Escort Duty: Doretta Head Retrieval Tips

Combat Summary

Retrieving Doretta’s head is a matter of principle for any self-respecting Miner after an Escort Duty mission. Don’t let Hoxxes IV claim her core without a fight.

• Prioritize Illumination: Use your Flare Gun heavily. Darkness hides everything, especially a drilldozer’s head amidst debris.
• Check Key Spots: Doretta’s head often rests near her chassis but can clip or roll. Scan under the main drill, near fuel tanks, and around the Drop Pod ramp.
• Scout’s Advantage: A Scout is ideal for rapid, comprehensive searches due to their mobility and superior illumination tools.

Best Search Strategy

Once the Heartstone is extracted, your immediate duty shifts. Initiate a systematic search pattern. Doretta’s head usually detaches and lands within the immediate vicinity of her final resting chassis. Scan the ground directly surrounding the drilldozer. Check underneath its massive front drill, often a prime clipping spot. Expand your search to the areas near the fuel tanks and any significant rock formations that might have blocked her path. If the Drop Pod lands close, quickly sweep around its ramp and base; sometimes the head rolls towards it, or worse, clips just beneath the landing zone.

Scout’s Advantage

If you’re a Scout, this is your moment to shine, literally. Your Flare Gun is the single most valuable tool for effective retrieval in any Escort Duty. Don’t be stingy with ammo; burn through it if necessary to keep the entire final cavern lit. Use your Grappling Hook to quickly ascend and get an overhead view, then descend to check nooks and crannies. This rapid, illuminated traversal is crucial for successful Mission Tactics when searching for Doretta’s head. Remember, leaving her behind is an insult to all drilldozers.

Common Mistakes

Miners often make several key errors when attempting to retrieve Doretta’s head:

• Insufficient Lighting: Relying on headlamps alone is a rookie move. The terrain is chaotic, and her head can blend in easily. Always prioritize sustained illumination with the Flare Gun.
• Narrow Search Radius: Assuming it’s always right next to the drilldozer. While common, explosions, enemy attacks, or even terrain generation can push or clip it further away.
• Giving Up Too Quickly: The urge to leave can be strong, but a few more seconds of concentrated searching, especially from a Scout, can make the difference.

When To Prioritize Team Over Doretta

While leaving no dwarf (or drilldozer part) behind is a sacred oath, there are situations where discretion is the better part of valor. If your team is critically low on health and ammo, facing an overwhelming swarm, or dealing with extreme environmental hazards (like blizzards or heavy Naedocyte Shockers), securing the primary objective and getting everyone to the Drop Pod alive takes precedence. Sometimes, Hoxxes IV just wins. Make the hard call, but don’t forget the fallen.