KF2 Solo Hell on Earth: Firebug, Berserker and Pillar Kiting Bosses

A Russian-language guide (translated) to one way to clear maps solo on Hell on Earth. It was updated many times, with remarks on patches 1033 and 1037 and runs on Hostile Grounds, Containment Station, Infernal Realms, ZED Landing and The Tragic Kingdom. It is aimed at the achievements for clearing maps on HoE, with nothing about multiplayer. See also hit and run tactics for solo Hell on Earth and solo HoE Berserker on all maps.

What you need

• A level 20+ Berserker (ideally level 25).
• A second perk you play well that clears trash, as long as it handles everything except Fleshpounds and Scrakes. The author picked Firebug: it is easy to control alone, especially at level 25.
• Map settings: 4 waves (a match lasts at most half an hour); 7 waves for variety, 10 for those who like it rough. Difficulty is Hell on Earth.

Tactics

It is simple. Play the first two waves as Firebug (or another perk that clears early trash well). As Firebug buy nothing except ammo for the tier 1 weapon, the Caulk 'n Burn.

The Firebug's first weapon, the Caulk 'n Burn.

Firebug talents

Pick talents that suit your style, but the author suggests:

Firebug talents for the first waves.

1. Flarotov Cocktail (better than nothing). Since you buy only ammo, the full ammo on purchase talent is useless. Molotovs clear crowds in narrow passages, and if you are cornered throw one at your feet or in a Zed's face.
2. Heat Wave. You must not let Zeds grab you; Heat Wave pushes them away and gives time to throw a Molotov.
3. Zed Shrapnel (30% chance a Zed killed by fire explodes). The tempo on HoE is fast, so ignite and detonate enemies yourself instead of spreading fire to neighbors.
4. Range (fire weapon range). Shrapnel already blows up trash reliably, so more damage is pointless.
5. Zed time: your choice; the screenshot shows Combustion, while the author suggests also considering Scorch.

Switching to Berserker

At wave 3 change to Berserker. In your hands: the Pulverizer hammer, which wrecks any crowd.

The Berserker hammer, the Pulverizer.

At the end of wave 4 take a weapon to clear the boss's helpers when the boss calls for backup; the author recommends the Microwave Gun.

A sidearm for the boss's summoned Zeds.

Berserker talents

The Berserker talent screen with the chosen skills.

1. Resistance. Swap it actively: Sonic Resistance (anti-Siren) for waves 3 and 4, poison resistance at the end of wave 4 because the boss wave has few Sirens but plenty of vomit and poison, especially against Hans.
2. Fortitude over Vampire. The more health you have the longer you run at full speed; Vampire is fun but not more.
3. Furious Defender over Block. Block suits excellent parriers; speed and damage help more, and long battles do not improve your mood.
4. Smash. Knocking down a big enemy is doubly nice, and knocking down a boss and taking a chunk of its health is gold. Very useful against Fleshpounds and Scrakes.
5. Spartan. If things are bad and you get a chance to slow time, you can retreat tactically or throw punches at their faces.

The boss

Bosses love to circle a pole, meaning a pillar or column. The author noticed pillars on maps with no clear purpose and discovered you can kite a boss around them with little or no damage.

A boss circling a pillar.

Patriarch. Remember his rockets. Look for a pillar under a roof: indoors he does not bombard from range, though he can still fire a rocket at your face. Staying close to him and not running to firing distance avoids this. In the author's video he made mistakes and was showered with rockets.

Kiting the Patriarch.

Hans Volter. Harder but more interesting. The pillar should be where there are escape routes. Poison grenades are less scary than explosions, and a bunch of normal grenades can take you out, so when Hans shouts about explosions or "warming up", run. The Outpost video shows this.

Kiting Hans Volter.

Map videos

The author recorded videos (adult language; turn the sound down because of a voice chat conversation). They are not embedded here, but this is what each shows:

• Patch 1033: ammo was rebalanced; the hammer carries 20 shots, so save them for Fleshpounds and Scrakes; the boss fight takes 4 to 5 minutes longer.
• KF-BurningParis: full run with all Zed types.
• KF-Outpost: only the boss fight.
• KF-BioticsLab: four full waves.
• KF-BlackForest: full run, shows several places to hide from boss attacks (boss: Hans Volter).
• KF-Catacombs: full run.
• KF-EvacuationPoint: the fight against the Patriarch (the first map cleared this way, but not recorded at the time).
• KF-VolterManor: no suitable pillars, so the Patriarch was beaten in the wine cellar.
• KF-Farmhouse: improvisation with Hans; the Patriarch is harder there because of rockets.
• KF-Prison: four waves with the Patriarch; many spots to run between; Hans would be easier because his support Zed count depends on time spent in his shield.
• Patch 1037: the Berserker became very weak, so Hostile Grounds was played as a Medic, which took long; Containment Station (only the boss fight recorded); Infernal Realms (a good map in Swift_Brutal_Death's best traditions).
• Patch 1042 (preview): the described tactic did not work; the Berserker received the Katana, large Zeds fall faster, and the new SWAT perk felt "fun but no more"; maps ZED Landing (kite the boss around boulders or the shop at the crash site), Nuked (Patriarch fight), Descent and The Tragic Kingdom (Hans).

Bonus talent set

The bonus chapter's talent set.

1. Regeneration and fast legs are the bread of a living Berserker: on HoE +75% health is useless if you are caught and cornered.
2. Fast and strong hands to fight back; HoE solo demands damage and mobility.
3. Resistance to Bloat and Siren is still required.
4. For the boss take heavy attacks, since only the hammer remains.
5. By taste; the author prefers Fury over Menace.