The Sugar Mill

"Nick, have you ever seen this many Witches? Ho-lee shit."

- Ellis "Dang. Bitches must like sugar."

- Coach


 * For the actual in-game sugar mill, see Ducatel Sugar Company.

The Sugar Mill is the second chapter in the Hard Rain campaign. After finding out that the Ducatel Gas Bar was out of fuel and a sign redirected the Survivors to another gas station, they arrive at the Ducatel Sugar Mill. With the road to the station blocked, they are forced to enter the sugar mill to reach the gas station.

This level is considered one of the hardest in Left 4 Dead 2, as many Witches appear on this level; rather then the typical 1-2 in other levels, anywhere from 10-15 can spawn in this level. This is due to the plentiful amount of sugar, to which the Witch is attracted. As a result, first aid kits and defibrillators are often used. The Director is also very picky when it comes to weapon choices, as it often hands out tier 1 weapons which are typically ineffective against Witches.

The Crescendo event in this chapter is calling the elevator to take you down to a sugar cane field.

Campaign
You start in the safe room. Grab what the Director provides, but grab the Health packs in the cabinet first as those will respawn when you come back. On the table there is a scoped rifle (Hunting or Sniping). There is also a Tier 2 Automatic Rifle and Shotgun in the table. Nearby on the shelves are some throwables and temporary healing items (Pain pills or Adrenaline Shots). One random melee weapon spawns near the weapons.

When you are done, open the safe room door. If you have not started from The Milltown, in the small room the Director will spawn an ammo pack for you. Clear all the Infected and head towards the Ducatel Sugar entrance. Clear the first floor and search the rooms. Go out into the small yard nearby.

Clear the small yard. As you reach another large area, be careful of Witches; in most cases, one or two of them may be visible at this point, in addition to the potential Tank. Once you reach the end of this area, you will be greeted with a small office trailer that contains weapons and occasionally other items. Restock or swap your weapon, and go to the narrow passageway nearby. Clear the Infected, and go to the opposite side where two sheds are waiting. If a Horde comes in when you are in the narrow passageway, they will come from the fence on the side you came in. If you are in the area with the two sheds then they will come out from an exit from an area you will land in soon.

Search the two sheds for any items. Be careful of a Witch spawn here. Go up the ramp and then down to the final part of the building. Take the safest path as several Witches spawn here. Once you leave the building, you will end up in a sugar tank area where water is starting to pool. Get to the building on the other side, and climb up the three floors. Hordes come via the path you took to get in. A Tank may spawn in the building, though he is usually on the top floor.



Before starting the Crescendo Event, look out at the cane field and try to find Witches that may be wandering around. Clear them out before you start the Crescendo Event; you can safely dispatch them before they reach you due to the distance, and dealing with them now eliminates the risk of accidentally running into them later. The Witch will pursue the one who startled her and climb up the nearby wall; by standing on at the end of their climbing path, the Witch will be unable to climb up and can be easily killed by the team. Only startle one Witch for each person though, as there are three Infected "ladders" on the wall which they will utilize. If there is a Witch wandering the third floor, use a Molotov if you have one and light her up; otherwise, try to avoid her as best as you can. A Tank might also appear in the cane field which can save you a lot of time fighting him on solid ground.



Once all Witches visible in the first part of the field are cleared, start the Crescendo. Infected attack from three areas; rushing from the field, the staircase the team used or a pipe nearby. If you stay near the elevator area, you won't have to worry with Infected attacking from behind if you've cleared the field already. Throw a Molotov at the stairway if the team has one; most of the Infected will burn, leaving you with those trying to climb up via the pipe. They can be easily gunned down. Most Special Infected will typically reach the team by climbing the pipe also, making them easy targets for the team. Don't stray too far to the ledge though, or you risk having a Smoker drag you off the ledge.

Once the Crescendo ends, use the elevator to get back down. A final shed serves as a supply depot of sorts and a rescue closet. Down in the field, make your way to the gas station which is at the other end of the field. Be wary that there will most likely be a few remaining Witches at the gas station in addition to a potential Tank if one has not spawned yet. Make your way into the safe room and close the door to start the next chapter, Mill Escape.

Note: As a way to conserve health kits, if anyone is near death by the time they reach the safe room, kill them. When the next chapter starts they will return with 100 health, saving 1-3 health kits for later use if the team is struggling during the next chapter.

The Survivors
With humans 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 form up and make a plan though! Hurry up and get your supplies, and get running!

Achievements

 * See Main Article: Achievements