through the office, out the main entrance, finally to reach a safe house across the street. There is an alarmed car that can attract the horde.

Campaign
When starting from this chapter, the AI Survivors will grab:
 * Bill will grab a submachine gun.
 * Francis will grab a pump shotgun.
 * Louis will grab a submachine gun.
 * Zoey will grab a submachine gun.

When the Tier 2 weapons are found, they will grab:
 * Bill will grab an assault rifle
 * Francis will grab an auto shotgun
 * Louis will grab an assault rifle
 * Zoey will grab a hunting rifle

Otherwise, they will keep the weapons they had in the last chapter. (See The Greenhouse for a list of weapons they will grab there.) An important thing to remember is that this chapter is a long one, has one of the highest densities of Infected in the game and ammo caches are located at some distance from one another. Tier 2 weapon fire discipline and making maximum use of pistols and grenades will prevent a team being seriously embarrassed by ammo shortages at all-too-frequent critical moments.

The Survivors start out in an abandoned kitchen, with first-aid kits, tier 1 weapons, and ammo sitting on a counter. If you're starting out here, grab some first aid and a weapon of your choice. If you started from the previous chapter, The Greenhouse, heal up and replenish your ammo. There is a rather large and noticeable hole in the wall beside the safe room door. If you see any Infected outside, feel more than free to shoot at them. Once everyone is ready, open the door and head out.

Outside, you will be in a cargo room. Kill what zombies are there and head outside through the garage-like openings. There's a fence blocking the other side, but you can use a pile of trash and dirt to climb over it. Jump on top of the pile of boxes at the end of the fire escape and go up the ladder, and the subsequent stairs. Caution: The Director seems to love to put a Hunter, a Smoker or even a Boomer on the stairs. Take heed of this, and proceed upwards. You can enter the building through a large bathroom window. This is the bathroom of a hotel suite. The bedroom has a fairly messy bed, but it's possible that tier 2 weapons will spawn there, so keep an eye out! As you proceed through the empty halls of the hotel, look into every room you can; goodies (pills and grenades, for instance) can spawn inside of them. However, remain wary of not only Special Infected, but also Tanks and Witches. The Witch can spawn in your way or in any of the rooms. The latter of the locations can be avoided. However, praise be the person who can avoid the Tank. Make your way up the stairs at the end of the hall, and head into the room on the right. On the table beside the window is another possible location for tier 2 weapons to appear. If you find them here, you're in luck, because it's time to fight the horde.

Before progressing, it's a good idea to take down any enemies you can see on the roof tops round about. Climbing onto the air conditioning structure to the front of you gives excellent lines of sight over adjoining rooftops for this purpose. A good idea is to do whatever rooftop sniping is necessary using (e.g.) a Hunting Rifle and then return to the apartment building to switch weapons or pick up a fresh Tier 2 before moving onto the actions outlined in the following paragraph. Note that a Tank or Witch may spawn at some distance away on an neighboring rooftop during this curtain-raiser and being prepositioned on the air conditioning structure gives you ample opportunity to nix this threat with little risk. Bugging out back to the apartment building is a line of escape if the situation starts to get out of hand.

An ominous crane looms nearby. That's right, time for the first Crescendo Event of Dead Air! If you found any pipe bombs, those can obviously help you and your teammates out a lot. Fortunately, if you didn't, there are still some gas cans near a corner of the fence. Set those up, and when everyone's set, hit the switch to lower a dumpster. Once crane starts to operate its noise sets off the Crescendo Event. The Common Infected horde will always attack from in front (where the dumpster was standing) and slightly less frequently from behind (through the building with the fire escape you have just vacated). Beware that if they do put in an appearance, a Boomer or Smoker will invariably take the latter route whilst their co-Infected can be shot down (at long range) as they climb the fire escape.

There are a few different ways to go about this. You can either wait around inside of the fence, shooting the gas cans when you see fit or climb on top of a structure on the roof. The most successful tactic is to get the entire team up on the crane platform and melee or shoot. If you melee, the group is practically invulnerable. Regular and Special Infected that you see climbing up will be quickly knocked back down. Hunters will be punted off and killed, while Smokers will not be able to grab anyone longer than a split second. They can't get you. Special Infected won't have a chance to break your defenses when you're so close together. Another option is to set up the Gas Cans as appropriate, position the team back in the apartment next to the weapons and have a volunteer operate the crane and then sprint back to rejoin the team. Enemies can only attack from two tight chokepoints: from the roof in front and the apartment doorway behind. This position also completely nixes out the theat posed by Special Infected during this crescendo event. Once that dumpster's down and the threat extinguished, climb on up and keep going.

If you are lucky enough (or unlucky enough) to have a Tank spawn, there is an easy way to get rid of it, but it requires teamwork and skill. When you have climbed the ladder on the crane, there is a wooden bridge that you can cross. If a Tank spawns, try and bring it over to the bridge and then jump over the gap next to it. If you are lucky enough, the Tank will fall in to the gap and land on the ground below. But keep moving, because it will climb back up and chase you down.

After climbing the dumpster, there is still a fair way to travel and many threats to overcome. From this point on, it is strongly recommended that the team exercise particularly strict Tier 2 fire discipline and make maximum use of pistols to conserve ammunition since the next ammo resupply is buried away inside the lawyer's office building.

Skipping Crescendo Event

There is way of skipping this Crescendo Event. Players found a way to pass this part of The Crane level. To do this you have to go inside of the crane area. Jump onto the wooden crate with the two gas cans on top. From there, jump onto the round exhaust vent. Then you jump on top of the gate. Follow it down until you reach the end gate leading to the edge of the roof. You're then going to jump across onto the metal box on the other building. Once you land on it, jump again onto the roof and there you have skipped the Crescendo Event. Be careful when jumping across. Should you land wrong, you will hang off the metal box and you won't be able to be rescued, unless you have other people playing with you. (Note: This is only available to players who have newly gotten Left 4 Dead. There is a update patch to close this alternate path).

The first rooftop simply requires you to turn right and cross over to the next one. On this one, deal with the Infected, remaining cautious for mainly Smokers, and head up the small structure on the right side of this roof. You can cross to the other rooftop from there. After this next rooftop, you will enter an office building. Creepy, right? Again, look around for supplies. You never know what you can find. Continue through the building, until you reach a small office. In here, Tier 2 weapons can spawn on the table, and pills or Molotovs can spawn on the cabinets to the right. Once you've looked around, head out of this room's window and cross over to the other building via the wooden planks. As with the last level, be entirely careful of Smokers. Once inside, head down the hall and look to your left. Tier 2 weapons can spawn here if you do not have them yet along with an ammo pile, and to the other side of the room is a first aid station.

Get what you can, heal up or take those pills if necessary, and keep going. The stairs let out to the edge of an area with many cubicles, which actually make great hiding places for the Infected. There are two floors of office cubicles, often prompting Zoey to ask Louis: "Hey Louis, all these cubicles make you homesick?" Despite what Louis may feel about these offices, they're not all bad and they're not all good. The cubicles give the Infected obstacles to climb over and can slow them down during an attack. Plus, the many rooms on these two floors can contain pills for those of you who are feeling the pressure. However, the offices are a highly likely place for the Tank or a Witch to spawn. If you have yet to encounter a Tank, be extremely wary.

Treading lightly and swiftly, continue down through the building. Once you reach the ground floor, you can head out the front door and on to a street. If you still need pills, search the rooms in the building before you leave. There's a storage building on the other side of the street. Another potential location for the Witch is on this street or just outside of the safe room. Cross the street — be careful not to set off the car alarm! — and get inside! Good job, you made it through this chapter! Take a breath, and get ready for The Construction Site.



The Survivors
Now that humans are controlling the Special Infected, things can only get harder. However, they can't spawn until you leave the safe room. That doesn't mean that you should let them have a good chance to find just the right spot, though! Hurry up and get your supplies, and get running!

Throughout the level, keep in mind that you are playing against human players. They will not wait for you to come to them, and if they do, it's because they have an ambush location that could be deadly to you and your team. With this in mind, you need to keep moving. However, moving blindly could be your downfall—move quickly, but with caution.

The Crescendo Event at the crane will be either the hardest part of the level or the easiest. Remember that in Versus, your melee is limited so you cannot properly use the crane platform tactic. However, having the entire team up there will be helpful as you can generally see where you've placed the gas cans and you'll be able to kill most Infected before they reach you. The Smoker is your primary concern here, if you hear the trademark cough of the Smoker, don't be afraid to melee a few times. You may end up saving a teammate from being dragged into the horde or even fire.

Rooftops in general are a concern as you can simply be dragged off on to the edge of a roof and you'll be left to dangle unless your team can help you. Otherwise, in this state, you are entirely helpless. Strategic Hunters can actually take out an entire team of Survivors in one pounce. If you are unlucky enough to have a Tank on a rooftop, he'll be difficult to deal with. Finally, Boomers can rain vomit down on you from higher buildings. In short, stay away from rooftop edges!

Remain vigilant for Witch cries. If you spot a Boomer not moving in the distance and staring you down while the Witch can be heard—don't shoot! If he moves away or towards you, then you can safely assume he's not concealing a Witch. Witches, although avoidable, can be the fatal blow to the Survivors especially if there are competent Special Infected lying in wait.

As with all levels, when you know you're near the safe room, make sure you are with your teammates before you make a dash for it. If you make a break for it alone, it is not unlikely that a Hunter will be waiting for your arrival and possibly kill you before the others can reach you. No one can survive the infection alone. Teamwork is essential.

The Infected
Boomers: This level was made for you. You are the sneaky one, hiding around corners and in dark rooms. You stalk your victims, wait for them to be distracted, then—attack! Vomit spews in their direction, they scream rants of anger as they back into defensive positions; waiting to embrace the force of your approaching horde. The interiors of this level are perfect for Boomer ambushes. There are many rooms and corners that the Survivors must pass on their journey. If a Tank shows up, do your best to cover as many Survivors as you can. A horde and a Tank at one time is often enough to overwhelm the Survivors. Although rooftops aren't your forte, go for it! If you can cover the Survivors while other Infected are in position, Smokers and Hunters can use the opportunity you created to put the hurt on the Survivors. There's a Witch? Conceal her! Odds are that one genius Survivor is going to shoot you and the Witch in one go.

Hunters: Although you've found better pounce locations in Riverside and Fairfield, this is a good level for you. Nearby rooftops are perfect for the accurate Hunters, and close corridors are good for the not-so-accurate Hunters. Just remember, pounce lone Survivors, not a group! Inversely, a group that is foolish enough to gather around a rooftop edge can all be eliminated with one pounce. By pouncing one, the others will stumble backwards and over the edge—effectively incapacitating them all! As with the Boomer, a Witch is a true blessing. Crouch behind or in front of her. Watch as Survivors spot you and either shoot you, inadvertently startling the Witch; or they'll wait and slowly form a plan, giving other Infected time to set up. If one macho Survivor decides that they're the "big man with the shotgun," prove them wrong. In fact, pounce them wrong! They'll attempt to kill you and the Witch with headshots in which case you pounce him as he gets close. This will in turn startle the Witch. Although this is frowned upon frequently, at the beginning of this level, a Hunter can go up to the rooftop with the crane and use the flaming barrel to light themselves on fire. Then, if you jump on top of the gas cans, you will light them on fire, and destroy them before the Survivors get the chance to use them in defense. This will, however, inevitably kill your Hunter.

Smokers: The time to clash with the Survivors has returned. But unlike your Hunter, Boomer or Tank brethren, you do not charge in an attack. You do not fight in close quarters. No, you are certainly unique. You are the long range attacker. Stick to the rooftop shadows, pull the last Survivor to enter that building. Pull the one who is near the edge. In short, you are necessary for the Infected victory in this level. Working with the Boomer, pull one of the four slimed Survivors or alternatively, pull a clean one and separate the group. Stay back on the roofs and wait for the opportune moment. See those wooden plank crossings? They are your best friend. As Survivors cross, tug one on to the edge. Witches are your even greater friends. Use them to your advantage. Drag Survivors into her. Sure, she'll nag you about it after wards, but at that point she'll be too angry with the Survivor you just gave her.

Tanks: Is it the Hulk? Is it a steroid-junkie? No, silly! It's a Tank! There are times that call for a Smoker, there are times that call for a Hunter and there are even times that call for Boomers. You're in luck, Mr. Tank, as it's always a good time for the Infected when a Tank shows up. If a Survivor is constricted or pounced, do not attempt to "help" the Smoker or Hunter. Your attack will free them and kill your buddy in the case of the Hunter. You may end up saving the Survivor's life. Avoid fire! Tank no like fire, Tank like crushing Survivor skulls! Memorize which Survivor has a Molotov before becoming the Tank. Be wary of them. Also, it is important to note that incapacitated Survivors should be left alone if more are still standing. If a Survivor shows teamwork and cooperation by helping their friend up, show them the error of their ways. Work with your fellow Infected, lead them in times of doubt and above all, don't underestimate a well aimed rock-throw! You may be spawn in the roof with the crane. Punch the survivors so they will all be hanging for their lives.

Survival
Secret Ledge Method


 * Under the crane on the side of the building, there is a small ledge that juts out and runs along the side of the roof. If you slowly edge your way over and on to the ledge without falling off, it can work as a defensible position. The Common Infected will only come at you from the other side of the crane and the only Special Infected you need to watch out for are the Smokers. Whilst on this ledge, Hunters seem to have extreme trouble trying to pounce you. So much trouble, that they will often leave themselves out in the open and growl at you. The Tank will also have trouble getting you here. The worst that can happen is that he will try to throw a rock at you. If this happens, take cover behind the ladder in front of you, or the fence further back nearer the corner. Often, Tanks will simply find their way down into the alleyway below you and spend the entire round trying futilely to attack you. Your only concern is the Smoker. Up to three of them can spawn at once. They will not be able to pull you back onto the roof, however, they can constrict you and that is why it is recommended to perform this trick with at least one other person.

Crane Controls Method


 * Up on the actual crane itself where you start, the attack from is a viable place to make a stand. Set up your defenses and start the round, you won't even need to move; you're already in place! From there, the entire team can shoot or melee through the hordes of Infected easily. That is, until the Tank arrives. When he does, if all four or at least three Survivors concentrate their fire on him, he should die before he gets to you; otherwise, it's time to abandon the crane. Getting stuck up there with a Tank is not a good idea.

Truck Exploit


 * It is possible to access the ground level of the map by falling off the ledge onto the truck on the side of the building furthest from the crane. The first player runs off the edge holding their Jump Button, so as not to grab onto the ledge when they fall, and falls onto the truck, where they will be incapacitated. The next player does the same, only this time holding their Action aimed at the incapacitated player on the way down. If executed successfully, the player will slow down in the air, taking almost no damage, simultaneously reviving the player on the truck. A third player can then join them. The first two then jump off the front of the truck towards the "Give Blood" bus stop, jumping forward as far as possible, as the ground around the truck will kill the player almost instantly from any height. The fourth player, still on the roof, can hit the crane switch and fall onto the truck, where the player waiting for him will help him up. These two can then jump down, and all four can hide in the corner of the map, out of range of all zombies. There is also a long hallway to hide down, as the occasional zombie will find its way down without dying.

Left 4 Dead 2
In the Dead Air port released for Left 4 Dead 2, this map is identical to the versus map used in Left 4 Dead, in the way that on the rooftop near the crane, the chain-link fence that once protected the Survivors surrounding the crane during the crescendo event has now been mostly removed. Only a small portion remains that separates the crane switch from the dumpster. This makes holding out near the crane an extremely dangerous place since Tanks and Chargers can easily knock survivors down to their doom. Another change to the map is that the fridge right outside the safe house no longer has a door, obviously to keep players from camping inside and waiting for a crescendo to cease. The map's car alarm can no longer be triggered from the rooftop to prevent survivors from setting the alarm off and picking off infected from the rooftops. The car will appear to have no alarm at first if viewed from the rooftops, but the car will flash its lights once the survivors are on the street to signify that the alarm is on.