The Concert

"I always wanted to run to a helicopter during a guitar solo, just like in a music video!"

- Ellis

"Okay, we'll set off the pyrotechnics, but I'm telling you right now. I AM NOT GOING TO AIR GUITAR."

- Nick

The Concert is the fifth and last chapter of Dark Carnival. The Survivors must attract a helicopter by starting up the Midnight Riders concert which includes opening lights, the use of fireworks, and playing the sound system on full blast on a concert stage. The Concert is also a playable Survival Mode stage.

Survivor Walkthrough
There are four phases to this chapter: entry, set up, defense and escape. Entry involves moving from the safe room to the Peach Pit arena - this is very easy. Set Up involves prepping the arena for defense - creativity and skill are at a premium here. Defense involves fighting off Common Infected hordes and two Tanks intermingled with random Smokers, Spitters, Jockeys and Boomers. Escape involves disengaging from combat and legging it to a rescue helicopter that will arrive and hover on either the right or left hand side of the seating bank.

Entry Phase: The Survivors start out in a hallway under the performance arena's seating area. Since combat in this chapter is at all ranges from long distance to close quarters it is generally recommended that all team members get ready by equipping themselves with Assault-type rifles (i.e. Assault Rifle, Combat Rifle or AK-47). Individual secondary weapons are a matter of personal preference, but Dual Pistols are a good choice (the Magnum may be found to be too slow to operate and lacking in magazine capacity) as is a melee weapon like the Katana. Note that spare weapons are always available in the Peach Pit and so a player's initial choices can be changed during the Set Up phase.

Exiting the safe room, players will encounter random Common Inflected lingering in the hallway outside and sometimes a mini-Horde or two will materialize about halfway along plus the usual Spitter and Jockey if the team is moving too slowly. Be on guard against a Charger who will sometimes surge out from an alcove on the right just before the hallway meets a hall and angles off into the arena (keep left, look right and spot the pile of black bin liners against the wall in the alcove).

There are two sets of bathrooms in this hallway that may contain useful items. A single Bile Bomb will usually spawn either in one of the bathrooms or behind the two trailers in the hallway directly before entering the arena. This Bile Bomb is crucial during the final moments of the finale to provide a much needed distraction, so it must be kept safe and in reserve.

Set Up Phase: Once the hallway exits out to the concert area, the Survivors can begin preparing for the Finale. The basic scenario is to attract the rescue helicopter by firing up the Midnight Rider's sound, light and firework display - which naturally also draws waves of Infected to the scene. Set Up therefore involves both prepping for defense and operating the concert technology.

Start by mopping up any random Common Infected discovered in the arena. At the same time, explore the area for weapons and resources. There are several items that are invaluable in holding out until the helicopter arrives:
 * Health Kits spawn either on the stage or up in a health box behind the stage lighting controls.
 * 4 Adrenaline shots usually spawn next to the track recording, though they are occasionally found on one of the bottom stair landings in the seating area.
 * Guitars spawn on the stage
 * Guns and ammo spawn either on stage or in the middle of the the seating.
 * Pills and defibrillators usually spawn on top of the two wood and scaffolding stands in the middle of the seating. Sometimes pills spawn on top of speaker stacks on stage or in front of the stage as well.
 * Fireworks and fuel cans are always found right on the ground in front of the stage. Note that fireworks are always present but The Director sometimes omits to supply gas cans.
 * Molotovs and Pipe bombs spawn either on the speaker stacks in front of the stage or on one of the bottom stair landings in the seating area.
 * About half the time, a Bile Bomb will be found in the bathrooms or the concession area on the way to the concert area.
 * A Grenade Launcher can always be found on one or the other of the two scaffolding towers opposite the stage. Note that in Versus, players can make a bunch of them spawn by picking up grenade launcher, picking up the old weapon, and repeating so that a pile of Grenade Launchers is to hand thereby obviating the need to reload the same single launcher.
 * Between the safe room at the beginning and the weapons found in the concert area, there will always be at least one scoped rifle (hunting or sniper), one type of assault rifle, and one of the auto shotguns. There will also always be either a Magnum or a second pistol next to the ammo stash in the concert area.

This finale is similar to the ones in Left 4 Dead, in that the Survivors have to survive through two waves of Infected and Tanks and then get to the rescue vehicle when it arrives after the second Tank is killed.

Set Up thus involves thinking about where the team will stand to defend itself and the placement of its supply of gas cans and fireworks to augment this process.

Popular defensive positions are detailed in the sub-sections below.

Defense Phase: Once the team is happy with its arrangements the Finale can be triggered. First, the lighting is switched on at the top of the seating area, then the sound and effects are set off using the on-stage console.

(Note the control on the floor at the front of the stage lets off a line of fireworks along the front of the stage that are ideal for lighting up Tanks since they will climb onto the stage through them. Moreover when exiting the stage to return to a defensive position in the seating area after starting the show, the player must be careful avoid running through these same fireworks when they ignite at the start of the Finale.)

Thereafter it is a case of fighting off the usual Left 4 Dead-style Finale involving waves of Common and Special Infected interspersed with two Tank interludes.

Escape Phase: Once the second Tank has been killed, the helicopter will arrive. Note that it randomly hovers at a point either to the right or left of the seating area. As soon as the second Tank goes down, players on very low health may wish to heal without delay and taking an adrenaline shot just before bugging out is also a good idea. Next, the Bile Bomb that has been reserved for this moment should be thrown (in the opposite direction to the helicopter's location) or in such a way as to not impede the team's escape.

Defense: The Stage Method

 * L4d2_0605.jpg co-op play, three players should have either auto shotguns or assault-type rifles and the fourth player takes a hunting/sniper rifle. (Players should experiment though, for example excellent results can be obtained by an all-assault rifle team.)
 * The center of the stage has a raised platform which can be used to advantage. The stage is also cluttered with equipment arranged in a way that creates distinct choke points for a team positioned appropriately and who has laid out boxes of fireworks and gas cans to augment their defenses.
 * When Infected or Tanks come at the front, turn on the fireworks along the front of the stage.
 * If a team needs to make an emergency ammo run and the ammo stash is up on the front seats, find adrenaline at the table and use it.
 * Keep an adrenaline shot in reserve for the final dash to the rescue helicopter.
 * Smokers, Jockeys and Chargers will try to separate team members during the dash to the helicopter, so teams should move fast but stick together.

Defense: The Platform Method

 * Facing the stage amidst the seating are two high-raised construction platforms made of scaffolding. Note that one is considerably higher than the other. If The Director places an ammo stash at the front of the seats, choosing the Platform Method can be a good idea as players will be very close to ammo resupply.L4d2_0974.jpg
 * In co-op play, two players should get up to medium height on a tower and run general interference whilst one player goes to the top level and snipes (or grenade launches) whilst the fourth player provides cover.
 * Views from a tower are panoramic and ranges start at long and drop down to close quarters. For this reason, players should generally favor assault-type rifles (shot guns simply do not have the range to thin out Hordes and start damaging Special Infected and Tanks when they first appear at long distances).
 * The sniper should look out for Smokers because getting pulled from a tower can inflict serious damage on a player.
 * Spitters are a real problem because they easily force a team to abandon its defenses, lose cohesion as well as causing serious damage to affected players. Taking out Spitters on sight is thus a priority task.
 * When the Tank spawns, they often do so from doorways at far ends of the seating area. Players should use this to their advantage by pouring on the fire during the entire time he takes to get within throwing range.  As so as the Tank makes it clear that he is getting ready to throw, the team members lower down on the tower should jump off and separate.  The player(s) on the higher level should hold position because trying to jump down will cause heavier damage than a hit from a thrown rock.  The net effect is a Tank that has experienced prolonged interlocking fire - he will not last long.
 * Once the first Tank is dead, quickly resupply with ammo and get ready for the next Horde.
 * Players electing to get up high on the platform must always use the ladder to get down to the lower level of the tower: jumping from the top is guaranteed to either incapacitate or seriously injure.

Defense: The Mixer Method

 * Way at the top of the seating area is a sound mixer and some supplies.
 * This position has the advantages of long sight lines (enabling many Infected to be engaged at long range) and maximum player mobility.L4d2_0979.jpg
 * Good snipers are valuable here because Infected take some time close to the position.
 * In co-op play, two players should have sniper rifles and the rest assault-type rifles. Shotguns may be considered but they lack the range.  (As always players should experiment with weapons and explore the options.)
 * Tanks should be easy since players have excellent mobility and can circle around them throughout the arena.
 * If a player has a Chainsaw it is easy to carve a way to the helicopter when it arrives.
 * Note that The Mixer Method can be problematic if the ammo stash is located far away on the stage.

Defense: The Doorway Method

 * Below the stairs is a closed doorway with a box of fireworks near it. The idea is to defend in this area with a semi-circle of fireworks and gas cans arrayed in front.
 * Infected will be coming in from three sides and will also drop down from above.L4d2_0966.jpg
 * Players lean against the walls in a box formation: two on the door and one each on the left or right walls.
 * This is close quarter combat, close-ranged firearms and melee weapons are essential: a chainsaw is invaluable.
 * Firework boxes and gas cans must be arranged before starting the Finale.
 * Spitters are huge risk because the team is in a confined space.
 * Once a Tank arrives, the team splits up to engage him.

Defense: The Seating Method
In co-op play, at least one person should have a Hunting or Sniper rifle to pick off Special Infected.
 * This method is very similar to The Mixer Method outlined above.
 * The team positions itself on the top level of the seating area near to the lighting controls.
 * They will have the high ground so as to shoot Infected coming up at them. L4d2_0596yfo.jpg
 * Since Infected can come from all sides, fire control must be switched rapidly.
 * Sometimes there is a medical cabinet behind this position.
 * Smokers,Chargers, or Jockeys can break up the group.
 * The team will have plenty of room and time to kill the Tank.
 * This position makes it easier to reach the helicopter since the run is generally down hill.
 * The Grenade Launcher will be very useful.
 * Ammo will sometimes spawn in the middle of the seats in between to two platforms. When that happens, the benefit of selecting this position is strengthened. However if the ammo stash is way down on the stage this is a serious disadvantage.

Jesus Plywood Method
thumb|300px|right|Walkthrough Note that this method uses a still not corrected glitch in the map and it's only doable when playing a campaign with humans (since bots will not follow you there). However, it's very useful to easily get the Guardin' Gnome achievement, as well as enjoying the music!
 * Get everyone to camp over those wooden panels on the far end of the stage and stay crouched.
 * In order to get on top of the plywood, there is a forklift behind it.
 * Get behind it.
 * Jump twice, you should be on top now.
 * Jump across to the plywood.
 * Stay crouched all the time, turn your flashlight off, and watch out for Smokers.
 * No Common Infected will spawn, only some Specials. The two Tanks will spawn, but they will either die immediately/in a few seconds or spawn on the far end of the arena, so your team can safely take them down (especially if someone is equipped with a sniper rifle). Be careful, as a good placed concrete throw can hit all the Survivors.
 * If someone falls off the panels, the Infected will spawn as usual; this also means that when the chopper arrives, you'll be chased by the Infected, so be prepared to run (adrenaline and pipe bombs really help here). Stay together, as Chargers and Smokers might split your team.
 * Once the chopper comes, have two people throw pipe bombs, and then pop an adrenaline and run to the chopper.
 * Be careful as sometimes the Tank will spawn on top of the roof on the building to the left of the plywood (Assuming you face the seats) and throw rocks at you.

Corner Stage Method

 * Before you start the concert you or one of your teammates must have a pipe bomb or a bile bomb.
 * When you first walk in the concert go to the upper right corner of the bleachers near where the Infected come out.
 * There it should be a rail and a metal box on each side making a little space for one or two Survivors.
 * Once you find this place you can set up there with fireworks and gas tanks.
 * After you set up the best weapons to use would be a Grenade Launcher, two Sniper Rifles or Hunting Rifles, any melee weapon and any automatic weapon. (Try to get some adrenaline to run to the helicopter)
 * When you start the concert run up to the corner of the stage and have the person with the Grenade Launcher in the middle and the two snipers in front with an automatic and a meleeing keeping Infected from crawling up the rails.
 * When the Tank comes it's best to circle around and throw a Bile Bomb at him. After that shoot your guns until he's dead.
 * Repeat until the helicopter arrives.
 * With the addition of The Passing, Valve patched in rooms above the corner of the stage, to allow Infected to spawn there. This greatly reduces the effectiveness of this strategy.

Stage-Platform Method

 * Before you start the finale, everyone should have an adrenaline shot (This will be needed when you run to the rescue). Also, at least one survivor should save a pipe bomb or bile jar.
 * Set-up the fireworks and gas cans near the platforms, the stage and the two possible landing sites of the helicopter.
 * If everything is set-up, start the finale.
 * All survivors should hold out in the stage during the first wave (the song Midnight Ride). Two survivors should have shotguns, one should have any kind of assault rifle variant and one should have a sniper rifle. Everyone should have a melee weapon of any kind. It will be needed for the run to the platforms and chopper. Shoot the gas cans or fire works when the Tank arrives.
 * After the first Tank is killed, all Survivors should immediately climb the platform with the grenade launcher. Immediately heal yourselves if needed. Hold out here for the second wave (the song One Bad Man). Have one two survivors climb the tallest part of the platform. Those two survivors should be the one with the sniper rifle and the other with the shotgun. The survivor carrying the shotgun should get the grenade launcher while the survivor with the sniper rifle should cover the survivor carrying the grenade launcher. The other two survivors should go to the lower part of the platform. The survivor with the assault rifle will take care of any common infected or special infected that will get past the two other survivors from the upper part while the survivor with the shotgun will cover the survivor with the survivor with the assault rifle. You could shoot the gas cans or fire works when you get overwhelmed.
 * When the second Tank appears, everybody should get down on from the platform. DO NOT JUMP! Especially if you are on the higher part of the platform. Jumping will result to having a large amount of damage (about 20 damage).
 * After the second tank is killed, immediately heal yourselves again when needed. Wait for the chopper and use the adrenaline and run to the rescue. The survivor carrying the bile jar/pipe bomb should throw it away from the rescue and the Survivors.
 * This method is also helpful if you are trying to get the Guardin' Gnome achievement. You could leave him in one of the two platforms and not worry about him getting lost. Just remember to come back for Gnome Chompski.

Spitter
As the Spitter, you're going to want to hit the fireworks either when the round starts so the Survivors can not get them, or as the Survivors are collecting them to do some damage. You're also going to want to avoid the platforms to avoid being seen by any Survivors who look up, but also avoid being on the stage where the Survivors will do anything to get supplies. Another good strategy is to spit into the stage lighting so the Jockey can do damage for both Spitter goo and fire damage, or spitting under the microphone so the Survivors can not start the stage lighting for another ten to twenty seconds, giving the other Infected time to weaken them for the Common Infected.

Charger
Unlike the Spitter, when playing as the Charger you're going to want to crouch on the platforms, close to the ladder so when the Survivors are climbing, you can charge them down into the stands, doing some extra impact damage. Another strategy is to crouch behind the fireworks, charging the Survivors towards the stage, making them drop the fireworks, and maybe making one of the other Survivors shoot the fireworks, getting one weapon out of their arsenal.

Jockey
When playing as the Jockey, you need to stay out of sight until the Survivors light the stage lighting, then leap onto them, leading them directly into Spitter goo and/or the Stage Lighting, dealing damage. Another good strategy is to hide until the Tank is about to spawn, then lead a survivor directly over to the Tank.

Boomer
The Boomer is quite ineffective on the concert, as there are no places to hide, but a good strategy is to be like the Charger, crouching on the platforms to avoid being seen. When a survivor climbs up, cover 'em in bile.

Smoker
As the Smoker, when the stage Survivors are on stage, shoot your tongue through the Stage Lighting, dragging the Survivors through them doing damage. When they are on the platforms, you need to rip them off, incapacitating or killing them.

Hunter
The Hunter strategy is simple, jump through any gas tanks, fireworks, molotov fire, or even the Stage Lighting, then pouncing the Survivors to do a good two to five damage per attack. Another good strategy is to jump from the taller platform onto the Survivors, doing a good ten to sixteen pounce.

Tank
The Tank is probably the easiest to use in this campaign. Lead the Survivors onto the stage or onto the platforms. When on the platforms, they either have to fight you or jump. When they are on the stage, they usually will try to back up and end up running into a wall. Do not walk into the slim area where Survivors can activate fireworks and set you on fire without a molotov.

If you can, try to corral one of the Survivors into the blocked off corner (west if you're on-stage facing the seats). There's a forklift there that you can use to insta-incap Survivors. If you can find a way to that corner inconspicuously, you can batter the forklift out into an open area for more fun.