Left 4 Dead 2 remains one of the best cooperative zombie shooters ever made, and knowing which weapons, characters, and strategies dominate can mean the difference between escaping safely and becoming infected bait. This Left 4 Dead 2 campaign guide breaks down everything into clear tiers based on thousands of hours of testing across Expert difficulty, versus mode, and survival scenarios.
Table of Contents
- Weapons Tier List
- Special Infected Tier List
- Campaign Tier List
- Survivor Characters Tier List
- Melee Weapons Tier List
- Versus Mode Maps Tier List
Weapons Tier List
Your weapon choice dictates survival more than any other factor in L4D2. Here's how they stack up:
| Tier | Weapon | Damage | Why It's Ranked Here |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | AK-47 | 58 | Highest damage per shot, great range, manageable recoil |
| S | Auto Shotgun | 23x10 pellets | Deletes everything at close range, perfect for finales |
| A | M16 | 33 | Reliable damage, excellent accuracy, fast reload |
| A | SCAR-L | 44 | Good damage with better handling than AK |
| A | Combat Shotgun | 20x9 pellets | Solid close-range option, more forgiving than auto |
| B | Hunting Rifle | 90 | One-shots common infected but slow fire rate |
| B | Desert Rifle | 50 | Decent scoped option, outclassed by hunting rifle |
| C | SMG | 20 | Early game only, becomes useless quickly |
| C | Chrome Shotgun | 15x8 pellets | Weak damage, only good until tier 2 weapons |
| D | Pump Shotgun | 13x8 pellets | Terrible damage, avoid completely |
The AK-47 dominates because 58 damage per shot means fewer bullets wasted on common infected. Tank fights become manageable when you're dealing real damage per trigger pull. Auto shotguns earn S-tier for their ability to clear hordes instantly and melt Tanks at close range.
Special Infected Tier List
Understanding Special Infected power levels helps with L4D2 versus strategies and knowing what to prioritize killing.
S-Tier Threats
Tank - 6000 HP on Expert difficulty makes this the ultimate game-ender. One mistake against a Tank wipes teams consistently. Always focus fire immediately.
Witch - Instant incapacitation on contact. Smart Teams avoid her completely, but she can end runs if disturbed accidentally.
A-Tier Threats
Hunter - 250 HP but deals 5 damage per second while pounced. Good Hunters control entire areas by pouncing from unexpected angles.
Smoker - 250 HP with 50-foot tongue range. Separates teams effectively and creates chaos during hordes.
B-Tier Threats
Charger - 600 HP but predictable charge patterns. Dangerous in tight spaces but easily avoided in open areas.
Spitter - 100 HP with area denial capabilities. Her acid pools deal 4 damage per second and force positioning changes.
C-Tier Threats
Boomer - Only 50 HP but bile attracts hordes. More annoying than dangerous if you maintain distance.
Jockey - 325 HP but easily shaken off by teammates. Weak damage output makes him a minor threat.
Campaign Tier List
Campaign difficulty varies dramatically based on map design, finale complexity, and crescendo event placement.
S-Tier Campaigns
The Parish - Excellent pacing with manageable crescendo events. The bridge finale provides multiple defensive positions and clear escape routes.
Dead Center - Short campaign with interesting mall setting. Finale atrium fight is challenging but fair.
A-Tier Campaigns
Dark Carnival - Great atmosphere and varied environments. Stadium finale can be brutal but offers multiple strategies.
Hard Rain - Weather effects create unique gameplay. Sugar mill sections test team coordination perfectly.
B-Tier Campaigns
The Passing - Solid campaign but nothing exceptional. Generator finale is straightforward once you know positioning.
C-Tier Campaigns
Swamp Fever - Plantation house finale is poorly designed. Limited cover and awkward layout frustrate teams.
D-Tier Campaigns
Cold Stream - Community campaign with unbalanced difficulty spikes. Several sections feel unfair rather than challenging.
Survivor Characters Tier List
Character choice is mostly cosmetic, but voice lines and hitboxes create minor differences.
S-Tier
Nick - Best voice actor performance with memorable one-liners. Suit makes him easiest to spot in dark areas.
A-Tier
Coach - Larger character model but excellent voice work. "Grabbin' pills!" became iconic for good reason.
Ellis - Entertaining stories and positive attitude boost team morale during tough sections.
B-Tier
Rochelle - Solid character but least memorable personality. No significant advantages or disadvantages.
Melee Weapons Tier List
Melee weapons save ammo and provide unlimited swings, but effectiveness varies wildly.
| Tier | Weapon | Damage | Special Properties |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | Katana | 1000 | Longest reach, cuts through multiple infected |
| A | Machete | 1000 | Great reach with fast swing speed |
| A | Fire Axe | 1000 | High damage, intimidating sound effects |
| B | Baseball Bat | 1000 | Reliable but shorter reach than blades |
| B | Cricket Bat | 1000 | Similar to baseball bat with different sound |
| C | Crowbar | 1000 | Shortest reach makes it risky to use |
| D | Frying Pan | 1000 | Terrible reach, annoying clang sound |
Despite identical damage numbers, reach determines tier placement. The katana's extended range lets you stay safer while clearing infected. Check out our L4D2 builds guide for optimal loadout combinations.
Versus Mode Maps Tier List
Map design heavily influences infected success rates and survivor escape percentages.
S-Tier: No Mercy, Blood Harvest - Balanced layouts favor both sides equally. Multiple routes prevent camping while offering defensive options.
A-Tier: Dead Air, Crash Course - Good map flow with interesting choke points. Neither side gains unfair advantages.
B-Tier: Death Toll, Dark Carnival - Some sections favor infected heavily while others give survivors too much safety.
C-Tier: The Parish - Bridge sections create severe imbalances. Infected struggle with limited spawn points.
D-Tier: Cold Stream - Community map with poor versus balance. Avoid in competitive play.
Expert players know that weapon tier lists change based on game mode. L4D2 survival tips emphasize different weapons than campaign strategies. Auto shotguns dominate survival mode because infinite ammo makes their high consumption irrelevant.
The community has created amazing Left 4 Dead 2 mods that add new weapons and rebalance existing ones, but this tier list focuses on vanilla gameplay that most players experience.
Start your next campaign with an AK-47 or auto shotgun, avoid the frying pan at all costs, and remember that positioning beats raw firepower every time.