Left 4 Dead 2 Survival Mode Guide

Written by: Simon Hill • Edited by: Aaron R.
Published Jan 20, 2010 • Related Guides: Survival Mode | Weapons Guide

If you’re struggling to survive in the Survival Mode in Left 4 Dead 2 then check out this article for some handy tips and advice.

Co-Op Left 4 Dead 2

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Left 4 Dead 2 is an awesome co-operative first-person shooter. Take particular note of the word co-operative. You have to work together as a team if you want to live through the undead onslaught. This rule is especially true of Survival Mode. You want to get your hands on the best possible weapons (see our Left 4 Dead 2 Weapons Guide), stick together as a team and blast your way through the infected as the clock counts down to freedom.

What is Survival Mode?

If you are an action junkie then Survival Mode is for you. It features closed sections which you’ll recognise from the campaign maps. The action is distilled to be insanely intense. The challenge is to survive a prolonged attack from the infected for as long as you possibly can. You’ll earn various medals for surviving for various lengths of time and there are Bronze, Silver and Gold medals up for grabs. It takes some serious skill, strategy and team work if you want to earn the Gold medals.

Surviving the Infected

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During Survival Mode in Left 4 Dead 2 you’ll be attacked more or less continuously by a horde of basic infected. The action usually starts off with some gentle waves and ramps up as the time ticks on until it feels like there is no respite. You’ll also be attacked by the special infected and you need to focus on them and take them out in a hurry or you’ll find yourself losing teammates fast. Learn the sounds they make so you instantly know when they are around and can react accordingly. Check out our Left 4 Dead 2 Infected Guide for more.

Learn the Maps and Pick Ups

You need to know the layout of the map in order to make best use of the space. If you get lost or stuck in a dead end area then you can kiss your life goodbye. Stick close to your team mates at all times.

You also need to learn the position of useful pick ups. There are weapons, health kits and various explosives in every map and they always spawn in exactly the same place. If you get familiar with the map you’ll have a much better chance of surviving.

Be Prepared

Don’t kick off the action until you are ready. It is a good idea to have a strategy for your starting spot. You should also make sure that you collect resources and place gas cans and other explosives in useful areas where you can use them to take out the infected.

Don’t Camp

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In the original Left 4 Dead you could get away with camping in a defensible spot as long as the four of you worked together. That will not work this time. You have to move to survive or you risk being overrun and you present a sitting duck target to the special infected. In the Left 4 Dead 2 Survival Mode you should try and keep moving but be very careful not to stray too far from your teammates or a special infected will be sure to grab you.

Use Ammo and Explosives Wisely

You need to pace your ammo so try not to be too trigger happy. If you get reduced to using a melee weapon you won’t last long. Make sure you shoot the infected and not your team mates and this especially applies to shooting explosives. Check that your teammates are clear of the area before setting it on fire.

Play With Friends

Survival Mode is tough and if you play with random strangers it can often be a frustrating experience. Teamwork is essential and if you don’t stick together and co-ordinate on a plan then your chances of getting the top medals are non-existent. For that reason playing with friends is always best.