Choosing the right defenses in Death Train makes a massive difference in how far you can survive.
Some towers dominate late-game waves, while others are only useful early on.
This tier list ranks all train defenses from best to worst based on damage, cost efficiency, scaling, and overall usefulness.
Death Train Defense Tier List Explained
- S Tier – Best defenses in the game. Mandatory for late game survival
- A Tier – Strong and reliable defenses with great value
- B Tier – Good early to mid game options
- C Tier – Situational or support only
- D Tier – Weak and should be replaced quickly
SEE ALSO: Death Train: A beginner’s Guide
S Tier Defenses (Best Overall)
These defenses carry late game runs and scale extremely well with upgrades.
| Defense | Why It’s S Tier |
|---|---|
| Elite Soldier (Divine) | Highest consistent DPS, strong range, dominates late waves |
| Railway Gun (Mythical) | Massive single target and AoE damage, perfect for bosses |
| Flame Thrower (Mythical) | Excellent crowd control, melts zombie swarms quickly |
Why S Tier: These units handle high HP zombies and boss waves effortlessly. Every serious run should aim to include at least one of these.
A Tier Defenses (Very Strong)
Great defenses that perform extremely well but slightly weaker than S tier.
| Defense | Strengths |
|---|---|
| Trebuchet (Legendary) | Huge AoE damage, excellent for grouped enemies |
| Cannon (Legendary) | Strong burst damage, reliable mid to late game |
| Lightning Tower (Epic) | Chain damage hits multiple enemies efficiently |
Why A Tier: Strong damage and good scaling, but either slower attack speed or slightly weaker late game compared to S tier.
B Tier Defenses (Good Early and Mid Game)
Solid choices early on but should be replaced later.
| Defense | Use Case |
|---|---|
| Guard Cowboy (Rare) | Cheap DPS unit for early waves |
| Mineral Pile (Epic) | Good support income generator |
| Defense Box (Rare) | Decent blocker and utility unit |
Why B Tier: Useful early to mid game but lack scaling for high wave survival.
C Tier Defenses (Situational)
Only useful in very specific situations or as filler.
| Defense | Reason |
|---|---|
| Crossbow Tower (Common) | Extremely weak damage |
| Defense Box (Late Game) | Falls off hard after early waves |
Why C Tier: These defenses are quickly outclassed and should not be upgraded heavily.
D Tier Defenses (Avoid)
Avoid using these once you unlock better options.
| Defense | Problem |
|---|---|
| Crossbow Tower (Late Game) | Poor scaling, low damage, waste of money |
Why D Tier: Only useful for learning the game. Replace immediately.
Best Defense Combos in Death Train
For best results, mix AoE + Single Target damage.
Best Late Game Combo
- Elite Soldier
- Railway Gun
- Flame Thrower
- Lightning Tower
Best Beginner Combo
- Guard Cowboy
- Defense Box
- Lightning Tower
Final Verdict
If you want to survive longer waves in Death Train:
-
Rush Lightning Tower early
-
Save for Cannon or Trebuchet mid game
-
Transition into Railway Gun and Elite Soldier late game
Avoid wasting money on low tier towers and focus on upgrading fewer but stronger defenses.
Nishant Singh is a gaming writer with a passion for Roblox and the Call of Duty franchise. He enjoys exploring new titles, sharing tips, and writing stories that bring the gaming world to life.