Ultimate Death Train Beginner Guide, How to Play the Game!

Death Train may look simple at first, but surviving past the early waves requires smart upgrades, good placement, and knowing what actually matters. Many beginners lose early because they spend money on the wrong things or ignore the core objective. This guide breaks down the basics of Death Train in a clear way, helping new players build a solid train setup, survive more waves, and earn more money each run.

What Is Death Train?

Death Train is a survival and defense game where your main goal is to protect the diamond core on your train while moving through towns filled with zombies. Waves of enemies attack from all sides, and if the diamond is destroyed, the run ends. You earn money by surviving waves, clearing towns, and using income-generating structures. That money is then used to upgrade your train, place defenses, and hire units.

The game mixes tower defense with progression. The farther you go, the harder enemies hit, so building smart early on is very important.

Core Objective Beginners Must Remember

Your main goal is not kills, not damage numbers, and not weapons.
The only thing that truly matters is protecting the diamond.

If zombies reach it, the run is over. Every upgrade decision should be made with this in mind.

Best Early-Game Strategy for Beginners

1. Start With Cheap, Reliable Defense

Early on, crossbows are one of the best beginner defenses. They are affordable, easy to place, and deal consistent damage. Place them covering the front and sides of the train instead of stacking everything in one spot.

Do not overspend on flashy weapons early. Basic defenses upgraded slowly work better than one expensive tower.

2. Hire Bodyguards Early

Hiring cowboys or bodyguards is a big power spike. Even at low levels, they deal more damage than the default worker and can hold enemies back.

Upgrade them when possible, but do not max them too early. A balanced setup is better than one over-leveled unit.

3. Use Income Items as Soon as Possible

Items like:

• Mineral Pipes
• Money-generating structures
• Passive income upgrades

These are extremely important. Even a small boost like +3 money per second adds up over long runs. The longer you survive, the more value these provide.

Always invest in at least one income item before heavy damage upgrades.

Train Upgrades That Actually Matter

Wheels

Wheels do not seem flashy, but better wheels help with pacing and survival between towns. Even if the speed gain feels small, upgrading wheels early is never a waste.

Train Level

Leveling up your train increases:

• Available space
• Defensive slots
• Overall survivability

Reaching higher train levels unlocks better layouts, which matters a lot in mid to late game.

Best Beginner Defense Setup (Simple Version)

For new players, a safe setup looks like this:

• Front: Crossbows or cannons
• Mid section: Income items + Tesla Coil
• Back: Diamond fully protected with boxes and walls
• Units: 2–4 cowboys or guards

This layout keeps zombies away from the diamond while generating steady income.

Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

• Ignoring income upgrades
• Spending all money on weapons early
• Leaving the diamond exposed
• Relying only on one type of defense
• Not upgrading the train itself

Many runs fail simply because players forget to protect the back of the train.

How to Progress Further Each Run

If you want to consistently reach higher waves:

• Upgrade income first
• Upgrade defenses evenly
• Protect the diamond at all times
• Save money before entering new towns
• Upgrade train level whenever possible

You do not need legendary items to go far. Smart placement and balance matter more.

Death Train rewards patience and planning more than raw damage. As a beginner, focusing on defense balance, income, and train upgrades will help you survive much longer and earn more rewards per run. Once you understand how waves scale and how important the diamond is, the game becomes much easier and more enjoyable. Build smart, protect the core, and your train will go much farther every time.