This is the walkthrough for the GrummelNet Plasma Harvester level as featured in Full Frontal Assault. It is the location of the last of the three Planetary Defense Centers disabled by the mysterious villain.
Walkthrough[]
New defenses are available, most notably the Warmonger Turret. At 3,000 bolts, its high damage and splash radius justify the steep cost. You also gain the Groovitron Mine (which forces enemies to dance) and the sturdier Heavy Barrier.
The level begins with an immediate attack from wrecking drones, kamikaze units that explode on impact. They spawn from the far side of this large map, giving you some time to react. Quickly grab the Buzz Blades from the nearby weapon pod and intercept them from a distance. Two drones will spawn periodically to attack your base throughout the level, so listen for the warning and destroy them promptly.
The weapon pods are spread out and the only three closeby are accessed via grind tubes on the map's outer edges. To find the Swingshot, head right from the base to the container ships. Use your hoverboots on a charge pad ramp to launch to an adjacent ship holding the pod. The Swingshot can then be used to traverse the other ships and reach a grind tube leading to a major weapon node near your base. The other two grind tubes are to the northeast and to the west.
After collecting three weapons, a grungarian tank will be deployed. This enemy is so tough it gets its own arrival timer on your HUD. Tanks are slow and will crush defenses like barriers and deployed gadgets. They only attack once they reach your base, where they transform into a powerful mech.
The Pyro Blaster has the best damage-per-second against a tank's large health pool compared to its ammo consumption. If you don't have it you will be forced to use everything else in your arsenal. The Groovitron Glove or Groovitron Mine can stop a tank in its tracks, while the cheaper Chrono-Mine is also effective at slowing it down. The Cryoshot is not very effective against it.
More tanks will spawn based on a timer and after you open a sixth pod (this time accompanied by a grungarian bomber). A third tank deploys after you activate one of the two key nodes. Bombers also guard the key nodes and will eventually appear in normal attack waves.
With both key nodes captured, you can assault the Planetary Defense Center. The Center is a multi-layered fortress defended by all enemy types and multiple forcefields. Methodically push forward, destroying the shield generators to advance. The core is guarded by two bombers, and dangerous wrecking drones will spawn intermittently throughout your assault. After clearing all hostiles, reactivate the Center and return to base for the final reboot sequence and enemy wave. Be prepared for a massive attack, featuring another tank towards the end.
After the mission, a brief cutscene plays before you return to the Starship Phoenix II. Clear out a few cleaner bots, and if you have at least six medals, you'll earn a promotion granting Health Regeneration and access to an eighth weapon pod during missions. Another cutscene plays at the galactic map, after which you can proceed to the next level: Hidden City of Balkai, Snow Storm.
Restoring all Planetary Defense Centers and discovering Stuart Zurgo's intentions will unlock the silver trophy "Zurgo's Revenge".