What is the Best Map in State of Decay 2?
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The answer to the “best map” question in State of Decay 2 isn’t straightforward, as it largely depends on your playstyle and priorities. However, if we had to crown one map as the most well-rounded and generally beneficial, it would be Meagher Valley. While other maps excel in specific areas, Meagher Valley offers a balanced experience with dense looting opportunities, manageable terrain, and excellent base locations, making it a prime choice for both new and experienced players.
Why Meagher Valley Stands Out
Meagher Valley consistently comes up in discussions as the “easiest” or most enjoyable map. This reputation isn’t arbitrary; it’s built on several key factors:
Abundant Loot
One of the most significant advantages of Meagher Valley is its high density of buildings. This translates to an overabundance of lootable locations, making it far easier to scavenge essential resources. Unlike larger maps where points of interest are spread out, Meagher Valley packs numerous houses, businesses, and industrial areas into a relatively compact space. This allows players to quickly gear up their community and maintain a steady flow of supplies without needing to travel excessive distances. This also extends to zombie density, meaning there will be more, providing a perfect balance of danger and reward.
Manageable Terrain
Unlike the hills of Providence Ridge or the vast expanses of Drucker County, Meagher Valley boasts relatively flat and easily navigable terrain. This means you’ll spend less time navigating cumbersome landscapes and more time actually playing the game. The flatter terrain also makes for quicker travel between locations, saving precious time and fuel. This ease of traversal is especially valuable when under pressure from zombie hordes or plague hearts.
Excellent Base Locations
Meagher Valley is home to some of the best base locations in the game. This includes Whitney Field, a highly sought-after base offering a good number of large slots and a central location. The variety of bases in Meagher also means you have options to find something that perfectly fits your playstyle and community needs.
Balanced Difficulty
While the density of buildings and loot is excellent, Meagher also has a balanced difficulty level. You will find yourself engaging with a good number of zombies, but it never feels overwhelming, allowing for a smooth experience. It’s an ideal map for those who want to experience the core gameplay loop without facing extreme challenges.
Other Maps and Their Strengths
While Meagher Valley is a strong contender for the best map, other maps have their own strengths worth mentioning:
- Drucker County: Known for its large size and open spaces, Drucker is well-suited for players who enjoy exploring. Bases like The Barricaded Strip Mall are top-tier but require significant resources to establish.
- Cascade Hills: A solid all-around map, Cascade provides a good mix of loot and varied terrain. The Bridge Fort is a popular base for its defensive capabilities, especially early game.
- Providence Ridge: This map is favored by some for its challenging terrain and rewarding base locations. The Lumber Mill and Fortified Truck Stop are great for those who value a defensible location.
- Trumbull Valley: While not a separate map you can start on, this map is large and contains the game’s biggest base, Heartland’s base.
The Final Verdict
Ultimately, the “best” map is subjective. However, Meagher Valley’s combination of dense looting, manageable terrain, excellent base locations, and balanced difficulty makes it an ideal starting point for many players, or a good general map for those wanting to play with a good mix of elements. It is not so big that you feel lost and not so small that you feel confined.
While other maps may have specific benefits in terms of size or a variety of bases, Meagher’s overall design makes it the most consistently satisfying and accessible map in State of Decay 2.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions about maps in State of Decay 2:
1. Which map is the easiest to start on?
Many consider Meagher Valley the easiest due to its balanced resources and manageable landscape. Its ample loot opportunities allow you to get established quickly.
2. What is the largest base in the game?
The largest base is located in Heartland’s Trumbull Valley. This base provides the most available slots and is highly sought after by veteran players.
3. Which map has the most difficult terrain?
Providence Ridge is known for its hilly and challenging terrain, making it a more difficult map to navigate, especially early game.
4. Are there any maps that are better for vehicle use?
Meagher Valley is ideal for vehicle use, as it has a flat terrain and plenty of roads. This makes for easier and more efficient travel.
5. Which map is best for late-game players?
While not a separate map you can start in, Trumbull Valley with its largest base is often a preferred end-game location due to its size and resources.
6. How do outposts affect the best map choice?
Outposts can be a factor in choosing a map. Outposts that provide resources that are lacking in your area may impact the bases you choose and the map you ultimately find yourself preferring.
7. What makes a base location good?
Good base locations generally have a mix of small, large, and outdoor slots; defensive locations; central locations on the map; and offer perks such as free utilities.
8. Does the difficulty level impact which map is “best?”
Not really, the difficulty level impacts resource availability, and zombie threat and this has an impact on how the player experiences all the maps, not just one in particular.
9. Can you change maps in State of Decay 2?
Yes, you can move your community to a different map by selecting ‘Change Map’ from the main menu. However, doing so will require you to relocate all your resources and restart on a different map.
10. Is there a “best” base on each map?
Yes, each map has strong base options. Some popular ones include Whitney Field (Meagher), The Barricaded Strip Mall (Drucker), Bridge Fort (Cascade), and Lumber Mill (Providence).
11. What should new players look for in a base location?
New players should look for bases with a good number of slots and central locations. Also, look for bases with built-in facilities such as a kitchen or an infirmary.
12. Does the number of zombies change between maps?
No, zombie numbers do not necessarily change from map to map but rather the number of zombies, and the frequency of the hordes will be directly tied to the difficulty level.
13. Are there any maps that have a better storyline?
The story in State of Decay 2 is primarily driven by the choice of leader, and does not vary between maps.
14. How do starting bases compare between the maps?
Starting bases are typically basic and require upgrades. The best approach is to quickly move from the starter base to a better one within your map choice.
15. Which map should I choose for my second playthrough?
That is really up to your preference! If you want more of a challenge, try Providence Ridge. If you want to get more used to the game and focus on the base building aspects, try Drucker County. If you are looking for a very similar experience to Meagher, and want the flattest map, try Cascade Hills.