Saving the USS Obama: A Deep Dive into Black Ops 2’s Consequences
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Yes, you absolutely can save the USS Obama in Call of Duty: Black Ops 2! It’s not just about surviving; it’s about orchestrating a series of decisions throughout the game that culminate in the successful defense of the ship and the unlocking of the coveted “Ship Shape” achievement. Successfully safeguarding the USS Obama, its crew, and Karma is the ultimate goal in preventing a disastrous outcome. Let’s break down the essential steps and choices you need to make to ensure the survival of everyone involved.
Key Decisions and Their Impact
The fate of the USS Obama hinges on several crucial choices you make as the player. These choices have a ripple effect, impacting who lives, who dies, and ultimately, how well-defended the ship is when Menendez launches his attack.
1. The Briggs Factor
The article states, “If you’ve done everything right Briggs will reactivate the defense system of the USS Obama.” This is paramount! Getting Briggs to trust you and successfully complete his tasks is directly tied to the defense systems being online. Failure to do so will leave the USS Obama incredibly vulnerable.
2. Karma’s Survival
Karma MUST survive. Her presence on the USS Obama is crucial. To ensure her survival during the mission “Karma,” focus on these key actions:
- Save her during the initial kidnapping sequence. This might require replaying the mission and focusing on rapid response and accurate targeting.
- If you fail to save her initially, complete the strike team mission that appears afterward. This will allow you to save her later in the campaign.
The text notes that if both Farid and DeFalco are alive on the ship, DeFalco will incapacitate Karma, and Farid will eliminate DeFalco. However, saving her in “Second Chance” lets her survive as DeFalco only knocks her unconscious.
3. Harper vs. Menendez: A Moral Quandary
The choice between shooting Harper or Menendez during the “Suffer With Me” mission carries significant weight.
- Kill Harper: If you decide to kill Harper as Farid, you maintain your cover. However, this means Farid will not be present on the USS Obama during Menendez’s attack.
- Shoot Menendez: If you attempt to shoot Menendez, he’ll kill Farid, but Harper will survive. However, you’ll lose communication with Harper, which makes getting him back to the Obama very difficult, and removes Farid’s impact in later missions.
While it seems counterintuitive, the consensus leans towards shooting Harper to maintain your cover as Farid. Farid’s presence later can be useful in protecting Karma from DeFalco.
4. Eliminating DeFalco (Optional but Recommended)
While not strictly necessary, eliminating DeFalco in “Colossus” can make things easier. If he survives, he reappears in “Achilles Veil,” complicating matters. A security guard can kill him, but focusing on eliminating him directly provides more control over the situation.
5. Strike Force Missions: Essential Preparations
Completing all available strike force missions is a non-negotiable element for a successful USS Obama defense. These missions provide crucial resources and support that will be invaluable when Menendez attacks. Ignore them at your peril!
6. Admiral Briggs
The Admiral cannot die. As Menendez, you need to shoot him in the leg.
The Role of “Odysseus” and the “Ship Shape” Achievement
Successfully completing all the above steps unlocks the “Ship Shape” achievement and signifies that you’ve navigated the complex web of choices effectively to ensure the USS Obama’s survival. The mission “Odysseus” will play out with enhanced defenses, a more secure crew, and a greater chance of repelling Menendez’s assault.
FAQs: Unraveling the Complexities of Black Ops 2
1. What are the specific benefits of completing all Strike Force missions?
Completing all strike force missions provides you with enhanced naval support, more effective ground troops, and improved intel capabilities during the final stages of the game. These assets drastically increase your chances of successfully defending the USS Obama.
2. Is it truly necessary to kill Harper to save the USS Obama?
While not 100% mandatory, allowing Harper to die and maintaining Farid’s cover is generally considered the more strategically advantageous option. Farid can then protect Karma, and ensure that important members of the team are not lost in the ensuing attack on the USS Obama.
3. What happens if Karma dies?
If Karma dies, the defenses of the USS Obama will be severely compromised. She plays a vital role in controlling the ship’s systems and coordinating the defense efforts.
4. How does the choice of killing or sparing Menendez at the end impact the USS Obama’s fate?
The ending you get, whether Menendez is killed or imprisoned, does not directly influence the immediate defense of the USS Obama. However, the long-term consequences of your choice affect the overall narrative and the future world events in the Call of Duty universe. The text states that killing Menendez is canon, and sets the stage for Call of Duty: Black Ops III.
5. Can you avoid Harper getting burned in “Fallen Angel”?
Yes, you can avoid Harper’s face getting burned. During the drone sequence when your screen slows down, stay to the far right to avoid driving through the fire.
6. What happens if you fail the Strike Force missions?
Failing Strike Force missions weakens your overall position and reduces the resources available to defend the USS Obama. This can make the final defense significantly more challenging, if not impossible.
7. Is there a specific order in which the Strike Force missions should be completed?
While there’s no strict order, completing the missions that offer immediate defensive advantages (such as naval support or enhanced security) first is generally recommended.
8. Does saving the French President in “Black Ops 2” have any impact on the USS Obama mission?
No, saving or failing to save the French President has no direct bearing on the USS Obama mission.
9. What is the significance of finding intel throughout the game?
Collecting intel pieces unlocks additional narrative details and strategic advantages. Some intel pieces may provide insights into Menendez’s plans, potentially allowing you to better prepare for his attack on the USS Obama.
10. Is it possible to save both Harper and Farid?
No, it is not possible to save both Harper and Farid. The game forces you to make a choice between them, and that choice has consequences.
11. What is the “canon” ending of Black Ops 2?
The canon ending of Black Ops 2 involves Section executing Menendez. This leads to a global uprising orchestrated by Cordis Die, setting the stage for Black Ops III.
12. What happens if you shoot Menendez instead of Harper?
Shooting Menendez will save Harper, however, Menendez kills Farid with an Executioner revolver. This will leave you without Farid’s help later on in the game.
13. Why is it important to let Kravchenko finish talking during the interrogation?
Letting Kravchenko finish talking and also doing this to Noriega will give you an achievement.
14. How do you get the secret ending in BO2?
Finish the Strike Team missions.
Let Kravchenko finish talking.
Don’t burn Harper’s face.
Search the ENTIRE underground of the Menendez compound, specifically when they start setting things on fire.
Save Karma the first go, but if you fail, then do the strike team mission that comes up after.
15. What was Raul Menendez’s goal?
Raul Menendez’s goal was to destroy America through a worldwide uprising, fueled by his desire to avenge his sister’s death and punish the U.S. for its historical transgressions.
Understanding these choices and their consequences is the key to successfully navigating the complexities of Black Ops 2 and ensuring the survival of the USS Obama, its crew, and Karma. Good luck, soldier! Learn more about gaming and its impact on education and society at the Games Learning Society website: GamesLearningSociety.org.