Navigating the dangerous post-apocalyptic wilderness of Oregon in Days Gone requires players to constantly secure fast travel routes by eliminating Freaker nests. One of the earliest challenges Deacon St. John faces is the Pioneer Cemetery Infestation, located in the foggy woods of the Cascade region. Clearing out these infected zones is essential for reducing the local Freaker population and ensuring safer motorcycle travel across the map.
Finding the Pioneer Cemetery Nests
The Pioneer Cemetery Infestation zone contains three distinct Freaker nests that players must track down and burn. The first nest is located inside the old stone shack right near the main entrance gates of the graveyard. Finding this structure is relatively straightforward, but players should prepare for nearby roamers before initiating combat.
To locate the second nest, players need to venture further into the graveyard grounds toward a second wooden building. This structure sits deeper within the cemetery borders and is often surrounded by dense brush that can hide incoming threats. Checking the dark corners of these structures ensures you do not get ambushed while scouting.
The third and final nest is situated slightly up the hill inside a small utility shed near the cemetery edges. This particular location can be tricky to spot because it blends into the surrounding forestry and rocks. Expanding your search radius slightly beyond the main tombs will quickly reveal the remaining infestation site.
Essential Preparation and Resource Gathering
Before attempting to clear this zone, players should stock up on kerosene and rags to craft multiple Molotov cocktails. Each nest requires a direct fire source to be destroyed, making incendiary items your primary tool for the mission. It is highly recommended to gather these crafting materials from nearby abandoned vehicles or the NERO checkpoint down the road.
A proper firearm selection will also determine your survival rate when the angry horde emerges from the burning wood. Having a reliable shotgun or a rapid-fire primary weapon will help manage the immediate crowd control challenges. Additionally, ensuring your melee weapon is fully repaired protects you if you run out of ammunition during the chaos.
Tactical Clearing and Combat Strategy
The safest approach to clearing the Pioneer Cemetery Infestation is to tackle one nest at a time rather than rushing through the zone. Toss a Molotov cocktail directly into the nest entrance and immediately retreat to a safe distance. This tactic gives you enough time and space to prepare your weapon for the Freakers that will run out.
Utilizing the local environment to your advantage can drastically reduce the difficulty of these sudden skirmishes. Keep your motorcycle parked nearby in a clear area to ensure a fast escape path if the situation turns critical. Eliminating the emerging Swarmers quickly prevents them from surrounding Deacon in the narrow cemetery pathways.
Rewards and Regional Benefits
Successfully burning all three nests completes the regional objective and permanently opens up the local roadways for fast travel. This accomplishment significantly reduces the random Freaker spawns in the immediate area, making future supply runs much safer. Furthermore, completing this task earns you valuable trust points and credits with the nearby survivor encampments.
