Call of Duty Cordis Die Mission: Survival Tips

The Cordis Die mission in Call of Duty: Black Ops II is the tenth and second-last mission in the campaign. It places the player in control of David Mason during a drone attack on downtown Los Angeles. This mission is fast, intense, and packed with critical choices that affect the game’s final outcome.

Setting and Overview

The mission begins with Marine One flying over Los Angeles. President Marion Bosworth is onboard, speaking to the Chinese Premier. Moments later, drones hijacked by Raul Menendez target the aircraft. Mason, who’s nearby, is tasked with protecting the president and guiding her to a secure location called “Prom Night.”

From that point forward, the player moves through a destroyed highway, abandoned streets, and chaotic battle zones, all while keeping the president alive. The level is filled with explosions, enemy drones, and quick tactical decisions.

Main Characters

• David Mason: Main playable character.

• President Marion Bosworth: The person Mason must escort.

• Mike Harper or Samuels: Companion depends on earlier choices.

• Anderson: Air support pilot.

• Chen, Jones, Samuels, Johnson, and other agents appear.

Who survives and who helps you will depend on previous campaign decisions. These differences affect not only dialogue but also how the mission plays out.

Mission Start and Drone Assault

Mason starts inside a military vehicle on Highway 110. A heavily injured secretary is attended to by Harper or Mason. President Bosworth sits across from them. Drones begin to swarm the city. A nearby helicopter is shot down, crashing into the military convoy. The explosion sends debris across the road, flipping vehicles and knocking Mason unconscious.

After waking up, Mason finds Harper or Samuels giving orders. They work together to reach a downed SAM turret, which Mason uses to destroy incoming drones. This section requires precision, as failing to intercept drones can lead to failure. Once the SAM is hit by a missile, Mason escapes before it falls off the highway.

Mid-Mission Combat and Choices

Air support from Anderson arrives and helps clear the airspace. Mason continues on foot, eventually reaching a second convoy. The player then chooses between sniping enemies from above or rappelling down to engage directly. Picking up a Storm PSR sniper rifle allows for long-range combat, but players without it must go down the highway.

As the team regroups, Mason drives the president through collapsing roads while drones and enemy vehicles close in. Anderson assists by blasting obstacles out of the way. At one point, a truck crashes into the convoy, causing another blackout for Mason.

Downtown Battle and the Mall Ambush

After regaining control, Mason moves through the streets with Anderson still offering air support. Enemy machines known as CLAWs appear and need to be taken down. Reaching a downtown plaza, Mason’s team runs into a machine gun nest.

Instead of a frontal attack, Mason leads his squad through a nearby mall. Inside, he uses quadrotor drones to eliminate defenders. Once outside, the team clears the area for Anderson, who is under fire and down to her last jet. She reports heavy damage and attempts to land nearby.

Mason reaches Anderson's crashed jet and finds her unconscious. LAPD officers arrive to secure the scene and escort her to an ambulance. If Harper is alive, he follows the paramedics. Mason then takes control of the FA38 jet to protect the president’s convoy.

Final Phase and Escape

Piloting the FA38, Mason destroys drones and ground units threatening the president’s path. Near the end, a drone garrison appears. Mason detaches from the convoy and takes down the remaining threats. The mission ends with Mason ejecting and parachuting to safety as the president reaches the extraction point.

Mission Outcome

If successful, President Bosworth survives. This mission is critical to the campaign’s ending, as failure to save the president can change the final outcome of the game.

Challenges to Complete

To unlock extra perks in single player, players can complete mission challenges:

• Shoot down 30 drones with the SAM turret.

• Get 10 sniper headshots from the upper freeway.

• Use quad drones to eliminate 8 enemies.

• Rescue a trapped agent from a burning vehicle.

• Destroy 3 drones with a single shot.

• Protect all G20 vehicles.

• Achieve a perfect SAM hit ratio.

• Collect 3 intel pieces.

• Earn a 100% survivability rating.

Completing two challenges unlocks the Throwback perk. Five challenges unlock Ammo Pickup.

Recommended Loadout

Primary: Type 25 with Reflex Sight Secondary: KAP-40 (starts equipped) Special Weapons: Storm PSR (sniper rifle found in level) Other weapons found during the mission include the M8A1, M27, Vector K10, and LSAT.

Access Kit Opportunities

Players can use the Access Kit for helpful gear and rescue moments:

• A Dragonfire drone with rocket capability is found near a damaged container.

• A SAM turret is located on a rooftop inside the mall via a locked glass door.

• Three Secret Service agents can be saved from a burning MRAP if approached quickly.

Additional Details and Trivia

• If Harper is dead, Samuels replaces him but doesn't help destroy CLAWs.

• The FA38 jet segment is playable only if Anderson survives.

• Some scenes have different visuals depending on earlier campaign choices.

• The mission’s title image is from the Aftermath level.

• Players can find two versions of the KAP-40 pistol during the level—one semi-automatic and one fully automatic.

Closing Thoughts

The Call of Duty Cordis Die mission is a fast-paced, high-stakes chapter in Black Ops II. Every move matters, and who survives affects the story. The intense urban combat, shifting allies, and unique jet gameplay make it one of the most memorable parts of the campaign. Players looking to complete challenges or secure the best ending should approach this mission with focus and quick thinking.

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