The Ultimate Guide to State of Decay: Breakdown – Level Caps and Beyond
The question of the highest level in State of Decay: Breakdown often sparks curiosity among players. The straightforward answer is that while the game is coded up to level 99, the in-game difficulty caps itself at level 12. This means, by default, you can’t automatically progress beyond the difficulty curve established at level 12. However, the game’s developers left the level file open for editing, allowing determined players to manually increase the difficulty beyond the intended maximum, which is Level 12. This feature adds a unique dimension to the game’s replayability, letting players push their survival skills to the absolute limit.
Understanding State of Decay: Breakdown
The Essence of Breakdown
Before diving deeper into the intricacies of the level system, it’s crucial to understand what Breakdown is within the State of Decay universe. Unlike the main storyline of State of Decay, which has a definitive ending, Breakdown is a sandbox mode. Think of it as an endless loop, where each playthrough becomes progressively more challenging. The core gameplay mechanic revolves around repairing an RV. Once repaired, players escape to the next level with a small group of survivors. Each successive level resets the map, decreases the available resources, and increases the overall strength and frequency of zombies. This escalating difficulty is what makes Breakdown so engaging.
The Leveling System in Detail
The numerical levels in Breakdown don’t directly correspond to player levels. Instead, they dictate the overall difficulty of each new map reset. At the start of each playthrough, the level is initially low, allowing players to establish a foothold, gather resources, and build up their community. Once the RV is repaired and the escape is made, the difficulty level increases, introducing more powerful zombies, fewer resource nodes, and a generally harsher environment. While the game is technically coded to level 99, the designed difficulty increase ends at level 12. This is where the player-controlled customization comes in.
Customizing Difficulty Beyond Level 12
The fact that developers left the level file open for editing allows players a unique level of control over the game. Using modding tools or editing game files, the level cap can be bypassed to create significantly more difficult scenarios. Going past level 12 results in a substantial difficulty spike, as the game is not inherently balanced beyond this point. This creates a compelling challenge for dedicated players seeking the ultimate test of their survival skills in the zombie apocalypse.
Why Cap at Level 12?
The decision to cap the difficulty at level 12 was likely a design choice by the developers to provide a substantial challenge without making the game unplayable. Allowing the ability to edit the level beyond this cap means they acknowledged that certain players might be interested in extreme challenges while also maintaining a reasonable, balanced experience for the vast majority. This ensures that those looking for a difficult but manageable experience will find the game more appealing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About State of Decay: Breakdown
1. Does State of Decay Breakdown have an ending?
No, Breakdown does not have a traditional ending like the base game. You can “end” a particular run by completing the repairs on the RV, which then resets the map for the next level, with increasing difficulty. However, there is no final screen or culmination of the overall game experience.
2. What is the main objective of Breakdown?
The primary objective of Breakdown is survival. Each level requires players to rebuild, manage resources, and escape via RV, moving onto a progressively harder map with the same core objectives. It’s about seeing how long you can last and how far you can get.
3. What is the best base in State of Decay: Breakdown?
The Snyder Trucking Warehouse is widely considered the best base due to its easily defensible layout and built-in machine shop. Another strong option is the Kirkman Residence, known for its defensibility and ample building space, though it’s located in the farmlands.
4. Does research carry over between levels in State of Decay: Breakdown?
Yes, absolutely. All research that you’ve completed carries over between each Breakdown level. This is a major benefit that allows you to focus on other things as the difficulty increases. You won’t need to re-research anything that you’ve already unlocked.
5. Do unlocked heroes carry over?
Unlocked heroes are added to the pool of potential survivors that can be recruited in enclaves or via radio calls on any level. This means you’ll have more options as you progress through the game, with access to various heroes that you’ve previously encountered.
6. How long does it take to complete State of Decay?
Completing the main objectives in the base game of State of Decay takes about 15 ½ hours. For those aiming to achieve 100% completion, expect to invest around 37 hours.
7. What’s the difference between State of Decay and Breakdown?
Breakdown is a sandbox DLC for State of Decay. The base game has a storyline with an end, while Breakdown is an infinite sandbox mode with escalating difficulty. It focuses on the core survival aspects of the game without the narrative structure.
8. What is the hardest map in State of Decay?
The Drucker County map, often called “The Plateau,” is widely considered the hardest. Its large size forces a lot of driving, which can be a challenge due to the game’s driving mechanics.
9. What are the best bases in State of Decay, besides in Breakdown mode?
Beyond Breakdown, the best base locations in the main game include the Snyder Trucking Warehouse and the Trumbull County Fairgrounds. These locations offer the largest building space and strategic defensive advantages.
10. Will there be a State of Decay 3?
Yes, State of Decay 3 is in development. However, rumors suggest it may not be released until 2027, highlighting a significant development period for the highly anticipated game.
11. Does State of Decay have a storyline?
Yes, the main game of State of Decay features a compelling storyline. Players are tasked with leading a group of survivors and either following the plot or focusing on the community’s survival via base management and outpost creation.
12. Can you have relationships in State of Decay?
The game features relationships among survivors that can lead to boosts in morale and stats. However, if one person in a close relationship dies, the other can become depressed and may negatively impact the community.
13. What is the end goal of State of Decay?
The main game concludes when players destroy all the plague hearts in the area, which unlocks a legacy story that depends on the player’s leader selection. The game’s conclusion is the cementation of their community’s lasting contribution to the world.
14. What are the best leader types in State of Decay?
The best leader types in State of Decay are ranked as follows: 1. Warlord 2. Trader 3. Sheriff and 4. Builder. Each type provides a unique set of skills and gameplay style.
15. Which is better, State of Decay 1 or 2?
State of Decay (the original) excels in difficulty, map design, and story. State of Decay 2 wins in terms of customization, missions, and graphics. Which game is “better” ultimately depends on what aspects a player values more.
In conclusion, while State of Decay: Breakdown is coded up to level 99, the official difficulty curve caps at level 12. However, players can use the open file to increase difficulty further, if they wish. Breakdown provides a unique, replayable, and challenging zombie apocalypse experience that can be customized to fit the preferences of any survival game enthusiast.