Overview
I have played ZPS a lot, and I mean A LOT. I’ve managed to train myself in-game to do certain things that usually leave me alive long enough to win the game, or at least be one of the last to die. These help me, so I figured I would put them on the community hub for all lovers of ZPS to see.This guide is focused mainly on survival maps, this guide will most likely not help but hinder on most objective maps.
Tip 1: Know when you can fight
It’s a simple scenario really, say you’re walking down a hallway, alone, with nothing but a Glock18, 10 extra rounds, and a frying pan. Next thing you know, the carrier and two other zombies come running towards you. The thing is, is that they’re still a good ways, maybe 3-4 seconds off.
So what do you do?
Well, from playing as a zombie, most players tend to either do one of two things:
1 – Stand there and shoot
2 – Charge and shoot
However, there’s a third option.
3 – Run away
I know, sounds crazy right? But a common error a lot of players, not just newbies, but a lot of regulars, make, is that they think that they can take on a three zombies with a 27 rounds. Turning around and simply running may save your life, because you may be able to find more survivors, or find a nice corner to hide in.
However, this is not all. Knowing which side to take in the fight or flight response isn’t just a game of rather or not you’re in a hallway with a pistol and a few zombies coming at you. It’s about a lot of things:
-What weapon you’re using?
-How much ammo you have for that weapon?
-What other weapons do you have, along with ammo for those weapons?
-How many zombies is there?
-Range.
-Are there any other zombies nearby?
-Are there any other survivors nearby?
-Is there any cover for the zombies?
…Just to name a few at the top of my head. So, whenever you’re considering fighting or running, try to make a mental list when you’re walking around, not fighting, that way, you can quickly factor all these in, and make a decision when you are 3-4 seconds away from taking damage.
Tip 2: Never rely on other survivors
For a game that credits itself on teamwork, there really isn’t a whole lot. So when you prepare to break off, and somebody yells ”Hey ♥♥♥♥♥♥, you’re gonna’ get murdered!” but break off anyways, and you do end up surviving longer than they do. Well, just ignore them then, because nobody is going to take better care of you than yourself.
Now, don’t get me wrong, if you can. Do try to save other survivors, do try to give out spare ammo. Because you never know when you’re going to need help yourself. But except for little things like that, people simply really aren’t worth ♥♥♥♥. There will always be that one guy who forgets to keep the back barricade mantained, the guy who turns his back on the unchecked doorway for a split second, and the guy who hogs all the rifle ammo even though they have a remmington.
Now, should you never travel in groups, should you never stay and barricade with others? No, of course not, but be careful, and never let your guard down. No barricade is unbreakable, nobody is safe from infection, and no amount of ammo lasts forever.
Tip 3: Nomad around
You are probably familar with the term ”Nomad” it generally describes a person or group of people that’s always moving, and never stays in a single place for too long of a period of time. That’s how you should be in ZPS, even on maps like the lake maps.
Basically, when you first spawn, break off from the crowd and begin to either search for more pistol ammo, or a primary weapon, such as a shotgun or automatic weapon. After that, find a decent area, specifically one with 2-3 exits, and try to put some basic things on the doorways. Such as a couch, or some dressers. Although these alone can’t keep zombies back, they can act as a alarm, and a measure of delay.
Now, once you find a decent room, try to find a good firing spot, one with a good view of all exits, but also far away enough to grant some firing space. Also, if the round is slow, try moving objects not in use to the sides and edges of the room so zombies can’t use them as cover.
Now, once your ”base” has been discovered, and ammo is started to run low, it’s time to enter nomad mode again, just pick you best weapon, and run with it. It’s usually best to mix finding more ammo with finding a good place to hold up next. However, if most of the survivors are dead, focus on simply findind ammo, if you want to hold up though. Once again, pick a spot with few entraces but good space between the entrace and you, skip barricading, unless you have spare hammers around.
Now, as a final tip, once zombie attacks on your base begin regular, about maybe one zombie every 30 seconds, it’s time to leave. The only exception should be if the barricading are holding, and if it’s the same zombie over and over again, basically, just use common sense.
Tip 4: How to scavenge
A suprising good way to find more ammo and weapons that few people use, is to simply check areas where survivors died a long time ago. Most of these areas look something like this:
Notice the lack of people, the bodies, props thrown everywhere, and blood. Along with the still-intact barricade at the far back of the room. This is usually what these areas look like. Now, the danger level of these areas is dependent on two different mindsets that zombies have after raiding a holdout like this:
1 – The area is cleared of survivors, there’s no point in going back.
2 – The area is cleared of survivors, it’s a safe place to travel through.
So the danger level is variable, but as long as you remain alert, and listen (and pause) for footsteps, you’ll be fine.
TL:DR – Tips only section
1 – If you can, always consider rather or not you can win a battle. Factor your ammo, health, gun, and range.
2 – Always help out other survivors if possible.
3 – Never stay in one place for too long if zombies are reguarly attacking your location
4 – If a place where survivors have been holding up gets raided by zombies, raid it yourself for ammo later on.
5 – Listen for footsteps.
6 – Barricades don’t have to stop an enemy, use them as alarms or to delay zombies.
7 – Don’t be afraid to go alone.
8 – Never let your guard down.
9 – Don’t be afraid to hide for a short period of time.
10 – Never, ever, rely on other survivors.