July Digest #3

SurrounDead

Saw a comment in Jingles continuing playthrough of SurrounDead the other day. The commenter stated they had found the Barret rifle on the Oil Rig. So tonight I went there. First attempt was a failure though as I thought to drive around the headland and approach from the south (short swim). Unfortunately as I stepped out of the RV, it sort of sprung itself into the deep water. And I mean deep. 

I tried a couple of attempts to reach the RV but it was on the bottom of some very deep water. So I returned to the shore and returned to my start point near Richlands, the city opposite the oil rig. After milling about taking my frustration out on the local zombie population as well as bandit group, I decided to forego recovering the RV.  

Instead I decided to swim out to the oil rig from where I was at the beach near Richlands. And from my location, the oil rig appeared approachable...

But looks can be deceiving. For the rig is shrouded in a heavy fog as soon as you enter the zone. And for a moment I could not find a way to get up as I approached it from the north.

Lucky for visibility I had my night vision goggles on (plus plenty of batteries). Contamination level was high (level 2) so I wore my gas mask (with plenty of charcoal filters) as I finally found the ladder and climbed on to the rig. 

Once on board, I secured my position then moved to a suitable high vantage point and slowly began taking out the zombies thereon. Did this as I moved from location to location and platform to platform. Access is some parts was down (stair well access destroyed) so had to be careful moving from location to location. 

Eventually took out the zombie bosses - there's the Scientist and one other. Unable to reach to loot the Scientist even though I kilt him because the access to him was gone or I failed to find it. I did loot the other zombie boss though. Or maybe I mistook both when they were the one and the same. 

No Barret unfortunately. Mind you, I did not find the Special loot box associated with this location. Maybe it's in that crate?

Will have to return again for sure to search for that Special Container (as indicated above) properly. 

The images above show the location of the ladder to board the rig and where the other zombie Boss is situated (between those two building structures). Below shows the two main parts of the rig with the working drill and crane on the right and labs and control rooms on the left platform. A couple of helo pads exist as well.  

To the right of the rig is a partially submerged vessel whose bridge is just visible above the waterline. Radiation level at this spot is at its highest (level 3). I could not find a way on board but I only skirted around the vessel before moving on.

There is also another submerged ship to the right of that partially submerged vessel mentioned above. And somewhere in-between both submerged vessels is where the RV finally came to rest on the bottom after it flung itself to its watery grave. 

All around and within that area is a permanent shrouding fog - oil rig, sunken ships and headland - making visibility difficult. But from the shore, there is no visible sign of fog which is misleading. 

Yes, you can swim out to the rig. Just make sure your cursor is above your figure upon entering the water. It will look odd while you're swimming out there. And don't forget to use the compass to keep you on course. 

You will know if you're doing it right because for much of the way you will be viewing yourself from underneath doing the breaststroke. And your health energy bar will remain full, a sure sign you are actually swimming. As soon as you submerge though, the light blue oxygen bar will appear and begin depleting quickly. That will tell you you're underwater and potentially drowning. Lol. 

================================

Went back the next day to the oil rig. Swam out....

Once on board, I went searching for the Barret. But did not find the special crate where it might be. 

There is a locked room which needed a PIN. Found it on a table a couple of level above. Went in and search thoroughly but no success. Will return once more but no rush this time round. 

================================