Drive to the Portal

Drive to the Portal in Halo 3's Mission 'The Covenant.' Breach Covenant defenses in a Warthog and Scorpion tank to reach the glowing Portal.

Drive to the Portal (Mission: The Covenant, Part 2)

This section of the campaign, occurring during the second half of the mission "The Covenant," is a high-octane vehicle sequence where your objective is to breach the Covenant's final defensive line and reach the massive Portal leading to the Ark. This guide will provide a detailed, step-by-step walkthrough to ensure your success, covering optimal vehicle choices, enemy encounters, and strategic tips for all difficulty levels.

Mission Context and Objective

Following your initial assault on the Covenant's defensive structures and the activation of the first two power generators, you'll find yourself on a sprawling battlefield. Your objective is clear: drive through the Covenant's fortified positions to reach the Portal's entrance. This involves navigating treacherous terrain, engaging numerous enemy vehicles and infantry, and using the firepower of your Warthog or Scorpion tank.

Recommended Loadout and Vehicle Choices

• Primary Weapon: Battle Rifle or Carbine (for precision at range when dismounted).
• Secondary Weapon: Shotgun or Brute Shot (for close-quarters defense if forced to dismount).
• Grenades: Frag Grenades (for clearing infantry clusters) or Plasma Grenades (for sticking vehicles).
• Initial Vehicle: A Warthog with a Marine gunner is provided. This is your primary mode of transport and offense for the first leg.
• Later Vehicle Option: A Scorpion tank becomes available. This is highly recommended for its superior firepower and durability against heavy Covenant armor.

Walkthrough: Breaching the Covenant Defenses

Phase 1: Warthog Gauntlet to the Scorpion

Upon exiting the structure after activating the second generator, you'll find a Warthog waiting for you. Immediately hop in with a Marine gunner. This initial stretch is characterized by intense vehicle combat and infantry ambushes.

• Initial Engagement: As you drive forward, you'll immediately encounter a few Ghosts and numerous Grunts and Jackals. Your Marine gunner is surprisingly effective against infantry. Focus on maintaining speed and ramming smaller vehicles.
• First Turret Emplacement: Shortly after the initial engagement, you'll approach a fortified position with a mounted Plasma Turret.
• Strategy: Drive directly at the turret, using the Warthog's speed to minimize exposure. Your gunner will suppress the operator. If the turret is heavily manned, consider a quick dismount to throw a grenade or use your Battle Rifle to eliminate the gunner, then re-enter your Warthog.
• Common Pitfall: Lingering too long near the turret will result in heavy damage to your Warthog. Keep moving!
• Wraith Encounter (First): Following the turret, you'll encounter your first Wraith tank.
• Strategy (Warthog): This is challenging. Circle the Wraith, allowing your gunner to continuously fire. Aim to ram its rear or sides if possible. If you have a Spartan Laser or Rocket Launcher from a previous section, now is the time to use it. Otherwise, focus on evasion and sustained fire.
• Alternative Strategy: If your Warthog is taking heavy damage, dismount and seek cover. Use your Battle Rifle to pick off infantry, then try to hijack the Wraith or use power weapons if available.
• Path to the Scorpion: Continue driving, navigating around debris and through smaller Covenant patrols. You'll pass several destroyed Warthogs and some friendly Marines. Keep an eye out for a large, open area where a Scorpion tank is positioned.

Phase 2: Scorpion Tank Domination

Reaching the Scorpion tank is a game-changer. Immediately abandon your Warthog (unless it's pristine and you prefer the speed) and board the Scorpion. Its main cannon and coaxial machine gun will make short work of most Covenant threats.

• Scorpion Acquisition: The Scorpion is typically found in a slightly elevated position overlooking a wider battlefield. There might be a few Grunts or Jackals guarding it, easily dispatched.
• Engaging Heavy Armor: With the Scorpion, you can now confidently engage Wraiths and other heavy vehicles.
• Strategy: Use the Scorpion's main cannon to deliver devastating blows. Two direct hits are usually enough to destroy a Wraith. Prioritize Wraiths and Ghosts.
• Coaxial MG: Use the machine gun for infantry and lighter vehicles like Ghosts or Choppers.
• Second Turret Emplacement: You'll encounter another fortified Plasma Turret position, often accompanied by a Shade Turret.
• Strategy: From a distance, use the Scorpion's main cannon to destroy the turrets before they can inflict significant damage.
• Bridge Section and Phantom Drop: You'll drive across a large bridge. Expect a Phantom dropship to deploy reinforcements, including Brutes and often a Brute Chopper or two.
• Strategy: Focus fire on the Phantom's engines to bring it down quickly, preventing it from deploying all its troops. Then, use your main cannon on any Choppers and your machine gun on the Brutes.
• Common Pitfall: Allowing the Phantom to deploy too many Brutes can lead to them attempting to board your Scorpion, which can be a nuisance.
• Final Approach to the Portal: The path will become more congested with Covenant forces. Expect multiple Ghosts, a few more Wraiths, and heavy infantry concentrations.
• Strategy: Maintain a steady advance, using your Scorpion's firepower to clear the path. Don't be afraid to use the main cannon on large groups of infantry if they pose a threat.
• Environmental Hazards: Watch out for explosive barrels or fuel cells that can be detonated to clear groups of enemies.

Phase 3: Reaching the Portal

As you near the Portal, the Covenant will make a final, desperate stand. The area directly in front of the Portal will be heavily fortified.

• Final Defensive Line: Expect a concentration of Brutes, Jackals, and Grunts, often supported by a Wraith or two, and potentially a Shade Turret.
• Strategy: use the Scorpion's full arsenal. Clear out the heavy vehicles first, then systematically eliminate the infantry. If your Scorpion is heavily damaged, look for any remaining Warthogs or consider dismounting to finish the fight on foot, using cover effectively.
• Objective Completion: Once the immediate area is clear, drive your vehicle (or proceed on foot if your vehicle is destroyed) directly into the glowing energy field of the Portal. This will trigger a cutscene and complete this segment of the mission.

Strategic Tips for All Difficulties

• Stay Mobile: Whether in a Warthog or Scorpion, continuous movement makes you a harder target.
• use Your Gunner: The Marine gunner in the Warthog is surprisingly effective against infantry and even light vehicles. Position your Warthog to give them clear lines of fire.
• Prioritize Threats: Always eliminate Wraiths and Plasma Turrets first, as they pose the greatest threat to your vehicle.
• Conserve Power Weapons: If you picked up a Spartan Laser or Rocket Launcher earlier, save it for critical moments like destroying Wraiths or Phantoms quickly.
• Look for Replacements: If your Warthog or Scorpion is critically damaged, keep an eye out for replacement vehicles. There are usually spare Warthogs scattered along the route.
• Don't Be Afraid to Dismount: Sometimes, dismounting to clear a particularly stubborn turret or group of infantry with grenades or precision weapons can be more effective than staying in a damaged vehicle. Just ensure you have cover.
• Legendary Difficulty Note: On Legendary, enemy vehicle fire is much more accurate and damaging. You'll need to be even more aggressive with your movement and prioritize targets ruthlessly. Consider using the Scorpion's main cannon on even single Brutes if they are a threat to boarding.

Collectibles and Missables

• Skulls: There are no Skulls directly within this "Drive to the Portal" vehicle section. Skulls for "The Covenant" mission are found in earlier or later parts.
• Terminals: Similarly, no Terminals are located in this specific vehicle sequence.
• Missable Marines: While not a collectible, ensuring your Marine gunner survives in the Warthog can provide valuable extra firepower. However, their survival is not critical to mission completion.

By following these detailed instructions and employing sound tactical judgment, you will successfully breach the Covenant's final defenses and enter the Portal, advancing humanity's fight against the Flood and the Covenant.