In Gears of War: E-Day’s Act 3, Chapter 1, Stranded, search the wooded fork for the COG Army Knife before heading downhill, clear and sweep Fairlight Outpost, then collect the substation-area items before activating its upper-level switch. That switch starts a limited preparation window and the Locust defense; the chapter ends when the remaining enemies are defeated and the landing-zone transition begins.
Chapter route and item checklist
The chapter guide lists five collectibles and three Hard Cases. The named pickups are set out below in the order you encounter their areas. The locations are based on chapter walkthroughs; descriptions of the second and third Hard Cases vary slightly, so check the chapter journal before leaving if you are completing the set.
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| Pickup | Where to look |
|---|---|
| COG Army Knife | At the wooded side path near the first mauled body, before continuing downhill. |
| Hard Case 1 | Around the crashed Raven and wrecked vehicles outside Fairlight. |
| Fairlight Rifle Range Sign | Along the Fairlight Outpost perimeter, after crossing the fence. |
| Hard Case 2 | Inside the Fairlight area, near the shipping containers. |
| 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. |
| Hard Case 3 | Inside or toward the left side of the substation area. |
The guide-reported total is five collectibles and three Hard Cases; it is a chapter-guide count, not an official Xbox statistic. Sportskeeda’s Stranded walkthrough and its Hard Cases guide describe the route and cases. A separate collectibles guide also flags the early knife as easy to miss: PowerPyx’s collectible locations.
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Find the COG Army Knife before descending farther
Follow the opening trail to the rope and climb down. At the fork by the mauled body, briefly leave the objective route and search the small path through the trees for the COG Army Knife. Pick it up before continuing downhill: this is the chapter’s most awkward item to recover after advancing.
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Return to the main route and deal with the Armored Wretches. The walkthrough recommends melee attacks against these smaller enemies. As you approach Fairlight, search around the left side of the crashed Raven and nearby wreckage for the first Hard Case.
Clear and sweep Fairlight Outpost
- Clear the hostiles outside the outpost.
- Use the shipping container to get over the fence.
- Search the perimeter for the Fairlight Rifle Range Sign and the second Hard Case.
- Continue through the damaged warehouse and collect the Gut-Puncher Grenade Rounds beside the Supply Cache.
Finish this sweep before heading to the substation so you do not leave the outpost’s named collectible or case behind.
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- 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.
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Collect the substation items before using the switch
The substation lies beyond the warehouse. Before going inside, search near the fence and machinery for the UIR Soldier Shooting Target. Look between the generator units by the entrance for the Prepper’s Scavenging Map. The last Hard Case is inside the substation area, described by guides as being on or toward the left side; use the in-game area and case notification to confirm it.
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The switch is on the substation’s upper section. Activating it starts a limited preparation window before the attack, so complete your nearby pickup sweep first.
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- Activate the upper-level switch when you are ready to begin the defense.
- When the alarm starts, move to the hangar and use the available armaments.
- Stay in cover and avoid pushing ahead alone as successive Locust waves arrive.
- Keep clearing enemies toward the landing zone. Defeating the remaining Locust triggers the transition to Enemy Lines, Act 3, Chapter 2.
Platforms and access
Xbox lists Gears of War: E-Day for Xbox Series X|S and notes Game Pass access on its official game page. Xbox Wire’s launch article, dated October 6, 2026, says the game launched on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Game Pass, and Steam: Xbox Wire launch announcement.
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