- Grumpy1
- |
- Exalted Mythic Member
First of all (to be on topic), I played for about eight months with all skulls activated. Drove me nuts. The only two levels I could get by were Outskirts and Quarantine Zone and that was because I could run by everything and OS had invincible Marines and an indestructible Hog. In my mind it was impossible until SonicJohn said he's done all but two. I'm still reeling over that one.
That said, you've made some really good points on Blind and BE. Because I record a lot I always use Blind and sometimes I use Blind and BE together. I've seen so many variations that that I've surmised a few things:
Rare to get a CP with enemies fighting close.
Some CP's depend upon who wins AI battles, so if you go to a spot and wait for a CP, you may not get it if the common battle between AI goes opposite of the usual. Case in point, just before you get to the IWHBYD skull room the Marines engage the covenant (sniper alley and such). I've noticed I don't get the CP or the skull if the covenant win, if I see red dots below, there's no skull. When I land on the porch to the skull, if I see yellow dots or no dots at all, the CP and the skull appears. Yes, the Marines either win appx 1 out of 7 times or the game is slated to make the skull appear so all AI vanish (I don't know about this one).
If you charge through an area fast enough the CP's will build up. That's one reason why you get a few CP's sometimes.
If you continuously swing your weapon when running by a CP spot, you will delay that CP for as long as you continue the action. For a Sputnik save I just swing the sword all the way to the skull and stop. As soon as I stop, a CP appears. Very handy, at times.
So I believe the variables that Bungie put in the game for checkpoints are complex but are not negated by any one skull. Add Legendary to that and sometimes you don't get squat for CP's.
One last thing, if you want to make the snow go away on Sacred Icon and Quarantine Zone, just activate Blackeye, go in either level and quit and save at the first CP. Eject disc and reinsert and then go back into the saved profile (but you don't need BE anymore). In QZ, it will be beautiful with no snow.
[Edited on 04.15.2008 1:48 AM PDT]