Lurking GiantsThe Lurking Giants map tier list evaluates Forest and City based on multiple criteria: survivor difficulty, Giant effectiveness, balance fairness, and strategic depth. While the game currently only features two maps, the way these maps interact with the two available Giants creates dramatically different gameplay experiences. Forest favors stealth and relocation, while City favors vertical movement and tunnel knowledge. This tier list breaks down each map's strengths and weaknesses to help you vote strategically during intermission and adapt your playstyle accordingly.
Map selection in Lurking Giants is not random — it is determined by player voting during the intermission period. Understanding the map tier list lets you make informed voting decisions that align with your Giant ownership and playstyle. A Guilt owner should always vote City; a Locust-only player should always vote Forest. The map you play on is often more important than the Giant you play as.
Overall Map Tier List
| Tier | Map | Survivor Difficulty | Giant Effectiveness | Overall Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | City | 8/10 (harder) | 9/10 (Guilt) | Guilt-favored |
| B | Forest | 5/10 (moderate) | 6/10 (balanced) | Well-balanced |
Summary: City is A-tier because it creates the most intense, competitive gameplay with higher Giant kill rates and more strategic depth. Forest is B-tier because its open terrain makes it easier for survivors and less interesting for Giants. However, Forest is actually better-balanced between the two Giants, making it the fairer competitive map.
City Map — A-Tier
City earns its A-tier ranking for its strategic depth, competitive intensity, and the way it amplifies Giant abilities. The dense building layout creates a cat-and-mouse dynamic where vertical movement, tunnel knowledge, and wall-penetration mechanics determine the outcome of every round. City is where the Lurking Giants skill ceiling is highest.
City Map Strengths
| Strength | Detail | Tier Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Building density | Multiple structures with interiors | Enhances Guilt's wall Haunt |
| Vertical layout | Stairwells, rooftops, multiple floors | Creates strategic depth |
| Tunnel network | Underground passages connect buildings | Survivor counter vs Guilt |
| Billboard blind spots | Elevated concealment positions | Mid-tier hiding options |
| Stair gaps | Vertical gaps between floors | Guilt prediction advantage |
City Map Weaknesses
| Weakness | Detail | Tier Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Guilt dominance | Guilt's S+ rating on City | Unbalanced for Locust players |
| Tunnel dependency | Survivors must use tunnels to survive Guilt | Reduces strategic variety |
| New player hostile | Complex layout is hard to learn | High barrier to entry |
| Choke points | Limited building entrance routes | Easy for Giant to camp |
City Map — Giant Performance
| Giant | City Tier | Kill Rate (Skilled) | Key Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guilt | S+ | 6–8 per round | Wall-penetrating Haunt through buildings |
| Locust | C+ | 3–4 per round | Walls block line-of-sight Haunt |
City Giant verdict: If you own Guilt, City is your playground. If you only have Locust, City is your nightmare. This extreme Giant disparity is why City earns A-tier for overall quality but is poorly balanced between Giants.
City Map — Survivor Performance
| Survivor Strategy | City Effectiveness | Counter |
|---|---|---|
| Tunnel hiding | Excellent vs Guilt | Locust tunnel camping |
| Rooftop evasion | Good vs Locust | Guilt floor Haunt |
| Building interior | Good vs Locust | Guilt wall Haunt |
| Stairwell looping | Poor vs both | Stair gap prediction |
| Open ground running | Very poor | Both Giants chase easily |
City survivor verdict: Surviving City requires tunnel knowledge, vertical movement skills, and the ability to identify which Giant you are facing. Against Locust, buildings provide excellent shelter. Against Guilt, only tunnels offer meaningful protection. The key skill on City is rapidly identifying the Giant type and adapting your route accordingly.
Forest Map — B-Tier
Forest earns its B-tier ranking because it provides a well-balanced but less strategically complex experience. The open terrain makes survivor evasion more straightforward and reduces the advantage gap between Locust and Guilt. While Forest is the fairer competitive map, it lacks the depth and intensity of City.
Forest Map Strengths
| Strength | Detail | Tier Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Open terrain | Clear sight lines for both roles | Balanced for all Giants |
| Cave system | 4–5 cave entrances for shelter | Good survivor options |
| Bush abundance | Many concealment spots | Easy to find temporary shelter |
| Balance | Locust and Guilt perform similarly | Fair competitive map |
| Lower skill floor | Simpler layout for new players | Beginner-friendly |
Forest Map Weaknesses
| Weakness | Detail | Tier Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Less strategic depth | Open terrain limits tactical options | Lower skill ceiling |
| Bush reliance | Survivors depend on visual concealment | Pulse reveals all |
| Geyser Field danger | Open area with no cover | Death trap for survivors |
| Predictable routes | Fewer paths than City | Easier for Giant to predict |
| Lower kill rates | Both Giants kill fewer survivors | Less exciting Giant rounds |
Forest Map — Giant Performance
| Giant | Forest Tier | Kill Rate (Skilled) | Key Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guilt | A | 5–6 per round | Large Haunt radius in open areas |
| Locust | A- | 5–6 per round | Direct chase excels on open terrain |
Forest Giant verdict: Forest is the balanced map. Both Giants perform similarly, with Guilt having a slight edge due to its larger Haunt radius. The open terrain eliminates the wall-penetration advantage that makes Guilt dominant on City. For Locust-only players, Forest is the preferred map.
Forest Map — Survivor Performance
| Survivor Strategy | Forest Effectiveness | Counter |
|---|---|---|
| Bush hiding | Moderate | Pulse reveals position |
| Cave shelter | Good vs both | Limited entry points |
| Open terrain running | Poor | Direct chase Giants |
| Geyser Field crossing | Very poor | Completely exposed |
| Bush-to-bush relocation | Moderate | Audio cues from rustling |
Forest survivor verdict: Forest survival is about constant movement between concealment spots. Caves provide the best pulse shelter, while bushes offer temporary concealment between pulses. The key is never staying in one location for more than one pulse cycle and avoiding the Geyser Field entirely.
Map Voting Strategy by Role
| Your Role | Giant Owned | Vote | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giant main | Guilt | City | S+ Giant rating maximizes kills |
| Giant main | Locust only | Forest | A- rating vs C+ on City |
| Survivor main | — | Forest | Lower kill rates mean better survival odds |
| Mixed player | Guilt | City | Giant advantage on City outweighs survivor risk |
| Beginner | Locust only | Forest | Simpler layout, balanced Giants |
Critical voting insight: The map vote is the most important decision you make each round. It determines whether your Giant performs at S-tier or C-tier, and whether your survival odds are 40% or 65%. Never vote randomly — always vote based on your Giant ownership and preferred role.
Post-VERITY Rework Map Predictions
The VERITY rework may introduce map changes alongside new Giants. If maps are rebalanced or a third map is added, the tier list will shift. Community speculation suggests:
| Prediction | Likelihood | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Map reworks (Forest/City) | Medium | Could shift balance |
| New map (Backrooms theme) | Low | Community request, not confirmed |
| Tunnel changes | Medium | May reduce Guilt counter |
| New cover types | Medium | Could change hiding meta |
Map-Specific Survival Rates
Based on community data and observation, survival rates differ significantly between maps and Giants. These numbers are estimates based on community reports and should be treated as approximations rather than exact statistics:
| Scenario | Survival Rate | Average Elimination Time |
|---|---|---|
| Forest + Locust | 45–55% | 3:30 AM |
| Forest + Guilt | 35–45% | 2:45 AM |
| City + Locust | 40–50% | 3:00 AM |
| City + Guilt | 25–35% | 2:15 AM |
Key insight: City + Guilt is the deadliest combination in Lurking Giants, with only 25–35% of survivors reaching sunrise. This is why City earns A-tier for competitive intensity — the stakes are highest, the Giant is most effective, and only skilled survivors with tunnel knowledge can consistently survive. Forest + Locust is the easiest combination, with nearly half of survivors surviving each round.
Coin Earning by Map
Map choice also affects coin earning for both survivors and Giants. Since coin economy is central to Lurking Giants progression (saving for Guilt at 7,000 coins), understanding map-based earning differences helps you optimize your economy:
| Role | Map | Average Coins/Round | Hourly Rate (7 min rounds) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Survivor (surviving) | Forest | 80–120 | 680–1,030 |
| Survivor (surviving) | City | 70–110 | 600–940 |
| Survivor (eliminated) | Either | 20–40 | 170–340 |
| Giant (Locust, Forest) | Forest | 150–175 | 1,280–1,500 |
| Giant (Locust, City) | City | 100–125 | 860–1,070 |
| Giant (Guilt, Forest) | Forest | 150–200 | 1,280–1,710 |
| Giant (Guilt, City) | City | 200–300 | 1,710–2,570 |
Economy insight: Guilt on City is the highest coin-earning scenario in the game. This is why Guilt owners should always vote City — not only for the kill advantage but also for the maximum coin return per Giant round. The earning difference between Guilt on City (200–300) and Locust on City (100–125) is enormous, effectively doubling your coin income during Giant rounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which map is better for survivors? Forest is easier for survivors. The open terrain and cave system provide more escape options, and both Giants perform similarly, meaning the Giant disadvantage is smaller. City requires advanced tunnel and building knowledge to survive, especially against Guilt.
Which map is better for Giants? City is better for Guilt owners due to the S+ rating. Forest is better for Locust players. The answer depends on which Giant you own and play most frequently.
Why is City A-tier if it is unbalanced? City earns its A-tier ranking for strategic depth and competitive intensity, not for balance. The highest-level Lurking Giants gameplay happens on City, where building knowledge, tunnel routes, and vertical movement create a multi-layered tactical environment. Forest is more balanced but less strategically interesting.
Will the VERITY rework add a new map? Not confirmed. The community has requested a Backrooms-themed map, but ULTRA works has not announced any new maps. The rework focuses on new Giants, survivor perks, and potential map reworks to existing Forest and City maps.
Should I always vote for the map that favors my Giant? Yes, in competitive lobbies. If you own Guilt, vote City. If you have Locust, vote Forest. The only exception is if you are practicing a weaker Giant/map combination to improve your skills — but this is a training choice, not a competitive strategy.