In Project Zomboid, almost anything can be a weapon when you want to defeat a zombie. Whether it’s a frying pan, a plunger, or a kitchen knife, nearly all household items are suitable for combat. But the fun begins when you find really good weapons and can effectively fight your way through the map. However, the selection is vast, and more damage is not always better. Your play style and the usability of the weapon are crucial in determining how well or poorly you can use it against zombies. With our Top 10, you’re on the right track and will hopefully get into the gameplay quickly!
Baton - The Perfect Weapon for Beginners
Weapon Type: short and blunt
Location: Police stations, on police officers, survivor’s house
The baton is a wonderful weapon for beginners because it is relatively easy to find and extremely effective in combat. You can hold it in one hand, attack quickly, and deal comparatively high damage. Additionally, the baton has high durability, even though you can’t repair it. If you have Multi-Hit activated, you can also strike two zombies at once, which is super handy for hordes!
Pitchfork - Classic Zombie Defense
Weapon Type: long and pointed
Location: Farm, hardware stores
The pitchfork is also one of the classic weapons in a zombie apocalypse and can also be used in Project Zomboid. It falls under the category of spears, a long weapon with great reach. If you prefer to keep zombies at a distance, then a pitchfork is perfect for that. Moreover, it is durable and deals significant damage. The only downside: it is very rare!
Baseball Bat for Starters
Weapon Type: long and blunt
Location: Starter kit, sporting goods store, gym
If you’re looking for a two-handed weapon for starters, you should go straight for the baseball bat. Anyone who has activated the starter kit in the sandbox settings should check their backpack and equip the baseball bat available right from the start. It has a solid range, deals good critical damage, and can also hit multiple enemies at once. Additionally, you can knock zombies to the ground with it, giving you time to catch your breath. Another advantage is that the baseball bat can be upgraded for even more damage!
Wooden Spear as a Crafting Alternative
Weapon Type: long and pointed
Location: Crafting
We already mentioned the pitchfork as a spear, but you don’t necessarily have to find such a weapon to defend yourself. With a bit of craftsmanship, you can carve a spear from a simple stick. Especially for players who don’t want to rely on found weapons, a wooden spear is a wonderful alternative for the beginning. At the same time, you can also use the spear for fishing to survive in nature. And if you find a short stabbing weapon, you can attach it to the tip for even more damage!
Knife for One-Hit Kills
Weapon Type: short and pointed
Location: Kitchen, camping stores, survivor’s house
Since we’re talking about knives, let’s take a closer look at this type of weapon. In the tutorial, you were already taught that you can make a one-hit kill with them, which is very effective, especially when sneaking! Knives also have a high chance of critical hits and are great as a secondary weapon. The best knives are the classic kitchen knife and the hunting knife, but really any short stabbing weapon can be deadly.
Crowbar - Durable and Versatile
Weapon Type: long and blunt
Location: Cars, garage
The crowbar is considered one of the best weapons by many players. It deals good damage and has the longest durability of all melee weapons in the game. This alone makes it perfect for those who don’t want to constantly worry about repairs. It is quick to find and belongs in almost every inventory. And with Multi-Hit, you can hit up to three zombies at once! You can also use the crowbar to break open doors or for other crafting purposes.
Upgraded Baseball Bat with Nails
Weapon Type: long and blunt
Location: Crafting
We’ve already mentioned the regular baseball bat, and its crafting possibilities are extremely practical for anyone who finds it too boring. Once you’ve found some nails and a hammer, you can give your bat an upgrade! This adds a bit more damage and allows you to repair the baseball bat and equip it with more nails. You can also attach nails to blunt weapons.
Machete - The All-Rounder
Weapon Type: long and pointed
Location: Pawnshops, weapon stores
Now we come to the top 3 of the ranking – the weapons that every player should use. First up is the machete, a one-handed weapon with good damage, great reach, and excellent crafting options. You can, for example, attach it to a previously mentioned spear to drastically increase your reach. But even on its own, the machete is a wonderful all-rounder, easy to handle and repairable. The only problem is that it’s quite rare, and you’ll probably have to search through several stores and houses to find it.
Axe - Versatility and Utility
Weapon Type: various
Location: Garages, fire stations, crafting, hardware stores
Axes are also typical of a zombie apocalypse and are perfect for decimating hordes of undead. The game offers you a range of different axes, all of which are handled differently. Some can only be used two-handed, slow and powerful – while others are lighter, faster, and can be used one-handed. Find the type of axe that suits you best. Axes are, of course, also useful outside of combat for wood chopping or destroying barricades. Additionally, you can repair them or craft them yourself, making them long-lasting.
Katana - The Ultimate Melee Weapon
Weapon Type: long and pointed
Location: Pawnshop, survivor’s house, residences
At the very top is the katana, the best melee weapon in the game! It deals an incredible amount of damage and can even kill most zombies with a single strike. On top of that, it uses little stamina, has great reach, and can attack quickly in succession. Katanas can be used both one-handed and two-handed. But of course, you don’t find such a weapon everywhere; it is extremely rare and has a spawn chance of just 0.2% at best, but usually around 0.01%. Additionally, it is fragile and cannot be repaired.
Conclusion
Melee weapons are perfect for keeping most zombies at bay and engaging in your first fights. And the selection is vast! Find the weapons that best suit your play style. You can rent a Project Zomboid server with us and join your friends in the search for rare weapons. Maybe you’ll get lucky and find one of the rare katanas!
