Mission 8 - Tombs of the Ancients Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak Guide

Artifacts to obtain:

• random (in wrecks [1] and [2], optionally in [4]);
• Valence Band Amplifier Power Source (wreck [3]).

Primary objectives:

• reach the first wreck and do not let the enemy obtain the artifact;
• go to the second wreck and obtain the artifact;
• defeat the enemy Carrier.

There always is an artifact in the first wreck; this is a part of the mission.

This mission is short and easy. You can complete it at the highest difficulty level nearly without producing additional units, apart from the default ones. First, start to gather the resources near the wreck [1] and deploy scanning sensors by the Northern road, between the rocks. There is the enemy Production Cruiser [9] there and it is best to destroy it as soon as possible (use planes - enemy cruisers are armed with an effective, long-range mortar). Your objective is to obtain an artifact from the wreck that you blow up.

Recapture the other wreck and guard it.

Take your entire army, including Kapisi, and head along the Southern edge of the map, to the second deposit that you can see on the map [2]. Do this still before the first deposit is depleted. There is a small resistance there (Production Cruiser and several armored vehicles). Your second objective is to seize this location. Inside the wreck, there is another artifact. The enemy will launch an attack on this point, from the West [5]. They appear in identical waves and come from outside of the map, which is why the best you can do is defend this spot: produce around 6 RGs, 4 AAVs and a Support Cruiser. Then, deploy them by the storage to defend this spot.

Hint: You can now produce bombers (Tactical Bomber Fabrication). You can have up to 3 of them The remaining 2 are available for Gunships and they are not recommended for this mission.

Also, it is worthwhile to get to the fourth storage and maintain a group of units there - you can then launch the final attack from both sides.

Take the army and the Carrier to the third storage, to the North [3]. This spot has poor defenses. This time, deploy Kapisi to the West of the storage, which is where the enemy waves will be arriving from [6] (armored vehicles only). You can expect small waves also from the South (3-4 units) [7]. In the wreck, there is another artifact.

Note: Before you obtain this one, make sure that you are well-prepared for the final fight. Keep your armies ready and make sure that you have gathered the necessary resources.

The fourth storage has poor defenses and you stand a chance of finding an artifact here.

Hint: In [4], there is one more storage and it is nearly deprived of any defenses. You can dispatch additional Salvagers there, thanks to which you obtain more funds for the next mission. However, you do not find an artifact here. You have to gather the resources before you pick up the artifact in [3].

Hint 2: As shown on the map, in the Northern part [8], there is a small enemy base strong with turrets. You do not have to destroy it, so there is no point in losing your units.

Renza will approach from the direction of the enemy base and will soon launch an attack.

The last battle takes place on the East-West frontier, below the enemy base. After you collect the artifact, enemy carrier Renza will arrive. It will attack nearby units. Also, it has several planes and a small army that follows it. It appears in the enemy base [8], first goes East and then towards your base to the West.

The defense tactic should be as follows:

• let Renza launch its attack, do not chase it;
• own, at least 2 Missile Batteries and 3 Tactical Bombers;
• own a stationary army of, around 6-8 Railguns and a similar number of AAVs;
• make sure that your units destroy the enemy units first (Renza can repair itself);
• after you have destroyed the entire army, or the majority of it, command all your planes against the Carrier, especially bombers, thanks to which you destroy it.