Horde mode is back in Gears 5, with 50 waves of enemies awaiting those with the endurance and skill. When it comes to surviving the horde, players need all the advantages they can get. In addition to picking the right classes and team composition, and getting some powerful weapons, picking the best (easiest) map can make or break a match. The two most important factors for a good horde setup are corners and lanes. Here are the 10 best (and easiest) maps for horde mode, ranked.
10 Icebound
Some Gears maps are very clearly built with horde mode in mind. Icebound is not one of those maps. Icebound is a very open and lane heavy map, setup with multiplayer in mind. There are not many corners that provide solid cover and limited lane access. The only elevated areas of the map have such limited space that they could not hold five players and fortifications. The breakable ice lake in the middle can't be used effectively since the view of it is obscured from most areas of the map.
9 District
District falls into the same category as Icebound, with a strong multiplayer-focused design. The majority of the map is connected via several lanes that give way too much area to be effectively covered. Every corner of the map is disadvantaged in some way. The top and bottom portion of the map are both sunken in, putting players at a disadvantage and the spawns are sunken in and have a very limited amount of cover. Anybody fighting the horde on this map is going to struggle to find an optimal area to set up and hold for 50 waves.
8 Bunker
Bunker is an excellent horde map on paper and a mediocre one in reality. The two buildings that should have a good set up, have a flank into the top level for enemies to come into. The two round corner buildings across the way provide good cover, but the lanes have an obscured line of sights, allowing enemies to get very close before they are visible. The top of the hill has a staircase coming in from the bottom of the map and the inside of the hill is sunken in which lessens the advantage of the higher ground and does not allow for strong fortification placement.
7 Harbor
Harbor is the first map on this list with some solid set up areas and some real potential as a good horde map. The map has a couple of areas that provide good cover with limited lanes and solid line of sight. The spawns are both solid areas with some cover and ample area for fortification. The two docks also have good cover and limited lanes, although they are much more close-quarters than the spawn but good all the same. The tug boat also provides an overview of most of the map and only three lanes into it.
6 Asylum
Asylum has a classic video game three-lane set up, commonly seen in most multiplayer shooters. It also has two spawns with great cover and only three lanes coming in. The elevated side lane has some advantages with the height and visibility but not a ton of space for fortifications. The spawn areas are the ideal spot with solid visibility and plenty of space to move around. The map features some trains that come through the other side lane that provides some free kills occasionally, lessening the load of the players.
5 Foundation
Foundation is also rocking the three-lane setup but has several areas that are designed for setting up in. The underground area has three lanes coming in with good visibility, space for fortifications and cover. The map also has a solid spawn that is good for bunkering down on the city side. The industrial side has a very similar setup but feels more cluttered than the city side. This also provides three lanes in with good cover and height advantage over the middle lane.
4 Reclaimed
Reclaimed has one spot on it that is truly ideal for horde setup but, if a spot is that good, only one is needed. The overlooking balcony provides visibility over the majority of the map, perfect for long-range shooters. The area has two side staircases coming up into the area that can be fortified and defended very well. The area is very small which can be problematic against enemies with explosive weapons but overall this set up is great for the long haul.
3 Dam
Dam is phenomenal for horde mode and incredibly easy to fight through the 50 waves. The pumping station provides a perfect base, with three lanes coming, all facing the same direction, allowing players to easily focus their efforts and fortifications. The station has a bunch of cover with several pillars in the center. The only disadvantage is it's wide-open entrance with slightly less cover than optimal. That single hitch doesn't take away from the overall greatness of this map area making for a much easier experience in lasting out the horde.
2 Forge
Forge requires split attention from players, but when executed is one of the best horde maps to play on. The control tower provides a two-lane split with a single area enemies can walk in from, providing two perfect funnels for mowing down the horde. The areas also have plenty of space for fortifications and space inside the control tower to retreat to if necessary. The ammo spawns are also fairly close to the lanes making for quick pickups. It takes some mild coordination but with that this map provides for an easy way to coast through 50 waves.
1 Training Ground
The name makes it feel intentional, but Training Ground is the best and easiest horde map in Gears 5, with perhaps one of the best areas to bunker down in all of Gears. The overlook provides a near-complete view of the entire map and is the highest point on the map. The overlook also has only two lanes in and a solid area of cover next to both lanes in and a solid area for fortifications to block off the entrances. This area has everything necessary for a perfect hold with no downsides. Even the worst Carmine's could survive the horde here.