- Trench Decay rewards survival above all: stay alive, then extract to secure medals
- Never play alone: join lobbies with high-level players who can carry and share loot
- Free daily rewards: open the free crate and use the daily spin every session
- Loot everything: fallen NPCs and ground drops can give you guns when you spawn with only a knife
- Map awareness wins fights: trains, shielded enemies, and side routes decide engagements
Getting Started in Trench Decay
This Trench Decay beginner guide covers everything a new player needs for their first successful runs: medal farming, class selection, lobby strategy, and combat survival basics. Trench Decay is a survival-extraction experience where the longer you stay alive and successfully extract, the more you earn.
Video Highlights:
- How medals are earned through survival and extraction
- Why joining experienced players' lobbies matters
- Class and map voting tips from veteran teammates
- NPC weapon drops and ground loot pickup strategy
- Train ambush warnings and revive teamwork
Before your first match, handle your daily freebies. Open the free crate for a chance at a free weapon like a pistol, and use your free spin on the daily mission wheel for bonus XP. Every bit of starting gear helps when you're still learning the maps.
Claim your free crate and daily spin before every session. A free pistol in your loadout can be the difference between a knife-only spawn and an actual chance in a firefight.
Lobby Strategy: Why You Should Never Play Solo
The single biggest beginner mistake is queueing alone. Trench Decay runs are significantly easier with teammates, especially experienced ones.
| Lobby Choice | Difficulty | Loot Quality | Survival Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo queue | Hard | Low | Poor |
| Random low-level lobby | Medium | Medium | Average |
| High-level lobby (Lv 20+) | Easy | High | Excellent |
| Full squad with revives | Easiest | Highest | Best |
Look for players at level 20 or above — ranks like Lance Corporal signal experience. High-level players carry runs, help you survive longer, and enable better loot drops that compound into stronger future loadouts.
Find Carries
- Join lobbies with level 20+ players
Revive Teammates
- Downed allies are free value — pick them up
Stay Close
- Stick with the group; stragglers get picked off
Lobby hosts often wait several minutes for more players before starting. Use that time to check your loadout, grab a knife if unarmed, and pick up a medkit from spawn.
Step-by-Step: Your First Match
Claim Free Rewards
Open the free crate and spin the daily mission wheel for bonus XP and a possible free weapon.
Join a Strong Lobby
Search for open lobbies with high-level players rather than queueing solo.
Gear Up at Spawn
Grab a knife if you have no gun, pick up a medkit, and save your stamina for when it matters.
Vote and Pick Your Class
Coordinate with teammates on map and class votes. Listen to experienced players' advice on picks like Dead Man's Hand.
Survive and Extract
Move carefully, loot NPC drops, avoid train ambushes, revive teammates, and extract to bank your medals.
Sprinting everywhere burns stamina you'll need mid-fight. Walk between engagements and sprint only to reach cover or escape.
Combat Survival Tips
New players die to avoidable mistakes. These are the situations that catch beginners off guard most often.
| Danger | What Happens | Counterplay |
|---|---|---|
| Train ambushes | Enemies open train doors and shoot from inside | Approach trains with your gun drawn and caution |
| Shielded enemies | Bullets blocked by shield | Team up and flank, or melee when stunned |
| Knife-only spawns | No ranged option at start | Loot NPC drops and floor weapons quickly |
| Blind firefights | Hard to see the shooter | Take cover first, locate the muzzle flash |
| Solo wandering | Isolated and overwhelmed | Stay near your squad at all times |
Key habits for survival:
- Keep your gun drawn when entering dangerous areas like trains
- Pick up medkits whenever you find them — you will need them
- NPC drops are a reliable weapon source; never leave guns on the ground
- Boxes in some areas may be empty; don't waste time looting everything
- Reviving teammates keeps your squad's firepower intact
Veteran players warn against taking cards — a recent update made card-boosted player HP a serious threat, so many experienced runs skip them entirely.
Medal Farming and Progression Checklist
Medals come from surviving as long as possible and extracting successfully. Better runs mean better loot, which means stronger future runs — progression compounds.
First Week Goals:
- Claim the free crate and daily spin every session
- Complete 5 successful extractions with a squad
- Reach level 20 by surviving full runs
- Learn the Dead Man's Man map layout
- Bank enough medals for a permanent loadout weapon
Surviving long means nothing if you don't extract. When the exit opens, weigh greed against risk — a safe extraction beats a risky loot grab every time.
FAQ
Q: How do I earn medals fast in Trench Decay?
Survive as long as possible in each run and extract successfully. Playing with high-level teammates helps you survive longer, which directly increases your medal earnings. Medals can also be purchased, but survival and extraction are the free route.
Q: What should I do if I spawn with only a knife?
Don't panic. Grab a medkit at spawn, stay with your squad, and loot weapons dropped by defeated NPCs or found on the ground. NPC drops are a dependable way to get a gun early in the run.
Q: Should I play solo as a beginner?
No. Solo play is significantly harder. Join lobbies with level 20+ players — experienced teammates will carry runs, help you survive longer, and improve your loot quality.
Q: Are cards worth taking during runs?
Veteran players generally advise against taking cards. A recent update made card-boosted player HP problematic, and many experienced squads skip them to keep runs balanced.