- The Trench Decay Musket is standard-issue for New Order infantry and easy to loot in the field
- You must find and extract with a weapon before purchasing it in the armory
- The Guts and Glory is a separate anointed variant sold only by the Scavenger
- Check the item description: "Antique iron that hits like a cannon" means regular Musket
- Stat difference between Musket and Guts and Glory is minimal, mostly cosmetic
Trench Decay Musket Overview
The Musket is one of the most commonly encountered weapons in Trench Decay, and it is also one of the most misunderstood because of a naming overlap with the anointed Guts and Glory variant. In Trench Decay's discovery-based unlock system, you cannot simply buy a gun from the armory. You must first find it in the field during a raid, extract with it, and only then does it become available for purchase using metals.
Video Highlights:
- Full walkthrough of every weapon unlock method in Trench Decay
- Explanation of the Musket vs. Guts and Glory confusion
- Where New Order soldiers spawn with Muskets
- How the Scavenger sells anointed weapons for scrap or dog tags
Both the regular Musket and the Guts and Glory share the same icon and similar in-game naming, which causes a lot of confusion. Always open your inventory and read the description. If it says "Antique iron that hits like a cannon," you are holding the standard Musket, not the Guts and Glory.
How to Unlock the Musket: Step-by-Step
The Musket is carried as a standard-issue weapon by New Order soldiers, alongside the MP 18 and the M95. This makes it one of the easiest weapons in the game to discover.
Spawn Into a Raid
Load into any map with New Order presence, such as the Iron Works or the Brick House.
Locate New Order Infantry
New Order infantrymen carry the Musket, MP 18, and M95 as standard-issue gear, so any group of them is a potential source.
Loot a Musket
Defeat or scavenge from infantry and pick up a Musket. Verify the "Antique iron" description in your inventory.
Extract Safely
Reach an extraction point and leave the raid alive. Dying means losing your discovery run.
Purchase in the Armory
Return to the armory and buy the Musket with metals. It is now permanently available for any mission.
Areas dense with New Order troops, especially the Iron Works and Brick House, let you discover the Musket, MP 18, and M95 in a single run. Plan your route through these zones to maximize each raid.
Musket vs. Guts and Glory Comparison
The Guts and Glory, described as the "Black Powder Bombs Parade Piece," is an anointed weapon sold exclusively by the Scavenger for scrap or roughly 100+ dog tags. The stat gap between the two is very small.
| Attribute | Musket | Guts and Glory |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Standard rifle | Anointed weapon |
| Source | New Order infantry | Scavenger only |
| Description | "Antique iron that hits like a cannon" | "Black Powder Bombs Parade Piece" |
| Key stat comparison | ~320 / 150 / 300 baseline | ~320 / 160 / 300 baseline |
| Cost | Metals after field discovery | Scrap or ~100+ dog tags |
| Availability | Very common | Scavenger exclusive |
Regular Musket
- Free to discover on New Order soldiers
- Common in Iron Works and Brick House
- Solid damage per shot
- Best for early progression
Guts and Glory
- Anointed variant with flashier look
- Scavenger-exclusive purchase
- Marginally different stats
- Cooler description and style
Verdict
- Stat difference is very small
- Grab the Musket for utility
- Buy Guts and Glory for prestige
- Neither replaces modern rifles
The Scavenger accepts scrap or around 100+ dog tags for anointed weapons like the Guts and Glory, the 1918 BAR, and the Demolisher. He is the only vendor for these weapons in the game.
Where to Find Muskets: Location Guide
Knowing where New Order soldiers concentrate saves you time on discovery runs.
| Location | New Order Presence | Weapons to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Iron Works | High, infantry and gunners | Musket, M95, MP 18, Lewis gun |
| Brick House | High, infantry and gunners | Musket, M95, MP 18, Lewis gun |
| Railroads | Moderate patrols | M95, assorted infantry gear |
| Railway map | Anointed carriers | Hellriegel, Hotchkiss, Tankgewehr |
| Junction | Fixed spawns | Four Lee-Enfields on sandbags |
Some safe-room routes along the boundary line are littered with zombies. If your extraction path runs through them, keep the Musket loaded or bring a faster sidearm like the M1911 before committing to the run.
Musket Unlock Checklist:
- Spawn into Iron Works or Brick House raid
- Locate and loot a Musket from New Order infantry
- Verify the 'Antique iron' description in inventory
- Extract alive to register the discovery
- Purchase the Musket from the armory with metals
Is the Musket Worth Using?
In a roster filled with rifles like the M95, Lee-Enfield, and Farquhar Hill 1909, the Musket is a situational weapon. Its hard-hitting single shots reward accuracy, but its slow handling makes it a poor choice against groups. Where it shines is early progression: it is abundant, free to discover, and reliably available on nearly every New Order encounter.
The Musket is best treated as a stepping stone. Discover it in one or two raids, add it to your armory, and upgrade to an M95 or Farquhar Hill 1909 as your primary once you have the metals. Keep the Guts and Glory as a prestige flex if you enjoy the aesthetic.
FAQ
Q: How do I unlock the Trench Decay Musket?
Find a Musket on a fallen New Order infantryman during a raid, extract with it, then purchase it from the armory using metals. New Order soldiers at the Iron Works and Brick House commonly carry it.
Q: What is the difference between the Musket and the Guts and Glory?
They are separate weapons that share an icon. The regular Musket reads 'Antique iron that hits like a cannon' and drops from New Order soldiers. The Guts and Glory is an anointed weapon sold exclusively by the Scavenger for scrap or about 100+ dog tags, with only a very small stat difference.
Q: Can I buy the Musket without finding it first?
No. Trench Decay uses a discovery system for most weapons: you must find the gun in the field and extract with it before it becomes purchasable in the armory.
Q: Where are the best places to farm Muskets?
The Iron Works and Brick House have dense New Order presence. Infantry there carry the Musket, MP 18, and M95, letting you discover multiple weapons in a single raid.