State of Decay 2 Best Maps - Which To Choose

Experienced players of State of Decay 2 are well adept at the playstyle they are going to execute on each map. Thus, some of them just let the game randomly select a map for additional excitement.

Playing as a newbie or intermediate though is a different case. You must carefully consider which map you would like to be punished from as the game is unforgiving for those who do not know what trouble they’ve decided to get involved with. Yes, maps have a variety of terror to offer from the type of terrain to the kind of bases and landmarks they have. It is better to check first your readiness on playing on a certain map and consider checking this list for some guides and tips before diving into the game.

Here are the maps ranked from good to best and why you should pick them.

5. Providence Ridge

"The Long and Winding Road "

Traversing through Providence Ridge is like going through the inside of an intestine. The zigzags, the slopes, the length of drives, are some of the elements you might want to look into. While some find it exciting, some just wouldn’t be able to bear this driving nightmare thus quit the game or switch map. It’s not all horrible though as this map has advantages in it.

Great things about Providence Ridge:

• Large Base
• Abundance of Materials
• New Hope Church

The pride of Providence Ridge when it comes to bases is Prescott Fire Station and Lundegaard Lumber Mill. The former is known to be a “beginner-friendly base” due to its built-in utility facility while the latter is famous for its five large open slots.

On the abundance of materials, go to the northwest of the map and if you are playing on a lower level, the unfinished construction sites are material rucksack’s haven. Can surely help you in building your beds and other facilities lightning fast. Speaking of beds, that may not be that big of an issue as the New Hope Church landmark outpost provides additional beds along with a morale boost and reduced zombie threat.

Choose this map if you also like:

• Taking long and crazy drives 
• Pacific northwest aesthetic visual

4. Drucker County

"We Will Rock You!"

This map is the fraternal twin of Providence Ridge in terms of driving difficulty. The rocks here are still notorious despite the update developers made to lessen this obstacle. Thanks for the shortcuts though, with patience in exploring them on the map, you may not hesitate to go off roads.

Great things about Drucker County:

• Barricaded Strip Mall
• Gasoline stations provide both fuel and material rucksacks
• Sasser Regional Hospital

Barricaded Strip Mall is hands down one of the best bases in the game due to its essential built-in facilities plus its customizability. Now, to help you improve your bases quickly, materials are not only available in the known places but also at the gasoline stations. Two birds in one stone if you will. The abundance of fuel or gas can compensate for your long drives on this map.

Sasser Regional Hospital is the envy of other landmarks as it boosts health, lessens the injury, lessens plague infection, and provides 2 meds.

Choose this map if you also like:

• A roller coaster ride
• Occasional (or frequent) adrenaline rush due to being stuck on obstacles that may cause your survivor’s life
• Discovering shortcuts
• Hot, dessert-like visual

3. Cascade Hills 

"From Dusk Till Dawn"

Cascade Hills is for the players who want to get lost intentionally. This map is not that big but the clutter and the remnant of the plague disaster in the major areas put a solid challenge. It also has a horrible starting point that it is lethal, you’ll already find yourself crouching due to the presence of hoards.

Great things about Cascade Hills:

• Great defensive bases
• Plenty of resources right off the bat
• Leeds Concrete Silos

While the threats in Cascade Hills are almost instantaneous when you arrive, it is being compensated by an abundance of resources that are just close to your starting base. Improving your base here is quick if you have the right mixture of stealth and run and gun type of playstyle which you can use to free the legendary Leeds Concrete Silos from plague territory. This landmark boosts the speed of your construction and negates the maintenance of the daily material.

Logically, the 2 most defensive bases are in this game i.e. Bridge Fort and Container fort. The latter is situated at the “Mardi Gras” area of all kinds of zeds wherein freaks are always in “dragon dance” mode like in Chinese New Year. 

Choose this map if you also like:

• Afternoons. The visual of dusk here is both romantic and spooky
• Urban warfare due to cluster of buildings in a small area
• Next-level driving experience due to almost unfair positioning of large debris in the confined areas.
• Defending the base

2. Meagher Valley

"Tennessee Whiskey"

Alcohol! This is the only word that fits well for this map. Well of course the pleasure of being able to drive as smooth as “Tennessee Whiskey” from here in this newbie-friendly map is another major highlight.

Great things about Meagher Valley:

• Squelones Brewing Company
• Fast travels
• Quick supply runs

If you wanna rake in money in this game, this is your map. Alcohol here flows like water. Thanks to the 2 huge breweries in Squelones Brewing Company, you can mass-produce beers like in Breaking Bad and sell them door to door to enclaves like a girl scout selling cookies. Players prefer medium or light vehicles in most of the maps, but here, hop on to your nice, shiny, heavy Vandito and traverse across the wide plains no problem. 

On a downside, the least favorite landmark outpost which only provides morale and power is found here which is only helpful if you don’t opt-out for Builder Legacy. Hence, having not much of a challenge here will eventually push you to try another map for more excitement.

Choose this map if you also like:

• Looting rare weapons with ease
• Clear sky, green field ambiance

1. Trumbull Valley 

"Old Town Road"

This map is the latest addition in the game and it’s the best in all facets. It has the combination of all map experiences. The plains and tycoon experience of Meagher Valley, the terrain challenges of Providence Ridge and Drucker county, and the obstacles of Cascade Hills. Additionally, it is the only map that offers stories that eradicate the monotony of four other maps.

Great things about Trumbull Valley:

• Unique base (Red Talon Daybreak FOB)
• Missions on reviving the town
• Unique weapon loots
• Echo Lab Research Station

All maps have great bases (and Trumbull Valley probably has the best base which is Farmland Compound) but the most unique of all that gives you free Red Talon Agent is what outshines them all. Apart from that, unique weapons in the game that are only located here are just waiting to be found.

If you want to be a mogul, there might be no alcohol here to mass-produce and sell but you have Echo Lab Research Station that makes the production of bulk plague cure much more efficiently. The bulk of plague cures sell for much more bucks.

The highlight of all is having the experience to help make this old town better again. From Tressie to Lily’s mission, you will never run out of activity to do and that’s what breaks the monotony.

Choose this map if you also like:

• To get to your first base safer than Cascade Hills
• More challenging rare weapon looting
• The massive presence of zombies and freaks (the most in the game) in the Marshall area for an ultimate challenge

These maps may be ranked from good to best but the difficulty you chose also plays a vital role. Remember that the inclusion of plague territory makes acquiring outposts, landmarks, and bases bloodier especially on a higher level. Maybe the Meagher Valley is the easiest map of all but its lethal condition shouldn't be taken for granted.

Your map preference will change as you dive deeper into the game. Do not just settle on reading the guides or getting people’s opinions on which map to play. Try them all! Your firsthand experience will give you a different taste and thoughts. Who knows if the map at the bottom of this list works much better for you than the rest?

You may also be interested in:

• State of Decay 2 Best Ranged Weapons
• State of Decay 2 Best Maps - Which To Choose
• State of Decay 2 Best Special Enclaves
• State of Decay 2 Best Base Locations and Why They're Great
• State of Decay 2 Best Traits in Lethal Zone