Many players know the terrain by heart and have a set of personal, favorable drop locations. If you are new to the game, you might wanna check out the locations in the article.  

Introduction 

Erangel is the first map of PUBG Battlegrounds, in fact it is the very first map in the history of battle royale. It must feel like home to hundreds of thousands of players who have played PUBG since its initial release back in 2017, players who never ceased playing to this day. 

The map features a military island in the south, a huge mountain in the north east, and several other places of interest. Even though Erangel spans over 8x8 km, the map is smaller than others with the same size. This is because the island is surrounded by water, decreasing the land mass significantly. The map has experienced several minor overhauls, but overall remained close to the original throughout the years. 

Drop locations

On this map, you find red and orange circles. The red circles stand for a high probability to face other players, as they are famous locations, as well as hot drops. Orange circles are less likely to take you into an early battle. 

Be aware that most of the orange circles are not suited for four-player squads, as there won’t be enough loot. As a solo player or in duos, these places are ideal. 

10. Cluster of Buildings North 

Close to the apartment buildings and the school you find a cluster of buildings which lies in the center of the map. Here, you’ll find a few buildings to gear up properly. It won’t be enough buildings to fit an entire four men squad, but surely for all other squad combinations. 

If the circle happens to lead in the northern part of Erangel, you have an optimal position to be the first team to proceed to that area. Remember that the air drop comes earliest at around 2:30 minutes before the first circle closes, so make sure that you have a ride to go for it. There are several vehicle spawns nearby. 

It is a busy area, however, you are free to choose whether you engage in a fight or proceed with tactical finesse. 

What makes the Cluster of Buildings North great: 

• It’s central position with many houses. 
• From here, you can reach any part of the map quickly. 

9. Cluster of Buildings Center

This location lies in between two major hot drops, yet half of the time you won’t have to face opponents right away. Here you find a hangar, two big houses and several other houses, which will give you sufficient loot to gear up. 

There is another small compound next to it, towards the west, where you can find more loot, or other teams. Both are very central spots, from where you can go by foot easily and always have the option to engage in fights, due to the close proximity to Pochinki and the school. 

What makes the Cluster of Buildings Center great: 

• A hangar and two big houses, which mostly have great loot. 
• Very central, yet not too busy. Gives you ideal options for further gameplay. 

8. Cluster of Buildings South

Here you can find two little compounds, which are ideal for solo or duo play. Most of the time, you won’t encounter other teams here, because these places are relatively small. 

However, you can find the initial loot to take it from there. There are vehicle spawns close by, which gives you an opportunity to go anywhere really fast, as looting doesn’t take up so much time. 

What makes the Cluster of Buildings South great: 

• Off the beaten track, so it's less likely to find opponents here. 

7. Cluster of Buildings West 

Gatka actually is a favorite location of many players, as it is always busy when the flight path is in reach. But if you prefer to loot before engaging in any altercation, you might want to check out the little compound just north of Gatka. 

Despite the limited number of houses, you are in a great position. It will be enough to engage in a fight or proceed towards other areas of the map. When landing in this position, you get a good view on players approaching Gatka. So either you become the third mouse or you know that at least one team is in the vicinity. 

What makes the Cluster of Buildings West great:

• The position in regards to Gatka. If nobody lands there, you are free to go there once you’re finished looting. 

6. Ferry Pier

The ferry pier actually seems to be a bit of an underrated drop location for squad play. It is not an optimal place whatsoever, but it has plenty of buildings to get some starting loot to take the round head on. 

Most of the time your team won’t face other teams landing here, which makes this place an ideal scenario if you are not up for a sudden skirmish. 

What makes the Ferry Pier great: 

• Many houses to find enough loot for everybody, especially in squad play. 
• Many teams prefer other locations over the ferry pier, so you won’t face them early on. 

5. Shelter 

The shelter is one of those places where you always find other players looking for loot. It doesn’t matter how far it’s off the original flight path – it attracts players like an airdrop. For a reason though. 

In the long stretching underground bunker you find all the tools you need to survive. There are several entrances to the bunker system and the inside makes for some really exciting battles. 

What makes the Shelter great: 

• Plentiful great loot, it’s enough to fit an entire squad. 
• It’s a bunker, so you are protected from sniper fire or vehicle attacks. 

4. Georgopol

Georgopol is the biggest city on Erangel. It’s situated on opposite sides of a bay, which is connected via a bridge. There is enough loot to supply 20 squads or more. 

However, it’s recommended to drop around the southern side of the bay area, as there are rarely any vehicle spawns in the northern part of town. This could become a problem if the circle pushes you to the other side of the map. 

What makes Georgopol great: 

• Biggest city on Erangel, which gives you plenty of alternatives to drop opponent-free. 
• You are most likely leaving town fully equipped, there is an abundance of loot. 

3. Military Base

In the very south lies Sosnovka island, which is home to the notorious military base. Who would have guessed it? There is great loot, a lot of great loot, scattered around the abandoned base. 

However, most likely you will have to fight for it. This is why the base is considered a hot drop. Even though you will have to travel a long way to come back up north, it’s definitely worth it. You just gotta take care by crossing over one of the two bridges, as some teams like to cut off anybody who tries to leave the island. 

What makes the Military Base great:

• You get a lot of good loot here, enough to fit several squads. 
• Once you leave there, you don’t have to loot again. 

2. Pochinki

Come and visit one of the most iconic places on Erangel: Pochinki. This drop location found its way onto skin items, such as the Pochinki Fellas Jersey for instance. Popular. 

Pochinki is the equivalent to Miramar’s Pecado; a central location, always attracting players to fight for more than just loot: survival in a place like this. If you manage to come out as the last squad standing, you are ready to claim your righteous chicken dinner for that day.  

What makes Pochinki great: 

• It is one of the most iconic places in PUBG, also the standard drop spot for the Soniqs. 
• You find all you need; loot, many houses and many other players to compete with. 

1. School

Who is up for school in their free time? The school of PUBG attracts a lot of voluntary pupils, who are ready to improve their close-quarters combat skills over and over again. This is the hottest drop location of all on Erangel.

Most of the time it really gets hectic here, also because of the proximity to the apartment complex in the east, just across the street, which is busy most of the time as well. If you are into early fights, a bit of gambling and a lot of action, drop here. From this point on, school never gets boring. 

What makes the School great:

• It’s the perfect hot drop, you can rely on finding other teams here. 
• The loot is great, even though you have to survive to keep it. 
• It’s right in the center, so if you survive, you won’t have to travel too far. 

Conclusion 

Erangel is probably the most favorite map of most players in PUBG. It wouldn’t come as a surprise, as it is the very first map everybody experienced the first battle royale survival shooter. So subsequently, most of the players have spent hundreds and thousands of hours on this map.

We’ve had good memories, bad memories, hilarious situations, moments of helplessness, joy, and anger. Just so many diverse gaming experiences, many of them not too happy, yet we return over and over again. Erangel is classic, it’s almost nostalgic. 

It is home in some ways. 

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