You're chugging along the tracks, the sun is setting, and the zombies are starting to get that hungry look in their eyes. We've all been there in Dead Rails. But if you've heard whispers about a mysterious green artifact hidden in the mines of Sterling, you're looking for the jade mask. Technically, the game often labels this as the Strange Mask, but let's be real—everyone calls it the jade mask because, well, look at it.
Getting your hands on this thing isn't just about loot. It’s a game-changer for solo runs and high-tier survival. Honestly, it’s probably one of the most misunderstood items in the game because of how much setup it requires.
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Why the Jade Mask Matters in Dead Rails
In a game where everything wants to eat your face, having a friend helps. The jade mask (Strange Mask) allows you to reanimate dead enemies. Basically, you slap this thing on a corpse, and suddenly that werewolf that just tried to shred you is now your personal bodyguard.
It’s not just for show. These reanimated allies take the heat off your train. When you're 50,000 meters in and the difficulty spikes, having a "pet" Goliath or Werewolf can be the difference between reaching Mexico and a "Game Over" screen.
How to Get the Jade Mask: A Step-by-Step Trek to Sterling
You won't find this item sitting in a random crate. You have to find the town of Sterling. Sterling is a bit of a ghost town—literally. It usually spawns between 40,000m and 60,000m along the track. If you haven't hit 40k yet, keep driving.
1. Prepping for the Mine
Before you even step off the train, make sure you have room in your sack. You’re going to need to carry a torch and at least two pieces of dynamite.
- The Torch: Head to the Sheriff’s office in Sterling. It’s right there on the wall.
- The Dynamite: Look for the minecarts near the mine entrance. You’ll see the explosives sitting right there.
2. Into the Sterling Mine
The mine entrance is boarded up. Use your dynamite to blow the entrance. Once you’re inside, things get hairy. It’s dark, and the skeletons in here aren't friendly. Use your torch to see where you're going.
Follow the path until you hit a fork with a rusted minecart. Take the left path. You'll eventually find a room filled with treasure—gold bars, silver bars, and the mask sitting on a pedestal.
3. The "Indiana Jones" Pressure Plate Trick
Don't just grab the mask. If you snatch it and run, three Werewolves will spawn immediately and likely end your run right there.
Instead, do the weight-swap trick:
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- Grab two of the nearby Gold or Silver Bars.
- Drop them onto the red pressure plate where the mask is sitting.
- Now, pick up the Strange Mask.
The mechanism is "tricked" into thinking the mask is still there because of the weight of the bars. No werewolves. No death. You're welcome.
Using the Mask: Strategies for Survival
So you have the mask. Now what? You hold it in your hand and walk up to a dead enemy. Pop it on them.
Pro Tip: Don't waste this on a basic zombie. Basic zombies are weak. You want to save the mask for Goliaths or Werewolves. A reanimated Goliath is a beast. It deals massive area damage and has a huge health pool.
Something to keep in mind: the reanimated ally isn't permanent. They usually last for a few minutes before they drop dead (again). However, if they die, you can actually pick the mask back up and use it on someone else. It's essentially an infinite-use summon as long as you can retrieve the item from the battlefield.
The Jade Sword Connection
While you're in the Sterling mines, you'll probably see references to Jade Tablets. There are three of them hidden around the town.
- Tablet 1: In the back of the Church.
- Tablet 2: Behind a minecart in the first section of the mine.
- Tablet 3: In the same treasure room as the mask.
If you collect all three and bring them to the hidden ritual room (hidden behind some barrels in the mine), you can unlock the Jade Sword. The sword is like the mask's aggressive cousin. If you kill an enemy with the Jade Sword, there’s a 50% chance they’ll instantly revive as your ally. Using the mask and the sword together basically turns you into a necromancer on a train.
What Most Players Get Wrong
A common mistake is trying to use the mask on the Nikola Tesla boss. You can do it, but it’s buggy. Sometimes he just stands there. Sometimes he breaks the game logic. Honestly, it’s better to use it on high-HP mobs that can tank damage for your train's hull.
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Another thing: the mask makes your allies immune to lightning damage. This is huge if you're fighting the Tesla boss, as it means your "pet" won't get fried by his AOE attacks.
Next Steps for Your Run:
If you’re currently in Sterling, grab those three Jade Tablets before leaving. Having the Jade Mask is great, but pairing it with the Jade Sword makes the final stretch toward the cure significantly easier. Make sure you've also stocked up on wood and coal from the town buildings, as the trek from 60,000m to the 80,000m finish line is the most resource-intensive part of the game.