Geoforge - Vlad's hunting grounds | Chapter 2 DARK Guide

Last update: 11 May 2016

Enter the hunting grounds and you'll automatically trigger a cut-scene during which you'll find out that Vlad is waiting for you and that he's carrying a sniper rifle. As you've probably suspected your main objective here will be to find a safe path to the ancient vampire who is occupying one of the highest balconies in this location. It's going to be a tricky assignment so make sure to read all of the information presented below.

Your fist task will be to reach a fuse box, because interacting with it will allow you to turn off some of the UV tunnels on the upper balconies. Follow the game's suggestions by heading right. Make sure to monitor the movements of all guards occupying the balconies of the nearest building, because you can't allow them to see you (usually this can happen if a guard has stopped close to one of the railings).

Leave the platform where you've started exploring the hunting grounds and immediately turn left, choosing a very narrow passageway seen on screen 1. Enter a small area and look around to find a new PDA (200 experience points) (screen 2).

You may resume your journey towards the fuse box. Watch out for the guards standing close to the left staircase seen on the screen above, especially since a ghoul will accompany them. The enemies are guarding access to the structures located to your left and since you don't have to go there right now it's best to avoid them while maintaining safe distance.

Don't try to get to the fuse box too fast, because you'll encounter a single ghoul on your way to your current destination. It's best to eliminate this monster, because otherwise the ghoul may notice your attempts of reaching the fuse box. Once the creature is dead hide its body somewhere in the bushes.

You may finally approach the fuse box and interact with it. You should know that sabotaging the fuse box will turn off only some of the UV tunnels on the upper balconies. Thankfully it won't be a major problem, because you'll have plenty of opportunities of avoiding the tunnels that are still active.

QUICKLY take cover behind a tree seen on the screen above, because one of the guards will arrive here very soon alarmed with the sabotage you've just performed. Notice that the guard is slowly turning around and the best moment to attack him is when he's facing in an entirely different direction (if you don't want to kill him leave this area as soon as possible).

The guard described above isn't your only concern, because a second opponent has also appeared in this section of the hunting grounds and he has a ghoul as his sidekick. In this case I wouldn't recommend performing any attacks (unless you have a full supply of Vitae and don't mind taking risks).

You must now make a decision if you want to go after Vlad right away or if you want to take some time exploring and securing the rest of the hunting grounds. The second option is a much better idea, because you'll gain additional experience from killing enemy units and you'll also discover a new secret. Begin exploring the hunting grounds by going right and make a stop once you've reached the area displayed on the screen above.

You can use Shadow Leap here to teleport Eric to the upper platform, however an even better plan is to use a long distance attack on a guard present in this location so you won't have to worry about him after a successful teleportation.

Notice that there's a tower structure nearby with several smaller balconies around it (screen above). The tower itself is guarded by three enemies. If you've upgraded your Shadow Leap ability you will be allowed to teleport to the top of the tower. Otherwise choose one of the lower balconies and pay more attention to enemy positions. In both cases you must remain unseen and you should start your killing spree with the person occupying the highest vantage point.

Once you've secured the tower you may start exploring the central area of the hunting grounds. Try and make your way to a small courtyard seen on screen 1. Enter the courtyard using teleportation or by locating the stairs. Check this area thoroughly and you'll discover a PDA (200 experience points) seen on screen 2.

Return to the tower which was guarded by three enemies and use the stairs leading to the highest balcony. This area is being patrolled by a single guard (screen above) and since it's very easy to predict his movements you shouldn't have any troubles killing him without exposing your position.

There are two places in the hunting grounds you should stay away from, because the risk of alarming guards or even Vlad himself is very high there, even if you try using advanced vampiric powers to your advantage. The first unsafe area is the staircase with some guards and a ghoul (screen 1) and the second unsafe area is the building located close to where you've started exploring the hunting grounds (screen 2).

You can reach Vlad's balcony by choosing one of three main paths. The first option is the best one if you plan on skipping on the exploration of the hunting grounds, because after sabotaging the fuse box you only have to move back a little towards the starting point and where you've found the first PDA. Notice the stairs here leading to the upper balconies (screen).

Make sure not to be seen by Vlad while exploring the upper balconies so check his current position often and use the railings for much needed cover. Sabotaging the fuse box resulted in turning off the nearest UV tunnel. Don't head over towards it too soon, because a single guard is patrolling this place and you should take care of him first.

Start moving slowly towards the central platform with Vlad. Leave cover only when the vampire is looking the other way. You should also consider using Shadow Leap to teleport between objects used for cover, decreasing the chances of being spotted prematurely.

The second way of reaching Vlad is very much like the first one, however in this case you must find the stairs located at the back of the hunting grounds (screen). It's crucial that you stay behind the right balustrade while using the stairs, because Vlad will probably look your way and he may notice you if you're not careful enough.

You'll soon come across an active UV tunnel. Don't enter the tunnel no matter what and instead resolve this problem by teleporting yourself to an adjacent balcony located to the right (I recommend performing a long distance kill on a guard seen in the distance). The rest is the same as in the first variant so you'll have to move closer to Vlad's balcony.

The last third option is in my opinion the most interesting one, however you will be allowed to choose it only if you've followed my advice and decided to secure the rest of the hunting grounds. In this case you should begin on a top balcony which was previously occupied by a single guard (screen above).

Approach the railing and you'll notice that you've found yourself behind Vlad. Furthermore, you can use Shadow Leap ability to safely reach his balcony, avoiding a nearby active UV tunnel.

Once you've arrived at Vlad's platform one of the two things can happen. If you've decided to choose the third option then the most likely scenario is that the vampire won't even notice you're there and as a result you'll be allowed to approach him easily (screen above).

If you've decided to choose the first or the second option then Vlad may decide to teleport himself to an adjacent platform. In this situation you'll have to follow him while trying to avoid being seen by him (Vlad will be teleporting between the corners of the platform and he'll spend some time in each corner to check the surroundings). In both cases you must get close to Vlad and hold the interaction key/button to start draining him of his blood. The game will soon show a cut-scene and you'll be given 1500 experience points as a reward.