How To Play Project Zomboid | Simple Beginners Guide

[@DouglasHollingsworth1]

Under Advanced Zombie Lore, I recommend newbies also set Refresh Rate to 0. That way it's more realistic bc as you clear out zombies in certain areas those areas won't spawn new zombies (but zombies from nearby squares can migrate into those empty squares still). This way (just like in real life) you can establish a safe zone around your base by just regularly patrolling and clearing out wandering zeds.

[@sussyslurp]

+1 I always keep zomboid respawns off. In addition, setting sight to poor will make them less able to spot you and pretty balanced since its one of you and a world of them, also setting pop start multiplier to .5 helps for starting players to not immediately get swarmed but population will return to normal after a while. Also setting Rally Group Separation to MAX will make mini hordes more spaced out and less abundant.

[@banuner_]

I agree with turning respawns off. I personally play with the exact settings the “apocalypse” mode has just with respawns off.

[@jordanslotter]

Why for newbies tho. I feel like it should be like that to begin with. If you clear a area they shouldn't respawn. Makes sense no?

[@DouglasHollingsworth1]

@@jordanslotter Eh, the "Zomboid experience" as the devs intend it includes the ever present danger of an unexpected mob. By removing that pressure of constant unknown danger, you're moving farther from the intended experience. Which isn't bad, to be clear. But eventually I'd always recommend folks use default settings for gameplay in any game as a matter of principle 🙂

[@jordanslotter]

@@DouglasHollingsworth1 I understand. I'm gonna be playing it for the first time later. I'll try default for now

[@beerten202]

tip from a guy who just bought the game a few days ago. dont be ashamed to start off with weaker zombie settings. remember its to have fun not to have a bad time

[@TyDieMusic]

I just started too. Used mods to start as a soldier. Its a great way to learn.

[@alanhembra2565]

My most current game the helicopter showed up right when my exhausted character was about to sleep at his new base. It ended with his car overturned, lots of dead zombies and he hiding in a porta potty bandaging multiple lacerations. I love this game.

[@argenthellion]

The essential item list for anyone focused on long-term survival 1.) INVENTORY - LARGE BACKPACK is the best vanilla backpack (only bested by the military backpack which is way too rare to find) - DIGITAL WATCH, obviously - METAL BAR or METAL PIPE as the main weapon for at least a full year in order to level short blunt, for the simple reason that you should ALWAYS have a HAMMER and WRENCH on your belt as backups at all times (both are very durable weapons and you can use them to demolish doors or cars) - SCREWDRIVER for dissasembling electronics - SAW for dissasembling furniture to get nails and planks to block off entry points - Flashlight if you ever get caught out at night (and for exploring basements once build 42 comes along). The hand torch should be a placeholder until you get a flashlight - STERILIZED BANDAGES should be your only means of treating wounds, Ripped Sheets will do as a placeholder - Pencil for writing down on the map 2.) VEHICLE (trunk) - Can opener in case you need to open canned foods you come across - a spare Metal Bar or Metal Pipe - Gas Can so you can keep refueling your car when needed - SLEDGEHAMMER if you need to break your way through anything 3.) VEHICLE (glove compartment) - non-perishable food that does not require a can opener to eat

[@affsteak3530]

For me the can opener stays in the bag. Canned fruit provides a fast happiness boost

[@nemesissombria]

To add to that: you can sterilise your sheets and bandages by boiling a saucepan or pot full of water.

[@WilliamTheMovieFan]

Under the sandbox presets, the Builder option is better for beginners than the Survivor one. It reduces the zombie stats so they are slower and weaker. Turning off the respawn is good too, so your base area will be safe once you clear the area of zombies. The starter kit option is good too, and you can also check the box for “all outfits”. That will allow the player to select any clothing item for their character. They can start out with the best armored clothing for protection. I swear by the aim outline option and have it set to All Weapons, on the options menu. It allows all melee weapons to use the green outline that will appear when the zombie is close enough to attack. It is weapon specific too. Weapons with a longer range, like spears and bats, will allow you to attack sooner and the zombie will outline in green when you are in range and facing them. Knives have a shorter range, so the zombie won’t outline in green until it is really close. Also, if the zombie isn’t green, you won’t hit it. As a bonus, it will allow you to target the zombie when it is hard to see them, like behind a truck or in the dark.

[@neshiah4747]

Excellent instructions. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@arcanine_enjoyer]

A big tip: Ignore elitist players! If someone doesn't like the way you play because *you* want a little bit of accessibility don't listen to them. They didn't buy you the game, therefore, don't listen (unless it's a friend, at that point they probably are trying to make you better at the game anyway)

[@thegreendank1]

You must play on pussy settings 😂 sorry, i was trying to sound elitist.

[@affsteak3530]

I turned off infections for my multiplayer game with my spouse. Its more casual, but we're having a blast.

[@pizzagod4277]

@@affsteak3530my favorite lol

[@Jedi_Vigilante]

I have a very structured approach to inventory "must haves"... Other than the main inventory (where I have my clothes, primary weapon, and a water bottle), I like to have 2 fanny packs to keep my "essentials" in. The first is my First Aid pack, where I have several sterilized bandages, vitamins, painkillers, a pencil, a 4-color BIC pen, and a spare water bottle. The second is my Snacks pack, where I generally store as much non-perishable, weight-efficient food (usually dehydrated meat sticks or beef jerky, but canned food that doesn't need a can opener works in a pinch) as possible. (The 4-color BIC pen is from a mod that also lets you use your pencil as an eraser for your map. It is one of the least intrusive mods to the actual gameplay while offering several good QOL benefits, like not having to carry around 4 different pens if I want to color-code my map...) My main pack has the basic tools (screwdriver, hammer, saw), a back-up weapon (usually a hunting knife or crowbar), and a flashlight with spare battery. If I find an early 2-way radio/walkie-talkie with the AEBF on it, then I'll carry that around until the helicopter event as well. (One of my favorite mods I found recently was one where you can wear a satchel on your back with a backpack, which means I can replace one of the fanny packs with the larger, more weight efficient satchel and put the tools in that along with my snacks.) Once I have a car, I usually go about trying to load up a duffel bag with all the mechanics-related tools (wrench, jack, lug wrench, tire pump, gas can) to keep in the trunk, along with a propane torch and welding mask. I'll even load some spare parts (like a tire, battery, engine parts) in one of the spare seats if possible. The glove compartment gets filled with a spare weapon and as much non-perishable food and water as I can, just in case I have to rough-it away from lootable places for a little while.

[@clownymcclownerton1653]

Gonna grab that pen mod thanks to you

[@Austin-bc1yh]

You should add that before loading an already made save there is a extra/more option on the bottom of the screen by the load button that allows you to make more characters and switch between them when reloading the world. Very useful if you want a combat oriented character early on but find yourself lacking much needed carpentry and electrical when stuff turns off. should also explain backpacks for better looting management as well. also for anyone reading this. AVOID USING GUNS NEAR YOUR BASE. Only use them far away from home with a planned escape and many boxes of ammo and make sure its a shotgun if your aiming skill is anything less than 5

[@Aqua_Duck]

Pro tip for any one reading this 1 year after the release of this video: play the tutorial it helps a lot and there is a fun surprise at the end

[@MrSavagebeat]

Love this guide! Thanks for BONUS - showing how to use Mods. Best community out there.

[@mattwallace963]

I enjoyed this and it was useful, though I was mostly wanted to learn about fortifying your first house or whatever your first base should be.

[@ThermalLance-hg4rd]

Thank you for this video. Me and a friend just started playing and we wanted general tips. Your video is very helpful.

[@jmdragneel6645]

This guide really help me! thank you for making the guides

[@beethovennine]

GREAT video, congratz and keep 'em coming!

[@ctvtxj8671]

This game is great! Got on a random server, created grandma, found fireaxe on the way to people and then rushed in a mall barely naked killing quarter-half of a zombies there. Absolute peak, 10/10

[@thothmark]

Great work. Loved this. Shared it right away.

[@apfelsaftschorle]

Thank you so much, this was an AWESOME video and I love your narration. Keep the work up!

[@Jimersion]

👏Well done! Def sharing this one with my fellow PZ roleplayers. 👍

[@amelmastema]

perfect instructions! 🤩 wish I had them when I started 😇

[@mrmaxwheels]

I have a friend who just got the game, definitely sending this to him, good stuff!

[@affsteak3530]

If youre playing multiplayer with him, consider turn infections off until he has a better grasp of combat. Losing a character to a dice roll on a scratch sucks.

[@dr3amtTwitch]

I find playing as Burglar (hitwire cars, easier opening windows) on Builder difficulty great as a noob. Thank u for the vid 🙏🏽

[@jhonm6347]

I'm managing to survive but progress with the skills is feeling really slow and the game is quite boring, there's no point to it. I feel like I'm missing something. This is very helpful.

[@noahb5482]

I just got the game and can’t even reach double digit hours…. A lot of good tips in this video. Much appreciated!

[@kolz4ever1980]

Git gud scrub

[@wolfesmediaden]

Sunday Driver is a great perk actually. i mean it gives you an extra point to spend plus you can override the slow driving with using the cruise control button.

[@madmanTOTTIE]

Just about to download and start playing, thanks for the tips

[@sladedarkness1616]

But I like Sunday driver. Mentioning that you have that with friends increases the chances of not driving and someone else will. 😅

[@Mauvasa]

Haha I didn't consider this hidden perk in multiplayer! :)

[@sladedarkness1616]

@@Mauvasa That's why I always look for the positive side in these negative traits and use them in multiplayer with the unknown or when I Rp with friends

[@chimchu3232]

I did the same thing 😂 I was like, "well, I don't really wanna drive anyway so my friend can if I have his trait"

[@CashMoneyMerta]

My tip is to jog a lot and spring rarely. You can jog way faster than zombies and can easily break LOS by jogging without exhausting yourself.

[@Procarz]

Pretty nice video... I will once again tried to play this game.. Thank you:)

[@leespiderpod]

My son made me buy this so he could watch me panic, shit myself and die miserably - but thanks to this video he’ll be unprepared for my amazing survival abilities

[@becarefullumbagoishere4661]

thanks for the tips now i know what ill do when i start to play 👍🏻🙏🏻

[@affsteak3530]

Fastest way to learn driving: play as a Burglar so you can hotwire any car and pick a setting with vehicles in good condition. Then you can quickly grab a car and drive until you inevitably crash it or get stuck in a horde. Cruise control (Ctrl+W) is your friend.

[@deadeyemik]

A very well done video AAA

[@pacior162]

Does anybody know, what it means in transmission options "Everyone is infected" does it mean you can heal bitemark? I understand you will became zombie without being bitten but what about danger from a bitemark?

[@AliceBiscuit]

Very nice guide, thank you for posting!

[@Mauvasa]

I'm glad you found it helpful! :) Thanks for watching!

[@elenaelena2968]

Always like your videos 🎉

[@Aoulz]

this is such a good video

[@Ryno337L]

Does anyone know of a mod that allows you to keep the power and water on for ever as I have a server with some friends and I don’t have as much time to play as the others and learning the game with no water or power sounds not very fun 😅

[@xavierdoesntmatter]

I have a question I can't find answered well. Range of the TV for skill gain... what is it? A lot of people play on volume 1 and sit right in front of it while I've seen others play with 3 and still sit right in front of it. I've seen reddits claim even on 1 it reaches "whole room" but others have said they can get the skill bonus even through a wall in a neighboring room on 1. What is the truth? While asking that, what is the range on it attracting zombies? Lots of people say to keep the volume low because it attracts zombies but I've yet to see any zombie seem to care at all about a TV being on. Extra question, is there a setting to disable the helo but still have random gunshots/screams? I don't seem to be finding it. It appears like it's either all or nothing.

[@plantex9]

Great video, thank you for the spoiler alert

[@nexusnero]

02:05 Running away is more reliable, just be stealthy

[@Eissey1879]

I have 3,000+ hours in this game and I was watching your wonderful video while playing PZ. At 7:48 I physically reacted with a "Oh shit!" until I realized it was in your video. Just goes to show new players how devastating a house alarm can be in the wrong circumstance. Also to new players, there is no right or wrong way to play this game. I play with zombie infection turned off, because getting ripped to shreds is just as deadly as a bite, haha.

[@Mauvasa]

100% agree! The best way to play is the one that works best for you :)

[@Mildfudgesunday]

is it better to read a book first for the multiplier and then watch tele?

[@Mauvasa]

Yeah the books will increase the amount of XP you'll get from the shows, so always better to read them first if you can

[@kallsusae]

my main issue is when my character turns his back to a zombie (no i do not keep my mouse cursor on the zombie, i keep it far back) or how they just decide to not attack at all. for no reason, despite me doing everything right. its annoying. It has ended almost all of my runs for over a year. And the only reason i cant survive out to a week, also i have extremly bad luck. Loot settings at default, i cant find basic tools like screw drivers. its frustrating.

[@xaiyeon_xiuzhen]

ty!!

[@cemdeveci656]

thanks

[@PajamaMage]

Damn, good overview.

[@ElenaElena-zr5nk]

Good to know 👍 👍

[@Drazja]

Can you do a video on zombie pop spawns and pop settings. I don't understand it, and it's annoying as hell.

[@bulbasaurbrutal5137]

I saw something that frankly creeped me out yesterday. I was in a bathroom, all of a sudden under the closed door there was a caterpillar. I've never come across one of these before. This bitch was huge! I'm talking a dog sized caterpillar. I wish I'd have screenshotted it but I didn't. I reluctantly opted to pick it up. I then dropped it out again and it had turned into a tiny little thing, an ordinary looking caterpillar. I saved it in my fridge.

[@M123-y3l]

I don’t have a game but if I get it I plan to play multiplayer… Is there a specific server I need to get into to play open world PVPVE?

[@Mauvasa]

The best place to find multiplayer servers is probably the developer's discord, they have a few channels for server recruitment. There are no "official" servers but there are some great community run ones to choose from :)

[@s0yoderz]

lets GO

[@YaMcswgr]

are the mods free? please lmk asap

[@TURTWIG094]

Thanks I’m trying to get my gf addicted to sims on this

[@smartyplants7666]

MF i thought the sims started loading up on my work computer, gave me a mini heartattack

[@macrick]

Is that your avatar? Just bought the game. Any east asian avatar? I wanna be glenn, coz i used to deliver pizza too

[@Mauvasa]

Awesome! Welcome to the Project Zomboid community :) Yeah I made this model just using the vanilla character creator. You can choose from a bunch of options and save the avatar for future games in the bottom left on the same screen. For Glenn specifically, you might need a mod to get the custom textures for his clothes. There's one in the workshop called "Glenn Outfit". There is also a really great mod called "Authentic Z" which has a ton of clothing options including some from TWD, it makes the zombies look more interesting as well

[@sanitater7639]

I am way too big of a hoarder for this game, I swear... Also, fuck the helicopter event I just turn it off

[@marcpapkov8445]

hehe danger noodle

[@soliitudegaming7275]

Why would the helicopter just hover above you? What is it achieving? Seems like a silly way to pointlessly swarm zombies. No helicopter pilot would ever do that.

[@iamradical]

I am so bad at this game

[@cubey]

Am I the only sane person? They need to redo the controls. Aiming for melee is effing stupid and barely works

[@oleg3209]

Why do people even need this? The best tutorial is already implemented in game

[@Mystb_cs]

Definitely not watching with 400 hours