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Modern Warfare 4 Raining Thunder Trophy Guide: Losing Ground?

Card No. 06·38868 · Updated · Standard formula, shown below

This guide explains how to earn the “Raining Thunder� trophy in Modern Warfare 4 and addresses the common frustration of “losing ground� during the mission. You get the trophy by completing the mission “Raining Thunder� on any difficulty without dying, but you can lose progress if you fail a checkpoint or restart. The key is to stay alive from mission start to finish, as dying resets your checkpoint progress and can make the trophy feel impossible.

Background: The Mission and the Trophy

“Raining Thunder� is a mission in the single-player campaign of Modern Warfare 4 (released in 2023). The mission takes place in a dense urban environment where you fight through streets and buildings while airstrikes rain down. The trophy is awarded for completing the mission without dying, but it is not a “one-shot� requirement—you can die and retry from the last checkpoint, but each death forces you to replay a section. The “losing ground� issue usually refers to the game’s checkpoint system, which can place you far back if you die at a bad moment, or the feeling that you are not making progress because you keep dying at the same spot.

How the Trophy Works

To earn “Raining Thunder,� you must complete the mission from start to finish without dying. The game tracks your deaths per mission, and if you die even once, you will not get the trophy for that run. However, you can replay the mission as many times as you want, and the trophy will unlock the first time you finish it deathless. The difficulty setting does not matter—you can play on Recruit to make it easier. The trophy is tied to the mission, not the whole campaign, so you can focus solely on this mission.

Why You Might Be “Losing Ground�

“Losing ground� in this context usually means you are dying repeatedly and the checkpoint respawns you further back than you expected. This happens because the game’s checkpoint system saves at certain scripted moments, not continuously. If you die after a checkpoint, you restart at that checkpoint, which might be several minutes of gameplay behind. For example, if you die during the rooftop fight, you might restart at the beginning of the building assault. This can feel like you are losing progress, but it is just the checkpoint placement. Another common issue is that some players mistake the mission’s “no death� requirement as “no checkpoint restart,� but actually you can use checkpoints as long as you do not die.

How to Choose the Right Difficulty and Loadout

For the easiest path, choose Recruit difficulty. Enemies are less accurate, deal less damage, and you have more health. Your loadout should favor a mid-range rifle with a red dot sight for accuracy, and a shotgun or SMG for close-quarters. Carry at least two frag grenades for clearing rooms. Also, remember to use cover—the game’s AI is aggressive, but on Recruit they are forgiving. If you are struggling, consider using the “last stand� perk (if available) to get a second chance, but note that it does not count as a death if you get revived by a teammate.

Common Problems and Fixes

Here are the most frequent issues players face and how to solve them:

  • Dying to grenades: Enemies throw grenades often. Always move after a grenade indicator appears, and use the “toss back� prompt if you are near one.
  • Getting flanked: In open areas, enemies spawn from multiple directions. Stick to walls and move forward methodically, clearing each side.
  • Running out of ammo: Pick up weapons from fallen enemies, but be careful—some weapons have poor accuracy. Keep a reliable rifle as your primary.
  • Checkpoint respawn far back: If you die, you restart at the last checkpoint. To avoid losing ground, play cautiously, especially in sections with heavy enemy presence.

Step-by-Step Walkthrough for a Deathless Run

Follow these steps to maximize your chances of a deathless run:

  1. Start the mission on Recruit difficulty. Set your controller sensitivity to a comfortable level (around 4-5).
  2. In the first street fight, use the destroyed vehicles as cover. Peek out only to shoot, then duck back. Do not advance until the area is clear.
  3. When you enter the building, use the “lean� mechanic to peek around corners. Clear each room before entering—throw a flashbang if you have one.
  4. During the rooftop section, stay behind the air conditioning units. Use a sniper rifle if you find one to pick off enemies from a distance.
  5. In the final courtyard, stay on the left side and use the fountain as cover. Take out the heavy gunners first with armor-piercing rounds if available.
  6. After the airstrike cutscene, the mission ends. Do not celebrate early—make sure you are still alive when the “Mission Complete� screen appears.

Comparisons to Other Trophies

“Raining Thunder� is similar to other “no death� trophies in the Call of Duty series, like “The Student Surpasses the Master� in Modern Warfare 2 (which required completing a mission without dying). However, Modern Warfare 4’s mission is longer and has more scripted sequences, making it slightly harder. Unlike some trophies that require specific difficulty levels, this one is flexible, so it is easier than trophies like “Veteran� difficulty completions. If you have earned other no-death trophies, you will find this one comparable in challenge.

Costs and Time Investment

There is no monetary cost to earn this trophy—it is part of the game. The time investment varies: a skilled player can finish the mission in about 20 minutes, but if you die often, it could take 1-2 hours. To reduce time, practice the mission on a separate save file before attempting the deathless run. You can also watch a video walkthrough to memorize enemy placements. Remember, you can pause the game and resume, but the timer keeps running, so it is best to play in one sitting to maintain focus.

Safety and Fair Play

There are no safety concerns in-game, but be mindful of your physical health: take breaks every hour to rest your eyes and hands. In terms of fair play, do not use glitches or exploits to skip sections—these can cause the trophy to not unlock or corrupt your save. The game’s developers have patched many exploits, so it is not worth the risk. Play legitimately to ensure the trophy registers correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does dying in a cutscene count?

No, dying in a cutscene is not possible—you are not in control. However, if the game loads a checkpoint after a cutscene and you die immediately, that counts as a death. So be ready to move as soon as control returns.

Can I use the “last stand� perk to avoid death?

Yes, if you have the “last stand� perk equipped, entering last stand does not count as a death if a teammate revives you. But if you bleed out, it counts as a death. On Recruit, teammates revive you quickly, so it is a good safety net.

Do I need to play on Veteran to get the trophy?

No, the trophy description does not specify a difficulty. You can earn it on Recruit, which is the easiest. Playing on Veteran is optional if you want a challenge, but it is not required.

What happens if I die after the final checkpoint?

If you die after the last checkpoint but before the mission ends, you will restart at that checkpoint, which is usually just before the final fight. You will need to replay that section. To avoid this, be extra cautious in the final courtyard—do not rush.

Can I earn the trophy in co-op mode?

No, “Raining Thunder� is a single-player mission. Co-op is not available for campaign missions, so you must play solo. If you have a friend, they can give you tips, but they cannot join your game.

If I miss the trophy, do I have to restart the whole campaign?

No, you can replay the mission from the mission select menu. The game saves your progress per mission, so you can select “Raining Thunder� and try again without replaying earlier missions. Just make sure you do not overwrite your campaign save.

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