Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap Beginner's Guide | Gameplay Tips & Tricks

Here are some gameplay tips for Orcs Must Die: Deathtrap that dive straight into the game's mechanics and strategies that matter most.

Barricades

Barricades are limited but still crucial. Start by placing them close to the Rift to block direct access points, then figure out the best way to funnel Orcs into a single path for maximum trap efficiency.

Combo Focus

Focus on creating combos with multiple damage sources. This is the best way to increase your Rune Coins for additional traps and to fill your Overdrive meter faster.

Rats and Brimstone

Rats can be hard to spot. They can set off traps early, which lets bigger enemies get to them before the traps go off. Brimstone and other anti-rat traps can help you keep your setup working well.

Sentinels and Cannons

Make use of the Sentinels and Cannons on the map. They cost a lot of Rune Coins, but they are worth it for handling tougher waves.

Mini-Map Awareness

Keep an eye on the Mini-Map. It is more critical now because enemy icons show their type, making it easier to recognize threats like Flyers or Heavies before they reach your defenses.

Auto Ballistas

Always place a few Auto Ballistas close to the Rift. They are your safety net, especially for the Flyers you might miss during combat.

Physics Traps

Physics Traps extend combos. Use them strategically to keep enemies in your kill zones longer.

Broken Mirror Pieces and Kalos

Gather all the Broken Mirror Pieces in the hub. You will need Kos to do this; it is worth it. It allows you to max out—did you catch that pun?

Upgrade Priority

Early on, prioritize upgrading a few key traps instead of spreading your resources across too many traps or Character Upgrades. Focused improvements make a bigger impact in the early game.

Ghost Wisps and Pathing

Use the Ghost Wisps to plan your defenses before waves start. They show where Orcs will enter. If they turn red, it means no other paths are open, and Orcs will break the nearest Barricade.

Trap Loadout Changes

You can change your Trap Loadout at the beginning of each Mission, not just in the hub. However, once the waves begin, you cannot make changes, so plan carefully.

Active Combat as War Mage

Actively engage in combat as your War Mage. This is especially important for fans of the franchise, as combat plays a bigger role now than before.

Ranged War Mage for Solo

If playing solo, choose a War Mage with a ranged weapon. It makes dealing with Flyers much less annoying and helps you stay mobile.

Aim for Headshots

Hits to the head do more damage than other hits. When fighting bigger Orcs, aim for the head to take them out faster.

Elemental Weaknesses

Pay attention to Elemental Weaknesses. For example, Armored Orcs take more damage from Electricity, while Mountain Trolls are vulnerable to Ice.

Stagger Multiple Paths

When Orcs are coming from multiple sides and you cannot funnel them into one path, make one path much longer than the other. This staggers their arrival, preventing your traps from being overwhelmed all at once.

Combine Damage Types

Pick a trap layout that combines different damage types. For example, using Brimstone first burns enemies, and then Spike Traps deal physical damage. This creates a two-hit combo and increases your Rune Coins rewards significantly.