You’re riding through the snowy, jagged mess of the Crater Lake region in Days Gone, and suddenly, a sniper’s laser sight paints a red dot on Deacon’s chest. That’s the classic welcome to the Iron Butte ambush camp. It’s one of the more annoying—and rewarding—encounters in the game, mostly because the Rippers who inhabit this area are total fanatics who don't care about their own lives.
Taking down this camp isn’t just about clearing the map or getting a few experience points. It’s about survival. You need the map data hidden in the underground bunker to reveal the surrounding area, find the NERO injectors nearby, and finally stop getting clotheslined by wires stretched across the road.
Why the Rippers at Iron Butte are a Different Kind of Headache
Most Marauders or Drifters in Days Gone will take cover and try to outflank you. Rippers? They’re different. They have this unsettling habit of rushing you with melee weapons while screaming, or worse, standing out in the open because they think pain is a gift. At the Iron Butte ambush camp, specifically the one located near the dam and the entrance to the Ripper territory, the verticality of the terrain makes things messy.
You’ve got snipers perched on wooden towers that have a 360-degree view of the approach. If you try to just ride your bike through the front gate, you're dead. Or at the very least, your bike is trashed, and you're stuck in a crossfire with limited stamina.
The camp is tucked away in the Redwood Forest area. It’s dense. It’s foggy. It’s exactly the kind of place where a tripwire will ruin your entire afternoon.
The Stealth Approach: Keeping Your Ears Open
Honestly, stealth is the only way to do this without burning through all your bandages.
Start from the high ground. Most players make the mistake of coming in from the main road. Instead, circle around to the cliffside. You can pick off the perimeter guards using a suppressed rifle or the crossbow. The crossbow is basically your best friend here because you can craft bolts on the fly, and the Residue Bolts can turn the Rippers against each other. Watching a Ripper heavy freak out and start swinging at his own guys is arguably the best entertainment the apocalypse has to offer.
There are about 14 enemies in this specific camp. That’s not a huge number compared to some of the late-game hordes, but they are positioned well.
- Watch for the snipers first. There is usually one on a high platform near the center.
- Look for the fuel barrels. Rippers love to stand near them for some reason.
- Listen for the "Screamer" types. Not the Freaker Screamers, but the Ripper cultists who call for reinforcements.
If you get spotted, the camp doesn't just stay static. They will try to pin you down behind the crates and stone walls. Use your Attractors. Throw a noise-maker into a group, wait for them to gather, and then toss a Frag Grenade or a Molotov. Since this is Iron Butte, the weather is often rainy or snowy, which can actually help mask the sound of your footsteps, but it makes the bike handling a nightmare if you need to make a quick exit.
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Finding the Bunker (The Real Reason You’re Here)
Once the screaming stops and the last Ripper is dealt with, you have to find the bunker hatch. This is where people get stuck. They wander around the cabins and the campfire for twenty minutes getting frustrated.
The hatch for the Iron Butte ambush camp is usually located near one of the main structures, often tucked away behind some crates or inside a small shed-like building. Once you’re inside, you’ll find the map on a desk. Interacting with this map clears the "fog of war" on your UI. It also marks the locations of all the nearby Historical Markers and, crucially, the NERO Research Sites.
The loot in this bunker is pretty standard—scrap, kerosene, maybe some gunpowder—but the real prize is the crafting recipe unlock. Most ambush camps reward you with things like the Stamina Cocktail or improved explosives.
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Gear Recommendations for Iron Butte
You shouldn't head into this part of the map with the starter gear. The difficulty spike in Iron Butte is real.
- The Talon 7 or 055 Sniper: You need something with a scope to deal with the Ripper snipers.
- Chicago Typewriter: If things go south and you get swarmed, this SMG has the fire rate to keep you from being overwhelmed.
- Smoke Bombs: These are underrated. If a Ripper is charging you with a machete, drop a smoke bomb. They’ll lose sight of you, and you can get an easy stealth kill in the middle of the chaos.
A lot of people think they can just wait for a Horde to wander into the camp and do the work for them. While that works in the Belknap or Cascade regions, the Hordes in Iron Butte are massive and unpredictable. If you lead a Horde to the Iron Butte ambush camp, you might kill the Rippers, but then you’re stuck in a camp surrounded by three hundred Freakers with nowhere to run. It’s a bad trade.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't leave your bike too far away. If things get hairy, you need a getaway vehicle. However, don't park it right at the entrance either, or the guards will hear the engine. Park about 50 meters out, behind a rock or a cluster of trees.
Also, check the ground. Rippers love bear traps. There is nothing more embarrassing than successfully sneaking past three guards only to have your leg snapped in a trap because you weren't looking at the grass.
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What Happens After the Camp is Clear?
Clearing the camp turns it into a fast-travel point. This is huge. Iron Butte is a massive region, and navigating those winding mountain roads takes forever. Having a safe spot to refuel and sleep makes the rest of the Ripper missions much more manageable.
You’ll also notice that the frequency of roadside ambushes in the immediate area drops. You won't get knocked off your bike by snipers quite as often, which makes the ride over to see Carlos (the Ripper leader) a little less stressful.
Actionable Steps for Your Playthrough
- Upgrade your Focus: Before hitting Iron Butte, make sure your Focus ability is leveled up. Being able to slow down time to line up headshots on charging Rippers is a life-saver.
- Craft Full Supplies: Ensure you have maxed out your Molotovs and Bandages. Rippers use fire against you, and you’ll likely take some burn damage.
- Check the Bunker Twice: Sometimes there are collectibles or notes inside the bunkers that add to the lore of the game, specifically detailing how the Rippers took over the dam area.
- Clear the Area of Freakers First: Do a quick perimeter sweep. You don't want a stray Swarmer joining the fight while you're busy with a sniper.
Once the camp is green on your map, take a second to loot the bodies. Rippers often carry higher-tier crafting materials compared to the low-level scavengers in the beginning of the game. Use those parts to keep your melee weapons repaired, especially if you're using something high-damage like the Superior Metal Axe.