Mission 3-4: Ship (Night)

Welcome to Mission 3-4, the Ship (Night) stage! This mission introduces a new level of challenge with its low visibility and cramped corridors. Your primary goal is to achieve a high score by chaining together melee attacks and headshots, all while managing the increased threat of enemies lurking in the shadows. This guide will provide a detailed walkthrough to help you navigate the ship and maximize your score.

Recommended Loadout

For this mission, we recommend a character with a strong close-quarters combat ability and a reliable handgun. Characters like Chris or Jill excel here due to their melee prowess. Consider equipping skills that boost melee damage or critical hit rates.

Handgun: Essential for quick headshots and setting up melee attacks.
Shotgun: Excellent for crowd control in tight spaces and dealing with tougher enemies.
Grenades: Useful for clearing groups of enemies or stunning stronger foes.

Stage Overview and General Strategy

The Ship (Night) map is characterized by its narrow hallways, multiple decks, and numerous blind corners. The darkness significantly reduces visibility, making enemy detection more difficult. Your strategy should focus on:

Sound Cues: Listen carefully for enemy grunts and footsteps to anticipate their positions.
Flashlight Usage: Your character's flashlight is crucial for spotting enemies and items. Sweep it constantly.
Melee Chains: Prioritize setting up melee attacks after a headshot to earn valuable bonus points and extend your combo timer.
Environmental Awareness: Be mindful of explosive barrels and other environmental hazards that can be used to your advantage.

Detailed Walkthrough

Starting Area: Upper Deck

You begin on the upper deck. Immediately turn around to grab the Green Herb located behind your starting position. Proceed forward, keeping an eye out for the first group of Majini.

First Encounter: Two standard Majini will emerge from the left. Aim for headshots to stun them, then follow up with a melee attack.
Item Pickup: After dispatching them, check the crates near the railing for a Handgun Ammo pickup.
Moving Down: Head towards the stairs leading to the lower deck. Be cautious as another Majini often patrols this area.

Mid-Deck Corridors

This section consists of several interconnected corridors and small rooms. Visibility is particularly low here, so proceed with caution.

Corridor Ambush: As you enter the first long corridor, expect 2-3 Majini to rush you from the far end. A well-placed shotgun blast can clear them quickly, or use headshots and melee.
Side Room (Left): There's a small room to your left containing a Shotgun Ammo pickup and sometimes a single Majini. Clear it out for the items.
Side Room (Right): Another room on the right often holds a Grenade. Be wary of a Majini that might burst out as you approach.
Explosive Barrel: Further down the main corridor, you'll spot an explosive barrel. Lure enemies near it and detonate for a quick multi-kill and combo bonus.

Lower Deck: Engine Room Entrance

As you approach the entrance to what appears to be an engine room or cargo hold, the enemy density increases.

Heavy Majini: A stronger, armored Majini may appear here. Focus fire on its head or use a grenade to stun it before unleashing powerful melee attacks.
Hidden Item: Check the crates and corners around the engine room entrance for a potential First Aid Spray or more ammo.

Engine Room/Cargo Hold

This is a larger, more open area, but still dimly lit. Expect multiple enemies, including potentially a Chainsaw Majini on higher difficulties.

Chainsaw Majini Strategy: If a Chainsaw Majini appears, prioritize stunning it with headshots or grenades. Keep your distance and use your most powerful weapons. use the pillars and obstacles in the room for cover.
Enemy Waves: Expect waves of standard Majini to accompany any special enemies. Try to group them together for efficient shotgun blasts or grenade usage.
Time Bonus Location: A crucial Time Bonus pickup is often located in the center of this room, or tucked away in a corner. Grab it to extend your mission time.
Final Stretch: After clearing this area, look for the exit leading back towards the upper deck or a different section of the ship.

Tips for High Scores

Melee Combo Mastery: The key to high scores in Mercenaries is chaining melee attacks. A successful headshot will stun most enemies, allowing for a follow-up melee attack. This grants significant bonus points and extends your combo timer.
Prioritize Headshots: Always aim for the head. Not only does it stun enemies, but it also deals critical damage.
Environmental Kills: use explosive barrels and other environmental hazards to take out groups of enemies for extra points.
Time Bonus Management: Always keep an eye out for Time Bonus pickups. They are essential for extending your run and achieving higher scores.
Skill Synergy: Experiment with different character skills to find combinations that complement your playstyle and the mission's challenges. Skills that increase critical hit chance or melee damage are particularly effective here.
Practice Makes Perfect: The Ship (Night) map requires familiarity with enemy spawns and item locations. Don't be discouraged by initial low scores; practice will improve your efficiency.

By following these strategies and paying close attention to your surroundings, you'll be well on your way to mastering Mission 3-4 and achieving those coveted S-ranks!