Extra fuel rod gun before the first tower
Posted December 8th 2007
On the beach you can get a fuel rod gun with 7 to 9 rounds, but there's actually another one you can get before the first tower under certain circumstances. Up the canyon there's a checkpoint just before the arch. If there's no Warthog available to you at that time, either nearby or way back on the beach, you'll find a fuel rod gun in one of the weapon containers just ahead, typically with 19 or 20 rounds (but you need to stand slightly diagonally to the gun to pick it up). I guess that's the game's way of giving you a helping hand against the heavy threats coming up. By combining the two guns you'll have enough ammo for an almost full one. Woo-hoo!
The simplest way to make sure there's no hog available when you get the arch checkpoint is to destroy it sometime before. You can blast it the moment it's down on the ground if you like.