- Trench Decay fastest way to grind medals: survive as long as possible, then extract successfully.
- Never play alone: join high-level lobbies so experienced players can carry your runs.
- Loot everything: NPCs drop guns on the floor, and free crates give daily weapons.
- Skip the cards: HP card boosts can hurt you because enemy scaling did not update for them.
- Watch the trains: opened train cars are ambush points where enemies shoot from cover.
How Medal Grinding Works in Trench Decay
The core loop for the Trench Decay fastest way to grind medals is simple: medals are earned by surviving as long as you can in a run and then extracting successfully. Every extra minute of survival and every successful extraction adds to your medal total, so your strategy should always prioritize staying alive over risky aggressive plays.
The video walkthrough below demonstrates a full medal-farming run from lobby to extraction, including class selection and loot management.
Video Highlights:
- Survive as long as possible and extract to earn medals
- Join populated lobbies with high-level players for carries
- Pick up NPC weapon drops instead of running with only a knife
- Avoid card pickups since HP boosts cause enemy scaling issues
- Watch opened train cars for ambush shooters
Medals reward survival time plus a successful extraction. A slow, careful run that extracts beats a fast, greedy run that dies early every single time.
| Medal Source | Method | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|
| Survival time | Stay alive longer in the match | ★★★★★ |
| Successful extraction | Reach the extraction point alive | ★★★★★ |
| Free daily crate | Open the free crate in the menu | ★★★☆☆ |
| Daily missions | Complete daily mission spins | ★★★☆☆ |
| Direct purchase | Buy medals with Robux | ★★☆☆☆ (paid) |
Lobby Strategy: Let High-Level Players Carry You
Solo queuing in Trench Decay is significantly harder than playing with a team. The most reliable way for newer players to earn medals quickly is to join lobbies hosted by high-level players, who bring better weapons, armor, and game knowledge to every run.
How to spot a good lobby:
- Look for players with visible high ranks, such as Lance Corporal or above
- Check that multiple experienced players are queued together
- Full or nearly full lobbies survive longer on average
- Voice or text chat coordination improves extraction odds
| Lobby Type | Survival Odds | Medal Income | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-level carry lobby | High | Fast | Best option for grinding |
| Mixed-level lobby | Medium | Steady | Balanced risk |
| Solo queue | Low | Slow | Not recommended |
Playing alone is noticeably harder in Trench Decay. Without teammates to revive you or share aggro, early deaths cut your survival time and medal earnings dramatically.
Loadout and Class Selection
Starting Gear
When a run begins, you may not spawn with a firearm. If you only have a knife, grab it anyway — a knife is always better than empty hands while you search for a real weapon. Fallen NPCs frequently drop guns on the ground; pick these up as soon as combat allows. A medkit picked up early can save your run later, so loot every medical supply you find.
Claim your free daily crate before queuing — it can hand you a free pistol for your loadout. Also use your free daily spin for bonus rewards like XP, which compounds into faster progression.
Class and Card Rules
During class selection, coordinate with your team. Community guidance from experienced players is clear on one point: do not take the cards. Card-based HP boosts were not accounted for in the game's threat scaling, meaning enemies hit harder relative to the outdated balance, making card runs riskier overall.
Gun Start
- Ranged pressure from spawn
- Safer against shielded enemies
- Prioritize NPC drops early
Knife Start
- Fallback when no gun spawns
- Rely on teammates for cover
- Swap to a dropped gun ASAP
Support Kit
- Carry a medkit at all times
- Revive downed teammates
- Revives keep lobby strength high
Step-by-Step Medal Farming Route
Pre-Lobby Setup
Open your free daily crate, use your free spin, and complete any daily missions available before queueing for bonus XP and gear.
Join a Strong Lobby
Search for lobbies hosted by high-level players rather than queuing alone. Wait for the host to start the match.
Vote and Pick Classes
Vote for a map as a group, choose your class, and skip the cards when prompted — the HP boost causes threat scaling problems.
Loot and Push Forward
Grab a weapon immediately if you spawned with only a knife, pick up medkits, and advance as a group. Check floor loot from defeated NPCs.
Survive and Extract
Manage your stamina, take cover from incoming fire, stay clear of opened train cars, revive teammates, and extract with the squad for your medals.
Save your stamina for combat and repositioning. Sprinting carelessly leaves you exhausted when enemies appear, and a winded player is an easy target.
Survival Hazards and How to Handle Them
Long survival runs in Trench Decay come down to threat awareness. Enemy fire often comes from unexpected angles, and the environment itself hides ambush points.
| Hazard | Danger | Counterplay |
|---|---|---|
| Opened train cars | Enemies shoot from inside | Keep distance, pre-aim before passing |
| Shielded enemies | Bullets blocked frontally | Flank with teammates or melee assist |
| Boxes and containers | Usually empty, wasted time | Quick check only, keep moving |
| Random snipers | Fire from unclear positions | Take cover, watch hit direction |
When a train car opens, treat it as a live threat. Enemies can fire directly from inside the car before you have time to react — always approach from cover.
Every Run Should Include:
- Open the free daily crate before queueing
- Join a lobby with high-level players
- Secure a firearm from NPC drops
- Carry at least one medkit
- Skip card pickups during class selection
- Extract with the squad for medal rewards
FAQ
Q: What is the fastest way to grind medals in Trench Decay?
Survive as long as possible in each match and extract successfully. Joining lobbies with high-level players dramatically increases survival time, which directly increases medal earnings.
Q: Should I take the cards during class selection?
No. Experienced players recommend skipping the cards because the HP boost they provide was not accounted for in threat scaling, making the run harder rather than easier.
Q: Can I buy medals instead of grinding them?
Yes, medals can be purchased directly with Robux. However, the survival-and-extraction method is the free way to earn them consistently.
Q: What should I do if I spawn with only a knife?
Take the knife and stick with your team. Pick up any firearm dropped by defeated NPCs as soon as possible, since a gun dramatically improves your survivability.
Q: Is solo play viable for medal farming?
It is possible but inefficient. Without teammates to revive you and share threats, you are likely to die early, cutting your survival time and total medals.