Choo Choo
Adding a train to a Battle Royale game is hardly a new concept. Both Apex Legends and PlayerUnknown’s Battleground have successfully done this. So it was only a matter of time before one was added to Call of Duty Warzone. We were tipped off by the addition of train tracks last season. The launch of Season 5 this week finally made the “choo choo” a reality. I must admit, I’m quite surprised at how adding something as straightforward as a freight train has reinvigorated the game. That and the fact that you can now access the stadium seems to have really enthused the playerbase. Since Tuesday, whenever you play Warzone or one of its variants, a large number of players head straight to the stadium or the station where the armoured freight train starts its journey around the map. As a result of this, new players or those who aren’t so skilled in combat can navigate the outlying areas of Verdansk with a greater degree of freedom and safety. Everyone else is at either of those locations.
I try and avoid the stadium as it has too many open corridors and because of the rewards that can be found there, too many skilled players. I see no reason to provide an easy target for such individuals. Let them prey on their own. The train however is a more interesting proposition. It again offers the orange supply crates which contain the best weapons and gear. But it also provides a means to navigate the map and potentially flank enemies. It can also offer a degree of cover and I’ve used it as a means of escaping difficult firefights several times. Contrary to popular belief, strategically withdrawing is a sound option in Warzone. Another great aspect of the train is that it provides endless opportunities to mess about with friends. I’ve already seen videos of players parking as many vehicles as possible to try and derail the train. They quickly discovered that it is unstoppable.
Plunder is my game of choice in Warzone and I’ve developed my own short term strategy for the train. I suspect that after a week or two it will no longer be viable as the overall meta strategy of most players will alter. As present, most players head for the train as soon as they parachute into Verdansk and congregate at the station. Hence for the first stretch of its journey, the train is smothered in players. However after about 4 minutes or so, as the train passes the eastern side of the Hospital, it enters a tunnel. This leads to the Great Bridge area where the track follows the perimeter of the International Airport and Maintenance Block. You can wait above the tunnel exit and subsequently ambush any players remaining on the train. Admittedly many have gone by this point but there’s usually two or three. You can then jump down onto the train. If you miss the chance to do so, there’s a quad bike nearby so you can catch up. You can’t outrun the train.
This is a good way to start a game. At the very least it's a way to get some easy kills and collect some gear. If the players you’ve disposed of have already looted the orange supply crates, then you will get some good gear. If they haven’t then you’ll at least get some money and one armour plate. After I’ve collected any loot, I move to the front of the train which has the best cover and then find an appropriate location to get off. There are houses around the perimeter of the airport and these offer a good place to snipe at those fighting around the hangers. I tend not to stay on the train any longer as there are further bridges ahead and sooner or later, someone else will decide to get on. Conversely, if you do not wish to loot the train, then the route I’ve mentioned offers ideal high ground and cover to attack those on it. Both options keep me amused, however I think that players will soon adjust their strategy to counter this. But that’s what I like about Warzone. Both the developers and the players continually find ways to change things and keep the game fluid.