Gyala Hatchery

The Young Turtles are being moved to the south, but the Kurzicks have planned an ambush. Protect the turtles as they travel while trying to find a way to convince the Luxons and Kurzicks to consider some type of truce so Shiro can be defeated.

Objectives
Escort the young turtles to the Leviathan Pits.
 * At least 1 young turtle must survive. You have [5...0] remaining.
 * Destroy the attacking plague force.

Reward
Note: You can only earn the faction reward the first time you complete the mission at a certain level in either mode.

Walkthrough
There are two ways to defeat this mission: The normal/front way and the back way. The back way is easier and usually guarantees a master's reward, however, it takes considerably longer.

Front way
Walk up to the turtles and get all three smoke canisters from Petras, which provide targets for the Siege Turtles. These can be used to do mass damage to enemies as they try to make their way to the turtles. Since the Young Turtles die very quickly, keeping the enemies from getting close is essential. Especially the devastating Kurzick Juggernauts, which can kill your Siege Turtles. Good placement of the smoke canisters is key to survival. Place them in front of groups approaching. Tanks should try to hold enemy aggro while standing on top of a smoke canister.

Once the group has made its way to the southernmost mark and killed the Kurzicks located there, a brief cinematic will show, and then the Afflicted will start their assault from the northern gate. After this, the mission is complete.

''Note that the enemies will spawn once the Siege Turtles reach certain points on their way and might come from all sides, including the back. All the places where a battle will start are marked on the map.''


 * Alternate front way with only heroes and henchmen - Since you'll only be able to place one smoke canister, it isn't feasible to get both in front and in back of the caravan. Bring a minion master and ensure that you have ranged damage. Follow the caravan closely, and as every time it stops to fight, drop the canister in the exact center of the group of young turtles. Fight right on top of them, and your healers will work to keep them alive while you get support from the Siege Turtles. By the time the minion army is big, you shouldn't have too much trouble handling all of the incoming groups. Just be careful of ranged damage hitting the young turtles, and always try to kill the Juggernauts first. A moderately capable minion master H/H group can get master's reward this way.

Back way
This method takes up to 45 minutes to complete but gives you the opportunity to take your time and pull smaller groups and almost always results in a master's reward. As soon as the mission starts, turn right and head west to the far NW corner of the map. Turn south and hug the right hand wall and make your way to the very south of the map. The mission dialog will continue and you will even see Argo say, "Turtle clan, move out!". However, at this point, the turtles will continue to stay put near Gyala Hatchery.

There will be 10 areas of Kurzicks and Kurzick Juggernauts that you will need to clear out. Move up the mission path "backwards" starting from point #1 on the map, killing all Kurzicks on the way, and ending up back at Gyala Hatchery and the turtles who will still be waiting for you at yellow point #8. Since you lack the Siege Turtles' firepower, be careful not to be overwhelmed - best technique here is to pull small groups at a time and then run out of the way of the large Kurzick forces that rush to that location. Draw each subsequent group and keep an eye on rush attacks. Deal with these smaller groups at your leisure.

After arriving back at the turtles at point #10, take the smoke canisters (from Petras) and immediately drop them on the Young Turtles. Kurzick groups will charge at the turtles from the sides while Juggernauts will come from the south. Dropping the canisters on the Young Turtles will help take care of most of the Kurzick forces and the Juggernauts can be killed before they reach the turtles. Grab a canister and follow the turtles back down the path south to points #7 through #3. There will be a short encounter on the way near point #6, so don't rush ahead of the turtles. However, this is a much smaller group of Kurzick and should pose no problem.

As you make your way south, the mission dialog will continue. Although the turtles will stop periodically and Argo will say things like "To arms! To arms! Kurzicks approaching!", you will not have any additional encounters. Once you arrive at point #4, the cinematic will trigger; however, the mission is not over yet. You need to face 3 small waves of Afflicted and defeat them. Try to battle them outside the gate away from the Young Turtles. You can still take advantage of the smoke canisters for this final battle. Finish them off and you've completed the mission and hopefully achieved a master's award.

Alternate back way


Start off from the northwestern corner as stated above but instead of going all the way to the bottom, head to the break in the surf in front of point #1 (see accompanying map). Kill the Kurzicks there. More Kurzicks will spawn behind you where you entered the gap. Pull carefully and they will go down easy.

Now make your way onto the beach to point #2 and kill the Kurzicks there. Concentrate on taking out the Kurzick Monks early as they are powerful healers that will make dealing with the Warriors and the Juggernauts a dangerous affair. You now have a couple of options: you can continue south to point #3 or you can move to point #5. There will be Kurzicks you will need to take out at both points.

At point #3 you will face three waves of Kurzicks. Kill the first group quickly and retreat, to escape the rush attack of three groups. Let them converge and then carefully pull and dispatch them one group at a time. Once it's clear, continue to point #4.

At point #5, a large group of Kurzicks will spawn on the beach behind you. Clear them out by careful pulling before heading to point #4.

At point #4, clear out the small band of Kurzicks at the entrance to the Leviathan Pits. Now work your way north to point #6, going through point #3 or point #5, depending on which you have not cleared yet. There are two waves of Kurzicks at point #6 together with several Juggernauts. Once they are all dead, head up to point #7 and talk to Petra to get a smoke canister. Drop it in the middle of the Young Turtles to protect them against the small incoming wave of Kurzicks. Once those are clear, the turtle caravan will start heading out. At point #1, a small band of Kurzicks will still spawn. Use the Smoke Canister to quickly deal with them. That would be the last you will see of Kurzicks. Escort the turtle caravan to the gates to trigger the cinematic. Remember to drop a smoke canister at the gates and fight the Afflicted at the gates. With the Siege Turtles' support, the Afflicted will go down quickly.

20 minute Hard mode master's reward
Some of the fights involve several enemy waves at once, so a strong team with good defense is needed. Proper use of the Siege Turtles is critical, and it's important to only ever use one smoke canister, even if you have multiple players.

Just follow the route on the map (back-tracking where necessary), fighting at each of the numbered points in sequence. You will often be running ahead of the turtles to clear areas before they arrive. You only fight with the turtles at points 3, 5, 7 and 9. In those cases, place the smoke canister in the middle of the Young Turtles and huddle your entire party around it. Don't worry about focusing fire on monks or backliners in general, just wait until the Siege Turtles kill all the immediate threats to the turtles then clean up the rest.

When not fighting with turtles always use flag and pull tactics, and where possible use corners and edges of jade waves to provide cover for your backline while bunching up enemies to increase AoE damage.

At spot 3, grab the canister from Petras and place it in front of the southern Siege Turtle for a single salvo on the Juggernauts, then immediately move it to the Young Turtles.

The fight at spot 7 can cause problems. A large group of melee enemies will spawn from the north and rush the Young Turtles, use your party as a meat shield while the cannons kill them. Once all the attackers from the north are dead (you can ignore any stray monks or spirits for now) grab the canister and use it to help finish off the groups to the south.

At spot 8, position your group just on the north side of the outcropping. Be very careful to stay around this area and not extend too far out into the open - pull enemies back as needed. Once the first group is dead another two groups will spawn, one near you and one south. The nearest group you can ignore as they will engage your team, but the far group you will need to pull before they reach the turtles. One player will need to position themselves out on the sea as you finish the last enemies and be very careful to aggro the second spawn, pulling them back to the corner. Once the second wave are finished another two mobs will spawn, so do the same again. For these pulls a long range bow gives you the best chance. Be careful not to stray to the east - if you get near the turtles the group of enemies in the quarry will be spawned and attack them.

At spot 9 you can just drop your canister on the approaching enemy monk and party. When they are dead move it just inside the quarry gate and wait for the cinematic.

Skill recommendations

 * Minion masters can prove very useful. The large numbers of Kurzicks will easily provide enough corpses for 2 minion masters, and the minions serve to distract them from the Young Turtles (if going the front way) or from your party members (if going the back way). With the dense enemy mobs, minion bombers are particularly effective.
 * Bring skills that inflict blindness or weakness on foes, as most of the threat comes from Juggernauts, and Kurzick warriors and rangers.
 * With the enemies clustering around the Young Turtles and your party, area of effect skills that mitigate damage can help keep the turtles and your party alive (e.g. Ward Against Harm, Ward Against Melee, Ebon Battle Standard of Courage, Enfeebling Blood, Shadow of Fear). Blood Bond can be an effective ally heal, especially when used on their melee attackers.
 * To make the Siege Turtles move faster, bring "Incoming!", "Fall Back!", or "Charge!". If you took the back way, it makes the march down to the end much less painful.

Allies
Animal (Luxon)
 * 20 (20) Pet - Elder Crab (Endre's pet)

Humans (Kurzicks; several of the following Kurzicks randomly spawn as allies at the end)
 * 20 (26) Kurzick Warrior
 * 20 (26) Kurzick Ranger
 * 20 (26) Kurzick Monk
 * 20 (26) Kurzick Mesmer
 * 20 (26) Kurzick Elementalist

Humans (Luxons)
 * 20 (20) Endre
 * 20 (20) Luxon Soldier
 * 20 (20) Luxon Soldier
 * 20 (20) Argo
 * 10 (20) Petras

Turtles (Luxons)
 * 24 (24) Siege Turtle
 * 15 (20) Young Turtle

Foes
Afflicted
 * 24 (26) Afflicted Warrior
 * 24 (26) Afflicted Ranger
 * 24 (26) Afflicted Monk
 * 24 (26) Afflicted Necromancer
 * 24 (26) Afflicted Mesmer
 * 24 (26) Afflicted Elementalist
 * 24 (26) Afflicted Assassin
 * 24 (26) Afflicted Ritualist

Humans (Kurzicks)
 * 20 (26) Kurzick Warrior
 * 20 (26) Kurzick Ranger
 * 20 (26) Kurzick Monk
 * 20 (26) Kurzick Necromancer
 * 20 (26) Kurzick Mesmer
 * 20 (26) Kurzick Elementalist
 * 20 (26) Kurzick Ritualist

Plants (Kurzick)
 * 28 (30) Kurzick Juggernaut

Opening cinematic

 * Argo: "Let's move it out. The gods know we move at barely more than a crawl."
 *  : "Here they come."
 * Argo: "Damn predictable Kurzicks."
 * Argo: "I knew those cowards would come for the young turtles."
 * Argo: "You, take up the right. Don't let those Kurzicks within a hundred paces."
 * Argo: "I'm glad you're with us. We'll need all the help we can get."
 *  : "Your fight is my fight."
 * Argo: "Watch yourself out there. The Kurzicks are a dastardly bunch."
 * Argo: "Pay particular care to their juggernauts, the golem-like things that resemble walking trees."
 * Argo: "They're especially dangerous to the turtles."
 *  : "I'll take care of them."
 * Argo: "Well then, good luck. We'll see you at Creon Jade Mine."

Initial dialogue

 * Petras: "Do you see those engines of war mounted on the turtles down there?"
 * Petras: "They can do a lot of damage, especially if they all fire on the same target."
 * Petras: "We use smoke canisters to designate targets for the siege turtles to attack. Just drop one on the ground and get out of the way."
 * Petras: "The canister will emit smoke, and the turtle will fire on that location."
 * Petras: "I've only got three of them, so be sure to reuse the ones you take and don't leave them behind. Just take them from me as you need them."
 * Argo: "Turtle clan, move out!"

Intermediate dialogue
When the first Kurzick group spawns.
 * Argo: "Turtle clan, protect the young ones! The Kurzicks are coming in large numbers!"
 * Argo: "Form a ring around the young ones! No Kurzick shall touch these hatchlings, I swear upon our ancestors!"
 * Argo: "Target their juggernauts! They're designed to take out even our largest turtles!"

When the first Kurzick group is defeated.
 * Argo: "Turtle clan, move out!"
 * Argo: "Turtle clan! On this day we are assigned our sacred duty that is crucial to the survival of our clan!"
 * Argo: "Our very way of life has become entwined with the lives of these turtles, and it is up to us to ensure their survival, and ours."
 * Argo: "I have no doubt the Kurzicks will make every attempt to stop us from taking these young turtles to safety."
 * Argo: "Be prepared for their attacks to come at any time, from any direction."

When the second Kurzick group spawns.
 * Argo: "Kurzicks. Lots of them! Closing in fast...."

When the second Kurzick group is defeated.
 * Argo: "Turtle clan, move out!"

When the third Kurzick group spawns.
 * Argo: "Look sharp, the enemy has sighted us! Here they come!"
 * Argo: "Kurzick scum! I grow weary of their relentless assaults. Surely they must realize they cannot win."

When the third Kurzick group is defeated.
 * Argo: "Turtle clan, move out!"

When the fourth Kurzick group spawns.
 * Argo: "To arms! To arms! Kurzicks approaching!"
 * Argo: "Keep those siege weapons firing! Don't give up an inch of ground! Stand firm, Luxons!"

When the fourth Kurzick group is defeated.
 * Argo: "Turtle clan, move out!"

When the final Kurzick group spawns.
 * Argo: "Enemies approach! Defend the caravan!"
 * Argo: "Today we defeat these invaders in our own lands. Tomorrow we sweep across their lands like the tide and crush them!"

When the final Kurzick group is defeated.
 * Argo: "Turtle clan, move out!"

Intermediate cinematic

 * Petras: "The Afflicted."
 * Petras: "The Kurzicks are trapped."
 * Luxon Soldier (1): "Serves them right."
 * Petras: "We've got to go save them."
 * Luxon Soldier (2): "Are you crazy?"
 * Luxon Soldier (2): "They are the enemy. Let them die."
 * Petras: "If we don't help them, they'll be turned into Afflicted, and we'll have twice the problem."
 * Petras: "Out of my way."
 * Petras: "Over here, quickly."
 * Petras: "Your options are limited."
 * Petras: "If you want to live to see another moon, then I suggest you get behind me."
 * Petras: "I won't ask you again."

End cinematic

 * Luxon Soldier (3): "I say we skin them and use their hides for sails."
 * Luxon Soldier (4): "No. They'd be far more valuable as workers."
 * Luxon Soldier (4): "We'll make them clean the turtle shells."
 * Kurzick Soldier (1): "You scum."
 * Kurzick Soldier (2): "You will pay for this."
 * Luxon Soldier (3): "Those are pretty big words from someone who's about to learn the true meaning of pain."
 * Master Togo: "You must stop your squabbling. This feud has gone on long enough."
 * Luxon Soldier (4): "So why should we stop it now?"
 *  : "Because you now have a common enemy."
 * Luxon Soldier (4): "Who?"
 * Master Togo: "Do you not see? Shiro the Betrayer has returned."
 * Luxon Soldier (3): "Shiro is dead. Even the Kurzicks will tell you that."
 *  : "How do you account for the Afflicted then?"
 *  : "Where Shiro goes, the Afflicted are never far behind."
 *  : "He's the source. And if we're fighting these monstrosities, then he's sure to be near."
 * Kurzick Soldier (1): "As much as it pains me to admit, Togo is right. There is no other explanation."
 * Kurzick Soldier (1): "Shiro has returned."
 * Luxon Soldier (4): "They make sense."
 * Luxon Soldier (3): "And what would you have us do, Master Togo?"
 * Master Togo: "I would have you stop bickering like school children and start forming an alliance."
 * Master Togo: "Only together will we have the strength to defeat him."
 * Luxon Soldier (3): "Forgive me, Master Togo. You have never steered us wrong before."
 * Luxon Soldier (3): "We will do whatever it takes to destroy Shiro once and for all..."
 * Luxon Soldier (3): "...even if that means allying with the Kurzicks."
 * Master Togo: "Then let us find Brother Mhenlo."
 * Master Togo: "I hope he has made as much progress with the Kurzicks as we have here today."
 * Kurzick Soldier (1): "Brother Mhenlo... he was with Baron Vasburg. They were on their way to the Harvest Temple."
 * Master Togo: "Then we too must head to the Harvest Temple. Thank you."