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How To Dispose of Zombies in Project Zomboid: A Survivor’s Guide

So, you’ve found yourself knee-deep in the zombie apocalypse of Project Zomboid. The first few hours are a blur of panic, resource gathering, and desperate attempts to avoid becoming a tasty snack. But soon, the reality sets in: you have to deal with the piles and piles of corpses you leave in your wake. Ignoring them isn’t an option. They cause unhappiness, they can spread disease, and frankly, they’re just unsightly. So, how do you dispose of these undead leftovers? The answer, my friend, is multifaceted and depends heavily on your current situation, skill level, and available resources.

Methods of Zombie Disposal: A Comprehensive Overview

Here’s a breakdown of the most effective methods for dealing with zombie corpses in Project Zomboid:

1. Burial: Return to Earth

This is perhaps the most reliable and sanitary method, especially in the long term.

Requirements: A shovel is essential. You might also want gloves to prevent potential sickness.
Process: Find a suitable spot away from your base. Dig a grave. It can hold up to 5 corpses at a time, as well as any clothing and loot they might have. Drag the corpses to the grave and interact with it to bury them.
Benefits: Eliminates corpse-related unhappiness, reduces the chance of disease, and prevents reanimation. Also good for organization as zombies can’t take items out of graves.
Drawbacks: Time-consuming, requires a shovel, and takes up valuable space. Shovels can also be somewhat rare, especially early game. You also need to be careful of zombie hordes while digging the grave and loading the corpses.

2. Burning: Reducing to Ash

A fiery solution for dealing with the undead horde.

Requirements: A source of fire (Molotov cocktail, lighter, campfire), an open space, and extreme caution.
Process: Gather the corpses in a pile. Toss a Molotov or start a campfire nearby. The fire will spread and consume the bodies.
Benefits: Quick, efficient for large numbers of corpses, and satisfyingly apocalyptic.
Drawbacks: Extremely dangerous. Fire can easily spread out of control, destroying buildings, forests, and even your own base. Attracts zombies from a considerable distance. Requires flammable materials, which can be scarce. Remember, the fire will spread until the fuel source is gone.

3. Leaving Them to Rot: The “Natural” Approach

This method is not recommended, but it’s technically an option, and understanding its consequences is crucial.

Requirements: None.
Process: Simply leave the corpses where they fall.
Benefits: Requires absolutely no effort.
Drawbacks: Generates unhappiness for your character and nearby survivors. Increases the risk of corpse sickness. Loot will despawn along with the corpse. Essentially the worst thing you can do.

4. Using the Environment: Waterways and Pitfalls

This method is about utilizing existing environmental features for zombie disposal.

Requirements: Proximity to a river or deep pit, strong enough to carry the corpse.
Process: Carry or drag corpses to the water’s edge and dump them in, or push them into a pit.
Benefits: Can be quicker than burying, especially if a suitable location is nearby. Uses existing resources.
Drawbacks: Limited to specific map locations. Can attract more zombies to the area while you’re transporting corpses. Doesn’t always prevent corpse sickness.

5. Vehicle Disposal: The “Run ‘Em Over” Method

This strategy combines zombie elimination with disposal.

Requirements: A functional vehicle in good condition and preferably some distance to build up speed.
Process: Drive over groups of zombies, collecting their corpses under the vehicle. Then drive away from the base and dump the zombies.
Benefits: Combines zombie killing with disposal, clearing areas quickly.
Drawbacks: Can damage your vehicle. Requires fuel. Attracts more zombies to the noise. Vehicle can get stuck. Doesn’t work for a long term disposal solution.

Factors to Consider: Choose Wisely, Survive Longer

Before choosing a disposal method, consider these factors:

Risk: How likely are you to attract more zombies or accidentally set your base on fire?
Time: How much time are you willing to spend on corpse disposal?
Resources: Do you have the necessary tools and materials?
Location: Are you in a densely populated area or a remote location?
Skills: Your character’s skills influence how quickly and efficiently you can perform certain tasks.

Ultimately, the best method is the one that balances risk, time, and resources effectively for your specific situation. Experiment, adapt, and stay alive! Remember, even in the apocalypse, cleanliness is next to godliness (or at least, it helps prevent depression and disease). Understanding the game mechanics and staying informed is also essential for navigating the challenges of Project Zomboid. You can find additional resources and insights into the design and mechanics of games at the Games Learning Society or GamesLearningSociety.org.

Project Zomboid: Zombie Disposal – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about zombie disposal in Project Zomboid, providing further insight and guidance:

1. Do zombies give up on breaking through doors/windows?

No, not unless they lose interest in you. If they’re focused on breaking something, they’ll keep going until it’s destroyed or they lose aggro. Then they will look for the easiest way to get to you again.

2. Why am I so queasy in Project Zomboid?

Queasiness can be caused by several factors: eating rotten food, being near too many corpses, being infected with the Knox Virus, or wearing wet clothing. Identify the cause and take appropriate action to mitigate the effects.

3. What happens if you get too bored in Project Zomboid?

Boredom leads to unhappiness, which slows down your character’s actions and makes them more susceptible to depression.

4. Does queasy mean death Project Zomboid?

Not necessarily, but it’s a warning sign. It could be the start of zombification, especially if you’ve been scratched or bitten recently.

5. Should you bury zombies in Project Zomboid?

Yes, burying zombies is a good way to prevent unhappiness and reduce the risk of corpse sickness.

6. Does weather affect zombies in Zomboid?

Yes, rain and snow reduce zombie visibility and hearing range, but also affect your own.

7. What are the odds of getting a zombie infection in Project Zomboid?

A scratch from a zombie has a 7% chance of causing infection in Build 41 and later. A laceration has a higher chance, and a bite almost always leads to zombification.

8. Can zombies burn to death Project Zomboid?

Yes, zombies can be burned to death using fire. Be extremely careful with fire; it can spread quickly.

9. Are zombies attracted to campfires Project Zomboid?

Yes, zombies are attracted to light and sound, so campfires will definitely draw their attention.

10. Can you dig graves in Project Zomboid?

Yes, you can dig graves with a shovel to permanently dispose of up to 5 corpses.

11. Can zombies break doors in Zomboid?

Yes, zombies can break doors. Barricading them with planks makes them much harder to breach.

12. Is rain bad in Project Zomboid?

Rain can make it harder to see and hear zombies, but it can also make certain resources, like worms, easier to find. Being wet for extended periods can lead to illness.

13. Do zombies destroy crops in Project Zomboid?

Yes, zombie blood can contaminate and sicken your crops. Keep your farms clear of corpses.

14. Can zombies climb over walls zomboid?

No, zombies cannot climb over walls and tall fences. This can be a useful defensive strategy.

15. What do gunshots mean in Project Zomboid?

Gunshots are a metagame event that attracts zombies from a wide area, even beyond what you can see. They signal danger and the potential for a large horde.

How do you dispose of zombies?