Project Zomboid is a challenging survival game that can really catch you off guard in the initial hours of gameplay. Even the smallest mistake can lead to your demise. To help you avoid restarting every day or two, we’ve compiled the best tips and tricks to get you started! We’ll guide you through three stages, each presenting different hurdles. These are essential steps to prepare you for survival in the zombie apocalypse.
Preparations Before Starting the Game
Your journey begins before you actually venture into the world of Project Zomboid. There are several things you can do beforehand to make surviving significantly easier later on.
Master the Tutorial for the Perfect Start
We strongly recommend playing the tutorial from the main menu to familiarize yourself with the controls and menu navigation. The game has many complex systems and a rather cluttered inventory. In an emergency, knowing the controls is crucial for reacting properly. Plus, the tutorial is quite short and includes some amusing moments!
Settings for a More Manageable Game
Project Zomboid is a sandbox game where you can customize your game settings as you please. You can choose preset game modes like “Survivor” or “Builder,” but creating your own sandbox is also advisable. We recommend starting in Rosewood or Riverside, as both towns are small and have fewer zombies.
Here, you can reduce the zombie population and disable respawns to help you focus better. Increase the day length to two hours to avoid panicking. Settings like “Starter Kit” and “Weapon Multi Hit” are particularly helpful for beginners!
Maximize Your Character’s Fitness
We’ve already written a comprehensive article on everything you need to know about your character settings (Optimal Traits for Your Project Zomboid Character) . For your first rounds, focus on traits that boost your strength and endurance. This makes you less susceptible to injuries and better equipped to fend off zombies in an emergency.
First Steps After Starting the Game
After the ominous warning on the loading screen, the actual game begins! You almost always start in a single-family house to first get acquainted with your surroundings. You might hear zombies, but they won’t be in your starter house.
Start Safely in Your New Home
First, thoroughly search the entire house. With some luck, it might even have two floors, which could yield more loot. Check every container and familiarize yourself with your inventory. Meanwhile, close the windows and draw the curtains if there are any, as zombies can see you through them.
Food and water are priority number one. Leave most of what you find in storage and consume it gradually. Your character will let you know when they’re hungry.
By the end of the day, your inventory should include the following:
Water Container: This can be any empty bottle. Your character will automatically drink from it if it’s in the inventory.
Snacks: Always have at least a few small food snacks with you.
Weapons: Find an initial weapon — a repurposed item like a frying pan will do!
Tools: Hammer, saw, axe, screwdriver, or can opener.
Entertainment: Some books and magazines provide entertainment, while others offer valuable XP boosts.
Backpack: With any luck, you can find a backpack (or activate the starter kit) for more space.
Bandages: Tear some clothing into rags to make emergency bandages. Trust me, you’ll need them!
Use TV and Radio for More Skills
You can spend the rest of the first day and a large part of the second in your house, utilizing the entertainment media there. Watch TV or listen to the radio to receive news or strengthen a skill. The “Life and Living” show at 6 AM, 12 PM, and 6 PM boosts your skills in cooking, building, and survival.
Meanwhile, you can also start consuming some of the Level 1 books to gain experience points even faster. The indicator for this is the three white arrows in your skill tab.
Understand and Master the Moodle System
Your character informs you of their current mood, known as moodles, on the right side of the screen. If there’s nothing there, your character has no complaints. Sooner or later, some symbols will appear. Respond accordingly to what your character currently needs.
Exploring the Environment – But Be Cautious!
Now it’s getting boring just sitting in a house. And you might already be running low on resources. It’s time to venture outside. We provide essential survival tips for your first steps in the outside world.
Stealth Techniques vs. Combat Strategies
The more you can avoid fighting zombies, the better! The C key on your keyboard will likely become your best friend. Always sneak when you’re not in a safe place.
If a zombie sees you and you’re close enough, it will come after you. You can prepare for combat by holding the right mouse button or try to escape. Conveniently, you need to walk and run to escape the zombie. You are faster than they are! Try to break the zombie’s line of sight by ducking around corners or fences.
For initial battles, we recommend setting the attack outline option for all weapons. This way, you’ll know when you can attack. Swing longer weapons a few seconds earlier because the bigger the radius, the more damage you do. Once the zombie is on the ground and you’re standing over it, it can’t get up. Hit it with your weapon or stomp on it until it’s dead.
Conclusion
We hope these tips help you survive more than just a few days. It’s crucial to always be prepared for emergencies and avoid confrontations as much as possible. Rent your own server for Project Zomboid with us and start the adventure in the apocalypse with your friends. This way, you can support each other and have better chances of survival!
