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

"You heard the man, let's get across the goddamn bridge."

- Nick


 * For the actual in-game bridge, see Veterans Memorial Bridge.

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 military 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
The chapter starts in a safe room with two floors. Players need to heal as necessary, but weapon selection is a key variable. Players need to experiment, but a good combination is a fast-firing Tier 2 plus a fast melee weapon (e.g. Katana or Nightstick) to clear the way at close quarters and get disentangled from Common Inflected mobs. If aiming for a sub-three minute achievement, picking up Adrenaline Shots is essential. A pipe bomb or two (if available) is a huge asset to keep in reserve to clear the way at the bridge exit. Overall strategy is to keep in mind the requirement to move to the rescue vehicle in the face of on-coming waves of enemies.

Once equipped, exit the safe room and use the radio next to the dead body. First timers will follow an extended line of sidetalk from the military, but experienced players will simply use the radio, operate the switch on the console and move to the bridge barrier ready for the start.

''Golden Rule: Start on the left and stay on the left! ''The road surface is punctuated with holes and the only clear way through to the end is a narrow pathway to the left - this also helps channel enemies so that they can be taken down. A good assault rifler with melee weapon as a secondary should take point. An offsider should follow closely behind to provide cover with an assault rifle or auto shotgun as the primary. The remaining two team members must stay tucked in close behind and be ready to provide support as needed - even to the point of switching to point and cover positions as needed.

Once the bridge opens, start sprinting - the first enemies take a few seconds to appear and the ground gained before they do so is obviously valuable. There are various ways to get across the bridge and the Strategy section discusses these in detail. As a general rule, keep left, keep together and keep moving. Common Infected are threats simply because they are so numerous and can slow a team down - especially if one team member gets mobbed. Teams must be be careful of Chargers (especially in Versus) because they able to knock Survivors right off the bridge itself. The same may happen with Jockeys but there they are less dangerous unless the team's cohesion has broken up and individuals are strung out along the line of escape out of immediate support from one another.

Due to the nature of the finale, the main strategy of the Survivors is to keep moving. There is no point in finding a location to hold out for long durations, as the horde will repeatedly respawn (although there may be brief lulls inbetween hordes).

The two general strategies are to (1) speed-run (move without stopping) and (2) to move at a regulated and methodical tempo.

Speed Running Strategy

If speed-running the bridge, it is essential to stay left when the bridge levels out because it is the clearest path to the end. At the point where some scaffolding comes into view on the side of the bridge, a Tank will spawn and the music will start. This point, a good idea is to get out onto the scaffolding and take an Adrenaline shot (this gives about 15 seconds of super-speed) and enables a team to run past the the Tank without fighting him. Getting onto the scaffolding is an excellent idea as it makes it harder for the Tank to hit players with a thrown car, also his size makes it difficult for him to get out on the scaffolding and in reach of players. If going for the achievement, fighting the Tank is not an option - he must be outrun.

After the scaffolding, players need to look for a fuel tanker truck with a ladder on the back. Either use the ladder to climb up on top of the truck or get up on its hood by jumping up on its front wing. Jump across to the roof of the bus in front and then over onto the slanting section of the bridge followed by a level area. A massive horde of Common Infected will be in view at this point. Check back to ensure no one in the team has been snarled up in the rear. To avoid running past the bridge exit (it is easy to do in the excitement), look for military hummvee. Throw a Pipe Bomb slightly off to the left to clear the route (a Pipe Bomb is on the hummvee's hood if needed). Swing right onto the bridge off ramp.. By this time, the "Rescue has arrived" message will have flashed up and the rescue helicopter will have hove into view. Keep sprinting forward but bearing slightly right getting closer to the helipad. An military truck with a Heavy Machine Gun and ammo pile on the ground next to it will be seen. However this weapon is practically unless the decision is taken to fight the Tank that spawns at about this time or to help out Survivors who are lagging behind. For a speed run, going to the bother and delay of trying to kill the Tank is self-defeating as it is unnecessary to do this and the rescue helicopter is very close by. To make the end run, players turn hard right at the end of the fence and jump down onto a bus, then sprint around the barbedwire fences to the helipad. After boarding the chopper, fire support can be laid down from the helicopter windows for any team member who is bringing up the rear. Once everyone living is aboard, a cutscene depicting the bridge being blown up rolls.

A sub-three minute time gives the achievement Bridge Over Trebled Slaughter. Note that if aiming for this achievement the most simply way of getting it is to do this chapter on Easy (thus eliminating Special Infected bar the Tank) and with the aid of a switched on human buddy.

Regulated Crossing Strategy

The basic route and methodology is much the same as that described above. The major difference is that the team sprint when needed, but otherwise deliberately fight their way across using the supplies of fresh weapons and ammo encountered on the way. The mantras of Keep Moving, Keep Left and Use the Scaffolding apply in full.

This strategy consumes a lot of ammo and it is essential the team restock on ammo or replace Tier 2 weapons at the supply points provided.

As noted above, this strategy gives Special Infected such as Chargers ample time to spawn and prepare and teams must be either be very fast accurate shooters - or expect to lose members and team cohesion under their attacks. The scaffold Tank is normally deliberately engaged with a view to killing him.

Gunfire alone will not be able to hold off the Common Infected horde in the level area of the bridge approaching the off-ramp - a Pipe Bomb is thus almost essential to clear the way. Teams should expect to have at least one member struggling along on low health at this stage and so it is a good idea to keep either Pills or Adrenaline in reserve for the final dash.

Once on the off-ramp, speed is vital. Grab some ammo (if needed) from next to the machine gun truck and let the devil take the hindmost. Sprint to the helicopter and do the best one can to provide cover for any laggards. Unfortunately it is possible that an unlucky human player on low health will go down up on the area where the second Tank spawns - although this victim is more likely to be an AI Bot when playing with a mixed team.

Overall, whilst this strategy will not win an achievement, it provides a huge amount of challenge and a multitude of opportunities to practice and hone one's combat drills.

Jeep Method

 * 445224_full.jpg 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 with a M16 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.
 * Have at least two Survivors grab either a fast melee weapon or a shotgun, as they kill hordes 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, as they can drag a teammate off of the bus.
 * Separate in groups of two to take down the Tank.
 * One should throw a Pipe bomb or a Bile bomb to distract the Infected while running to the rescue vehicle.

Pump and Run

 * Have everyone grab an Adrenaline Shot, a Tier 2 shotgun of some sort, a Pipe bomb, and a fast melee weapon, such as the Machete or the Nightstick.
 * Stick together like glue, and always have at least one person by your side to make help arrive faster.
 * If you haven't found any replacements, use your Adrenaline Shot when you get to the Tank. Run past him and over the gas tanker. When the vehicle horde spawns, throw your Pipe bomb to make getting to the vehicle easier.
 * This technique is very effective for completing the level in a fast time, which is required for the Bridge Over Trebled Slaughter achievement. All Survivors will get the achievement if they do not already have it when completing the level.

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 bomb. It is also recommended to have one person on your team use an Assault Rifle variant or a Hunting Rifle/Sniper Rifle.
 * Call the horde and take the left path, as it is the clearest way. Do not stop for anything.
 * Run in a line and have the melee user lead. Have your Sniper/Assault teammate clear out Special Infected; be sure to point the Special Infected out to them so they can dispatch them quickly.
 * Have the two shotgun users in the back, one armed with a Pipe bomb and one with the Bile bomb.
 * Run down the left side, mowing down zombies. When you see the Tank, have the shotgun user with the Bile bomb throw it at the Tank. If you didn't find a Bile bomb, just run past him.
 * If practiced several times, you'll get a feel for the layout of the bridge and know what path to choose for future plays.

The Survivors

 * Plan ahead. A good plan is better than just running and hoping for the best.
 * You need to keep moving as much as possible.
 * Newcomers 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; however, tell your teammates when you do this and resume movement as quickly as possible.
 * 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. If the Tank follows, be sure to jump back onto the bridge carefully.

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. Practice makes perfect, so if you can practice, the bridge holds few very good wall-jump positions, which leave Survivors wondering where did you come from.

Jockeys: You can do wonders on this stage, especially if the Survivors are scattered. If you can successfully ride one, you can take them 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. You can also ride a bot off the bridge as bots do not resist the Jockey's influence, allowing you to disable them quick.

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 their teammate to die. Chargers can take survivors from Jockeys, which can confuse Survivors as well as it can let the Jockey set a new ambush position.

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. The blindness has an added effect, it might cause the survivor to mistakenly run into a hole, which is instant death.

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. For The Bridge, cars will not instantly incapacitate Survivors, instead doing a set amount of damage, so follow up attacks. 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. It is also good to punch the Survivors off the bridge.

Behind the Scenes
This chapter was at first called "The Table Bridge" and then "The Lift Bridge" before being changed to simply "The Bridge". Also the bridge itself was going to be bombed by the military while the Survivors were crossing it.

Videos
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