| abstract
| - Caution: This is the only finale that has a Crescendo Event before the actual finale. It also is provoked without warning, taking one by surprise. It is also the only finale without a mounted minigun. The chapter begins when the Survivors leave the railroad car (caboose) parked on the bridge and enter a railroad tunnel cutting containing a wrecked train. Numerous Common Infected are in the vicinity and many can be sniped from the back of the caboose before restocking on ammo, switching weapons (the Assault Rifle is a good choice) and setting off. Survivors should be prepared to fight an aggressive "hurry up" horde attacking from the rear as well as at least one Boomer, Smoker, and Hunter; and sometimes also a Witch. More serious is the high probability of a Tank spawning when arriving at the train wreck. Returning quickly to the caboose to resupply with ammo is a good idea once he has been taken down. It is necessary to climb up onto a boxcar in order to access the onward route involving a short, angled path over a hilltop. If not already encountered, this path is a favorite place for either a Witch or Tank to spawn. At this point the Survivors are about halfway to the farmhouse. At the end of the path is a sheer drop overlooking an extensive cornfield in which the odd Common Infected may be seen (and sniped). A Boomer may be gurgling and grunting away at the base of the drop, alternatively a Witch may be heard somewhere out there in the field. Since this is a "no return" feature, Survivors must jump down into the field together to avoid the risk of one tardy team member being snagged by a Smoker or pounced by a Hunter. Since it is dark, pre-dawn and the cornfield is dense, sightlines are short - and dangerous. Survivors have two options to get through the cornfield:
* Option 1 is to move forward at a regular pace. Very shortly there will be a panic event that becomes a running gag in Left 4 Dead (cf. The Sacrifice) when a group of crows is startled, triggering two simultaneous horde attacks: a large one from behind and a second smaller one from the left quarter. Regularly pacing Survivors either fight this threat out where they stand or sprint forward to the location of a tractor which gives them slightly improved visibility and rear protection.
* Option 2 is to ignore the cornfield panic event and sprint through the field, past the tractor, jump over what looks to be a collapsed irrigation gantry, through an open sided hay barn and into the farmhouse grounds. Although the panic event will be triggered, only a relative few Common Infected trail the Survivors all the way to the farmhouse where they can be easily dispatched as they cross the open ground around it. Once in the farmhouse grounds, Survivors are free to explore the farmhouse, the adjacent two storied barn and the smaller garage-workshop nearby for supplies whilst mopping up the fairly numerous individual Common Infected in the area. All during this time a loop-recording from the Military will be heard over the farmhouse radio. Survivors must build up their defenses in preparation for a finale battle that will include a constant stream of Common Infected, as well as the usual two Tanks and other Special Infected. There are fewer gas cans and explosives than on other finales, but look for oxygen tanks in the farmhouse. The farmhouse contains a full stock of weapons, ammo, and health on the ground floor whilst a second ammo pile can be found in the barn loft. A limited stock of pipe bombs or molotovs is usually provided, but Survivors may have to hunt for them diligently in all farmhouse rooms and outside buildings. A pipe bomb is especially valuable since it can be kept in reserve to create a diversion at the end of the finale, when the Survivors are bugging out for the rescue vehicle. The rescue vehicle arrives after the second Tank is killed. It makes a partial circuit of the farmhouse before stopping between the house and the barn where it lowers an open hatch in the back to allow the Survivors to get aboard. The final cut-scene shows the vehicle driving off with the Horde in pursuit, the screen then fades and credits roll. The Sacrifice DLC comic picks up the narrative immediately afterwards and provides the storyline arc to The Sacrifice campaign.
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