Sword of Damocles is the sixth mission of the Operation Eclipse campaign in Act of Aggression..[1]
Completing this mission unlocks Backstab for the Beyond the Mirror campaign.
Background[]
Schaefer and Lofquist discuss on their findings in Covert Ops and confirm Damocles' intentions has been recognized by the US government. Schaefer is informed he will direct the assault for the oncoming mission, officially an observer of the battle. Schaefer then gives a scarcastic remark regarding his dislike of James T. Wittel when it's revealed Wittel's in charge as well.
Wittel, who is also less than pleased to meet the Chimera colonel, returns to the topic when prompted by Schaefer. Wittel reports no Damocles activity at this moment, and Schaefer affirms they will have to launch an assault if Damocles refuses to surrender. Then, Wittel reiterates it would be Schaefer's task, assisted by the best-equipped tanks avaliable, so there's no room for mistakes.
California Guard Under Siege[]
Damocles launches its assaults with Cartel equipment, overwhelming various US-equipped NG bases nearby. Harding warns Schaefer they're not getting any answers. Wittel demands Schaefer to advance quickly and fight off any opposition in order to reach base Geromino.
The small Chimera-led US force slowly advances, erasing enemy units that come their way and eventually manage to seize the base amidst the chaos. The few remaining vehicles are also put under Chimera's command.
Base Fortification[]
What's left of Base Geromino is heavily battered, in dire need of resources and infrastructure. To compound this Damocles is pouring even more units once in a while. Prompted by Harding, Refineries are constructed to exploit the few resource deposits nearby, as well as a Field Hospital for enemy POWs while other structures are established so reinforcements could be summoned. They also research the CIWS upgrade for use against enemy missiles. Using this respite, the US force managed to repair their damaged vehicles and are fully prepared for their next move.
Assault Elements[]
Harding notes the enemy is yielding their pushes as a Little Bird literally runs into some Railgun Turrets and is destroyed. Wittel orders Schaefer to continue the mission. The US force proceeds to fight their way through, meeting heavy resistance from artilleries, turrets and other enemy vehicles. They take some losses, but manage to destroy whatever that's at the gate.
As they're about to advance further, Harding interrupts them with a communication from Wittel, who wants them to pull out and support Base Cochise, which has came under heavy fire as well. Harding also reports while they can't get the base online, enemy stealth tanks are confirmed. Wittel sends some anti-armor reinforcements and some additional tanks to assist. At this point, they encounter further enemy resistance, but are able to reach the base and secure it.
Final Strike[]
With the alert status being raised to DEFCON 2, the existing force now has additional military resources at their disposal. They continue exploiting nearby deposits to keep the base running, as Damocles sends helicopters and land vehicles once in a while to destroy the base. Eventually, Wittel gives the order to launch a full-on attack. Tanks ahead take the heat and deal with frontline threats, while Stryker ATGMs and Blazers provide support. NLOS-Cs are used to blast threats at range that would have threatened the tanks, such as Shershens and Artillery Turrets. They push uphill and get close enough to the HQ that the artillery units could fire upon it, completely obliterating the building after a while. The operation concludes with Wittel declaring their victory.
Aftermath[]
A news report immediately appears once the assault is finished.
DOD announces their success in taking down Damocles. The President personally thanked Wittel and his men for protecting their country. Nearing the State of Union address, the President's stance against Damocles has dramatically boosted his otherwise low popularity. Though other details are not revealed and the US army is still busy, officials confirm Damocles is attempting to intimidate the US government with terror attacks for the general benefit of all PMCs, making it some of the largest conspiracies to be ever revealed.
Walkthrough[]
You'll depend on land vehicles most if not all of the time, particularly the Abrams, Hercules, Stryker ATGMs, Blazers and NLOS-C. It would therefore be in your best interests to counter the likes of Scorpio and Shershen to the best of your ability.
The mission starts with an initial force of 4 Abrams (TUSK 2), 1 Hercules and 2 Stryker ATGMs. Otomatics, Vextras Scorpios, Vipers and Shershens may all get in the way. Make sure the Stryker ATGMs stay back to snipe vehicles. Abrams should be set to hold position so they don't run out of Hercules' AOE while still pressuring the enemy. Upon reaching the base there will be 6 Stryker MCs fighting off threats, so give a hand. These units join your side soon after.
Start building a Barracks and Refinery. There is a Recon Team nearby, so get its upgrade then scout out the few resource fields for a more accurate Refinery placement. Produce an additional M993 for each refinery. If there are POWs, build some Marines and a Field Hospital. The Logistical Center should come up next, with its M993 speed upgrade, building healing and Hercules (at least 4-5 are recommended for the main assault). The Armory is also important, as it grants access to the CIWS upgrade for stopping Shershen missiles and White Phosphorus rounds for the Stryker MC. It hurts your units, but also the enemy, and every bit of damage is appreciated. A Light Vehicles Bay is needed for producing the Humvees. Fit them with gatling guns and build multiple of them (at least 6-8). If you ever run out of power, get more Field Generators. The Non-Lethal Combat Training isn't necessary so early into the game.
An optional addition during this period are Javelins. Although the NLOS upgrade isn't accessible during this mission, Javelins work very well on base defense, and are nonetheless extremely devastating against enemy vehicles. Often a few are able to destroy Vextras and Scorpios with terrifying ease.
Initially Damocles' front gate is guarded by railgun turrets. Once Harding gives the green light, these will be absent and artillery turrets appear in place. Organize your units and save your game, then carefully push forwards with all existing units. Shershens, Scorpios and Otomatics will swarm out to attack your Abrams. Since Scorpio has a higher range, the vehicles need to push a little more in order to hit it. Give the hold position order for your Strykers and Humvees so they do not rush suicidally. Once the Abrams get into range they might get a shot on the Scorpios. Use the Stryker MCs to destroy Artillery Turrets.
When Wittel orders to pull out and head right, there might be more Scorpios and Spectres. Two more TUSK 2 Abrams and 4 TOW-2 Humvees will arrive immediately and are at your command. Push slowly to Base Cochiese.
Upon arrival, you'll be granted access to the base, which has a Light Vehicles Bay, [[Air Control Center (U.S. Army)]|Air Control Center]], Power Plant, another Field HQ as well as 2 fully upgraded MG Nests. There are two Blazers and 1 NLOS-C, so it's recommended to build a Heavy Vehicles Bay after harvesting the nearby aluminum field. Build another Barracks to capture POWs more conveniently, if possible.
Since you do not have access to Stinger, you will have to rely heavily on Blazers for air defense. Save your aluminum and use them over Humvees - Blazers have an autocannon that can snipe missiles, in addition to firing those of their own to take out the likes of SuperHind. As for your artillery of choice, NLOS-C is the obvious option here. Even without upgrades, NLOS-C packs a serious punch, demolishing artillery turrets and enemy-occupied districts. Their ability to exploit indirect fire better than the Stryker MC should not be underestimated.
Using a Little Bird for some extra sight range is possible, but not the most viable strategy due to the presence of Grinch since it lacks stealth. They however are still useful if you fear the enemy might send the Comanche since its stealth detection allows Blazers to hit them where it hurts. There will be a lot more Spectres, Vextras, Scorpios and some Artillery Turrets. Destroy them slowly and playing it safe is the way to go, since with correct planning it's possible to complete the mission with less than 30 minutes and 75 losses. There will be more resistance up top, but the Abrams and Hercules will take it from there. Once you figure out where the enemy HQ is, start shelling or shoot it down with the Abrams.
Related Achievements[]
|
Sword of Damocles Complete Sword of Damocles
|
|
Unbreakable Finish the mission with at least 4 Abrams TUSK 2s intact
|
|
Antitrust Complete all Chimera missions
|
|
Janus Complete all Chimera & Cartel missions
|
Trivia[]
- The nickname section in the Abrams specs displayed during Schaefer and Wittel's discussion is literally "JJ", a reference to the filmmaker J. J. Abrams, though the real Abrams is actually named after General Creighton Williams Abrams, Jr.
- Although the main objective of the mission is to destroy Damocles' HQ, post-mission cut-scenes prove otherwise with the building still intact.
References[]
- ↑ Eugen Systems, Act of Aggression. Operation Eclipse mission 6: "Sword of Damocles".