If you think the worst is over because you survived Day 1, welcome to the reality of 7 Days to Die. The real challenge starts now. The game isn’t called that for nothing – on Day 7 the horde comes. And it will find you. Wherever you are. Whether you like it or not.
This article is about how to go from a clueless survivor to a semi-prepared fortress builder – and why you still aren’t guaranteed to make it through the night. But hey: we’ll tackle it together.
7 Days to Die Blood Moon rhythm: time management up to Day 7
7 Days to Die has a simple yet brilliant mechanic: every seven days a massive horde attacks your base – at night, when it’s most dangerous. That means you have exactly one week to prepare. Sounds like a lot? It isn’t. Days are short, the to-do list is long, and the zombies get a little more active every day.
The goal is: Survive the Blood Moon. But until then you need to…
- Gather resources
- Loot like mad
- Build a base
- Arm yourself
And ideally, don’t starve or get mauled by a wolf.
Pro tips for time management:
- Place a bedroll early for your spawn point.
- Mark good loot spots on the map and plan routes for the next day.
- Gather wood, stone, iron along the way – every minute counts.
Looting in 7 Days to Die: efficient routes and top finds
No matter how much you collect, it won’t feel like enough for Day 7. So grab every opportunity to loot, especially:
- Toolboxes, weapon racks, medicine cabinets
- Safes (with patience or a sledgehammer)
- Cars: stripping them often yields engines, batteries, fuel
- Bird nests: feathers and eggs (ammo + food)
- Fridges, ovens, and cupboards – food
And crucially: never leave a bookcase unchecked! Schematics and skill books are your key to progression.
Pro tip: Always carry lockpicks or a few candy (e.g., Jail Breakers) when you find them – they save time and resources when opening safes.
Best loot spots for beginners in 7 Days to Die
Not all buildings are equal. Here are a few places that are especially worthwhile (and doable without being eaten straight away):
- Trailer parks: lots of containers, weaker zombies, quick to sweep
- Petrol stations: workbenches, tools, often great loot
- Shops (Shotgun Messiah, Working Stiff Tools): jackpot! But usually well-guarded
- Houses with basements: often hidden stash rooms
- Barns and farms: good source of food, animals, and building materials
Avoid high-rises, hospitals, or military camps in week 1 – they’re a bit much for now.
Pro tips:
- Break down cobblestone pallets and cement bags: free upgrade materials.
- Learn POI quest paths: trader quests reset buildings – double loot!
Best perks in week 1: spending points for the Blood Moon
Every skill point is precious. You can rely on what you find – or become the maker yourself. That only works with the right perks.
In week 1, these perks are especially strong:
- ‘Sexual Tyrannosaurus’: reduced stamina consumption for actions
- ‘Pummel Pete’: more damage with blunt weapons – perfect for club and baseball bat
- ‘Pack Mule’: more inventory space = longer runs
- ‘Master Chef’: cooking makes life better (e.g., bacon and eggs)
- ‘Grease Monkey’ (later): enables vehicle crafting
Spread your points – specialise later. For now the priorities are: survive and be an all-rounder.
Also sensible:
- ‘Healing Factor’ or ‘Pain Tolerance’ for more survivability.
- ‘Daring Adventurer’ for better trader rewards.
Building a Blood Moon base: must-haves for Day 7
If you don’t have a functioning base by Day 7, your game will be very short. Here are the basics without fancy tech:
- Raised platform or tower: zombies can’t (yet) fly. Height is your friend.
- Access via ladder or ramp: remove it when the attack starts so they can’t reach you.
- Spikes and barbed wire: at least slow the horde down.
- Solid doors and walls: not paper-thin – use wood, stone, or better.
- Light: it’s pitch-black at night. A torch helps – better still, power (e.g., generator + spotlights).
Tip: don’t keep your base at ground level. Raised structures or bridges help enormously. Zombies attack from below – so make sure you’re above them.
Immediate building checklist:
- Carry plenty of frame shapes and build/modify on the fly.
- Upgrade wood → cobblestone; concrete comes later.
- Place Land Claim Block (optional) and bedroll.
Weapons by Day 7: realistic gear and ammunition
Many newcomers hope for shotguns or pistols – realistically, your arsenal will look more like this:
- Club or baseball bat: your best friend – repairable, quiet, strong
- Primitive bow or crossbow: great for stealth – but slower
- Pipe pistol or pipe rifle: clunky, but adds firepower – if found
- Molotovs: perfect for groups stuck on your spikes
- Spear: not for everyone, but handy to throw
You’ll need ammo. Lots. Use the Blood Moon smartly – you don’t have to kill everything, only survive. Aim for headshots and save expensive ammo for emergencies.
Pro tips for gear:
- Always carry repair kits (duct tape + forged iron).
- Wear clothes with pocket mods for more inventory slots.
- Keep healing ready: bandages, first-aid kits, honey for infections.
Common beginner mistakes in 7 Days to Die
- Wandering about at night – unless you crave thrills and frequent respawns.
- Building your base too late – there’s no pause button!
- Ignoring the trader – their quests help your progression.
- Putting all points in one tree – all-rounder = survivor.
- “It’ll be fine” thinking – no, it won’t. Plan ahead.
7 Days to Die in multiplayer: benefits, roles, server tips
7 Days to Die is not only more fun in multiplayer, but also easier – if you approach it right:
- You can split tasks: one builds, one loots, one cooks.
- You can defend the base together.
- You can make shared progress – e.g., with the trader.
- On your own server (e.g., with 4Netplayers) you can set the difficulty exactly as you like.
And let’s be honest: when the sky turns red at 22:00 and the zombies start to sprint, it’s comforting not to be entirely alone in a dark tower.
Conclusion: survive the Blood Moon with planning
The first week in 7 Days to Die is a crash course in survival. The game tests your nerves, your planning, and how you handle pressure. And that’s precisely the appeal.
The horde on the seventh day will come – and it will demand everything from you. If you’re well-prepared, it’s a thrill with guaranteed goosebumps. If you mess it up, it’s a short, brutal restart. But that’s 7 Days to Die: ruthless, honest, yet fair. Rent your 7 Days to Die server and try to survive your first Blood Moon.
