Lurking GiantsThe intermission period between rounds in Lurking Giants is more than just a waiting room — it is a critical strategic phase that directly impacts your survival odds. During intermission, you vote for maps, browse the shop, redeem codes, spectate ongoing gameplay, and mentally prepare for the next round. Players who treat intermission as downtime consistently perform worse than those who use every second of it to their advantage. Understanding the Alpha/Beta/Charlie gate system, the shop layout, and optimal preparation habits will set you apart from casual players and significantly improve your win rate.
The Intermission Lobby — What You Can Do
The intermission lobby is a shared space where all players who have completed or are waiting for the next round gather. You have several options available during this period, and prioritizing them correctly matters.
| Action | How | Why It Matters | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Map voting | Enter Alpha, Beta, or Charlie gate | Determines which map you play | High |
| Code redemption | Shop, Codes tab, Enter code | Free coins and rewards | High |
| Shop browsing | Open the Shop menu | Buy items, check game passes | Medium |
| Spectating | Watch screen in lobby | Learn from other players | Medium |
| Strategy planning | Think about your next round | Prepare relocation routes | High |
| Settings adjustment | Open Settings menu | Optimize controls and audio | Low |
The timer counts down during intermission, typically giving you around 30 seconds to complete all your tasks. Prioritize map voting and code redemption first, since these have the most direct impact on your gameplay experience.
The Alpha/Beta/Charlie Gate System
The intermission lobby features three gates labeled Alpha, Beta, and Charlie. Each gate corresponds to a map option displayed above or near the gate entrance. By walking through a gate, you cast your vote for that map. The system is straightforward, but there are nuances that many players overlook.
| Gate | What It Does | How to Vote | Visual Cue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha | Vote for Map Option A | Walk through the Alpha gate | Leftmost gate |
| Beta | Vote for Map Option B | Walk through the Beta gate | Center gate |
| Charlie | Vote for Map Option C | Walk through the Charlie gate | Rightmost gate |
The specific map assigned to each gate varies between rounds. The game rotates the available map options, meaning you will not always see the same three choices. The map that receives the most votes wins. In case of a tie, the game randomly selects between the tied maps, which means every vote genuinely matters.
The 2x Voting Power game pass doubles the weight of your vote, making your selection count as two votes instead of one. This costs 150 Robux and is particularly valuable if you have a strong map preference based on your skill level and Giant matchup knowledge. For players who consistently prefer one map over the others, this game pass pays for itself over time by ensuring you play your preferred map more often.
How to Change Your Vote
You can change your vote by exiting the gate you entered and walking through a different one before the timer expires. However, there is a brief cooldown between gate entries, so do not wait until the last second to change your mind. Once the timer reaches zero, your most recent gate entry is locked as your final vote.
Map Voting Strategy — Choosing the Right Map
Your map choice has an enormous impact on your survival chances because the two available maps in Lurking Giants — Forest and City — play fundamentally differently. Understanding which map suits your skill level and preferred playstyle is essential for maximizing your win rate.
| Skill Level | Recommended Map | Reason | Best Hiding Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | Forest | Natural cover is forgiving, wide open spaces | Behind trees, in bushes |
| Intermediate | Forest or City | Depends on practice and Giant matchup | Mixed strategies |
| Advanced | City | Vertical gameplay provides depth and options | Rooftops, multi-floor buildings |
| Giant-focused | City (with Guilt) | Guilt dominates City vertical chases | Aggressive patrol routes |
Forest is the easier survival map because natural cover is abundant and sightlines are frequently broken by trees and terrain. New players should consistently vote for Forest until they understand pulse timing and relocation fundamentals. The downside of Forest is that Locust — the free Giant available to everyone — performs well on this map due to its open chase dynamics.
City provides more strategic depth for experienced players. The multi-floor buildings, rooftop access, and narrow corridors create complex chase patterns that reward knowledge and planning. City is generally harder for beginners because the Giant can cut off escape routes more easily, but skilled survivors who know the layout can use verticality to outmaneuver even the best Giant players.
Map Voting When Playing as Giant
If you know you will be selected as the Giant (or own the 2x Giant Chance game pass), your map preference should flip:
| Giant | Preferred Map | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Locust | Forest | Open sightlines favor his straightforward chase |
| Guilt | City | Vertical reach and Haunt ability dominate indoors |
When playing as Locust, Forest gives you long sightlines to spot survivors during their visibility pulse. When playing as Guilt, City lets you use Haunt through walls and cut off survivors in tight corridors where they have fewer escape options.
The Shop System — Spending Coins Wisely
The in-game shop is accessible during intermission and offers several categories of items and upgrades. Knowing what to prioritize can save you significant time and Robux.
| Category | What It Offers | When to Check | Coin Cost Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Codes tab | Promo code redemption | First time playing + after updates | Free |
| Game Passes | Purchase permanent upgrades | When considering Robux spending | 75–350 Robux |
| Items | Cosmetic and gameplay items | Browse between rounds | Varies |
| Coins | View your current coin balance | Before planning Guilt unlock | — |
Code Redemption Priority
Always check for codes first. The current active code is SORRYFORDELAY (all uppercase, case-sensitive) which grants 200 free coins. Enter it in the Codes tab of the Shop and press Check. Codes are periodically released through the ULTRA works Discord server, so checking the Discord announcements channel regularly ensures you never miss a free reward.
The 200 coins from SORRYFORDELAY may seem small compared to the 7,000 needed to unlock Guilt, but every code adds up. If the developer releases additional codes during updates — which is common for Roblox games after major patches — redeeming them promptly is important because codes can expire without warning.
Game Pass Value Assessment
Understanding the game pass options helps you decide where to spend your Robux:
| Game Pass | Robux Cost | Value Rating | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powerful Flashlight | 75 | ★★★★☆ | Survivors who struggle with dark areas |
| 2x Voting Power | 150 | ★★★☆☆ | Players with strong map preferences |
| 2x Giant Chance | 200 | ★★★★☆ | Players who enjoy playing as Giant |
| VIP Pass | 350 | ★★☆☆☆ | Cosmetic only, no gameplay advantage |
For most players, the Powerful Flashlight and 2x Giant Chance passes offer the best gameplay value per Robux spent. The VIP Pass is purely cosmetic and does not provide any survival or Giant advantage.
Spectating Between Rounds — Learning by Watching
During intermission, you can sometimes spectate ongoing rounds from the previous group. This is one of the most underused features in Lurking Giants, yet it provides exceptional learning value:
- Watch experienced survivors: See which hiding spots they prioritize, how they time their relocations around the visibility pulse, and how they handle close encounters with the Giant.
- Study Giant behavior: Observe patrol routes, how the Giant uses Haunt, and which areas they check first. This knowledge helps you predict Giant patterns when you are a survivor.
- Learn map layouts: Spectating gives you a bird-eye view of the map, allowing you to identify hiding spots and escape routes you may have missed during actual gameplay.
- Understand the night cycle timing: Watch how the round progresses from 1:00 AM to 6:00 AM, and observe how behavior changes as the night deepens and the Giant becomes more aggressive.
Make spectating a habit, especially in your first 10–20 rounds. The observational knowledge you gain will translate directly into better survival instincts during actual gameplay.
Between-Round Preparation Checklist
Treat intermission as a ritual. Completing this checklist every round builds habits that compound over time:
- Check your coin balance — Know how close you are to the 7,000-coin Guilt unlock. Track your progress mentally.
- Redeem any new codes — Check the ULTRA works Discord for code announcements. New codes often drop after updates.
- Vote for your preferred map — Enter the appropriate gate before the timer expires. Consider your skill level and Giant matchup.
- Review your relocation routes — Mentally walk through your planned rotation for the selected map. Where will you hide first? Where will you relocate after a pulse?
- Verify your controls — On PC, tap the E key to confirm sprint works. On mobile, locate the sprint button and ensure it responds.
- Adjust settings if needed — Change sensitivity, audio, or graphics settings. Higher audio volume helps detect Giant footsteps.
- Check for game updates — If the game was recently updated, read the update notes on the Roblox game page for balance changes or new features.
Preparing for the VERITY Rework During Intermission
The upcoming VERITY rework will change multiple aspects of Lurking Giants, potentially introducing a new playable Giant and shifting the meta. During intermission, you can prepare by:
- Checking the ULTRA works Discord for the latest rework announcements and developer teasers. The Discord is the primary communication channel for ULTRA works.
- Saving coins for potential new Giants or perks that may cost coins after the update. Holding at least 7,000 coins gives you flexibility to purchase new content immediately.
- Reviewing the Roblox game page for any new descriptions, update information, or teaser images that hint at the rework changes.
- Practicing both maps equally so you are prepared regardless of which map becomes more favorable after the rework. Meta shifts often change which map is considered stronger.
The rework may also bring new codes to celebrate the update, so keep an eye on the Discord announcements channel around patch day.
Advanced Intermission Tips for Experienced Players
Once you have mastered the basics, consider these advanced strategies during intermission:
- Coordinate with friends: If you are playing with a group, agree on which gate to enter together. This concentrates your votes and increases the chance of playing your preferred map.
- Counter-voting: If you notice most players heading for one gate, and you prefer a different map, entering your preferred gate still counts. With enough counter-voters, you can sway the result.
- Shop timing: If you are close to the 7,000-coin Guilt unlock, skip browsing and focus on voting. You can always check the shop next round.
- Audio check: During intermission, verify your game audio is working by listening for lobby music or ambient sounds. A misconfigured audio setup during an actual round could mean missing critical Giant footsteps.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I vote for a map? During intermission, walk through one of the three gates — Alpha, Beta, or Charlie. Each gate corresponds to a different map option. The map labels are displayed above or near each gate.
What are the Alpha/Beta/Charlie gates? These are three physical gates in the intermission lobby. Each gate represents a vote for a specific map option. The map with the most votes becomes the next round's map.
Can I change my vote after entering a gate? Yes, you can exit and enter a different gate before the timer expires. Your most recent gate entry counts as your final vote. There is a brief cooldown between changes, so do not wait until the last second.
What happens if I do not enter any gate? You will be assigned to whichever map wins the vote, but you lose the opportunity to influence the selection. You still play the round regardless of whether you voted.
Does the 2x Voting Power game pass work during intermission? Yes, if you own the 2x Voting Power game pass, your map vote counts as two votes instead of one. This is especially useful if you have a strong preference for Forest or City based on your skill level.