Dead Defense Beginner Guide How to Play and Survive the Waves!
If you’re diving into Dead Defense for the first time, you’re not alone in wondering what’s going on. While it might look like a basic Roblox tower defense game at first glance, there’s more to it once you start placing your units and fighting through waves. Here’s a complete beginner guide to help you get started, understand the basics, and play more effectively—even if the game seems chaotic at first. Check out Dead Defense Codes & Official Links for more info!
What is Dead Defense!
Dead Defense is a Roblox tower defense game that feels like a spiritual cousin to Dead Rails, but with its own quirky spin. You defend against waves of zombie-like enemies using a collection of towers—some earned through gameplay, others available via in-game purchases or events. Even though it looks simple (and the UI can be overwhelming), there’s a decent layer of strategy hiding underneath the surface.
How to Start Playing

When you enter the game, you’ll spawn in a central hub area with access to different zones, like the AFK Plaza, Safe Zone, Fort, and Castle. As a beginner, head into the Safe Zone and select Easy Mode to get a feel for how the game works. You’ll start each session with a set amount of cash—usually $750—and can place down towers to defend against 20 waves of enemies.
Getting Your First Free Tower

- Like the game and join the group to claim your Free Tower
- Open your Inventory by clicking the big button on the UI.
- Place the free tower into your loadout.
Once you’ve got it, experiment with it in-game to understand how it behaves.
How Combat Works in Dead Defense

Enemies follow a path through the map. Your job is to place towers along this path to stop them. Each tower has its own damage type, attack speed, and upgrade path.
- Priest: Surprisingly powerful. He punches enemies and gains new clothes as you upgrade him. Maxed out, he deals 20 damage per second and becomes one of the most efficient early-game units.
- Miner: Initially confusing, this unit does not generate money like traditional tower defense “farm” units. Instead, it deals damage using a pickaxe—10–20 damage depending on upgrade level. Effective for clearing groups once leveled up.
- Jade Survivalist: A premium unit (can be purchased for 79 Robux). Starts stronger than default units and upgrades well. Best used in combination with others.
Unit Placement & Upgrades
To win, you need to balance unit types and focus upgrades strategically. Here’s what you should focus on early:
- Start with 1–2 units that deal consistent damage, like the Jade unit or Priest.
- Upgrade strategically — the Priest and Miner scale well when leveled up.
- Use targeting modes: Set some towers to focus on “Strongest” enemies (like your Priest). Set others to “First” to clean up weaker ones.
- Skip waves for extra money — just be ready for a rush.
Best Strategy for Beginners

- Place your first tower near the enemy spawn to soften them early.
- Back it up with a second tower mid-lane to finish off what slips through.
- As you earn more money, upgrade instead of spamming new units.
- Use Miners and Priests together for a reliable combo of area damage and tankiness.
- Don’t forget to sell and reposition if a tower becomes less useful.
Is It Pay-to-Win?
Not necessarily. While Robux can get you units like the Jade Vampire or Jade Survivalist, most maps can still be cleared with good tower placement and smart upgrades. However, premium towers offer convenience and stronger base stats, especially helpful for solo runs.
Dead Defense may look like a low-effort tower defense game, but once you get into it, it’s surprisingly addictive. The fun lies in testing different units, optimizing your placements, and making it through increasingly tough waves. If you’re new, focus on understanding your towers, upgrading wisely, and experimenting with layouts. With a bit of time, you’ll be clearing waves like a pro—no Robux required. Want a guide on the best towers or how to farm units fast?
Dead Defense