Dead Rails Outlaw Forts — Every 80km in Endless Mode & How to Beat Them

Learn everything about Outlaw Forts in Dead Rails Endless Mode. They replace Fortified Towns every 80km. Find spawn patterns, combat strategies, and loot details.

What Are Outlaw Forts in Dead Rails?

Outlaw Forts are hostile fortified locations that appear during runs in Dead Rails. They serve as major combat encounters that players must deal with as they travel along the tracks. Unlike regular towns where you can trade and resupply, Outlaw Forts are occupied by armed outlaws who will attack you on sight.

In Endless Mode specifically, Outlaw Forts take on a special role. Based on verified community documentation, Fortified Towns are replaced by Outlaw Forts every 80 kilometers in Endless Mode. This means that instead of the usual fortified stop, you'll encounter an Outlaw Fort at regular intervals — roughly every 80km of travel.

Outlaw Forts are one of the primary combat landmarks you'll encounter during a run, alongside locations like the Outlaw's Town, which is typically one of the last major locations before the end of a run. For a full overview of all locations, see our Dead Rails map locations guide.

Where Do Outlaw Forts Spawn?

Endless Mode: Every 80 Kilometers

The most important spawn rule for Outlaw Forts applies to Endless Mode:

In Endless Mode, Fortified Towns that would normally appear are replaced by Outlaw Forts at approximately every 80km interval
This creates a consistent pattern: you can expect to fight through an Outlaw Fort roughly every 80 kilometers of your journey
The replacement is systematic — it's not random chance, but a built-in feature of how Endless Mode generates its map

What Mode Do Outlaw Forts Appear In?

Outlaw Forts can appear in multiple game modes, but their most predictable and frequent spawning occurs in Endless Mode, where they reliably replace Fortified Towns on a regular schedule. In other modes, Outlaw Forts may still spawn but their frequency and placement are less predictable.

How to Clear Outlaw Forts

Clearing an Outlaw Fort is a significant combat challenge. Based on community strategies shared on Reddit and other platforms, here are the most commonly recommended approaches:

Strategy: Snipe Outlaws Before Entering

Many players recommend a cautious approach where you engage the outlaws from range before entering the fort proper:

Stop your train at a safe distance — don't roll right up to the fort. Stop far enough away that you can see the fort but are outside the main engagement range.
Use ranged weapons to thin the numbers — if you have a rifle, revolver, or other ranged weapon, pick off outlaws from a distance. Focus on the most dangerous-looking targets first.
Move in systematically — once you've reduced the outlaw numbers from range, advance carefully. Clear buildings one at a time and watch for ambushes.
Loot quickly and move on — Outlaw Forts can have valuable loot including weapons, ammunition, and supplies. Grab what you can and get back to your train.

General Combat Tips

Bring enough ammunition — Outlaw Forts have multiple enemies, so running out of ammo mid-fight is a real risk
Use cover — the fort structures provide cover for both you and the outlaws; use them to your advantage
Coordinate with your team — if playing with others, assign roles: some players suppress while others advance and loot
Watch for reinforcements — based on community documentation, be prepared for additional outlaws to appear during the fight

Rewards and Loot

Outlaw Forts are worth the risk because of the loot they offer. Based on community reports:

Loot Type	Details
Weapons	Ranged and melee weapons of varying quality
Ammunition	Bullets, shells, and other ammo types
Supplies	Food, bandages, and crafting materials
Valuables	Items that can be sold for gold at trading posts

The exact loot varies based on community documentation, but Outlaw Forts generally offer better rewards than standard unguarded locations because of the combat risk involved.

Outlaw Forts vs. Fortified Towns

Understanding the difference between these two location types is important for planning your run:

Feature	Fortified Towns	Outlaw Forts
Hostility	Friendly — you can trade and resupply	Hostile — outlaws attack on sight
Spawn pattern	Regular intervals in standard modes	Replace Fortified Towns every 80km in Endless Mode
Loot	Store-bought items and trade goods	Combat loot from defeated outlaws
Risk level	Low — safe haven	High — major combat encounter

Frequently Asked Questions

How often do Outlaw Forts spawn?

In Endless Mode, Outlaw Forts replace Fortified Towns approximately every 80 kilometers. In other game modes, their spawning is less predictable.

What game mode do Outlaw Forts appear in?

Outlaw Forts appear most reliably in Endless Mode, where they have a consistent spawn pattern. They can also appear in other modes but less frequently.

What's the difference between Outlaw Forts and Fortified Towns?

Fortified Towns are friendly locations where you can trade and resupply. Outlaw Forts are hostile locations occupied by outlaws that attack you on sight. In Endless Mode, Outlaw Forts systematically replace Fortified Towns every 80km.

Can I avoid Outlaw Forts?

Based on community documentation, the track layout in Endless Mode means you'll pass through locations where Outlaw Forts have replaced Fortified Towns. You can try to speed past them, but you'll miss out on the loot.

Are Outlaw Forts the same as the Outlaw's Town?

No. Outlaw Forts are the fortified locations that appear every 80km in Endless Mode. The Outlaw's Town is a specific named location that typically appears near the end of a run. For more details on that location, see our dedicated Outlaw Fort guide.

For a complete overview of every location in the game, check out our Dead Rails map locations guide.