Death Train Upgrades
Complete guide to Gem and unit upgrade paths, costs, and strategies in Death Train.
Gem Upgrades
What is the Gem?
The Gem is the core of your train - your primary objective is to protect it. If zombies reach and damage it, your run ends.
Gem Upgrade Benefits
- Increased Health: Each upgrade increases the Gem's health, allowing you to survive longer
- Unit Unlocks: Upgrading the Gem unlocks the ability to purchase and place more advanced units
- Progression Gate: The Gem acts as a progression gate - you must upgrade it to access endgame units
- Higher Unit Slots: Advanced Gem levels unlock more unit placement slots
Maximum Level
The maximum level for the train (Gem) is currently Level 7. Plan your upgrade path accordingly to maximize your progression.
Train Level Unlocks (Verified Shop Units)
Many units in the in-game shop are locked behind train levels. Here are the unlocks shown in the January 2026 screenshots:
| Train Level | Unit | Rarity | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Lightning Tower | Epic | $650 | Electrocutes zombies (also used for illumination). |
| 2 | Mineral Pile | Epic | $900 | Wealth value awaiting transport. |
| 3 | Cannon | Legendary | $1,400 | Throws an area-damage shell. |
| 4 | Trebuchet | Legendary | $2,700 | Ancient but effective parabola. |
| 5 | Railway Gun | Mythical | $3,200 | Destroys an area with one strike. |
| 6 | Flame Tower | Mythical | $5,400 | Sweep and burn enemies. |
| 7 | Elite Soldier | Divine | $7,700 | A warrior combining the future and the past. |
Note: unlock requirements may change with future updates.
Upgrade Strategy
Upgrade the Gem early to unlock advanced unit slots. This is often more valuable than buying multiple weak units. Focus on upgrading before expanding your army.
Unit Upgrades
Upgrade Before Expand
Always prioritize upgrading existing units to their maximum level before placing new, weaker ones. Upgraded units provide better value than multiple weak units.
Upgrade Benefits
- Increased damage output
- Better attack speed (for some units)
- Improved efficiency per gold spent
- Better survival chances in later waves
Maximum Level
The maximum level for units is currently Level 7. All units can be upgraded up to this maximum level for optimal performance.
Upgrade Costs
Upgrade costs scale with level. Plan your economy accordingly - sometimes it's better to save for a Gem upgrade than to upgrade multiple units.
Upgrade Path Optimization
Early Game (Waves 1-10)
- Focus on basic unit upgrades
- Upgrade Gem to level 2-3
- Build economy through wave completion
Mid Game (Waves 11-20)
- Upgrade Gem to unlock advanced units
- Upgrade existing units before placing new ones
- Save for high-tier units like Lightning Tower
Late Game (Waves 21+)
- Maximize Gem level for maximum unit slots
- Upgrade AoE units to maximum
- Focus on Lightning Cannon and Stone Launcher
Crates vs. Upgrades
Crates (Gold or Diamonds)
Crates can be purchased with Gold or Diamonds depending on the crate type and shop. Crates contain random items or units of varying rarities, so they are a high-risk/high-reward option.
- Can give you rare units early
- May give you useless items
- Unpredictable results
Guaranteed Upgrades
Upgrading the Gem or units provides guaranteed progression. This is more reliable for consistent advancement.
- Predictable results
- Guaranteed improvement
- Better for long-term strategy
Recommendation
Early game, focus on guaranteed upgrades. Only use crates if you have excess gold and want to take a risk.
Upgrade Tips
- • Always upgrade Gem early to unlock better units
- • Upgrade existing units before placing new ones
- • Plan your upgrade path based on current wave
- • Save resources before boss waves
- • Use calculators to determine best upgrade value
- • Don't waste gold on unnecessary upgrades
- • Focus on AoE units for late-game upgrades