Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more

In Gears of War: E-Day’s Act 3, Chapter 1, “Stranded,” search the wooded fork for the COG Army Knife, sweep Fairlight Outpost and the substation for the remaining pickups, then activate the upper-level switch to begin the timed defense. The chapter guide lists five collectibles and three Hard Cases; the switch starts the Locust assault, so finish exploring before you use it.

What to collect in “Stranded”

A chapter-specific guide by Sportskeeda lists five collectibles and three Hard Cases in this chapter. The named collectibles are the COG Army Knife, Fairlight Rifle Range Sign, Gut-Puncher Grenade Rounds, UIR Soldier Shooting Target, and Prepper’s Scavenging Map.

  • COG Army Knife: wooded side path at the first fork, near the mauled body.
  • Fairlight Rifle Range Sign: around the Fairlight Outpost perimeter, after crossing the fence.
  • Gut-Puncher Grenade Rounds: by the Supply Cache in the damaged warehouse area.
  • UIR Soldier Shooting Target: near the substation fence and machinery.
  • Prepper’s Scavenging Map: between generator units near the substation entrance.

The three Hard Cases are along the route through the wreckage, Fairlight, and the substation. The landmark descriptions for the Fairlight and substation cases vary slightly between the chapter walkthrough and a separate Hard Case guide. Search the named areas carefully and use the in-game area or case notification to confirm a pickup.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Follow the wooded approach and get the first Hard Case

  1. Follow the opening path to the rope descent and climb down.
  2. At the fork near the mauled body, take the small wooded side path and collect the COG Army Knife before continuing downhill. The collectible guide flags this as an awkward item to recover after advancing.
  3. Return to the route and deal with the Armored Wretches. The walkthrough recommends melee attacks against these smaller enemies.
  4. At the wrecked vehicles outside Fairlight, search around the left side of the crashed Raven for the first Hard Case. A separate guide places a case in this wrecked-helicopter area and says it contains weapon modifications.

Clear Fairlight Outpost before leaving

  1. Clear the hostiles outside the outpost.
  2. Use the shipping container to get over the fence, then search the perimeter for the Fairlight Rifle Range Sign and the second Hard Case.
  3. Continue through the damaged warehouse and check beside the Supply Cache for Gut-Puncher Grenade Rounds.

Sweep the substation before activating the switch

  1. Go to the far side of the warehouse, where the substation is located.
  2. Before entering, look near the fencing and machinery for the UIR Soldier Shooting Target.
  3. Check between generator units near the entrance for the Prepper’s Scavenging Map.
  4. Search the left side of the substation for the final Hard Case. The other case guide describes it more generally as being toward the left side of the power-station area, so use the in-game area and case notification as confirmation if the exact corner differs.

Start and survive the substation defense

The switch is on the substation’s upper section. Activating it starts a limited preparation window before the Locust attack, so finish collecting nearby items first. When the alarm begins, move to the hangar for available armaments, stay in cover, and avoid pushing ahead alone. Clear the successive Locust waves toward the landing zone; defeating the remaining enemies triggers the transition to “Enemy Lines,” Act 3, Chapter 2.

#1 Best Overall
Gears of War: E-Day | Standard Edition | XBOX Series X
  • AN ORIGIN STORY BEGINS — Fight alongside Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago in the gripping origin story of Emergence Day, as the Locust Horde erupts from below.
  • A DARKER, GRITTIER THREAT — Face reimagined enemies and a terrifying underground invasion that restores the fear, dread, and intensity at the heart of the Gears of War series.
  • MULTIPLAYER EVOLVED — Battle in Horde Siege for large‑scale PvE action or prove your skill in refined Versus PvP with greater precision and competitive depth.
  • CLASSIC COMBAT, MODERNIZED — Experience signature cover‑based gameplay enhanced with updated movement, traversal, and controls that feel like Gears while playing like something new.
  • CO‑OP YOUR WAY — Play online with up to four players across Campaign, Horde Siege, and Versus, or team up locally with 2‑player split‑screen co‑op on console.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Check the chapter before moving on

If you are aiming for a complete run, check the chapter journal before leaving. The five collectible names and three-case total above come from chapter-specific guide coverage, not an official Xbox chapter statistic. The location guidance is useful for the route, but the guides’ wording differs on some Hard Case landmarks.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 3
Gears of War 3 (Renewed)
Gears of War 3 (Renewed)
Disc only. Original case and manual not included. Will come packaged in a generic case.; This renewed game has been cleaned, tested, and shows minimal wear.
$14.17
Bestseller No. 5
Gears of War 3
Gears of War 3
Enthralling cinematic story. Experience the epic finale to the Gears of War trilogy; Unparalleled gameplay
$3.81
Best Value
Gears of War 3
  • This item does not work outside US. We cannot guarantee compatibility. You can contact the call center for more information on compatibility.
  • Enthralling cinematic story. Experience the epic finale to the Gears of War trilogy
  • Unparalleled gameplay
  • One of the definitive multiplayer experiences on Xbox LIVE
  • Gears of War 3 pushes the envelope for stunning visuals on Xbox 360
Rank #3
Gears of War 3 (Renewed)
  • Disc only. Original case and manual not included. Will come packaged in a generic case.
  • This renewed game has been cleaned, tested, and shows minimal wear.
Rank #2
Gears of War E-Day | Premium Edition | XBOX Series X|S and Windows Digital
  • PREMIUM EDITION — Includes Bravo Squad Signature Weapon Pack, five Seasonal Customization Packs starting with the Emergence Pack, plus 1,000 Iron to unlock additional in‑game content.
  • AN ORIGIN STORY BEGINS — Fight alongside Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago in the gripping origin story of Emergence Day, as the Locust Horde erupts from below.
  • A DARKER, GRITTIER THREAT — Face reimagined enemies and a terrifying underground invasion that restores the fear, dread, and intensity at the heart of the Gears of War series.
  • MULTIPLAYER EVOLVED — Battle in Horde Siege for large‑scale PvE action or prove your skill in refined Versus PvP with greater precision and competitive depth.
  • CLASSIC COMBAT, MODERNIZED — Experience signature cover‑based gameplay enhanced with updated movement, traversal, and controls that feel like Gears while playing like something new.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.