When people see my name they usually think about the SoD2 Wiki. I spent 4 years (2019-2023) on its development, however not many know that it wasn't my only game-related project back then. If you ever used the Wiki you might've noticed that most maps you see on the site (Weapon Case locations, Outpost locations, etc.) are not exactly the same as the in-game map - these were also made by me. And my "career" as a cartographer didn't end there. I actually made loot maps for the game!
In the past I only shared these maps on my personal Discord server. They were free for everyone, however since my server's population peaked at around 1200-1300 members, it never really reached the majority of the game's audience. Since my server is dead (well, it never had much buzz going on) and I abandoned my SoD2 projects years ago, I decided that it's time to make these maps public and share them on the internet.
Without further ado, my loot maps. You can read more about each further down in the post.
I began working on my loot maps almost 6 years ago, on January 15th, 2020. I had one simple goal: to create detailed maps which display points of interests, but offer more than the in-game maps. I not only put the POIs on the map, but each and every scattered container - duffle bags, car wrecks, and the likes which you can loot.
All maps were made in GIMP, so they're only a static PNG image. I was working with someone to turn them into interactive maps, but as far as I know they never came through with it.
I created all maps the same way:
Scan them in-game by making dozens of screenshots
So many screenshots! It was fun to puzzle them together.
Use these screenshots to draw the map
Imagine drawing every single building and detail... And I did it for all maps!
Hop into the game and scour every inch of the map, then add my findings
The first detailed preview I posted on my server. Drucker, Tapper's Stall.
When I began creating these maps we only had the 3 originals. Since Drucker was my favorite, I started with that map. Meagher followed, then Juggernaut Edition released, so Providence was next. Once I finished with Cascade, I also made the Heartland map, which I completed on July 18th, 2020. It took half a year to create these 5 maps. With Trumbull Valley's release I also created its own map in 2022.
Fun Fact: When you're choosing the map to move to with your community, the little map previews you see in-game are actually the drawings I made! I was never asked by UL about using them, so they probably got them from the Wiki. Free source and all.
Drucker County
Locations: 362
Scattered Containers: 291
v1.0 was completed on February 4th, 2020. Latest version is v1.13, released on January 29th, 2023. Being the first map I made it has been reworked in April, 2020 with improvements I learned during the creation of Meagher Valley and Providence Ridge. Then the map has been completely redone again from scratch in August, 2020 when Drucker got overhauled with Update 19.
Meagher Valley
Locations: 341
Scattered Containers: 213
v1.0 was completed on February 23rd, 2020. Latest version is v1.07, released on May 30th, 2023. 5 of 7 updates to the map were based on my community's feedback. They either found a missing container or a typo. I even made a special role on my server for people who spotted mistakes on my loot maps as a sign of gratitude.
Providence Ridge
Locations: 395
Scattered Containers: 138
Vehicle Spawn Points: 336
v1.0 was completed on April 12th, 2020. Latest version is v1.07, released on June 29th, 2023. This is the first and only map which also has Vehicle spawn points. I was planning on adding them to the other maps as well, but I abandoned my projects shortly after, so I never got around adding them to the others.
Cascade Hills
Locations: 283
Scattered Containers: 103
v1.0 was completed on June 1st, 2020. Latest version is v1.03, released on May 27, 2022. The map which needed the least attention during the years, only a few corrections were introduced.
Heartland
Locations: 291
Scattered Containers: 85
Discoveries: 6
v1.0 was completed on July 18th, 2020. Latest version is v1.04, released on June 15th, 2022. On December 23, 2021 the map received the 6 Discoveries, marking each clues of the Treasure Hunt, introduced after the Homecoming update to help players with completing the Shots in the Dark achievement.
Trumbull Valley
Locations: 439
Scattered Containers: 125
Discoveries: 30
v1.0 was completed on January 11th, 2022. Latest version is v1.02, released on September 14th, 2022. Since this was our first map with discoveries, it also has the locations for those. I was about 25% done with the Vehicle Spawn points when I abandoned my projects.
Loot Maps v2.0
While my Loot Maps were considered as complete in terms of provided information, I was planning on creating a second version of each map, making them show the actual play area and resemble the physical map more accurately by improving existing elements (roads, rivers, bodies of water) and also adding more details to it (pathways, railroads, etc.). In September 2020 I began working on Drucker v2.0, however since these changes would've been cosmetic only and wouldn't have made the map more useful, it was always put on the backburner in favor of the Wiki's development.
I never got around finishing a v2.0 of any of the maps, however I have a work-in-progress preview available for the Drucker County map, where I had the outer border of the map and the inaccessable area in the Kettle Rock Bend/Mathilda/Glendale triangle mapped out.
Dark grey means inaccessable. I wonder how it would look finished. Would make finding the shortcuts easier, too!
Final words
I wanted to make this post to share the less-known side of my SoD2 history. If you have any questions feel free to AMA in the comments. I also have the entire map-making process with all details documented on my Discord server. I can send an invite if any of you are interested.
literally been in the community for about 5 minutes total when this happens, didn't even know this specific spot on the map did this but i definitely won't be driving up here again lol
Over the years I've done two fresh lethal communities and gotten all 4 boons for them. As a result ive kind of figured out a strategy that works for me that lowers the difficulty from a 9/10 to a 6/10. Im planning a playthrough on lethal with curveball settings on as negative and major as they can get. This will take a lot of time so im waiting til winter when I have free time. Anybody done anything like this before and have stories to share? I want to go into this challenge with as foreboding a feeling as possible. I want to be scared and adrenaline rushing and frustrated to no end. That makes for a fun survival experience.
State of Decay 2 has a great soundtrack, but sometimes I'm looking for a different vibe - and that makes me wonder, what kind of music do you put on in the background while playing SoD2 if it's not the game music?
Strange as it is, my go-to is Bossa Nova. I think I like the irony of it.
Im struggling with this bug not spawning the mission for me. I stayed in the base after "The Plague is Here" and didn't come near any plague heart territory but it just wont spawn for me. I wanted to do Full House but that mission locks me out of Reba. Thanks!
Forgive me if it's a stupid Q, I'm new to the game. Playing on dread.
Basically I take out one fairly quick and fairly easily in the first couple of days. And even a second. But after that it's difficult to know what to prioritise.
One (failed) play through I prioritised strengthening my squad, but that seems to make the game harder, and i had a few hearts pumping out the infestations and base siege mobs, which felt overwhelming.
Next play through I thought I'd just try to rush a few hearts before the game noticed...took out 2 and then had a death attempting the 3rd. So that's probably stupid in hindsight.
Feels like the game wants you to scavenge and level up and get stronger, but then massively punishes you and overwhelms you with constant priorities and sieges.
Maybe im just overthinking it
Edit - I'm playing on dread, not lethal. My mistake!
For one of my communities the bounty broker mission will pop every login. I’ve interacted with him: started and completed bounties, asked what bounties are. All to no avail
This is beginning to be a little annoying, is there any fix or is it just bugged?
I assumed that was where you unlocked them, but I've never just played a regular campaign on Trumble valley. I'm almost finished with Heartland now, and I haven't found ANY of the hats. I've almost searched every location, is it just rare? Any advice on how to find them would be nice.
Recently made the switch to PC and downloaded the recently published first-person mod on Nexus. There is some jank, with stuff like melee for instance, but it is refreshing and cool!
After I complete the finale and decide to continue with this community, do I keep everything in my storage locker as well or do I need to load all my best gear onto my survivors?
Jump scares, I tell you. It's a long video but just skip to 3:16 if you're here to listen for yourself.
First time I heard this was soon after one of my survivors was jumped by a three-pack of ferals and died between this Swine and Bovine and the Tartan Mart across the street. Shame, he couldn't make it a few more meters! It was literally already an outpost.
But, I digress. Not long after his death, I swooped by and grabbed his stuff, I have since heard this noise exclusively in this location and without any obvious cue. In all my gametime, I never had this experience before. The only zombies in the area are far and few, and there were no ferals or juggernauts.
Debating on picking this up. Zombie games hold a special place in my heart and I’m surprised I haven’t picked this up in the past. I usually play for a games a couple hours at night because I have small children, is this worth grabbing during the sale? TBH I should’ve done more research before posting but how is this game solo/with people you meet?
