Quick answer
Complete the final Legendary mission by surviving the crash, disabling fusion reactors, uploading Cortana to halt self-destruct, and escaping before detonation.
Guide briefing
Halo Campaign Evolved: The Maw Legendary Walkthrough
Complete the final Legendary mission by surviving the crash, disabling fusion reactors, uploading Cortana to halt self-destruct, and escaping before detonation.
Applies to
- — Halo Campaign Evolved on Legendary difficulty
- — Final mission of the main story campaign
- — Players seeking a step-by-step guide for The Maw
Target
Survive the initial crash and reach the bridge
- Checkpoint
- Reach the bridge after surviving the initial crash sequence
- Landmark
- Bridge area with terminal near main view screen
Do this
- 1Run forward from the start to the tunnel and kill the enemies.
- 2Drop down and eliminate all drones.
Confirmation
Survive the initial crash and reach the bridge is available as described. After clearing drones, beam weapons become available for subsequent waves.
Target
Eliminate wave after wave of enemies using beam weapons
- Checkpoint
- Clear all enemies in the main corridor before reaching the next room
- Landmark
- Main corridor with multiple enemy spawn points
Do this
- 1Use beam weapons to engage and destroy incoming waves of enemies.
- 2Prioritize eliminating hunters and grunts with fuel rod cannons in the next room.
Confirmation
Eliminate wave after wave of enemies using beam weapons is available as described. After clearing the room, quickly grab a fuel rod cannon as more enemies spawn.
Target
Reach the bridge and upload Cortana into the control systems
- Checkpoint
- Upload Cortana into the control systems at the terminal next to the main view screen
- Landmark
- Terminal located beside the main view screen on the bridge
Do this
- 1Navigate to the terminal located next to the main view screen.
- 2Initiate the upload process to integrate Cortana into the ship's systems.
Confirmation
Reach the bridge and upload Cortana into the control systems is available as described. Cortana’s presence is required to override the self-destruct and allow escape.
Target
Secure the terminal and activate the self-destruct override
- Checkpoint
- Activate the self-destruct override before the countdown completes
- Landmark
- Terminal in the bridge area with the monitor nearby
Do this
- 1Approach the terminal next to the main view screen.
- 2Upload Cortana into the system to gain control over the self-destruct sequence.
Confirmation
Secure the terminal and activate the self-destruct override is available as described. This action allows the player to stop the self-destruct and proceed to the escape phase.
Target
Escape the ship before detonation
- Checkpoint
- Reach the lifeboat and create distance from the ship before detonation
- Landmark
- Lifeboat station near the ship's exterior access junction
Do this
- 1Head to the cryo chamber to access the engine room via that route.
- 2Proceed to the external access junction 4C and await extraction.
Confirmation
Escape the ship before detonation is available as described. Final escape requires reaching the launch base and boarding the fighter docked there.
Target
Disable the self-destruct sequence by destroying fusion reactors
- Checkpoint
- Destroy all four fusion reactors to prevent detonation
- Landmark
- Engine room with four fusion reactor cores
Do this
- 1Head to the engine room and ascend to the second floor.
- 2Destroy the drive shafts and eliminate drones before targeting each fusion reactor.
Confirmation
Disable the self-destruct sequence by destroying fusion reactors is available as described. Each reactor requires an explosive—grenade or rocket—to destabilize the magnetic containment field.
Target
Eliminate remaining enemies and reach the elevator
- Checkpoint
- Clear the corridor and reach the elevator leading to the final escape point
- Landmark
- Corridor with a hunter and final enemy group before the elevator
Do this
- 1Clear the remaining enemies in the corridor, including the hunter.
- 2Enter the elevator and prepare for the final confrontation with Banshees.
Confirmation
Eliminate remaining enemies and reach the elevator is available as described. The final escape involves evading two Covenant Banshees and rendezvousing with Fauxhammer.
Target
Reach the external access junction and secure extraction
- Checkpoint
- Arrive at external access junction 4C and be picked up by Echo 419
- Landmark
- External access junction 4C near the crash site
Do this
- 1Move to the crash site and prepare for pickup at external access junction 4C.
- 2Wait for the signal from Echo 419 and confirm extraction readiness.
Confirmation
Reach the external access junction and secure extraction is available as described. Failure to reach the junction before the countdown ends results in mission failure.
Target
Evacuate the ship and survive the explosion
- Checkpoint
- Board the long sword fighter and escape before the engines detonate
- Landmark
- Launch base with the long sword fighter docked
Do this
- 1Cross the gap using the ramp at top speed to clear it safely.
- 2Board the fighter and initiate takeoff before the 15-minute countdown ends.
Confirmation
Evacuate the ship and survive the explosion is available as described. The explosion generates temperatures of nearly 100 million degrees; do not remain on the ship.
Target
Complete the final cutscene and end the campaign
- Checkpoint
- Witness the conclusion of the mission and the fate of the ship
- Landmark
- Exterior of the ship as it explodes
Do this
- 1Observe the final events as the ship detonates and the crew evacuates.
- 2Confirm the completion of the mission by watching the ending cinematic.
Confirmation
Complete the final cutscene and end the campaign is available as described. The mission concludes with the destruction of Halo and the end of the campaign.