After restoring power in Power Gambit, Kyle’s second task—under the guidance of Olivia—is to the Baron’s path in A New Strain. This is an open combat, stealth, and serious Chimera boss fight quest, so single- or multi-player, it can dish out some tough curveballs.
This walkthrough breaks down each level of the quest to help you handle it smoothly.
Visit the Monument
After your meeting with the Sheriff and Jacob, head to the Monument. This area is infested with infected, and if you’re brave enough to explore it during the evening, you can earn bonus XP.
Prioritize the Spitters—there is one sitting atop a truck, another on top of the Monument. Take them out quick, then thin down the rest with Molotovs and gas canisters. The armored militia zombie can only be attacked from the rear because its front side is protected.
After securing the area, examine the investigations that are found throughout:
A mysterious device on the exterior of the truck.
The truck’s sliding door covering a lootable crate containing a medium lockpick and an empty gas can.
Secure the Safe House
Olivia advises Kyle to first secure a nearby Safe Zone within the suburbs. Locate the pointed apartment flat with an open window.
Inside, close doors, cleanse the infected, and descend via the blue power cable to the basement. A locked door blocks the path, but you can crawl in through a vent to reach it. After cleansing the basement, restore power, then head back upstairs and switch. The Safe Zone is secure, giving you a checkpoint and XP before the next push.
Infiltrate the E&F Plant
Hug the left outer wall rather than climbing up the front gate. You’ll notice stacked-up trailers leading you to a white, splintered pipe you can scale. This gets you onto the upper floors of the plant but there are guards roaming about here as well.
There is no need for stealth—you can have open combat if you prefer. Take out gun-wielding enemies first, as their assault rifles will drain your health bar very quickly. Once you’ve cleared out the area, enter through the top doors.
There is a cutscene when you move into the courtyard. Then there should be a shoot out against the Baron soldiers. Again, eliminate the ranged ones first before mopping up the melee soldiers.
You will encounter a scientist through the double doors. He informs you that the Chimera escaped towards the Junkyard. To entice it out, you will have to get a gas canister.
Obtain a Gas Canister
Head down to the plant’s basement. Enter through the vent by the locked doors and dispose of the infected within. Survivor Sense will point out a few gas canisters—take one, then exit the plant through the exit tunnel.
Cut across the outskirts towards the Junkyard from here. Watch out for runners—if solo, it’s usually best to kill them instead of attempting to run past.
Junkyard Ambush
In the Junkyard, place the canister in the weird machine. That triggers an ambush by Baron’s militia. Employ the Ranger Shotgun (which you have been thieving from the scientist for some time now) to thin their numbers out quickly—headshots will save your ass tons of time.
Once they have been eliminated, finish up the installation on the trap. The device attracts the next Chimera: The Behemoth.
Defeat the Behemoth
This boss fight is two phases long, but the fundamentals are the same.
The Behemoth uses:
- Largely swinging arms.
- Ground pounds, at times triple slammed into chains.
- Shockwave slams that stagger.
- Swinging around junk cars when you get near him.
In the second stage, he also summons Biters. They’re terrible but will distract you at bad times.
Your best bet is to just keep moving, bob his telegraphed swings, and circle around his back. Clear the Biters quickly when he summons them and then concentrate on him again.
Eventually, you’ll be in Beast Mode, which makes it possible for you (and your co-op partners) to string together attacks and nibble away enormous chunks of his health. At about 10% HP, you’ll gain access to the finishing sequence to kill the monster.
Back to Olivia
With the Chimera slain, collect its blood sample. Then, find a nearby car to make the long return trip to Olivia at the Monastery. Hand over the sample to close out the quest.
Rewards
For completing A New Strain, you’ll earn:
- +10,000 XP
- Survivor’s Jacket (gear)
- +500 Old World Money
- Co-op Lootbox (if completed with teammates)
