Understanding Infestation Rewards in State of Decay 2: A Comprehensive Guide

In State of Decay 2, clearing out infestations provides crucial benefits, with the primary reward being an increase in Influence. Specifically, you gain +20 Influence for successfully eliminating an infestation on every difficulty level. Additionally, dispatching Screamers within the infestation nets you +5 Influence each. Furthermore, infestations can dynamically grow as wandering zombies are drawn to the chaos, creating a challenging environment for players. But, is it just about the influence? Let’s dive deep into the world of infestations and what you get for dealing with them.

The True Value of Clearing Infestations

Beyond the immediate Influence gain, tackling infestations offers a cascade of positive effects that contribute significantly to the long-term survival and prosperity of your community. These secondary rewards are often less obvious but are arguably just as, if not more, valuable than the Influence points themselves.

1. Reducing Threat Levels & Improving Morale

Infestations act as focal points for zombie activity. Left unchecked, they contribute significantly to the overall threat level in your surrounding areas. Higher threat levels lead to more frequent zombie spawns, increased risk of sieges, and decreased morale within your community. By eradicating infestations, you directly lower the threat level, making it safer to scavenge, travel, and defend your base. A safer environment fosters higher morale, leading to more productive and cooperative survivors. A happy community is a strong community!

2. Safe Scavenging Zones & Resource Acquisition

Infested areas are dangerous, making resource gathering extremely risky. Once cleared, these zones become significantly safer for scavenging. This allows you to access previously inaccessible resources, including crucial supplies like food, medicine, ammo, and building materials. Clearing an infestation is like unlocking a new chest of goodies, ripe for the taking.

3. Preventing Escalation to Plague Infestations

In the Heartland expansion, there’s an added layer of complexity with Plague Infestations. While standard infestations are troublesome, Plague Infestations are far more dangerous and challenging to manage. Proactively clearing regular infestations can help prevent the escalation to these more deadly variants.

4. Improved Community Safety

By reducing the overall zombie presence and threat level in your area, clearing infestations makes your community safer. This reduces the likelihood of unexpected zombie attacks on your base or survivors, resulting in fewer injuries and deaths. Peace of mind is invaluable in the zombie apocalypse!

5. Strategic Control of the Map

Clearing infestations is a strategic move that allows you to exert greater control over the map. By eliminating these zombie hotspots, you create safer routes for travel, facilitate trade with other enclaves, and establish a stronger presence in the region. Think of it as playing a game of strategic domination against the undead!

6. Training & Experience for Your Survivors

Engaging in combat with zombies within infestations provides valuable experience for your survivors. They hone their combat skills, improve their attributes, and become more resilient against future threats. Every infestation cleared is a training ground for your team.

Strategies for Efficient Infestation Management

Managing infestations effectively requires a combination of preparedness, tactical awareness, and efficient execution. Here are some key strategies to keep in mind:

• Prioritize Screamers: Always prioritize eliminating Screamers as quickly as possible. Their screams attract more zombies, escalating the situation rapidly.
• Use Stealth: Approach infestations cautiously and utilize stealth to eliminate zombies quietly. This can help prevent attracting additional attention.
• Bring the Right Gear: Equip your survivors with appropriate weapons, gear, and consumables. A well-equipped team is more likely to succeed.
• Use Environmental Advantages: Utilize choke points, high ground, and other environmental features to your advantage.
• Work as a Team: Coordinate your attacks and work together as a team to maximize efficiency and minimize risk.
• Manage Noise: Be mindful of noise levels. Loud noises attract more zombies, making the situation more dangerous.
• Early Detection is Key: Keep an eye on your map for new infestations. Addressing them early can prevent them from escalating.

FAQs About Infestations in State of Decay 2

1. What is the maximum number of infestations at a time?

The game typically limits the number of concurrent infested sites to a maximum of 6 per map. This keeps the challenge manageable while ensuring constant zombie activity.

2. How do Plague Hearts affect infestations?

While the article doesn’t mention a direct impact on the number of infestations, Plague Hearts significantly increase the overall zombie threat level, including the frequency and intensity of attacks, which can make infestations more difficult to clear. Eliminating Plague Hearts reduces the overall zombie presence.

3. What’s the difference between regular and Plague Infestations?

Plague Infestations are unique to the Heartland expansion and are significantly more dangerous than regular infestations due to the presence of Plague Zombies and the risk of Blood Plague.

4. What happens when a Plague Heart awakens?

When a Plague Heart awakens, it begins actively sending out Infesting Hordes to attack your base and generally increase the zombie activity in the area.

5. Are sieges related to infestations?

While not directly caused by infestations, a high number of uncontrolled infestations can contribute to a higher threat level, increasing the likelihood and intensity of sieges on your base.

6. Does difficulty level affect infestation rewards?

The +20 Influence reward for clearing infestations remains constant across all difficulty levels. However, the difficulty will influence the number of zombies, their toughness, and their awareness.

7. How can I quickly find infestations on the map?

Infestations are marked on the map with a specific icon, usually a cluster of zombie heads. Keep an eye on your map and regularly scan for new infestations. Using towers for scouting is useful.

8. What is the best weapon for clearing infestations?

The best weapon depends on your playstyle and resources. However, weapons with high ammo capacity and good crowd control, such as assault rifles and shotguns, are generally effective. The Eternal Guard’s Infinite Rage and Prepper’s AK47 are cited in the article as excellent options.

9. Can infestations spawn near my base?

Yes, infestations can spawn near your base, posing a direct threat to your community’s safety and morale. It’s crucial to clear them promptly.

10. Do some maps have more infestations than others?

While all maps generate infestations, the density and frequency can vary slightly. Densely populated maps like Meagher Valley might feel like they have more frequent spawns simply due to the overall zombie presence.

11. How can I prevent infestations from spawning?

You cannot completely prevent infestations from spawning. However, maintaining a low threat level in your surrounding areas by clearing existing infestations and managing noise levels can help reduce the frequency of new spawns.

12. Are there any skills or traits that help with clearing infestations?

Yes, survivors with skills like Fighting, Shooting, and Stealth are particularly useful for clearing infestations. Traits that boost stamina, health, and combat effectiveness are also beneficial.

13. Do infestations respawn after I clear them?

Yes, infestations will respawn over time. The frequency of respawning depends on factors like difficulty level and the number of Plague Hearts on the map.

14. What happens if I ignore an infestation?

Ignoring an infestation allows it to grow, increasing the threat level, attracting more zombies, and potentially leading to attacks on your base or survivors. Additionally, it limits safe scavenging opportunities in the area.

15. Can other enclaves help with infestations?

Other enclaves may occasionally offer missions to clear infestations, but you are ultimately responsible for managing infestations in your area. Helping allied enclaves with infestations can improve your relationship with them. Understanding how different enclaves play a role in the world can be enhanced by engaging with the content and community surrounding Games Learning Society, which explores the dynamics of gameplay.

Conclusion: Mastering Infestations for Survival

Clearing infestations in State of Decay 2 is not just about the immediate Influence gain. It’s about proactively managing the zombie threat, securing valuable resources, improving community morale, and ultimately ensuring the long-term survival of your community. By understanding the benefits and employing effective strategies, you can turn infestations from a nuisance into an opportunity to strengthen your community and dominate the zombie apocalypse. Happy hunting! And remember, for more insights into the world of gaming and learning, visit GamesLearningSociety.org.