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 than 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.

Hordes spawn from behind the team rather than the front for balancing reasons.

If the team has not started from the previous level, the Director tends to spawn both an explosive and incendiary ammo pack in the small storage room that typically contains a single propane tank.

Clear the small yard and head into the first building. It has several rescue closets and often hides a few items. Make your way out of the building and continue along the main path; if a Witch does not appear here, then one will in the next area. Enter another small building; the table often contains an item to be used. Carefully fire your shots as several Witches are almost always guaranteed in this area. A safer way is to climb the ladders to the right and jump onto the sugar tanks on the other side via the railing. This cuts through any Witches below the team, though there is a risk of Smokers dragging Survivors off for heavy damage.

Near the second set of ladders is a door which contains a worker's locker room. This area houses another rescue closet and often various items in the two rooms.

At the other end of this area is a small office trailer containing several weapons, and occasionally several other items on the table across it.

Turn around the bend to encounter more Infected; a melee weapon is recommended here, as there tends to be several Witches on the other side. At that end of the area are two sheds; a ruined one containing a propane tank and another which serves as a rescue closet. Go up the ramp and drop down to another area.

Teams should be careful in this area, as there are more Witches and Smokers tend to be problematic by dragging players from mostly inaccessible areas. Another rescue closet can be found here along with an office trailer containing weapons. Both of these areas may have several items in them.

Once the area is sufficiently cleared, a large opening awaits Survivors along with more Witches. Creep your way towards the building to the left, as all of the Infected loiter around near the sugar tanks. Another office trailer can be found next to the run-down building which contains weapons, items and another rescue closet. Head into the building as quickly as possible and reach the top floor to prevent hordes from temporarily spawning. The Tank tends to idle about on the top floor, so if he is heard, remain on the middle and flush him out.

When the building is finally cleared, look at the sugar cane field and spot for any Witches. It's recommended to take them out now rather than later as the field greatly reduces accuracy and increases the chance of stray shots startling Witches. Only one half of the field can be seen, but that is fine as even just reducing the Witches by half is extremely helpful.

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, spot and startle any Witches in the field. This prevents you from startling them after the event where there is almost no chance of survival if one is startled when you are down on the field. There are three Infected "ladders"; the Witches climb the one closest to you, though they will use others if multiple Witches are startled. A scoped rifle is perfect for spotting and startling the Witches. If none can be seen, a Grenade Launcher, if one is in possession of the Survivors, can be used to startle Witches from the gas station, though they often aren't a threat.



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. Don't stray too far to the ledge though, or you risk having a Smoker drag you off the ledge.

Tip: The Crescendo can be skipped by using a propane or oxygen tank's explosion as soon as a Survivor jumps off and shoots the propane tank (or oxygen tank in advance) before they land down. This will result in explosive damage, but jumping straight off will result in instant death. Skilled players may opt to use the elevator frame to lower themselves down. Bots will automatically teleport to the lead Survivor after some time has passed.

Once the Crescendo ends, use the elevator to get back down. A final shed serves as a supply depot of sorts and sometimes as 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.

Tip: 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!