Everything You Need To Know About Ironclads
Ironclads are one of the biggest threats you’ll encounter while exploring Sophie’s Dunes, especially during the early game. This guide explains how they spawn, how to fight them, how to avoid them, and what rewards they drop.
What Are Ironclads?
Ironclads are hostile NPC Tramplers that attack any nearby raider or Trampler. They are large, four-legged machines with a cylindrical body and appear in several different variants.
How Ironclads Spawn
Ironclads are spawned by Sentinel Towers – tall, thin structures with several megaphone-like devices around their middle. Sentinel Towers cannot be destroyed or disabled. When a Trampler enters 400 meters of a Sentinel Tower:
- A gray eye icon appears on your screen, pointing toward the tower.
- As long as your Trampler remains within range, the circle around the eye gradually turns orange.
- If every Trampler leaves the area, the icon turns blue and the progress quickly resets.
- Once the circle fills completely, the tower launches an orange flare.
- When the flare explodes, Ironclads descend nearby.
The number of Ironclads depends on the number of players inside the detection radius.
| Players | Ironclads |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 2–3 |
| 3 | 3 |
| 4–6 | 4–6 |
Note: The exact spawn count for larger crews has not been confirmed.
Sentinel Tower Locations
Most Points of Interest contain a Sentinel Tower. Exceptions include:
- Rauchwolke
- Forts protected by minefields
Ironclads may also spawn from standalone Sentinel Towers scattered throughout Sophie’s Dunes, so stay alert while traveling.
Fighting Ironclads
Ironclads share a main health pool, while each leg has its own durability.
- Destroying a leg slows the Ironclad.
- Damaging the body reduces its main health.
- Once their health reaches zero, they explode and become lootable.
Weak Spot
Every Ironclad has a weak spot, a partially red circular plate on its midsection. Landing shots on this area deals significantly increased damage.
Recommended Weapons
Best weapons:
- 80mm Cannon – excellent damage and long range.
- 40mm Cannon – high rate of fire.
Situational weapon:
- 70mm Shotgun Cannon – powerful at point-blank range but very risky to use.
Handheld firearms generally do not damage Ironclads. The effectiveness of the RW1 Rocket Launcher has not been confirmed.
Ironclad Health Scaling
Ironclad health increases based on the number of players present when they spawn. The health values below apply only to solo encounters. Expect to need approximately 1–2 additional 80mm shells for each extra player.
Ironclad Variants
Tophelm
Weapons
Behavior
- Prefers long-range combat
- Strafes while firing
Health
- 4 standard 80mm shells
- 3 shells with consistent weak spot hits
Appearance
The tallest variant, standing roughly three Trampler decks high with a long cannon barrel.
Buckler
Weapons
- 70mm Shotgun Cannon
- Machine Gun
Behavior
- Rushes directly toward your Trampler
- Attempts to fight at close range
Health
- 5 standard 80mm shells
- 3 shells with consistent weak spot hits
Appearance
Shorter and wider than a Tophelm, with a very short barrel.
Falchion
Weapons
- Dual 40mm Cannons
- Machine Gun
Behavior
- Fights at medium to long range
- Strafes while alternating cannon fire
Health
- 4 standard 80mm shells
- 2–3 shells with consistent weak spot hits
Appearance
The smallest variant, roughly two Trampler decks tall.
Combat Tips
Keep Your Distance
Fighting at long range greatly reduces incoming damage. If multiple Ironclads surround your Trampler, they can destroy your Motor-Reactor surprisingly quickly.
Control Their Spawn Location
Ironclads descend in the direction your Trampler is moving when the flare explodes. Use this to your advantage:
- Trigger the Sentinel Tower.
- Stop and face an open area.
- Wait until the detection circle is nearly full.
- Move in the direction where you want the Ironclads to land.
- As soon as you hear the flare explode, use the emergency brake (Space).
- Immediately engage them from your front cannon.
Warning: If your Trampler is stationary when the flare explodes, Ironclads will spawn directly beside you.
Protect Your Motor-Reactor
Ironclads always prioritize attacking your Motor-Reactor, whether or not they have a clear line of sight. Whenever possible, force them to spawn on the opposite side of your Trampler from the reactor.
How to Avoid Ironclads
If you accidentally approach a Sentinel Tower:
- Watch for the eye icon.
- Stop immediately using the emergency brake.
- Turn around and leave the 400-meter radius before the spawn completes.
If you cannot escape in time:
- Use your movement to make the Ironclads land behind you.
- Accelerate forward.
- Boost away using one or two Energy Rods if necessary.
After chasing you for a certain distance, Ironclads will give up and remain near their spawn area. If you prefer avoiding Ironclads entirely, you can still obtain nearly every item in the game from:
- Shipwrecks
- White tarp structures
- Minefield forts
This method is slower but much safer.
Loot
Each Ironclad drops several common resources along with exclusive rewards. For a complete loot table, see:
https://sand-help.com/environment/ironclad-loot-box
Ammunition
Each variant only drops ammunition matching its own weapon.
| Variant | Drops |
|---|---|
| Tophelm | 80mm Shells |
| Buckler | 70mm Shells |
| Falchion | 40mm Shells |
Cannon Kits
Instead of a Cargo Box, Ironclads may drop their corresponding cannon kit. Possible drops include:
- 80mm Cannon Kit
- 70mm Cannon Kit
- 40mm Cannon Kit
These kits have a good chance of being Worn or Pristine, but never include ammunition.
Repair Kits
Ironclads have a 50% chance to drop a Repair Kit in addition to their Cargo Box or Cannon Kit.
Repair Kits:
- Must be carried by hand.
- Cannot be found inside Cargo Boxes.
- Fully repair up to three Trampler compartments.
- Require the Motor-Reactor to be turned off before use.
They can repair:
- Compartments
- Walls
- Corridors
- Cabins
- Wheelhouses
- Entrances
- Damaged Motor-Reactors (provided they have not been completely destroyed)
Respawning Ironclads
After every Ironclad from a Sentinel Tower has been destroyed, no new Ironclads will spawn until all nearby Tramplers leave the tower’s 400-meter detection radius. Once the area is empty, entering the radius again restarts the entire spawning process.
Quick Tips
- Aim for the red weak spot whenever possible.
- Destroy legs to slow Ironclads.
- The 80mm Cannon is the most reliable weapon.
- Fight from long range whenever possible.
- Force Ironclads to spawn in open terrain.
- Keep them away from your Motor-Reactor.
- Leave the Sentinel Tower radius to reset its spawn cycle.