Combat
The server has no multi-hit besides shotguns.
Try to keep zombies in a single-file conga line to tackle them one by one. When zombies are side by side, there is a chance the other will make a grab attempt. If simply walking away doesn't achieve this, try to shimmy side to side slightly.
Staying fighting fit
Negative moodles can drastically reduce your combat damage and attack speed.
- Endurance is vital to combat, sit and rest where possible.
- Try not to sprint whenever possible to conserve endurance. Besides sprinters you can usually outwalk zombies.
- Make sure you keep an eye on your fatigue and sleep when necessary.
- Avoid looting too much and becoming extremely over encumbered if zombies are near and you can't offload soon.
Take advantage of the environment
Zombies are poor climbers and will flop onto the floor after climbing through a window or over a fence. You can use this to your advantage, especially with sprinters.
Be careful when standing close, as the zombie will lunge on the ground towards you. This will momentarily stun lock your character if it hits. Try to either stand further away or be ready to hit them as soon as they come over.
Note: Please be aware of the policy regarding kill boxes, avoid artificially setting up an area to farm using fences, windows etc.
Picking fights
If you see a large group, approach slowly. Within a certain distance a few zombies on the edge should peel away, allowing you to tackle a smaller group. You can also press Q while crouching to do a whisper instead of a shout.
If you need to escape from zombies, get some distance, then switch to crouch walking to generate less noise. Turn sharp corners, weave around cars, trees or through buildings.
Video tutorials
Project Zomboid Combat Tutorial by greybord.
Melee Tips
Spear
One thing that trips people up with spears is the long single stab animation that can occur.
This depends on line of sight. If you're surrounded by zombies but only one is directly in front of you, the game will consider that a single zombie.
To avoid this either:
- Keep nimble walking, if you're moving the single stab shouldn't trigger.
- Always reposition if zombies are coming from the sides, or there isn't enough distance to comfortably do the single stab before another zombie has caught up in your conga line.
Firearms Advice
Shooting guns generates a lot of noise which alerts zombies in a wide radius.