Trench: Decay 101

Game storyline (as described)

• Trench is framed as an upcoming “Great War” conflict set across Europe, where players fight for the Fourth Reich Coalition against the New Order.
• Progression is campaign-style: you move sector-to-sector through trenches/bunkers, periodically culminating in major objectives tied to the broader “major order” (which may be regional depending on where you start).

Core gameplay loop & structure

• In the lobby / war table, players can see a Europe map showing which regions are controlled by:
  • Us (green)
  • Coalition (also referenced in the objective context)
  • Enemy / New Order (red)
• Players can only act in contested territories (symbols indicate what’s available).
• Before a run, you select one of three major objectives to pursue.

Repeatable run structure

1. Dismount carrier
2. Grab starting ammo
3. Clear enemies to reach the first bunker
4. Choose one of two or three sectors (difficulty indicated by sector colors)
   • Some choices force a predetermined path (shown by connecting lines)
5. Push through the sector against enemy pressure
6. Enter the end-of-sector bunker (door closes behind you)

Sector-to-bunker progression (what you do in bunkers)

• Bunkers act as checkpoints where you can:
  • Purchase ammo, healing, and weapons
  • Access randomized ammo (described as a bundle near the campaign map)
• Resources to take:
  • Free grenades at the end of each sector
  • Advice to take frag and impact grenades while avoiding lingering
  • “Gas grenade” is specifically mentioned as something the speaker avoids/doesn’t want to discuss

Dead Man’s Hand (card system)

• After every sector, you interact with a deck of cards to choose one of three traits.
• You can reshuffle for 10 dog tags.
• Example trait effects include:
  • More stamina
  • Reduced damage taken
  • Stronger kick
  • Even an extra life
• Cards have rarity, affecting effectiveness (example: respawn at 35% health instead of 100%).
• All cards stack, but:
  • You can only hold five at a time
  • If full, new cards replace existing ones (you may keep your current hand instead of switching)

Gameplay highlights & strategies (combat tips)

Melee vs gun usage

• Use melee only for 1–2 close targets when your health is safe.
• Otherwise, prioritize your firearm.

Precision weapons + headshots

• The speaker favors bolt-action rifles and revolvers to reduce ammo usage while maintaining damage.
• Advice: aim for the head—many enemies drop in one shot.

Don’t “melee-only”

• Even if it conserves ammo, some scenarios require firearms.

Distance management

• Keep distance, especially when enemies come in large groups.

Ammo type management

• Keep at least one weapon for each ammo type and use the ammo you pick up effectively.
• Special ammo is noted as no longer “truly special” in the same way: special weapons may be converted into other ammo types (per the speaker).

Enemy types (as framed)

• Enemies are grouped into two broad categories:
  • Mutated
  • New Order
• The speaker frames this mainly as lore, not a deep gameplay system.

Major objectives (the three choices and how they work)

Major objectives occur after every four sectors and grant rewards that usually contribute to the major order (often regional).

1) Capture the Flag

• Lower the New Order flag and defend the flag area from waves of enemies.
• Progress only continues while a standing player remains within the flag boundaries.
• Midway:
  • Replace the flag with the Fourth Reich Coalition flag
  • Raise it during the second half

2) Eliminate the Heavy Emissary

• Neutralize a stronger, tankier enemy: the heavy emissary.
• Its health bar is aligned with scripted reinforcements, so you must fight emissary + waves simultaneously.

3) Big Bertha (destroy or capture)

Two options:

A) Destroy Big Bertha

• Destroy all eight generators around the artillery cannon.
• After all are destroyed, Big Bertha falls and the train moves you forward.

B) Capture Big Bertha (longer, harder)

• Requires:
  • Accessing a console
  • Pressing six buttons in a randomized order
  • Mapping three locations for the cannon to bomb
• Reward:
  • Access to friendly bombardment events
  • Chance to bombard enemy forces for two minutes for the rest of the run (recommended for longer runs)

End-of-run / extraction rewards & failure penalty

If you press on

• After completing another four sectors, you’re prompted again for a major objective choice.

If you extract

• You receive metals based on:
  • Number of sectors completed
  • Dog tags collected
• Calculation detail given:
  • Metal gain is based on (dog tags ÷ 3), rounded up
• New gear you extract becomes purchasable in the shop:
  • Anything you extracted via inventory unlocks for later purchase

Death punishment (very important)

• If you die and succumb to wounds:
  • You lose everything in your inventory
  • Progress rewards are voided, except XP and banked metals
  • Dog-tag metal value is cut in half

Gamers / sources featured (named at end of subtitles)

• Partially Sunny (owner of the Trench Decay Wiki)