Playing with Fire? Not in Black Ops 2, and Definitely Not on Your Face!
Ever played a game where a split-second decision could leave your buddy disfigured? Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 puts you in that position. You must prevent Harper from getting a facial burn. Let’s also talk about real-life burns. They are no fun.
Saving Harper’s Face: A Black Ops 2 Driving Lesson
Picture this: end of mission, explosions everywhere. Mason’s driving. Harper’s in the shotgun seat. And there’s FIRE. Drive on the left side and BAM! Harper’s face gets burned. Permanent marker level, but worse. Drive on the right side? Harper stays safe. The little choices matter.
So, why does it matter if Harper has a burn scar? Aesthetically, he has a mark for every mission from then on. It doesn’t change the plot, yet you’ll see it. Plus, there’s banter in “Karma” where Salazar mocks him about his ‘look’ when Harper flirts. Moral? Drive right and save face.
Harper’s Fate: Achilles’ Heel or Achilles’ Veil?
Let’s ramp up the drama in “Achilles’ Veil.” This mission decides Harper’s fate. Go Rambo and attempt to kill Menendez? Bad choice. Harper dies. Game over for our scarred buddy.
If you hold off on that vengeance and skip Menendez, Harper survives! He’s not untouched. He needs a medevac back to the USS Barack Obama. Alive is always better than the alternative.
The Ripple Effect of Saving Harper
Saving Harper sounds great, but in Black Ops 2, choices have consequences. Think butterfly effect, but way more explosions. If Harper lives, you cannot save Chloe “Karma” Lynch in “Odysseus.” It’s a package deal of dilemmas.
Also, remember Farid? A loyal soldier? If Harper gets to live, Farid pays the price. He’s no longer around when Menendez attacks the USS Obama. It’s a tough call – save a face and lose a friend and possibly a ship.
Feel like you can’t win? Hold on! Someone found a glitch. A glorious glitch that lets you save both Harper AND Karma. We won’t endorse glitches, but if you find it… we didn’t tell you.
Real-World Burn First Aid: No Respawn Here!
Okay, enough about digital fires. Let’s discuss real burns. They don’t come with a restart button. Spilled coffee? Touched a hot pan? Sunbathing gone wrong? Burns happen. Knowing what to do helps a lot.
Quick Burn Care 101
First: cool it down. Run cool (not ice-cold!) water over the burn for ten minutes. Think warm shower, not Arctic plunge. No running water? Use a cool, wet cloth, especially for face burns. Leave it on until pain eases. And pro-tip: remove any rings or tight items before swelling happens. Your future self will thank you.
Scar Prevention: Playing the Long Game
No one wants a burn scar to remind them of kitchen accidents. How do you minimize scars? Start by rinsing the burn with cool water. Cool water helps.
Next up, use antibiotic ointment. Grab a sterile tongue depressor (no fingers in jars), slather it on, and cover with a nonstick bandage. Then wrap some gauze around it securely. Here’s a slightly odd yet effective tip: stretch the burned area gently daily. It helps prevent tight scars. Check out Healthline’s guide on burn scars for more information.
Vaseline: Burn Savior or Just Greasy?
Vaseline – that jelly your grandma swore by. Is it good for burns? For minor burns, yes, it can help. It keeps skin moist and protected. But remember to cool the burn first before applying it. For anything serious like deep or large burns on sensitive areas, skip the Vaseline and seek medical help ASAP.
Burn Blunder List: What NOT to Do
Knowing what to do is vital, but knowing what to avoid is key too. Here’s your burn-care Hall of Shame:
- Butter, toothpaste, or kitchen remedies: Resist the urge to experiment. These trap bacteria and slow healing.
- Hydrogen peroxide or alcohol: Ouch! These might seem good, but they damage skin and hinder recovery. Stick to cool water.
Skincare Product Burns: Beauty Can Be Painful (Literally)
Think burns only happen with heat? Nope. Your pursuit of perfect skin can result in chemical burns. Retinol and benzoyl peroxide, those skincare heroes, can be villains without caution.
Retinol Rage: When Anti-Aging Attacks
Retinol is great for wrinkles, but overusing renders skin unhappy. Symptoms of “retinol burn” (or retinoid dermatitis) include irritation, redness, dryness, peeling, and swelling. Not the glow you want! This happens from too much retinol or combining it with strong ingredients. Also be aware, retinol makes skin more sensitive to sun, so you need SPF.
To treat it? Cut back on retinol! Use it less often, apply moisturizer, avoid harsh products, and embrace sunscreen.
Benzoyl Peroxide Backlash: Acne Fighter or Face Firer?
Benzoyl peroxide fights acne but can also burn. A little burning sensation is normal, but severe irritation? That’s a warning. Stop using it and consult your doctor or dermatologist. Dryness often accompanies benzoyl peroxide use, so moisturize daily.
General Skincare Burnout: Decoding the Sizzle
Sudden burning with skincare may have several causes. Your skin barrier might be compromised. Or it could be irritant or allergic contact dermatitis. This is your skin reacting negatively to ingredients like fragrances or preservatives. Overusing active ingredients can lead to burning too.
What to do? Identify the culprit. New product? Different routine? Isolate the issue. Always patch-test new products first. Choose gentle, fragrance-free skincare, avoid harsh items, and keep skin hydrated with a gentle cleanser and moisturizing product.
Bonus Round: More Black Ops 2 Life-Saving Tips (and Randomness)
Saving Harper isn’t the only heroic act in Black Ops 2. Want to keep Mason alive? Shooting him in the leg works! Sounds strange, but leg shots lead to survival and a later appearance in the ending.
Hoping to save the USS Obama from destruction? Complete those Strike Force missions (except “Second Chance,” that one’s optional). Wish for Admiral Briggs to survive Menendez’s attack. If luck is on your side, Chinese fighters swoop in and save the day.
Fun fact: Harper is also somehow a character in Heartbreak High? Strange. And unrelated, but when playing Baldur’s Gate 3, avoid the Shadow Curse.
So whether you’re dodging flames in Black Ops 2 or facing real-life skincare issues, remember: cool heads (cool water) prevail. Knowing some first aid can save a face, digital or otherwise. For more info on burn types,check out WebMD on burn degrees. Stay safe out there, gamers and skincare enthusiasts!
