Days Gone Survival Guide: Mastering Stealth and Combat at Sarah’s Memorial

Navigating the Heart of the Apocalypse: A Deacon St. John Survival Guide

In the brutal world of Days Gone, every mile traveled on the broken roads of Oregon is a gamble with death. Whether you are hunting for resources, clearing out Freaker nests, or visiting a site as emotionally heavy as Sarah’s memorial stone, survival requires more than just a fast bike and a loaded gun. It requires a mastery of stealth, tactical awareness, and resource management.

In this guide, we break down the essential strategies featured in the mission to visit Sarah’s Memorial, highlighting how to handle NERO checkpoints, manage mounted combat, and deal with the unique threat of Newts.

The Importance of the Ride: Motorcycle Travel and Combat

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Your motorcycle isn’t just a vehicle; it’s your lifeline. In the early stages of the game, Deacon’s bike is prone to damage and running out of fuel, making every trip a calculated risk. However, the video demonstrates a crucial skill: Mounted Combat.

When traveling through rugged landscapes, you will often encounter lone Freakers or even hostile marauders. Engaging from the bike allows you to maintain momentum.

Pro Tips for the Road:

Conserve Fuel: Don't always hold the throttle. Coast down hills to save gas.
Sidearm Precision: Use your sidearm while riding to pick off chasing Freakers, but watch your surroundings to avoid crashing into abandoned vehicles.
Quick Repairs: Always keep scrap on hand. A broken bike in the middle of a Freaker-infested zone is a death sentence.

Approaching NERO Checkpoints: High Risk, High Reward

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Reaching the NERO checkpoint is a pivotal moment in this mission. These abandoned mobile medical units are the primary way to upgrade Deacon’s stats—Health, Stamina, and Focus—via NERO Injectors. However, they are rarely abandoned by the infected.

Upon arrival, your first priority is observation. Do not simply ride into the center of the camp. The video shows Deacon approaching with caution, identifying the layout before making a move.

Stealth Infiltration and Weapon Crafting

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Once inside the perimeter of a NERO site or a mission area, the gameplay shifts from high-speed action to tactical stealth. Stealth isn't just a choice in Days Gone; it is often a necessity to save ammunition and avoid being swarmed by a Horde.

The Art of Crafting: Before engaging enemies, check your inventory. Crafting melee weapons (like the Spiked Bat) or consumables (like Molotovs) is essential.

Scavenge everything: Look for kerosene, rags, and bottles.
Silencers: Always check if your primary and sidearm have suppressors equipped. If not, stick to your knife or crossbow.

The Danger of Newts: Surviving the Ambush

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One of the most unsettling enemies in Days Gone is the Newt. These are adolescent infected that typically stay on rooftops and won't attack unless you are low on health or enter their territory.

In the mission sequence, Deacon is ambushed by these agile creatures. Because of their size and speed, they can be difficult to hit with firearms.

Stay Alert: Always look up when entering a new area. Newts love to perch on rafters and roofs.
Melee is Best: Save your bullets. A single well-timed melee swing is usually enough to take down a Newt once it leaps at you.

Resource Scavenging: The Lifeline of Survival

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You will notice Deacon spent a significant amount of time looting vehicle trunks. This is a core gameplay loop you cannot ignore.

Trunks vs. Hoods: Trunks typically contain ammo or crafting supplies, while hoods provide scrap (essential for bike and weapon repairs).
Police Cars: These are gold mines for ammunition. Always prioritize checking them if your stocks are low.
Ambulances: These usually contain Medkits or bandages.

Executing Silent Melee Takedowns

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To clear the camp effectively, the video demonstrates the power of the Silent Takedown. By crouching and approaching an enemy from behind, Deacon can perform an instant kill that generates zero noise.

How to Master Stealth Takedowns:

Use Cover: High grass and crates are your best friends.
Distractions: Use rocks to lure a Freaker away from a group so you can pick them off one by one.
The "Ear" Indicator: Watch the sound meter on your UI. If it spikes, the enemies nearby will hear you.

Mission Conclusion: Visiting Sarah’s Memorial

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The mission concludes with the emotional core of the game. Visiting Sarah's memorial stone isn't just a checklist item; it’s a moment of character development for Deacon. Clearing the area of threats allows these cinematic moments to play out without interruption.

Upon mission completion, you’ll receive XP and trust with local camps, which is vital for unlocking better bike parts and higher-tier weaponry.

Actionable Survival Tips for Your Next Session

Keep the Lights Off: Your motorcycle headlight and flashlight make you easy to spot at night. Use them sparingly.
Upgrade your Stealth Skills: In the skill tree, prioritize "Under the Radar" and "Silent Edge" to make your takedowns more effective.
Clear the Speakers: Before restoring power to a NERO checkpoint, climb the buildings and cut down the loudspeakers. If you don't, the moment the power comes on, every Freaker in the county will come running to your location.
Manage Your Stamina: Never deplete your stamina bar fully. If you run out, you cannot dodge-roll, leaving you vulnerable to a Freaker's grapple.

Final Thoughts

Days Gone is a game about patience and preparation. Whether you're paying respects at a memorial or clearing out a NERO facility, the environment is your greatest enemy and your greatest tool. By mastering the stealth mechanics and scavenging routines shown in this walkthrough, you’ll turn Deacon St. John from a survivor into a legend of the Oregon wilderness.

What’s your favorite way to clear a NERO checkpoint? Do you go in guns blazing, or do you prefer the silent approach? Let us know in the comments!