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Project Zomboid Overview & Tips

Jul 11, 2024

Project Zomboid Lecture Notes

Introduction

  • Steep learning curve
  • Goal: Learn to survive and excel in-game

Tutorial

  • First step: Complete the tutorial
  • Provides a basic understanding of game mechanics
  • Teaches about the in-game virus antidote

Starting Your World

  • Mode: Custom Sandbox
  • Recommended Town: Rosewood
    • Moderate zombie population
    • Guns: Police station
    • Melee weapons: Fire department
    • Backpack: School
  • Settings:
    • Highly customizable
    • Critical setting: Time ⇒ Start at 5 AM
    • For lower-end PCs:
      • Lower zombie populations
      • Reduce corpse removal time
      • Lower blood level to improve performance

Building Your Character

  • Basic Build:
    • Occupation: Burglar
      • Start with stealth & medium fitness
      • Can hotwire vehicles
    • Negative Perks: High thirst
      • Easy to find drinks
  • Additional Traits:
    • Negative Traits:
      • Slow reader: Safe environments for reading
      • Weak stomach: Avoid rotten food
      • Prone to illness: Choose Outdoorsman to counteract
      • Smoker: Cigarettes are plentiful
      • Underweight: Easily gain weight
    • Positive Traits:
      • Choose based on strength & fitness (e.g., Stout, Fit, Strong, Athletic)
      • Optional: Handy for base building, Amateur Mechanic for mechanics

Gameplay Tips

  • First Steps:
    • Shut all curtains in the house
    • Tune TV to Life and Living for XP
    • Search house: Gather food, weapons, and water containers
    • Arm yourself: Always have a weapon
    • Read beginner skill books for XP multiplier
    • Make bandages from socks and other clothing
    • Disinfect bandages: Use boiling water, disinfectant, or bourbon
  • Early Game Tips:
    • Remove glass from windows before climbing
    • Avoid sprinting unless necessary
    • Enable aim outline in display settings
    • Disassemble furniture for carpentry XP
    • Leave car running for a quick escape
    • Manage negative moodles (Panic, Pain, Stress)
    • Use guns cautiously (stick to shotguns initially)
    • Use online map for navigation
    • Avoid hitting zombies with your car

Conclusion

  • Future topics:
    • Weeks 1-2 survival tactics
    • Detailed combat tutorial

Keep surviving and stay alert!