ed

a sh
e
Unl
 e d
ash
e
Unl PRIMA Official Game Guide

Survival Basics
Introduction Gameplay
When the dead first started rising and attacking the Fundamentals
living, reports were largely suppressed out of fear
In terms of physical gameplay, Left 4 Dead plays
that the truth would lead to widespread panic. As
similarly to other first-person shooters, but there are
a result, most citizens were completely unaware of
some minor differences in the control scheme and
the horrific incidents happening around them. But
health system that you should be aware of before
what started out with a few isolated cases quickly
jumping into action.
spread into a full-scale epidemic—an epidemic that
couldn’t be ignored or covered up. Quarantines
were established and evacuation orders were Default Controls
issued, but the infection spread faster than the Action Xbox 360 PC
government and military could respond. Soon,
Right Control
entire cities and regions were overrun with the Move w, s, a, d
infected. The root cause of the outbreak appears
Stick
to be a virus or infection that causes the death Left Control
Aim/Look Mouse
and reanimation of affected individuals. Upon Stick
reanimation, corpses retain the same motor skills Jump 1 z
as a normal living human but lack all cognitive
functions and reasoning. As a result, the undead Reload 2 r
seem to have only one purpose: to attack and kill Use 3 e
the living. There is no cure for the infection. The only
Cycle
hope is to escape it and the thousands of zombies 4 Mouse Wheel
who have succumbed to it. Weapons
Fire/Special Mouse
This guide is filled with vital information to help you 8
Attack Button 1
and your teammates survive the zombie apocalypse
Melee Shove/ Mouse
in Left 4 Dead. Included are proven and field-tested 7
zombie-countering tactics with an emphasis on Melee Attack Button 2
teamwork—a crucial component to any successful Crouch P c
escape attempt. Later in the guide, all four movies 180-Degree
are covered in-depth, including detailed maps + N/A
Spin
illustrating the quickest path from one safe house
to the next. So set aside your shotgun and read Flashlight w f
up. The information in this Molotov/Pipe
guide could save your life a Mouse Wheel
Bomb
and those of your
teammates. First Aid Kit d Mouse Wheel
Pills x Mouse Wheel
Sniper Rifle Mouse
k
Zoom Button 3
Vocalize g k
Main Menu/
9 1
Vote Yes
Status Screen/
0 2
2 Vote No
 Survival Basics
Aiming Ammo in
Reticle Primary
Magazine Weapon
Interface

Survival
Total

Basics
Ammo Count
Secondary
Weapon
Ammo in

The Survivors
and Infected
Magazine
Flashlight
Teammate First Aid Kit
Health Pills
Supplies
Current Hitpoints

& Supplies
Weapons
Teammate Pipe Bomb/ Avatar Health Bar
Health Bars Molotov Portrait
Flashlight: You always have access to a
Aiming Reticle: This crosshair icon is
flashlight regardless of which weapon
superimposed on the HUD and shows
you’re carrying. It can be toggled on and
where your weapon is aiming—place the

No Mercy
off—if on, the flashlight icon is white.
icon over a target to shoot it. The size of
The flashlight can agitate and startle
the reticle differs based on the weapon
some infected, so use it sparingly.
currently selected, indicating accuracy.
Rifles are more accurate than shotguns and First Aid Kit: Each survivor can carry one
thus have a tighter reticle. The reticle also first aid kit. If you have one, this white

Death Toll
expands during movement and as a result icon appears; otherwise it’s grayed out.
of recoil, indicating a decrease in accuracy. First aid kits can be used to heal yourself
For optimal accuracy, fire from a stationary or other survivors.
position, preferably while crouched, and go
easy on the trigger when firing automatic Pills: Survivors can each carry one bottle
weapons. of pills, too. These painkillers replenish

Dead Air
hit points but don’t completely heal like
Avatar Portrait: This image shows which
first aid kits. They can be consumed by
survivor you’re playing as: Bill, Francis,
yourself or handed to other survivors in
Louis, or Zoey.
need of health.
Health Bar: This bar indicates how much
Pipe Bomb/Molotov: Only one hand-
Harvest
health your character has. If the bar is Blood
green, your character is healthy, but if tossed weapon can be carried at a time,
the bar is orange or red, your character represented by a white icon in this
is injured and requires medical inventory slot.
assistance. A movement penalty is
Achievements

Primary Weapon: The silhouette icon

applied to characters with low health,
represents which primary weapon your
reducing their maximum speed.
character is carrying.
Hit Points: This is a numerical
Ammo in Magazine: This number
representation of how much health your
indicates how many rounds remain in
character has.
the weapon’s current magazine. When
Inventory: These four icons show what the number reaches zero, a new
items your character is carrying. magazine must be loaded to resume
firing.

www.primagames.com 3
 e d
ash
e
Unl PRIMA Official Game Guide

Total Ammo Count: This number want to move and use the proper inputs (based
represents how much surplus ammo your on your platform) to advance in that direction.
character is carrying. It does not include Walking is obviously slower than running, but it
rounds loaded into an active magazine. is also stealthier and less likely to draw unwanted
When this number reaches zero, you must attention from the infected. For even stealthier
find more ammo before reloading. movement, drop to a crouch. Crouched movement
is incredibly slow but is by far the best way to sneak
Secondary Weapon: This icon represents around, particularly when attempting to slip past a
which backup weapon you’re equipped with: Witch. In rare circumstances you may be forced to
a single pistol or dual pistols. swim. This sometimes occurs in Death Toll during
Ammo in Magazine: This number the riverfront finale. Movement in the water is
represents how much ammo is left in your identical to movement on land, so swim to the shore
secondary weapon’s magazine(s). A single as quickly as possible.
pistol can hold 15 rounds; dual pistols
carry 30 total. When the number reaches
zero, the weapon(s) must be reloaded. The
pistol has unlimited ammo and can be
TIP
If playing on the Xbox 360, get
reloaded anytime. used to using the 180-degree spin.
With the press of a button your
Teammate Health Bars: The health status of
character rapidly turns completely
all three of your teammates is visible along
around, allowing you to engage
the bottom of the screen, along with their
threats attacking from behind.
names and associated avatar portrait.
Teammate Health Supplies: If your teammates Ranged Combat
are carrying first aid kits or pills, small icons of
each appear next to their avatar portraits, just
above their health bars. Consider asking them
for help if you need to heal.

Movement

Watch your fire when shooting around

teammates. Friendly fire incidents can be
just as deadly as the infected.

Firearms have been proven the most effective

method of neutralizing the infected, so all survivors
Speed is critical, so make sure you don’t lag must be well versed in how these weapons
too far behind your teammates. operate. Although each weapon in Left 4 Dead has
its own characteristics, they all function similarly.
All major methods of transportation have been The crosshair icon in the center of the HUD is the
either destroyed or rendered useless. Streets are weapon’s aiming reticle. Simply place this over a
littered with abandoned cars effectively serving target and squeeze the trigger. The size of the reticle
as roadblocks. Train lines are blocked by derailed indicates how accurate you are based on weapon
cars. Airport runways are littered with the wreckage selection and the stability of your current firing
of crashed aircraft. So escaping on foot is the position. If the crosshair icon is small, your shots are
only option. Walking and running are the primary quite accurate, but if the crosshair icon is spread
forms of movement and function as in any other out, it indicates poor accuracy. Accuracy can be
4 first-person shooter—look in the direction you improved by firing from a stationary or crouched
 Survival Basics
position—watch as the crosshair icon constricts as
you halt movement.
Melee Combat

Survival
So where do you shoot a zombie? Don’t believe

Basics
the rumors stating a headshot is the only way to
kill the common infected. This simply isn’t true.
While headshots always prove fatal, zombies
can be killed by shooting them in the torso or

The Survivors
and Infected
limbs—severing limbs with shotguns, sniper rifles,
or assault rifles is just as lethal as a headshot.
Because of the zombies’ speed, scoring headshots
can be difficult to pull off, so simply aim for center If you’re reloading, shove infected away
mass. It may take more rounds to stop a zombie in with quick melee strikes until you can fire
your weapon.
this fashion, but the torso presents a much larger
target, helping ensure your bullets find their mark. All firearms can be used as melee weapons during

& Supplies
Weapons
close encounters with the infected. Simply aim at
When using automatic weapons, holding down
a target and press the melee attack button or key.
the trigger fires off a continuous stream of rounds.
Melee attacks are rarely fatal, but they’re useful
The increased rate of fire can come in handy
for knocking zombies backward, often allowing
during chaotic swarm attacks, but this benefit
you a better chance to take aim and kill them
is offset by a lack of accuracy (due to recoil) and

No Mercy
with a head or torso shot. Melee attacks can be
increased ammo consumption. Therefore, exercise
performed anytime, even while reloading a firearm.
extreme restraint when using automatic weapons.
This is particularly useful when performing a
To maintain accuracy and conserve ammo, never
lengthy reload on a shotgun or sniper rifle. When
fire more than 3–4 rounds per burst. Ammo is
confronting gassy, bile-filled Boomers, melee attacks
often hard to come by, so the more you waste with
are essential. If you shoot a Boomer at close range,

Death Toll
automatic bursts the more you put your team at
you and your teammates will get slimed with bile as
greater risk if your stores run dry. Another way
the grotesque threat explodes, prompting a swarm
to conserve ammo is by equipping your pistol.
attack. To avoid this, always melee Boomers first and
Pistols never run out of ammo and should be used
shoot them only when you’re a safe distance away.
regularly, particularly when engaging individual
Melee attacks are also the preferred method of
common infected. Save your automatic weapons

Dead Air
knocking a Hunter off a pinned teammate or freeing
for engaging larger groups.
a buddy ensnared by a Smoker’s tongue. It may take
some practice, but performing melee attacks should
become second nature when encountering threats
CAUTION at point-blank range. Harvest
Friendly fire is always on, so Blood

be careful when engaging Health Management

targets near your teammates.
A careless auto burst could
Achievements

injure, incapacitate, or even kill

a teammate. The damage dealt by
friendly fire is increased at the
higher difficulty levels, requiring
even greater caution.

You’re vulnerable to attacks while using

a first aid kit, so make sure a teammate
watches your back as you heal.
www.primagames.com 5
 e d
ash
e
Unl PRIMA Official Game Guide

Health is governed by a basic hit point system. Every rapidly if you’re attacked. Fortunately, you can still
player starts out with 100 hit points and loses health look around and fire your pistol(s) while lying on
while taking damage from infected attacks, friendly your back, providing some self defense. But you must
fire, or by falling from a great height. If you have rely on a teammate to revive you before you can
50 hit points or more, you’re considered healthy, get back on your feet—to revive a fallen teammate,
as indicated by a green health bar, and can move stand over him or her and press and hold the use
at full speed. But as your health dips below 50 hit button/key. If all teammates are incapacitated at
points you’re considered wounded (indicated by once, there’s nobody left to revive, bringing the
an orange health bar) and suffer a slight movement round to an end. Once you’ve been revived you’re
penalty, causing your character to limp. If your given 30 temporary hit points, as indicated by red
health drops below 15 hit points the health bar dashed lines in your health bar—you must heal
turns red, indicating your character is in critical quickly before you run out of health. A player can
condition and in need of first aid. At this point be revived three times per map; after the third time,
movement is slowed even more, making it difficult you can still heal to full health, but if your health bar/
to keep up with healthy teammates. So heal up or at hit points are depleted again, you simply die instead
least ask your teammates to slow down to prevent of becoming incapacitated. If you die in the co-op
being left behind. First aid kits are the best way to campaign or single-player, your character respawns
heal. You can either heal yourself with a first aid kit in a “spawn closet.” These are small rooms scattered
or have a teammate heal you. Pills are another way throughout the map. To be released from a closet a
to gain health, but they are more of a temporary teammate must open the door, at
solution. While pills recover hit points they do not which point you can
completely heal, as indicated by the dashed vertical rejoin your team. In
lines in the health bar. For example, if you use pills versus mode, there
while your health bar is in the orange zone, it will are no
remain orange after using pills even if your hit point respawns.
level is above 50. As a result, you still suffer from a

TIP
movement penalty.

Incapacitation If a teammate is dangling from the

rooftop ledge of a building, you can
help by standing over him or her and
pressing the use button or key, just
as you would perform a revive.

Premise and Game

Modes
The premise of Left 4 Dead is quite simple and
If a teammate is incapacitated, neutralize
any nearby infected, then revive your buddy shares the same basic concepts across all four game
with the use command. modes. As a character in a B-grade horror movie, you
are part of a group of four survivors who must travel
When characters lose all their hit points, they fall to through zombie-infested environments in search
the ground, incapacitated. The avatar portrait and of rescue. Each of the four stand-alone movies
health bar in the bottom-right corner of the screen is consists of five maps that your group of survivors
replaced with a new interface during this phase, with must advance through, stopping at safe houses at
an icon showing your character on his or her back the end of each map, where they can find supplies
and a new health bar filled with red dashed vertical and weapons. In the final map of each movie, your
lines. At the start of incapacitation your character group of survivors must withstand a massive attack
has 300 hit points in this new health bar. These hit by the infected called a finale. If they survive the
6 points slowly melt away over time and can disappear finale, they can board a rescue vehicle and escape,
 Survival Basics
bringing the movie to an end. The basic premise If you connect two controllers to your Xbox 360
of survivors traveling from point A to point B is you can play through the campaign in splitscreen
carried over through the following game modes. mode. This mode supports two players and splits

Survival
Basics
the screen in half, with each player controlling
Co-op Campaign a survivor in a separate partition. In the options
menu you can select whether you want the screen
divided horizontally or vertically. If playing on a
widescreen television or monitor it’s best to split

The Survivors
and Infected
the screen horizontally. This helps preserve your
peripheral vision while playing.

The AI Director
On movie sets, it’s the director who
dictates everything, from the pacing of the

& Supplies
During co-op play, your teammates’ names action to the placement of objects integral

Weapons
appear above their characters, making it to the progression of a story. Valve took
easy identify and address the proper player.
a similar approach when designing Left
In the campaign mode, you and up to three other 4 Dead. All enemy placements and most
players can choose one of the four movies and pickups are determined procedurally by
play through it cooperatively. There are always an entity known as the AI director. The

No Mercy
four survivors while playing in this mode, even if AI director helps ensure each gameplay
only two of them are controlled by actual players. experience is unique no matter how
Any unassigned player slots are taken over by AI- many times you’ve played through a map.
controlled survivors. But new players can join at any But the director does much more than
time, taking the place of one of the AI-controlled randomly place enemies and objects. It

Death Toll
survivors. Such co-op sessions can be played online also monitors the progress of your team
or over system-link on a LAN. If you want to join and tailors the gameplay experience
a match already in progress use the Quick Match based on how successful your team
option. This automatically connects you to a game, is. If your team is doing really well and
allowing you to jump in and join the action within everyone has full health, the director will
a few seconds. If you want more control, choose the

Dead Air
ramp up the difficulty by throwing more
Custom Match or Play with Friends option. Choosing common infected and special infected
the Custom Match option allows you to specify bosses at your team while holding back
what movie and maps you want to play on. The
on dropping useful pickups. If your team
Play with Friends option takes you to a lobby screen
is barely alive, the director will ease off on
showing all matches your friends are currently
Harvest
attacks and provide more health supplies Blood
playing—select one and join in.
and pickups, giving your team the chance
to heal and re-arm. The unpredictable
Offline Co-op (Splitscreen) nature of the director leads to hours and
hours of replayability on every level. Even
Achievements

if you’ve played through all the movies

multiple times, there’s no way to predict
what the director will throw at you
next. This requires heightened alertness
from all players—there’s no room for
complacency because the director can be
absolutely merciless in its drive to provide
Only two players can play in splitscreen— a challenging and memorable gaming
the other two survivors are controlled by AI. experience.

7
 e d
ash
e
Unl PRIMA Official Game Guide

note
Versus

The game’s four difficulty

settings (easy, normal,
advanced, and expert) can
impact the aggressiveness of
the director, but mostly the
difficulty adjusts the health of
the infected. For instance, at In versus mode, the survivors should strive to
the normal setting the Tank has reach the safe house at the end of each map
4,000 hit points; at expert, the as quickly as possible.
Tank’s health tops out at 8,000. Versus is an adversarial game mode pitting the
So at the more difficult settings survivors against the infected. Only No Mercy and
it’s much tougher to kill the Blood Harvest can be played in this four-on-four
infected, eating up much more mode, offering 10 maps total. The gameplay is
of your team’s ammo in the nearly identical to that of the other modes, with the
process. survivors tasked with making it from safe house to
safe house and ultimately escaping after surviving
the movie’s finale. It’s the job of the infected team to
stop the survivors. Unlike in the other game modes,
Single-Player in versus the survivors cannot respawn, but the
infected team can. This provides a unique twist to the
game mode, forcing the survivors to work together
and watch each other’s backs.

While the survivors spawn as the main protagonists,

the infected team members take on the roles of
the special infected. At any given time the infected
team always has one Boomer, two Hunters, and
one Smoker on the map. Who spawns as what
is random, determined by the director. At some
You must lead your AI-controlled teammates points in the map, one player on the infected team
when playing single-player, which often
is given the chance to spawn as a Tank, providing
makes you an easy target for the infected.
the team with an extra boost in offense. The Witch
In the single-player mode you play the role of is not playable by the infected team, but Witches
one of the survivors—the rest of the survivors are do make appearances on occasion. Witch spawns
controlled by the AI. When starting a single-player are determined by the director and are never in
game you must first choose from the movies and fixed locations. Still, the infected team should use
their individual maps. Once one is selected, the appearances by the Witch to bolster their numbers
game begins and continues until you reach the during coordinated ambushes.
finale at the end of the movie. During the single- During these matches, each team gets the chance to
player mode the AI bots always follow your lead, play as both the survivors and the infected on each
so it’s up to you to set the tempo for the advance. map. So after the survivors have escaped or died in
This often means you take the brunt of the attacks, the first round, the same map is replayed and the two
so keep a close eye on your health. If you die, you teams switch sides, with the former infected taking
must start the map over from the beginning. If your on the roles of survivors and vice versa. Playing as
AI teammates die, they respawn in closets and are the survivors is completely different from playing
released when you open the door. as the infected, and winning requires different skills
and tactics. Regardless of which side you’re playing,
8 communication and teamwork are always essential.
 Survival Basics
Ghost Mode low health and should be singled
out for attacks. A survivor
outlined with a purple silhouette

Survival
Basics
is covered in a Boomer’s bile and
subject to attack by the AI-
controlled common infected.

The Survivors
and Infected
Infected
While you’re in ghost mode the survivors For map-specific tips and tactics
can’t see you. But you must move to a spot while playing the as the infected,
outside their line of sight before you can
spawn and attack. look for these boxes scattered
through the No Mercy and Blood

& Supplies
Weapons
While playing as the infected, players begin in Harvest chapters. They reveal vital
ghost mode, which allows them to pick their own
spawn points. During this phase, the infected can
tips on how and where to attack
wander around a map, completely invisible to the the survivors, with an emphasis on
survivors. While in ghost mode players can use staging coordinated ambushes with
your teammates. If seeking advice on

No Mercy
infected-only climb points (look for a series of claw
icons) and pass through closed doors. The infected how to play as the Boomer,
team can spawn anywhere they want as long as
Hunter, Smoker, or Tank, flip
they’re a few meters away from the survivors and
outside their line of sight. Once these requirements ahead to the “Survivors and
are met, the infected can spawn by pressing the Infected” chapter and read the

Death Toll
fire button or key. But once they spawn, all normal “Anti-Survivor Tactics” for
rules apply. They can be spotted and killed by the each of the special infected.
survivors, and they can’t pass through doors—or
open them. Closed doors must be broken down Versus Scoring System
with melee attacks, so be careful where you spawn.
Breaking down a door may give away your position

Dead Air
and lead to a quick death. Spawning also causes
the infected to make the telltale growls, grunts,
and hisses associated with each variant. These
involuntary vocalizations not only give away an
infected’s position but also warn the survivors
Harvest
Blood
as to what type of infected is nearby. So to avoid
giving the survivors time to react, try to spawn just
before attacking. Coordinating spawns and attacks At the end of each round, the survivors’
with teammates is the best way to take down the score is calculated. Scores are carried over
Achievements

survivors. During finales, ghost mode is disabled, from map to map until the finale at the end
and you randomly spawn somewhere around the of each movie is complete.
finale site.
So how do you determine who wins a match

TIP
The infected team can monitor
in versus mode? After playing a round as the
survivors a score is calculated based on four
criteria:
the health status of the
opposing team by studying the Average Distance Traveled: The points
color of each survivor’s glowing awarded in this category are based on how
silhouette. Survivors surrounded far your team traveled during the round. If
by an orange or red glow have your team made it all the way to the end of
9
 e d
ash
e
Unl PRIMA Official Game Guide

the map and reached the safe house, you’re Hosting a Match
awarded the maximum 100 points. But if
your team made it through only 37 percent
of the map before being stopped by the
opposing team’s infected, you get only 37
points. The percentage of the map your team
completes determines this score.
Health Bonus: This bonus is determined by
averaging the hit points of the survivors
who made it to the safe house—survivors
who were killed en route are not part of this Can’t find a match you want to join? Try
average. So if everyone makes it into the creating your own. Start by creating a
safe house with full health, 100 points are
lobby. When creating a lobby you must
awarded. Sometimes teams heal up before
first choose what game mode you wish to
closing the safe house door to try to boost
play: the co-op campaign or versus mode.
this bonus.
Once you’ve selected a game mode you can
Survival Multiplier: Once the average choose the difficulty level (campaign mode
distance traveled and health bonus have only), campaign (which movie), and the
been added, the score is multiplied by the match permissions. The permissions allow
number of survivors who made it into the you to choose who can join the match. If
safe house at the end. If all four survivors you want to open the match to anyone,
made it in, the score is multiplied by four.
choose Public Game. If you’re connected to
If only one survivor made it, the score is
a LAN select System Link, allowing everyone
multiplied by one and thus has no impact. If
connected to the LAN to see and join your
nobody survived, the score is not multiplied
match. But if you only want to play with
by zero. Rather, the score remains untouched,
with no multiplier applied.
people on your friends’ list, choose Friends-
Only Game. After selecting the settings,
Map Difficulty Modifier: Each map is assigned choose Create Lobby. This sends you to the
a predetermined difficulty modifier. The lobby screen, where you can wait for players
easiest (or shortest) maps have a modifier to join. While in the lobby you can edit the
of 1, and the hardest (or longest) maps are
game settings, choose your character, invite
given a modifier of 2. The rest of the maps
friends, and change the permissions. Once
fall somewhere in between, sometimes rated
you have a group of players, select Start the
as a 1.5 or 1.6. Whatever the modifier is, it is
Game to begin your session.
then multiplied by the score, giving you your
team’s final score for the round.
So what’s a good score? Usually posting a score close
Team Play: Getting
Started
to 1,000 points per map is considered a praiseworthy
achievement. But ultimately it all depends on how
well the opposing team performed in their turn as
the survivors. While no points are awarded when Even when playing with a tight group of friends,
playing as the infected, stopping the opposing getting four individuals to play and react together
team’s survivors is critical, preventing them from as a team is a challenge. Left 4 Dead takes the team
posting a high score. Killing even one survivor can play concept to the next level. Not only is teamwork
have a dramatic impact on the final score, especially recommended, it’s absolutely required. Teams who
in close matches, as it robs the opposing team of don’t cooperate or communicate won’t stand a
that vital survival multiplier. So don’t fool around chance. But it’s not as daunting as it sounds. There
while playing as the infected. Stopping the opposing are a few things you can do to ensure your team
team is just as important as reaching the safe house play sessions run smoothly and successfully. Here
10 when you’re playing as the survivors. are a few tips to help your team get started.
 Survival Basics
Establish communication with your team. Use the survivors’ names when

Survival
There’s no time to type messages back and communicating. It’s often easier to say Bill,

Basics
forth, so make sure everyone on your team Francis, Louis, or Zoey in the heat of battle
has a microphone and knows how to use than it is to decipher someone’s 15-character
it—gray speaker icons appear next to their Gamertag. So take note of what survivor
names in the lobby if they have microphones you’re playing as and respond to any

The Survivors
and Infected
connected. If playing with strangers online, questions or requests when addressed by
say hi and establish a rapport with your new this name.
teammates. Breaking the ice in the lobby will Share the health supplies. If your character is
pay off later as the game begins. healthy and someone else on your team is
Get organized. Before beginning a game, seriously injured, either heal your teammate
discuss your individual roles. It’s usually a with a first aid kit or hand over a bottle of
good idea to elect one teammate as the pills. Injured players slow down the whole

& Supplies
Weapons
leader. This player will not only physically team, so it’s in everyone’s best interest to
lead the team but make key pathfinding keep everyone healthy and moving at
decisions at branches, determining which maximum speed. Each player can carry one
direction the team will go. Therefore, the first aid kit and one bottle of pills, so there
leader should have some experience with the are usually enough supplies to go around if
layout of the maps you’re about to blitz you all share.

No Mercy
through. But most importantly, the leader Make a habit of closing doors behind you.
should possess good communication skills, The infected can’t open doors. Instead, they
constantly checking in with teammates and must break them down with melee attacks.
ensuring everyone stays together and While a simple wooden door won’t last long
healthy. when faced with such violent attacks, it will

Death Toll
Diversify your firepower. When choosing delay the infected, allowing your team to slip
weapons at the beginning of a level, mix it away or prepare to engage the attackers.
up, taking a couple of shotguns and two Often the sound of the infected breaking
SMGs or assault rifles. This gives your team a down a door is just enough to get your
good balance of firepower capable of team’s attention, preventing you from being
engaging threats at close and long range. attacked from behind.

Dead Air
Never take more than one sniper rifle. Use the vocalization command to quickly
Although powerful, sniper rifles have a low relay information. This is a context-based
rate of fire and take a long time to reload. command that issues canned audio
And since most engagements occur at close messages to point out threats and supplies
to intermediate range, the rifle’s scope isn’t to your teammates. Simply aim at an object
Harvest
very useful; it can even be a liability. or threat and press the appropriate button or
Blood

Stay together, stay alive. It may sound easy, key to make an announcement.
but keeping four players together during a Keep tabs on your teammates. You can see
chaotic advance is a constant challenge. But your teammates at all times, even if they’re
it’s a challenge that must be overcome if you
Achievements

not in your current line of sight. They appear

hope to make it to the safe house. Stay in as blue glowing silhouettes if blocked by an
constant voice communication with your object such as a wall. If the teammate’s
teammates, calling out targets and issuing silhouette turns orange, it indicates danger.
warnings. If you need to stop and heal, let This could mean a variety of things. Your
everyone know so they don’t leave you partner could be covered in a Boomer’s bile,
behind. When stopping, make sure everyone dangling from a ledge, incapacitated, pinned
gets the message. Anyone who continues by a Hunter, or ensnared by a Smoker’s
advancing on their own won’t stand a chance. tongue. In any case, get there as quickly as
possible to assist.

www.primagames.com 11
 e d
ash
e
Unl PRIMA Official Game Guide

The Survivors and Infected

The recent outbreak has completely changed the balance of power for humankind. Anyone
immune to or unaffected by the infection is now called a survivor—and their numbers are
dwindling every day, dwarfed by the rise of the undead. In this chapter we take a close look
at the four survivors and all six infected variants, offering vital background information and
useful survival tactics for countering the undead menace.

The Survivors
When the outbreak first took hold, quarantines experience. He’s a man of action and doesn’t really
were set up in an effort to contain the infected to care how he’s perceived. His only goal is to get out
certain buildings and secure zones. The quarantines of this situation and live to fight another day.
were largely ineffective, though, prompting local
governments (backed by CEDA) to begin mass Francis
evacuations. But by the time evacuation centers
were set up, the infection had expanded and could
not be contained. Many evacuation centers were
overrun by the walking dead. Others were simply
abandoned when it was realized they couldn’t be
defended. In the haste to evacuate, many citizens
were left behind to fend for themselves. Those
who waited for rescue were quickly overrun by the
swelling numbers of infected. But four strangers—
an unlikely group of—have taken their destinies
into their own hands, securing weapons and Everything about Francis screams rebel. He revels
formulating an escape plan. in the image of an outlaw biker, complete with
leathers and intricate tattoo work covering his body.
Bill Years of hard living have prepped him for the recent
crisis, hardening his senses to the everyday horrors.
While he comes across as someone who works best
alone, Francis is a consummate teammate and is
fiercely loyal, even to his diverse new friends. He
won’t hesitate to risk his own life to rescue a fellow
survivor.

Bill is a former Green Beret who served in Vietnam.

Although long removed from military service, Bill
proudly wears his beret to this day. An unapologetic
chain smoker, he has a gruff demeanor but brings
years of frontline military experience to his new-
found comrades. But he’s not the type to issue
orders or flaunt his extensive knowledge and

12
 The Survivors and Infected
Louis TIP
Zoey’s red jacket is easy to spot,

Survival
Basics
even in low lighting conditions.
This makes her a great choice for
your team leader, ideal for taking
the lead during a speedy advance

The Survivors
and Infected
through any levelÐjust follow
the red jacket. So if you plan to
lead your team from safe house
to safe house, choose Zoey.

Louis was working his regular job at an electronics

The Infected

& Supplies
Weapons
store when all hell broke loose. He managed to Those who have died and reanimated are referred
escape (still wearing his short-sleeve shirt and to as the infected. These are victims of a bizarre
red necktie) and eventually met up with the infection of unknown origin and transmission.
other survivors. Louis is the optimist of the group The infection manifests itself in different ways,
but has alarmist tendencies. His ability to assess sometimes simply reanimating dead tissue and
situations and formulate solutions is a useful at other times triggering monstrous mutations,

No Mercy
asset. Like the other survivors, he’s committed giving the undead strange and terrifying abilities.
to fighting his way through this crisis in hope of There are two subsets of infected: the common
reuniting with his friends and family. infected and the special infected. In a wide
majority of cases infection leads to death and
Zoey reanimation, turning a corpse into a common

Death Toll
infected or zombie. The common infected have
abilities similar to those of a normal living human.
But in the rare cases where postmortem mutation
has occurred, the corpse becomes a special
infected, often referred to as an infected boss.
These infected variants have different abilities

Dead Air
and characteristics, as detailed in this chapter. By
no means is this a definitive resource, but rather a
compilation of facts based on firsthand accounts
and credible reports from reliable sources.
Upon first glance, Zoey seems completely out of
Harvest

Common Infected
Blood
place in this group. But she plays a very important
role and has no problem keeping up with her
older and more experienced teammates. Only a
(aka Zombies)
Despite the rabid
few years out of high school, Zoey has no formal
speculation of the
Achievements

military or survival training but has adapted well

so-called experts,
to the chaotic situation. She’s proven to be a quick
it’s unclear what
learner and has a wry sense of humor. Her quirky
really caused the
comments often break the tension, even in the
dead to rise. And
most dire circumstances.
nobody may ever
really know the
answers to all the
hows and whys
of the outbreak.

www.primagames.com 13
 e d
ash
e
Unl PRIMA Official Game Guide

But it is clear that the recently deceased have It’s possible to kill a zombie with melee strikes,
somehow reanimated and begun attacking the but it takes repeated blows. For best results,
living. Although they’re officially referred to as melee a zombie away from you, take aim, and
the common infected, many survivors simply shoot it in the head as it stumbles backward.
call them zombies, since they resemble the
walking dead popularized by horror movies. Avoid taking to rooftops or other elevated
However, such comparisons can be dangerous positions and sniping all visible infected.
because the common infected share few traits Doing so just wastes ammo. The director
with the fictionalized zombie—see the “Zombie continually spawns more infected, so it’s
Myths” sidebar. Most notable is the speed of the impossible to kill them all or completely clear
a level. So keep moving and shoot only the

note
common infected, which has caught many a
survivor completely off guard. Their clothes are zombies that get in your way.
also deceptive. Realize that some of the common
infected died and reanimated while on the job.
Although they may be dressed as police officers,
soldiers, or doctors, they have no intent to assist the In versus mode the common
living. infected are controlled and
automatically spawned by the
Anti-Zombie Tactics director. They are not playable
Zombies can be killed in a number of ways, but by the infected team. However,
the headshot is by far the most effective the infected team can still take
method. All it takes is one bullet with any advantage of their presence,
firearm to score a kill. However, headshots can particularly for diversionary
be difficult to perform during chaotic attacks. purposes during swarm attacks.
So aim for center mass, pumping three to four
rounds (or one shotgun blast) into a zombie’s
chest.
Zombie Myths
Some weapons can tear off a zombie’s arm or
leg. Severing limbs is just as fatal as a As in any crisis, misinformation floods the
headshot. airwaves and permeates the streets as
those in power try to come to grips with
Individually, the common infected aren’t much the situation. The recent outbreak is no
of a threat, but in great numbers they’re an exception. The government’s own CEDA is
absolute menace. During swarm attacks, locate
partially responsible for the circulation of
the possible entry points and cover all of them.
some these rumors, but the panicked public
If in an open area, go back to back with your
is largely to blame for the proliferation
teammates and hold your ground while
of these fallacies, fueled by pop culture
covering all directions.
anecdotes derived from books, movies, and
A Boomer’s bile, activated car alarms, and video games. Here are a few of the common
finales can all trigger swarm attacks. The misconceptions being spread about
director can trigger them as well, so when you zombies, countered by fact-based rebuttals.
hear the cries of infected accompanied by
swelling dramatic music, get ready to make a Zombies are slow and clumsy. You can easily
stand. walk right past them.

Shining a flashlight on idle or sitting zombies False. For reasons unknown, tissue decay has
gets their attention and prompts them to not set in, and thus the common infected
attack. Sometimes these nonthreatening have the same mobility as the living. They
zombies can be avoided. can run, climb, jump, and perform vicious
14
 The Survivors and Infected
melee attacks, sometimes at seemingly infected to swarm to the source in search

Survival
superhuman speeds. of prey. Some survivors have witnessed

Basics
such swarms when car alarms or metal
The only way to kill a zombie is by shooting detectors are set off.
it in the head.
A zombie’s heart doesn’t beat, causing the
False. While headshots are fatal and often

The Survivors
and Infected
blood in its circulatory system to congeal.
the quickest way to dispatch zombies, the
undead can just as easily be neutralized False. The functionality of a zombie’s
by severing a limb, lighting them on fire, or heart is unknown, but the blood remains
simply shooting them in the torso several in a liquid state. Survivors engaging the
times. common infected at close range with
shotguns have reported being sprayed

& Supplies
If you’re bitten by a zombie you’ll turn into

Weapons
with infected blood, particularly when
one. firing a decapitating headshot. Direct
Unknown. There are reports of this contact with a zombie’s blood is not
occurring, but there is no hard evidence advised, but it doesn’t appear to be
to suggest that zombie bites or fluid fatal, either. Some survivors have been

No Mercy
transference results in zombification. Still, completely coated with infected blood
it’s best to avoid any direct contact with and have shown no signs of infection.
the common infected. However, it’s strongly advised to avoid
contact with infected blood when
Zombies are weak and stupid. As long as you possible, especially around the eyes and
shut yourself in a room you’ll be okay. mouth.

Death Toll
False. It’s true zombies haven’t been Stay away from cemeteries. That’s where the
seen turning doorknobs, but they can zombies are coming from.
easily break through doors and boarded-
up windows. Staying put in a room or False. There have been no confirmed
structure with multiple insecure entry reports of the dead literally rising from

Dead Air
points is a death sentence, even if you’re the grave. The infection seems to have
well armed. You’ll run out of ammo at affected only the recently deceased. As a
some point, and the zombies just keep result, zombies are much more likely to
coming. be found at hospitals, coroner’s offices,
funeral homes, and crematoriums.
Harvest
Blood
Since they’re dead, zombies have dulled Quarantined buildings and evacuation
senses, making it difficult for them to detect centers are also likely locations and are
the living. best avoided.
False. While it’s unclear how effective the
Achievements

zombies’ senses of taste, smell, and touch

are, their sight and hearing are sharp. Upon
making visual contact with the living, they
launch directly into attack mode, charging
at their prey at top speed. Even slight
noises prompt them to investigate in the
direction of the disturbance. Loud, high-
pitched noises send the common infected
into an absolute frenzy, causing multiple
www.primagames.com 15
 e d
ash
e
Unl PRIMA Official Game Guide

Common Infected Name: Zombie Genocidest

Achievements Description: Kill 53,595 infected.
Name: 101 Cremations Gamerpoints: 20
Description: Set 101 infected on Tips: Just keep playing. The stat is tracked
fire. across all game modes, so every zombie you
kill while playing under the same gamer
Gamerpoints: 20 profile is counted toward this achievement.
Tips: Create a wall of fire between your
team and the source of a swarm attack The Boomer
using molotovs or fuel cans. This is a great The infection has reacted
way to kill multiple infected with flames. abnormally in this bloated
Focus your blaze in narrow choke points, variant. While most
such as alleys, doorways, or stairwells, for infected seem immune
optimal results. It will take multiple setups or show resistance to
to accumulate the required kills. tissue decay, that is not
the case with the Boomer.
Name: Pyrotechnician Along with exhibiting
certain mutations, the
Description: Blow up 20 infected Boomer is in an advanced
in a single explosion. state of decomposition.
Internal tissue decay has
Gamerpoints: 20
led to the buildup of gases within the Boomer’s
Tips: Toss a propane or oxygen tank into body, explaining the round, distended shape of
a large gathering of infected, then shoot the torso and bubble-like growths beneath the
the tank to trigger a massive explosion. Try skin. This condition is further exacerbated by the
doing this during a swarm attack to ensure rapid production of bile within the gallbladder. This
you kill at least 20 infected. Pipe bombs essentially makes the Boomer a goo-filled balloon
rarely attract enough attention to earn this just waiting to pop. And that’s exactly what occurs;
achievement, plus they have a relatively when the Boomer is shot, he explodes and splashes
small blast radius. anyone nearby with bile. But that’s not the worst
of it. The Boomer’s bile contains some chemical
Name: Spinal Tap property that attracts common infected, prompting
them to wildly attack anyone coated with the
Description: Kill an infected with a viscous muck. As a result, the Boomer often uses the
single blow from behind. bile as a weapon, vomiting on survivors to trigger a
massive swarm attack.
Gamerpoints: 10
Tips: Perform this hit against one of the idle Anti-Boomer Tactics
infected. They’re usually facing a wall with The Boomer is a highly volatile target and
their heads buried in their arms. Turn off should be dealt with delicately. When you
your flashlight, sneak up behind one, and encounter a Boomer at close range, don’t
smack your victim in the back of the head shoot it. Doing so only coats you and your
for a one-hit melee kill. teammates in bile, triggering a swarm attack.
Instead, melee the Boomer, pushing him away
from you. Backpedal to a safe distance and
shoot him.

16
 The Survivors and Infected
When a Boomer is lurking nearby, you can some or all of the survivors, triggering a
hear grunting and belching sounds. So listen swarm attack. Such suicide attacks are often

Survival
Basics
carefully and be ready to respond with a preferable to hiding out and waiting for your
melee attack. bile levels to build up for another vomit
attack. Chances are you’ll be shot before you
Boomers have very low health and can take can attack again.
only a few shots before exploding. A single

The Survivors
and Infected
shotgun blast or a sniper rifle round has the In addition to the vomit attack, the Boomer
same explosive effect. can perform a standard melee attack. So try
to swipe at a survivor during melee fights. It’s
When you are coated with a Boomer’s bile, tough to get more than one hit in before
your vision is obscured for several seconds being blasted, but it’s better than nothing.
by the thick yellowish goo. Instead of
shooting wildly at the incoming horde, resort A Boomer-initiated swarm attack is a great

& Supplies
to melee attacks until your vision is restored. way to launch a coordinated ambush. Once

Weapons
This prevents you from accidentally shooting the Boomer has vomited or exploded on at
teammates. Tossing a pipe bomb can also least one survivor, the team’s Hunters and
come in handy, helping distract the infected Smoker should attack.
until you can see again.
Spawn as close to the survivors as possible,

No Mercy
If teammates are covered in bile they are preferably right before you attack. This cuts
highlighted with an orange silhouette. Upon down on travel time and gives the survivors
closer inspection, you can see that they’re less warning. As soon as you spawn, they’ll
dripping with bile. Help them fight off the hear your burps and grunts, giving them a
attacking infected until their vision is chance to prepare for a Boomer attack. The
restored. less warning you give them, the more

Death Toll
effective your attack will be.
Because of the low health and limited
mobility, Boomers rarely expose themselves Embrace your role as a bile bomb! Infected
in open areas. Instead, they usually hide can access rooftops and other high points
behind corners, waiting to vomit on inaccessible to survivors. So look for
survivors. opportunities to drop onto survivors from

Dead Air
high elevations. The fall damage incurred
Anti-Survivor Tactics from long drops usually proves fatal, but if
The white reticle in the center of the screen is you land close enough the survivors they’ll
the Boomer’s aiming indicator. But the vomit all get covered in bile. Harvest
attack has a very short range, so pay close Blood
attention to the reticle before losing your
lunch—the reticle turns red when a survivor Boomer Achievements
is within range. Only attack when the reticle
Name: Barf Bagged
is red; otherwise, your bile will fall short of
Achievements

the target. After vomiting, more bile must be Description: Cover four survivors
built up before you can attack again, as with Boomer bile at once.
indicated by the circular red meter in the
bottom-left corner of the screen. Gamerpoints: 20
Boomers have a very short life span, so Tips: Hitting all survivors with one vomit
embrace their volatility. Immediately attack can be tough. For best results, try to
following a vomit attack, charge directly ambush the survivors in a narrow choke
toward a group of survivors. There’s a good point, such as a doorway, alley, or stairwell.
chance one of them will shoot and kill you. It can also be possible to hit them as they
But don’t feel bad; your bile will likely coat
17
exit a safe house.
 e d
ash
e
Unl PRIMA Official Game Guide

Name: Blind Luck abilities similar to those of a frog. The long, sharp
claws growing from the fingertips are another
Description: You or another notable mutation, allowing the Hunter to slice
survivor takes no damage after through clothing, flesh, and even bone. Outside
being vomited on by a Boomer. of his abilities and easily disguised mutations,
the Hunter has no distinguishing characteristics,
Gamerpoints: 20
making it easy for him to blend in with the common
Tips: Surviving a swarm attack without infected. This is perhaps the Hunter’s most terrifying
taking damage can be tough, but it’s not attribute and helps explain why some survivors
impossible. It’s easiest if you’re in a room have reported seeing these infected attacking from
with only one entry point. That way you “nowhere.”
and your teammates can focus your fire
on a single doorway to eliminate the Anti-Hunter Tactics
stampeding horde before they can advance Hunters produce a distinctive raspy growl when
to melee range. stalking nearby, so keep on your toes when you
hear this. When attacking, they emit a high-
Name: Clean Kill pitched shriek as they fly through the air.

Description: Shove a Boomer Looking for Hunters? They’re always dressed in

and then kill him without him gray hooded sweatshirts. They’re also the only
splashing on anyone. infected that can crouch low to the ground like
a frog. They must crouch before they leap, so
Gamerpoints: 10 be prepared for an attack when you see a
Hunter take a low stance.
Tips: This one’s easy as long as your
teammates keep their distance. When The Hunter’s primary attack is the leap. If
encountering a Boomer at close range, leaping at a survivor, the Hunter will pin his
simply use a melee strike, back up, and prey and begin slashing away. The victim is
shoot him. If nobody is covered in bile completely helpless if this occurs, so it’s up to
following the explosion, you’ll earn the teammates to engage the Hunter.
achievement.
When attacking a Hunter on top of a pinned
The Hunter teammate, use melee attacks to knock him off.
This prevents you from injuring your
Some survivors have reported teammate with friendly fire—an important
seeing infected leaping great consideration when you’re equipped with a
distances, pouncing on high-powered weapon like a shotgun or sniper
the living and tearing rifle. But be prepared to shoot the Hunter as
into their flesh with animal-like soon as he’s knocked off your teammate.
claws. At first, such terrifying Otherwise, he will attack again.
accounts were ignored,
believed to be unreliable It’s possible to blast a Hunter and kill him as he
reports from panicked survivors leaps through the air. But due to the speed of
suffering from post-traumatic the Hunter, killing a Hunter outright is difficult.
stress syndrome. Others theorized Shotguns are most effective at killing Hunters
that these attacks were actually in mid-flight.
performed by large cats that escaped from zoos.
Still, the reports persisted and these shadowy A Hunter’s pinned victim is highlighted with a
infected attained an appropriate yet disturbing red silhouette, making your teammate easy to
nickname: Hunter. Little is known about the Hunter’s locate even when out of sight. Rush in the
physiology, but the infection seems to have caused direction of the Hunter and save your
18 mutations in the legs, giving this infected leaping teammate before it’s too late.
 The Survivors and Infected
Anti-Survivor Tactics survivor is isolated. This frees up the Smoker

Survival
to attack again and gives you an easy target.

Basics
When playing as the Hunter, make a habit of
moving around while crouched. Crouching Survivors blinded by a Boomer’s bile also
charges the Hunter’s leap attack, as indicated make easy prey. For best results, wait until a
by the circular red meter in the bottom-left swarm attack has commenced before leaping
corner of the screen. The reticle in the center into action. Avoid leaping into a group of

The Survivors
and Infected
of the screen also tracks this. When the survivors on your own—you won’t last long.
Hunter is crouched a gray line circles around When leaping long distances it may be
the reticle in a counterclockwise fashion. necessary to aim up, to compensate for
When the gray line becomes a ring, it turns range. This launches the Hunter in an arc-like
white, indicating that a leap attack is trajectory, allowing you to cover more
possible. While still crouched, press the fire ground. It may take some practice, but once

& Supplies
button to perform a leaping attack.

Weapons
you get the hang of it, it’s a great way to
If you successfully pin a target, continue travel far in a short span of time.
holding down the fire button to slash away at
your victim with the Hunter’s claws. Continue
attacking until you’re attacked with a melee Hunter Achievements

No Mercy
strike or killed by another survivor.
Name: Dead Stop
Although the Hunter can run around in an
upright position, it’s far quicker (and safer) to Description: Punch a Hunter as
travel by leaping. Simply keep the crouch he is pouncing.
button depressed and leap from one spot to

Death Toll
the next. This not only allows you to cover Gamerpoints: 10
great distances, it also makes you much
harder to hit. However, it isn’t very stealthy
Tips: This is easiest if a Hunter is leaping
since the Hunter shrieks with each leap. After directly at you. If you time it just right,
each leap keep the crouch button you can hit him with a melee strike as he
depressed—if you stand up, it takes longer to leaps through the air. But just like hitting a

Dead Air
recharge the leap attack. If you land near fastball, it takes precise timing to pull this
survivors, they’re affected by a small off; otherwise, you’ll be pinned.
concussive impact that causes them to
Name: Double Jump
stumble backward for a few seconds, buying
you more time to attack or escape. Description: Pounce on two
Harvest
Blood
different survivors in one life as a
Sometimes survivors separate, providing the
perfect opportunity to pounce. Try to isolate
Hunter.
lone survivors located on higher or lower Gamerpoints: 20
elevations than their teammates. You might
Achievements

be able to incapacitate or kill a lone survivor Tips: When knocked off a survivor with
whose teammates have no way to get back to a melee attack, immediately leap onto a
the attack site to stage a rescue attempt. second survivor. If that’s not possible, leap
Most maps have critical one-way elevation to safety and regroup. If you can get away
transitions where such attacks are very and pin a different survivor, you’ll earn this
effective. achievement. But it’s not easy, so it may
take several attempts.
In most cases, Hunters must rely on their
teammates to stage successful attacks. Try
letting a Smoker drag prey away from the

19
main group, then pounce once the snared
 e d
ash
e
Unl PRIMA Official Game Guide

Name: Hunter Punter Anti-Smoker Tactics

Description: Shove a Hunter off of The Smoker is a huge threat to maintaining
team cohesion. Their ability to pull a teammate
a pinned and helpless survivor.
away from your group is one of the most
Gamerpoints: 10 effective infected attacks because it allows
them to isolate targets and attack them on
Tips: Simply use a melee strike on a Hunter their own, without support from other infected.
that has pinned a teammate to earn this
easy achievement. Listen closely for nearby Smokers. They make
gasping and coughing sounds, undoubtedly
Name: Jump Shot caused by the gas they produce.

Description: Headshot a Hunter If a teammate is ensnared by a tongue attack,

while he’s leaping. quickly locate the responsible Smoker and
shoot him. If the Smoker isn’t within view,
Gamerpoints: 20 perform a melee attack on the tongue to
release your teammate. Avoid shooting the
Tips: Like Dead Stop, this requires precise
tongue to prevent inflicting friendly fire on
timing and aim. To increase your chances of
your teammate. Once a Smoker has snared and
scoring a headshot, use a shotgun or a full
released a target, he can’t attack for several
auto burst from an SMG or assault rifle.
seconds. Use this time to hunt him down
before he can strike again.
The Smoker
When Smokers were first If you’re grabbed by a Smoker’s tongue there
encountered, it was believed the are a few things you can do to escape. First,
common infected were using turn toward the Smoker and shoot him. If
ropes or similar implements to being dragged from long range, you will have
lasso and drag survivors great a few seconds to fire your selected weapon. As
distances. The prospect of the the Smoker draws you closer, you lose the
infected using such tools and ability to fire your weapon, and the camera
advanced tactics had a chilling switches to a third-person view. At this point,
impact on survivors. But the try to wiggle your way out of the Smoker’s grip
truth behind these attacks was by quickly moving back and forth. You’ll
even more unsettling. In some eventually be trapped as the Smoker performs
infected, mutations have rapidly melee attacks or constricts you. During this
altered the length and function of the tongue, stage of the attack you must rely on a
giving it the ability to snatch prey and either drag or teammate to set you free, otherwise you’ll be
constrict victims. Severed tongues from neutralized incapacitated and possibly killed if nobody
specimens have measured up to 50 feet long. The responds.
Smoker’s skin is covered with boils and growths. It’s
The green gas emitted by a Smoker during
been theorized that these skin abnormalities are
death is not harmful, but it causes survivors to
the source of the green gas emitted by these special
cough and gasp for air while moving through
infected, but there’s no hard evidence to indicate
these clouds. Furthermore, the gas inhibits
how or where these noxious fumes are generated.
vision, preventing you from seeing clearly. So
This green “smoke” gave rise to this variant’s popular
move through these noxious fumes as quickly
but somewhat misleading name. Military and law
as possible.
enforcement personnel have reported Smokers
exploding when fired upon, emitting large clouds of Like Hunters, Smokers can blend in easily with
this putrid but otherwise harmless gas. the common infected. They wear blue pants

20
 The Survivors and Infected
and a green shirt. What may look like a red When possible, attack survivors from
necktie is actually the tongue. They’re also rooftops or other elevated positions. While
easy to distinguish thanks to the small cloud your tongue can’t pull a survivor to the top of

Survival
Basics
of green smoke surrounding them. Traces of a roof, your victim gets pulled up along the
this smoke are left behind as the Smoker side of the structure and then dangles
moves about—this can sometimes be used to helplessly while the tongue inflicts
track them. constriction damage. Furthermore, the edge

The Survivors
of the rooftop usually provides cover,

and Infected
Anti-Survivor Tactics preventing the other survivors from
The Smoker is the infected equivalent of a targeting you.
sniper, the only variant that can stealthily The Smoker’s long-range attack is a great
attack at long range. The white reticle in the benefit to teammates. Pull a survivor into an
center of the screen is the aiming indicator isolated area or room so your Hunter or
for the Smoker’s tongue attack. Pay close Boomer teammates can attack without

& Supplies
Weapons
attention to the reticle before attacking. exposing themselves to the full group.
When placed over a survivor who’s within
range, the reticle turns red—press the fire Like the Hunter, the Smoker can benefit
button to snare the survivor within your greatly from exploiting areas with one-way
sights. If a target is within the reticle but it’s elevation transitions. Wait for three of the
still white, the survivor is out of range. Move survivors to drop to a lower level and then

No Mercy
closer and attack only when the reticle is red. snare the lone straggler. If you remain
After a successful attack, the Smoker’s concealed, you can constrict or pummel your
tongue attack must recharge, as indicated by prey to death with no fear of retaliation. With
the red circular meter in the bottom-left no way to get back up and rescue their
corner of the screen. teammate, the survivors will simply have to

Death Toll
press on without their comrade.
Once a victim is snared the Smoker can inflict
two kinds of damage: melee and constriction.
If there are no obstacles between you, your
Smoker Achievements
victim is pulled directly to you, allowing you Name: Chain Smoker
to pummel the survivor with your fists—just

Dead Air
hold down the fire button. However, there are Description: Constrict two
times when survivors get hung up on objects survivors in one life as a Smoker.
while being dragged toward you. In these
circumstances, when a survivor can be Gamerpoints: 20
dragged no farther the tongue takes over, Tips: This is easiest if attacking from a
Harvest
automatically constricting the victim.
Blood
rooftop or other elevated position. Grab
The damage output of melee-based and and constrict one survivor while remaining
constriction-based attacks is identical, so concealed. Once your first victim has been
there is no benefit to one over the other. rescued, recharge your attack and grab a
Achievements

However, constricting a victim allows the second survivor. A different survivor must
Smoker to inflict damage at range, often be attacked and constriction damage
while remaining concealed, so always look (even minimal) must be dealt in both cases.
for constriction opportunities. For example,
try targeting survivors through chain-link Name: Drag and Drop
fences or other barriers. They’ll be pulled up Description: Rescue a survivor
against the fence, allowing you to hang back, from a Smoker’s tongue before
preferably behind a piece of cover. You
damage is taken.
cannot move while the tongue attack is
active, so scout out your location carefully Gamerpoints: 20
before attacking.
21
 e d
ash
e
Unl PRIMA Official Game Guide

Tips: React quickly and target a Smoker just from penetrating and damaging vital organs. At
as a teammate is being dragged. During least that’s a theory as to why the Tank seems
this portion of the attack, no damage is nearly invincible to small-arms fire. Although
inflicted on your teammate. If possible, Tanks are rare, a few survivors have had run-ins
strike the tongue with a melee attack for a with these terrifying behemoths. They tell tales of
quick release. Otherwise, shoot and kill the Tanks possessing superhuman strength, capable
Smoker. of picking up and heaving large objects, including
boulders, massive chunks of concrete, and even
Name: No Smoking Section forklifts. While all infected have melee attacks, the
Tank’s are by far the most deadly. By some reports,
Description: Kill 10 Smokers as Tanks have sent victims flying over a hundred yards
they are pulling helpless survivors. with one swipe.
Gamerpoints: 15
Anti-Tank Tactics
Tips: You must kill the Smoker while he’s The Tank is by far the most deadly of the
dragging a teammate. The kill won’t count infected and must capture the attention of the
if your teammate is being pummeled or entire team if you have any hopes of killing
constricted at the time of the kill. It must one. Although incredibly strong, the Tank isn’t
occur during the drag portion of the attack. very fast. It’s entirely possible to backpedal
while firing at the Tank without getting
Name: Tongue Twister touched. But that’s assuming you don’t run out
of room or back into a corner—in which case
Description: Free yourself from a
you’re pretty much screwed.
Smoker who has grabbed you with
his tongue. You can hear a Tank long before you can see
him. His thundering footsteps echo
Gamerpoints: 20
throughout a level once he’s spawned,
Tips: The easiest way to earn this providing your team with plenty of time to
achievement is by shooting the Smoker, but prepare for an attack. Use this time wisely to
you can also free yourself by shaking loose relocate to an open area that will allow you to
while being dragged. Once constriction or evade his attacks. The sound of his footsteps is
melee damage has been dealt, you must accompanied by foreboding music, so there’s
no mistaking his arrival.
rely on a teammate to save you.
Assault rifles and auto shotguns are the most
The Tank effective weapons for killing a Tank. Their high
The full mutative qualities damage output and rapid rates of fire can
of the infection are in quickly deplete a Tank’s health.
full effect in this muscle-
bound variant commonly If a Tank stops and picks up an object, he’s
referred to as the Tank. preparing to heave it in your direction. Instead
Instead of promoting of backpedaling, move laterally (strafe) to
tissue decay, the avoid getting smashed by the incoming
infection has triggered projectile.
a massive growth When first encountering a Tank, try to smack
spurt, resulting in the him head on with a molotov cocktail. Setting a
rapid development of Tank on fire (with a molotov or ignited fuel
muscles. The muscles can) initiates an internal death timer, giving
not only give the Tank the Tank only 30 seconds to live, regardless of
incredible strength but also serve as a what his health bar reads. But fire also slowly
22 type of organic body armor, preventing bullets eats away at the Tank’s health. So if you keep
 The Survivors and Infected
shooting a Tank that’s on fire, you can easily attacks. But once a survivor is incapacitated,

Survival
kill it, even before the 30-second death timer don’t keep pummeling. Instead, move onto

Basics
counts down. another target. The main goal is to
incapacitate the other team. It isn’t necessary
Tanks have more health than any of the to kill them. If they’re all incapacitated, there’s
infected. At the hardest difficulty their health no one left to revive them, ending the match.

The Survivors
tops out at an enormous 8,000 hit points.

and Infected
This is when fire becomes an essential Tank- Tank attacks generate all sorts of panic
killing tool. Simply light one on fire and among the survivors, creating the perfect
evade for the remaining 30 seconds. opportunity for your teammates to attack. If
Shooting it just wastes ammo. your teammates spawn as a Smoker and two
Hunters at the time of the Tank attack, you
Anti-Survivor Tactics can really pour on the hurt. While the Tank

& Supplies
Weapons
In versus mode, the Tank spawns usually no engages one survivor, the Hunters and
more than twice in a map. Who spawns as the Smoker can pin and ensnare the other three,
Tank is chosen randomly among your practically neutralizing the opposing team
teammates. But everyone is notified when a within a matter of seconds.
Tank is about to spawn, warned by a message If you spawn as a Tank on a rooftop or other

No Mercy
that appears in the center of the screen— area with long drops, try to knock survivors
included in the message is the name of the off these high areas—the hospital rooftop at
player who will spawn as the Tank. the end of No Mercy is the perfect location for
The Tank has two attacks: a standard (yet such attacks. One hit in the proper direction
powerful) melee attack and his throw attack. can send a survivor flying off a rooftop in a
fatal plunge. This is by far the quickest way to

Death Toll
The melee attack is the most effective and
can be delivered at more frequent intervals. kill a survivor.
When initiating the throw attack you must
first stop, pick up an object (usually a chunk
of concrete), and throw it. While remaining
still you present an easy target for the
Tank Achievements

Dead Air
survivors, so stay on the move and chase Name: All 4 Dead
down the survivors while taking swipes at
them. Description: Kill all four survivors
in one life while playing as a Tank.
While playing as the Tank, there’s a white
Gamerpoints: 30
Harvest
progress bar on the right side of the screen. Blood
This is the control bar. Every second you’re
not attacking a survivor, the white bar Tips: This is nearly impossible unless the
decreases, indicating how long you have until survivors are all at low health. So it’s up
you lose control of the Tank—if this bar is to your team to deal as much damage as
Achievements

depleted entirely, another player is given possible before the Tank spawns. If you
control. To prevent this you must hit a spawn as the Tank, focus on incapacitating
survivor to reset the control bar. So you must the survivors one at a time, starting with
play aggressively as the Tank and stay on the those with the least health—they’ll
attack at all times. There’s no time to hide and be highlighted with a red or orange
set up ambushes. silhouette.
Since the survivors can outrun the Tank, look
for opportunities to corner your prey. If you
can get a survivor up against a wall, you can
dish out some serious damage with melee
23
 e d
ash
e
Unl PRIMA Official Game Guide

Name: Man vs. Tank The Witch

Description: Single-handedly kill a
Tank.
Gamerpoints: 30
Tips: This achievement requires the
cooperation of your teammates. Tell them to
hold their fire and simply evade the Tank’s
attacks. Meanwhile, engage the Tank on
your own, preferably using an auto shotgun
or assault rifle. For best results, attempt this When reports of women viciously attacking first
achievement on a low difficulty setting so responders initially surfaced, the incidents were not
the Tank doesn’t have much health to begin immediately linked to the outbreak. These were largely
with. This will not work in single-player thought to be isolated incidents caused by women
because your AI-controlled teammates who had “snapped” due to the stresses of the crisis.
automatically engage the Tank. But as more detailed reports trickled in, it became
clear that these were more than women suffering a
Name: Tank Busters psychological breakdown. All the attackers exhibited
Description: Kill a Tank without similar attributes and characteristics, including pale
white skin, long claw-like fingers, and glowing red
him dealing any damage to a
eyes—clearly signs of infection-based mutations.
survivor.
Furthermore, they were all sobbing uncontrollably
Gamerpoints: 20 when discovered, a behavior that has caught many a
good samaritan completely unprepared. As word of
Tips: Attempt this achievement at one similar attacks spread, these infected became known
of the easier difficulty settings, otherwise as Witches. Firsthand accounts of Witch attacks are
it’s very tough. The terrain largely dictates rare and somewhat dubious, but that hasn’t stopped
your team’s success. If you can continue the proliferation of rumors and tall tales. In some of
backpedaling while shooting, you can all these stories individual Witches have been credited
avoid getting hit by the Tank. But this only with wiping out entire squads of well-armed troops.
works in large open areas. While the body counts differ from story to story, there
are a few disturbing common threads in these tales:
Name: Towering Inferno the Witch’s alarming speed, her tenacious ferocity, and
extreme resilience.
Description: Light a Tank with a
molotov.
Anti-Witch Tactics
Gamerpoints: 10 While aggressive behavior is a common trait
shared by all infected, the Witch is the only
Tips: If you have trouble targeting a moving variant that has a truly passive side. It’s
Tank, wait until he stops to pick up an object entirely possible to walk past a Witch (at a
to throw. But act quickly or else you may get distance) without provoking her. But if startled
hit by the flying projectile before you can she will attack, singling out the individual
toss the molotov. responsible for the disturbance.

As with Tanks, the presence of a Witch is easy to

detect if you listen closely. For one, she has her
own spooky musical soundtrack, which plays as
long as you’re within her area. Second, you can
24 hear her crying, creating a very eerie
 The Survivors and Infected
atmosphere—the closer you get, the louder Witch Achievements
the cries become. So when you hear these cues,
pay very close attention and consider slowing Name: Burn the Witch

Survival
Basics
down until the Witch’s location is revealed.
Description: Light a Witch with a
Witches are very sensitive to light, so turn off molotov.
all flashlights when one is detected. Shining a
Gamerpoints: 10
flashlight directly in a Witch’s eyes is a good

The Survivors
and Infected
way to get your face torn off. Tips: Don’t wait until she attacks. Toss a
molotov at her while she’s crying and in
Like all infected, Witches are randomly spawned
a seated position—then be ready for the
by the director to increase the difficulty.
consequences.
Sometimes they’re placed in areas that can be
bypassed, and at other times the director puts Name: Cr0wnd
them right in your team’s path. In these cases
Description: Kill a Witch with a

& Supplies
Weapons
you must kill the Witch. Distance is your best
ally when confronting a Witch, so back off as far single headshot.
as possible before opening fire. When everyone Gamerpoints: 30
is at maximum range, open fire simultaneously.
The Witch will come charging at the first player Tips: Startle a Witch and then shoot her in
who hit her, so if that teammate is knocked the head with a sniper rifle as she charges at

No Mercy
down, be sure to provide protection. Given the you. Make sure nobody else on your team
Witch’s speed, it’s tough to score headshots, but fires. Only attempt this at long range so you
this is by far the quickest way to kill her. can fire follow-up shots if the first one misses.
If you can’t engage a Witch at long range, Name: Do Not Disturb
look for other ways to delay her attack. If

Death Toll
Description: Sneak past all
she’s in a room, toss a molotov at her and
Witches in a campaign without
shut the door. She’ll eventually claw her way
disturbing one.
through the door but will sustain heavy
damage from the molotov while doing so. Gamerpoints: 20
Pipe bombs will not draw her attention, but
Tips: Earning this achievement depends

Dead Air
she will attack whoever threw it.
largely on the director’s placement of
Sometimes Witches are spawned next to cars Witches, but if you keep your flashlight off
equipped with alarms, testing your team’s and crouch while moving, you can sneak
ability to remain calm. If the car alarm is set off past most of the Witches the director
it not only startles the Witch but also triggers a throws at you.
Harvest
Blood
swarm attack. This is a very bad situation and is
best avoided, but if it occurs, kill the Witch first, Name: Witch Hunter
then turn your attention to the incoming horde. Description: Kill a Witch without

TIP any survivor taking damage from

Achievements

her.
The Witch is not playable in versus Gamerpoints: 20
mode but still makes appearances
determined by the director. The Tips: Distance is the key to earning this
infected team should always achievement. Attack a Witch at extreme
try to set up ambushes near long range, preferably with four assault
Witches in an attempt to cause rifles. If you’re back far enough and land
the survivors to startle her. your shots, you should be able to kill the
She’s a very powerful force Witch before she advances to melee range.
multiplier for the infected, so If necessary, have the targeted teammate
take advantage of her. backpedal as the Witch draws near. 25
 e d
ash
e
Unl PRIMA Official Game Guide

Weapons and Supplies

Surviving an outbreak is more complex than running from safe house to safe house in search
of rescue. You must defend yourself against the growing population of the undead, and
doing so requires a firm understanding of firearms and the specialized tactics associated
with each type. In this chapter we take an in-depth look at each weapon, providing stats
and vital employment tips, helping you make each shot count. During your trek you’ll
also encounter a variety of supplies and pickups your group of survivors can use to their
advantage. These items and all health supplies are also discussed, so pay close attention.

Standard Weapons
These basic weapons are available at the start Field Notes
of every movie. They can also be found in early- The pistol suffers from low damage output and
stage safe houses. Although they lack some of the penetration. For best results, aim for the head
advanced features of the weapon upgrades, they’re for instant kills against common infected—all
still formidable weapons capable of dealing with it takes is one shot. Otherwise it may take two
any threat the director throws at your team of or three rounds to the chest to guarantee a kill.
survivors. But choose your weapons wisely. Always
start with a mix of SMGs and pump shotguns to Pistol rounds cannot sever limbs or decapitate,
balance out your team’s capabilities. no matter how many shots are fired.

Pistol Two pistols are always better than one. Look

for pistols lying around and pick one up so you
Damage: Low
can wield dual pistols. This essentially doubles
Penetration: Low the pistol’s magazine capacity, rate of fire, and
Accuracy: Moderate damage output. There is no downside. Once a
second pistol is acquired, it cannot be dropped
Range: Short–Intermediate
unless you’re killed.
Rate of Fire: Moderate
The pistol has an unlimited supply of ammo, so
Reload Time: Fast
use it as frequently as possible to conserve
Fire Mode: Semi-automatic ammo for your primary weapon. Equip it when
Magazine Capacity: 15 (30 for Dual Pistols) engaging isolated threats in low-density areas.
Then switch to your primary weapon when
Ammo Count: Unlimited
dealing with larger groups or infected bosses.
Description When armed with a shotgun, use the pistol to
Based on a popular design dating back nearly a engage threats at intermediate to long range.
century, this semi-automatic handgun is a formidable It’s far more effective at these distances than
backup weapon. Its widespread use among police either shotgun.
departments, the military, and civilians ensures
it’s easy to find during any outbreak. Although it’s If you’re incapacitated and lying on your back,
not the most powerful firearm available, it’s quite the pistol is the only weapon at your disposal.
accurate and can fire multiple rounds in a short While the situation is desperate, it’s not
span of time. Furthermore, a spent magazine can be completely hopeless. Continue firing on
ejected and a fresh magazine loaded within a few nearby threats while waiting for a teammate
seconds. Since the weapon can be operated with to revive you.
one hand, a shooter can carry and fire two pistols
26 simultaneously.
 Weapons & Supplies
Pistol Achievements Description

Survival
Basics
This is a standard 12-gauge pump-action shotgun,
Name: Akimbo Assassin popular with law enforcement and civilians
Description: Survive an entire alike. It fires a lethal spray of lead shot in a wide
campaign using only pistols. spread pattern, ideal for engaging large groups
of infected at close range. But after each shot, the

The Survivors
and Infected
Gamerpoints: 30 spent shell must be manually ejected and a new
shell loaded by working the pump-action handle,
Tips: This is tough and is best attempted giving it a comparatively slower rate of fire than all
at the easier difficulties or when playing the other weapons. Loading time is also a concern,
with a competent team willing to cover as the weapon must be loaded one shell at a time.
you for an entire campaign. Avoid picking But the awesome damage output more than
up any other weapons while attempting

& Supplies
makes up for these deficiencies.

Weapons
this achievement.
Field Notes
Name: Ground Cover
This shotgun is an absolute meat-grinder at
Description: Save another close range, capable of blowing off zombie
survivor from a special infected limbs and heads with one shot. Accuracy isn’t a

No Mercy
while on the ground. big issue either—just point and shoot. Severing
a zombie’s arms or legs is just as lethal as
Gamerpoints: 30 exploding its head or peppering its torso, so
don’t worry about fine-tuning your aim.
Tips: While incapacitated and lying on
your back, look around and open fire on The weapon’s shot is capable of penetrating

Death Toll
a Hunter, Smoker, Tank, or Witch that is multiple targets, so it’s great during swarm
attacking a teammate. You must kill the attacks. For best results, aim at a doorway or
attacker with your pistol(s) to get the another bottleneck to kill multiple zombies
achievement—it’s easiest when targeting with a single shot.
a Hunter or Smoker that has pinned or

Dead Air
The pump shotgun is the heavy hitter of the
ensnared a teammate.
standard weapons and should always be
equipped by at least one member of your
Pump Shotgun team. It’s perfect for close-combat situations
in buildings and other cramped spaces. While
clearing interiors have teammates equipped
Harvest
Blood
with this weapon take the lead.
Damage: High
Make a habit of loading fresh shells into the
Penetration: High
weapon after each engagement. If the
Accuracy: Low weapon runs completely dry, it will take
Achievements

Range: Short–Intermediate several seconds to completely reload it,

leaving you vulnerable to attack.
Rate of Fire: Slow
Reload Time: Slow Like all weapons, the pump shotgun can be
used as a melee weapon. This is critical and
Fire Mode: Pump-Action
should become second nature, particularly
Magazine Capacity: 8 when reloading or when confronting a
Total Ammo Count: 128 + 8 Boomer at point-blank range.

www.primagames.com 27
 e d
ash
e
Unl PRIMA Official Game Guide

The weapon’s damage output is a double- Field Notes

edged sword, particularly when playing at the Bullet for bullet, the SMG inflicts less damage
harder difficulties. One misplaced shot could than the pistol. Therefore, it may take up to
seriously injure or incapacitate a teammate. So five rounds to neutralize a single zombie.
be extremely careful when firing around When time allows for precise aiming, go for
teammates. If in doubt, use melee attacks until headshots for the quick takedown. Scoring
you can get a clear shot. This is critical when headshots helps conserve ammo, too.
trying to knock away Hunters or Smokers,
because attacking them directly could hurt a The SMG’s small, low-velocity rounds don’t
pinned or ensnared teammate. have the power to penetrate multiple targets.
Nor can they sever limbs or cause heads to
The auto shotgun is better than the pump explode.
shotgun in all categories. So look for the
opportunity to upgrade—and never Consider equipping the pistol when
downgrade. confronting individual targets or clearing
low-density areas. This helps save your SMG’s
Submachine Gun (SMG) ammo for true emergencies.

Operating the SMG requires a cool head and a

steady hand. Even during swarm attacks, avoid
holding the trigger down for a long time. This
simply wastes ammo as your weapon pulls off
Damage: Low
target or pumps round after round into an
Penetration: Low already-neutralized zombie. And never swing
Accuracy: Moderate the weapon left or right while firing—this is a
good way to hit teammates. Lay off the trigger,
Range: Short–
aim, and then shoot.
Intermediate
Rate of Fire: Very High At point-blank range, push zombies back
before engaging them. If firing at such
Reload Time: Fast
extreme close range, it’s difficult to aim, and
Fire Mode: Automatic often bullets fly off target, over a zombie’s
Magazine Capacity: 50 shoulder. After the melee attack, recenter your
aim and perform a headshot as the zombie
Total Ammo Count: 480 + 50
stumbles backward.
Description The SMG’s low damage output and lack of
Although illegal in most jurisdictions, automatic penetration can work in your favor when
submachine guns like this are prized possessions of engaging Hunters or Smokers attacking your
rural hunters and urban street gangs, making them teammates. If you’re not within melee range,
relatively easy to find, regardless of setting. What it simply shoot the attackers until they’re no
lacks in stopping power, the SMG more than makes longer a threat. Even if you hit your teammate,
up for with its blazing rate of fire; it can empty its it won’t do too much damage.
50-round magazine in a few short seconds. As a
result, ammo consumption is a serious concern, The assault rifle has a lower rate of fire than
requiring great discipline from the shooter. The high the SMG, but in all other aspects, the assault
rate of fire also results in excessive recoil and muzzle rifle is a far superior automatic weapon.
climb. To conserve ammo and keep the weapon on Upgrade as soon as possible.
target, fire in short three- to four-round bursts.

28
 Weapons & Supplies
Weapon Upgrades While the weapon’s automatic functionality
is useful during chaotic situations, avoid

Survival
holding the trigger down. Unless engaging a

Basics
These weapons are superior to the standard
Tank or Witch, one shot is usually enough to
weapons and should be sought out at the earliest
take down any targets you’re pointing the
opportunity. Once they are acquired, avoid picking
weapon at. Also, when it’s fired automatically
up standard weapons—they’re considered
the weapon’s recoil causes the muzzle to
downgrades. The locations of weapon upgrades

The Survivors
and Infected
climb. So let the weapon settle before firing
are largely determined by the director, but the
follow-up shots.
upgrades can be found in some static locations,
including some safe houses. Always be aware of your backdrop.
Teammates standing behind your target
Auto Shotgun have a strong chance of being sprayed by
penetrating shot. Firing the weapon

& Supplies
Weapons
automatically can pose a huge threat to your
teammates, especially at the higher difficulty
Damage: High levels.
Penetration: High Like the pump shotgun, this weapon can
Accuracy: Low sever limbs and heads with a single shot, so

No Mercy
go easy on the trigger when engaging
Range: Short–Intermediate
individual zombies.
Rate of Fire: High
Avoid shooting the auto shotgun at distant
Reload Time: Slow
targets—it will do little to no damage,
Fire Mode: Automatic wasting ammo. Instead, rely on your pistol or

Death Toll
Magazine Capacity: 10 the long-range weapons of your teammates
to deal with such threats.
Total Ammo Count: 128 + 10
Keep the weapon loaded to capacity at all
Description times. If the weapon runs dry, it must be
This combat automatic shotgun performs similarly reloaded one shell at a time. This can take

Dead Air
to the standard pump model but can be fired several seconds thanks to the weapon’s
automatically by simply holding down the trigger. 10-shell magazine. Be prepared to knock
The increased rate of fire is a welcome addition, away zombies with melee attacks while
particularly when confronting large swarms reloading. Also, let your teammates know
at close range. But unlike the other automatic you’re reloading, so they can cover you.
Harvest
weapons, it utilizes an under-barrel tube magazine Blood
that must be loaded one shell at a time, just As with the pump shotgun, have teammates
like the pump shotgun. However, the weapon’s equipped with the auto shotgun take the
long reload time and limited range are its only lead when clearing building interiors or
drawbacks. other confined spaces. They’re best suited to
Achievements

engage infected that leap or rush around

Field Notes corners.
The damage output of the auto shotgun is
identical to that of the pump shotgun, with
the same spread and penetrative qualities. As
a result, it’s best employed at close range
against tightly clustered targets. Take
advantage of choke points for optimal
results.

www.primagames.com 29
 e d
ash
e
Unl PRIMA Official Game Guide

Assault Rifle As with the SMG, avoid firing long bursts to

enhance accuracy and conserve ammo. The
assault rifle’s recoil isn’t as harsh as the SMG’s,
but muzzle climb is still a factor when firing
lengthy bursts.
Damage: Moderate
Penetration: High If you’re running low on ammo, switch to the
pistol and preserve the assault rifle’s ammo for
Accuracy: High critical events like run-ins with Tanks or
Range: Short–Long Witches. Two or three assault rifles firing on
Rate of Fire: High full auto can quickly deplete the health meter
of a Tank or Witch.
Reload Time: Fast
Fire Mode: Automatic When engaging targets at long range, always
drop to a knee before firing. This not only
Magazine Capacity: 50 increases the rifle’s accuracy but also
Total Ammo Count: 360 + 50 minimizes the effects of recoil.

Description During swarm attacks try to take advantage of

This is the standard-issue infantry assault rifle bottlenecks such as doorways. Firing
employed by the military and some police agencies. automatically into a doorway filled with
These rifles can usually be found in areas that have infected is a great way to mow down large
been overrun or completely abandoned by the groups of infected in a matter of seconds.
armed forces and local law enforcement. It’s a highly Unlike the SMG’s, the rifle’s penetration
versatile weapon perfectly capable of engaging ensures any targets behind the first row take
targets at short, intermediate, and long range. damage.
Although equipped with automatic capability, it’s
most accurate when fired in short controlled bursts Sniper Rifle
from a stationary, crouched stance.

Field Notes
The assault rifle is easily the most well-
rounded weapon available thanks to its solid Damage: High
performance in a variety of situations and Penetration: High
settings. It’s a vast improvement over the SMG,
Accuracy: Very High
so upgrade at the earliest opportunity.
Range: Intermediate–Long
While not as powerful as the shotguns, the
Rate of Fire: Moderate
assault rifle can still shear off zombie limbs
and heads with a quick automatic burst. Reload Time: Slow
Fire Mode: Semi-automatic
Given the rifle’s automatic capability and
penetration power it’s possible to score Magazine Capacity: 15
multiple headshots with a single auto burst. Total Ammo Count: 180 + 15
Bullets fired through one target’s head
continue traveling in a straight line, Description
penetrating anything behind it. Also, try Primarily designed as a hunting rifle, this semi-
aiming the rifle at head level and panning the automatic “ranch rifle” is fitted with a scope ideal
crosshairs across multiple targets to decapitate for engaging targets at long range. Constructed
a line of approaching common infected. of blued steel and hardwood, the rifle is extremely
durable and reliable. But its stopping power is its
30
 Weapons & Supplies
greatest asset—this is the quintessential one-shot, Otherwise the director just spawns more
one-kill weapon. However, unlike the other box zombies. You’ll run out of ammo long before

Survival
magazine–fed weapons, the sniper rifle takes a the director gives up.

Basics
while to reload. Its relatively low rate of fire can
also make it more of a liability than an asset in Minigun
close-quarter engagements. But these are minor Damage: High
trade-offs when taking into account the weapon’s

The Survivors
Penetration:

and Infected
awesome power.
High
Field Notes Accuracy: Moderate
The sniper rifle is the most specialized Range: Intermediate–Long
weapon available and is most effective at Rate of Fire: Extreme
mid–long range. For this reason, equip your
team with no more than one of these rifles— Reload Time: N/A

& Supplies
Weapons
greater balance is required. Fire Mode: Automatic

Use the rifle’s scope only when a teammate is Magazine Capacity: N/A
nearby to cover you. While peering through Total Ammo Count: Unlimited
the scope it’s easy to get flanked. In most
situations, the crosshairs on the HUD are Description

No Mercy
adequate for aiming. Efforts to defend towns and evacuation centers
prompted the military to place these devastating
This weapon delivers the same punch as a fixed weapons at critical sites, often oriented in a
shotgun, but with far greater precision and defensive posture. But in the haste to evacuate,
range. There’s no need to try for headshots. A these guns were left behind. With its rotating

Death Toll
single shot to the chest of a zombie is just as barrel configuration, the minigun can fire several
deadly. Single shots also sever limbs and thousand rounds per minute, perfect for mowing
explode heads. down large swaths of infected. It does have a
Due to the rifle’s penetrative power, a single tendency to overheat, though, so you must pause
round can pass through and kill multiple for it to cool down.

Dead Air
zombies. So don’t be afraid to fire the rifle
into large clusters of infected gathered in Field Notes
doorways or other choke points. Just make The weapon’s rotating barrels are driven by
sure none of your teammates are in the path an electrical motor. When the trigger is
of the unstoppable bullet. depressed, the motor starts and the barrels
begin to rotate. But it won’t fire until the
Harvest
Blood
Despite its box magazine, the reloading barrels are rotating at top speed, so be
process is cumbersome. So be ready to knock prepared for this one- to two-second delay
away infected with melee attacks while when squeezing the trigger.
reloading.
Achievements

While firing, glance down at the barrels

Always supplement a sniper rifle with at least occasionally. If they begin to glow red, the
one assault rifle and one auto shotgun to weapon is close to overheating. Either lay off
balance out your team’s firepower. You’ll the trigger or continue firing until the
need the assault rifle’s automatic fire and a weapon ceases to operate. In either case,
shotgun’s close-quarter proficiency to make firing can resume within a few seconds.
up for the sniper rifle’s shortcomings. Consider disengaging and using your
primary weapon until the minigun is ready to
Avoid camping out on high perches and
fire again.
taking potshots at distant nonthreatening
targets. It’s important to keep moving.
www.primagames.com 31
 e d
ash
e
Unl PRIMA Official Game Guide

The minigun has a very limited firing arc and is

most useful for covering narrow fields of fire.
Molotov Cocktail
For this reason it’s important that at least one These crude incendiary devices are
teammate guards the gunner, providing little more than a bottle filled with a
protection from flanking attacks. flammable liquid and a piece of lit cloth
serving as a fuse. Simply throw one at
Look for opportunities to kill infected bosses a target or at the ground to create a
while firing the minigun. This is by far the large wall of flame. The infected show
quickest way to take out a Tank. But if the Tank no fear of fire and will charge headlong
moves out of the weapon’s field of fire, ditch into flames while trying to reach you
the minigun and continue attacking the Tank and your team. But even the infected
with your primary weapon. If you stay behind can’t survive fire and eventually fall to
the gun, you’re a sitting duck. the ground engulfed in flames. Creating
fiery barriers with molotovs is very useful during
Sometimes using a minigun isn’t the best finales, when your team must hold a fixed position.
tactic for defending certain areas. So remain They’re also great for halting pursuers. For best
flexible, even if it means using a minigun results, toss them in narrow choke points, offering
sparingly during an infected attack. After all, if the infected no other way around.
the attack is originating behind the minigun, it
won’t do you any good.
TIP
Always try to target Tanks and
Minigun Achievement Witches with molotovs. Setting
these tough bosses on fire
Name: Red Mist whittles down their health
quicklyÐthe Tank can’t last more
Description: Kill 1,000 infected than 30 seconds when set on fire.
with a mounted machine gun.
Gamerpoints: 20 Pipe Bomb
The pipe
Tips: This is a basic incremental bomb is
achievement tracked over time. Simply a metal
man the minigun as frequently as possible cylinder
during finales and mini-finales and you’ll capped at both ends and filled with an explosive
eventually kill enough infected to earn the compound such as gunpowder. These particular
achievement. pipe bombs are equipped with an electronic
beeping device and a flashing red light, designed
to attract the infected. Simply toss one of these
Hand-Tossed and watch the common infected rush to it and
Weapons vaporize into a red mist when it explodes. These
are great diversionary devices best employed
These weapons are thrown, and each is capable during swarm attacks or when your team is trying
of its own brand of destruction. You can only carry to make it to a rescue vehicle at the end of a finale.
one hand-tossed weapon at a time, so take this into If you or a teammate gets vomited on by a Boomer,
consideration before picking one up. If you already immediately toss a pipe bomb away from your team
have a hand-tossed weapon in your inventory, it’s to divert the incoming horde. Unfortunately, these
automatically dropped when a new one is picked explosives are only effective against the common
up. These weapons are often randomly placed by infected—the infected bosses will ignore them
the director, but large stashes of them can usually completely, but they can still be injured or killed if
32 be found at finale locations. within the blast radius at detonation.
 Weapons & Supplies
Explosive Objects Propane Tank

Survival
Basics
Propane tanks are quite common
Fuel cans, oxygen tanks, and propane tanks can and found in locations ranging
be shot to unleash massive devastation on the from industrial facilities to
infected. But they can also be picked up (press the residential backyards. Unlike
use button) and carried, allowing your team to

The Survivors
the oxygen tank, propane tanks

and Infected
place them in strategic positions. While carrying explode immediately when
one of these objects you can’t fire your weapons. shot, making them far more
However, you can perform a melee attack with predictable and useful during
them, enough to knock infected back until you defensive situations. Scatter these
can drop the item and retaliate with a more tanks around major choke points prior
deadly attack. to a finale and target them as swarms of infected

& Supplies
Weapons
rush past. The blast radius is similar to that of an
Fuel Can oxygen tank, instantly killing all nearby common
These red cans are quite infected. These can also be used effectively against
common and are filled with a Tanks and Witches. Have one teammate toss a
flammable liquid. Shoot them propane tank at the infected boss while another
to create a large wall of fire. shoots it. Just make sure you’re a safe distance

No Mercy
Given the larger volume of the away when it explodes.

note
container, fires created by fuel
cans are spread over a larger area
than those created by molotov cocktails. They’re
best employed in defensive situations when you

Death Toll
can hand-place each fuel can in certain strategic
areas. But they won’t ignite until shot, so don’t
forget to blast them during the chaos of a finale.
The fire created by these cans can wipe out
dozens of infected, including bosses.

Dead Air
Oxygen Tank
These green
cylindrical
tanks contain
pressurized oxygen and can usually be
Harvest
Contrary to popular myth, fire Blood
found at hospitals or inside ambulances. When
extinguishers don’t explode
shot, a tank emits a hissing sound for a few
when punctured. Instead, they
seconds and then violently explodes, liquefying
release their gaseous contents
any infected within its large blast radius. The delay
with a loud hiss. While this
Achievements

can make it tough to time their detonation, so

they’re best tossed into high-concentration areas may annoy zombies standing
where the infected have restricted movement, nearby, it won’t kill them. In
such as doorways or small rooms. fact, the hissing sound may
attract more infected.

33
 e d
ash
e
Unl PRIMA Official Game Guide

Supplies To use a first aid kit on yourself, equip it and then

press and hold the fire button. Healing takes a few
seconds, so make sure a teammate is covering
There are three major types of supplies your group
you—the white progress bar in the center of the
of survivors should watch out for: ammo, first aid
screen indicates how long the process takes. Avoid
kits, and pills. These supplies are vital to surviving
healing out in the open where attacks can come
your journeys through infected territory.
from anywhere. Instead, look for small rooms,

Ammo preferably with few entry points. You can also

heal teammates. Equip a first aid kit, approach a
wounded teammate, and then press and hold the
melee button. The teammate can continue rotating
and firing while being healed but must remain
standing in the same spot; otherwise, the healing
process must start over. Once the healing process is
complete 60 hit points are recovered.

First Aid Kit Achievements

Name: Dead Giveaway
Description: Heal a fellow survivor
when your own health is below 10.
Gamerpoints: 10
Tips: Don’t make a habit of doing this, but
it’s worth trying it one time to earn this
achievement. Before using your first aid kit
on someone else, make sure somebody else
Without ammo the primary weapons are little more has a first aid kit ready to heal you.
than crude bludgeons. Therefore, it’s extremely
important to conserve and stock up on ammo Name: Field Medic
to keep these weapons firing. To retrieve ammo,
simply stand next to a stockpile and interact with it. Description: Heal 25 survivors with
Always reload before interacting with an ammo pile a first aid kit.
to ensure you’re retrieving the maximum amount.
Gamerpoints: 20
Ammo piles can always be found in safe houses as
well as in other static locations across each level. Tips: This will take some time to achieve
Unlike with some supplies and pickups, the location and means putting the health of your
of ammo is not determined by the director. So each teammates first. But don’t be foolish. If
time you play through a level, ammo will be located your health bar is in the orange or red
in exactly the same spot each time. Study the zone, always heal yourself. You won’t do
provided maps in the following chapters to locate your teammates any good if you’re dead.
all the ammo sites, and make sure to stop at each To speed up the process, offer to pick up
while advancing through each
all first aid kits and heal teammates on the
level.
spot. This works well in safe houses before
starting a level—you can perform as many
First Aid Kit as three heals in a few seconds.
These small red bags contain
bandages and other first aid

34 supplies vital to restoring health.

 Weapons & Supplies
Pills note

Survival
Basics
These pain reliever pills are another You can monitor the types
way to restore health. But pills are of first aid supplies your
only a temporary fix, holding you teammates have by looking at
over until you can find and use a first their avatars or glancing down
aid kit. Consuming pills restores your

The Survivors
and Infected
at their health bars. If they’re
health by 60 hit points but does not
carrying first aid kits, the red
completely heal serious injuries. So if
your health bar is in the orange or red bags appear on their backs. Pill
zone, it will remain the same color even after you bottles are carried on the belt,
down a bottle of pills. As a result, any mobility on the right hip. A quicker way
penalties associated with low health are still to collect this information is
by looking at their health bars.

& Supplies
applied, causing your character to limp and lag

Weapons
behind teammates with health in the green zone. First aid kit icons and/or pill
Anyone who’s healed with pills has a health bar bottle icons show up next to
filled with dashed vertical lines instead of a solid their avatars’ portraits. So if you
bar. So take notice of your teammates’ health need to heal, consider asking
bars and provide support as needed—it may one of your teammates for help.

No Mercy
mean slowing down to prevent leaving someone
behind. If you have a teammate in need of health,
you can hand over a bottle of pills by equipping it, First Aid Station
standing next to the teammate, and pressing the
melee button. This simply transfers the pills from

Death Toll
one inventory to another—your teammate must
then consume the pills.

Pills Achievement

Dead Air
Name: Pharm-assist
Description: Give pain pills to 10 These large red cabinets always contain
Survivors. first aid kits, pills, or a combination of both.
The contents of each first aid station are Harvest
Gamerpoints: 20 determined by the director, based on your Blood
team’s progress. If your team is healthy and
Tips: Simply hand over 10 bottles of pills hasn’t used any health supplies, the first
to your teammates. aid station may contain only a single bottle
of pills. But if your team is badly wounded
Achievements

and has exhausted all health supplies, the

station may be filled with four first aid kits.
While their contents are dynamic, the first
aid stations are always in the same locations
on each level. Study the maps in the
following chapters to find and memorize
their locations. They’re usually found in
safe houses but also appear in other areas.
Knowing where these stations are gives
your team a tremendous advantage.
35
 ed
ash
e
Unl PRIMA Official Game Guide

Achievements
Xbox 360 Achievements
Achievement Description Value
Burn the Witch Light a Witch with a Molotov. 10

Shove a Boomer and then kill him without him

Clean Kill 10
splashing on anyone.
Heal a fellow Survivor when your own health is
Dead Giveaway 10
below 10.

Dead Stop Punch a Hunter as he is pouncing. 10

Hero Closet Rescue a Survivor trapped in a closet. 10

Hunter Punter Shove a Hunter off of a pinned and helpless Survivor. 10

Spinal Tap Kill an Infected with a single blow from behind. 10

Towering Inferno Light a Tank with a Molotov. 10

Brain Salad Make 100 headshot kills. 15

Dead Baron Survive the Dead Air campaign. 15

Grim Reaper Survive the Blood Harvest campaign. 15

Mercy Killer Survive the No Mercy campaign. 15

Protect any Survivor from an attacking Infected 50

My Bodyguard 15
times.

No Smoking Section Kill 10 Smokers as they are pulling helpless Survivors. 15

Toll Collector Survive the Death Toll campaign. 15

101 Cremations Set 101 Infected on fire. 20

222
 Achievements

Survival
Basics
Achievement Description Value
Leave a safe room to save an incapped teammate and
Back 2 Help 20

The Survivors
bring them back safely.

and Infected
Barf Bagged Cover four Survivors with Boomer bile at once. 20

Big Drag Drag a Survivor 100 feet with your tongue. 20

You or another Survivor take no damage after being

Blind Luck 20

& Supplies
vomited on by a Boomer.

Weapons
Chain Smoker Constrict two Survivors in one life as a Smoker. 20

Dole out 5000 total Survivor damage as a Special

Dead Wreckening 20
Infected.

No Mercy
Sneak past all Witches in a campaign without
Do Not Disturb 20
disturbing one.

Double Jump Pounce two different Survivors in one life as a Hunter. 20

Rescue a Survivor from a Smoker’s tongue before he

Death Toll
Drag and Drop 20
takes damage.

Field Medic Heal 25 Survivors with a first aid kit. 20

Helping Hand Revive 50 incapacitated Survivors. 20

Dead Air
Jump Shot Headshot a Hunter while he’s leaping. 20

As an Infected, incap a Survivor who has entered and

Lamb 2 Slaughter 20
left a safe room. Harvest
Blood
No-one Left Behind Beat a campaign with all 4 Survivors. 20

Pharm-assist Give pain pills to 10 Survivors. 20

Achievements

Pyrotechnician Blow up 20 Infected in a single explosion. 20

Red Mist Kill 1000 Infected with a mounted machine gun. 20

Stand Tall Survive a campaign without being incapacitated. 20

www.primagames.com 223
 ed
ash
e
Unl PRIMA Official Game Guide

Achievement Description Value

All Survivors complete a campaign without being
Stomach Upset 20
vomited on.
Kill a Tank without it dealing any damage to a
Tankbusters 20
Survivor.
Free yourself from a Smoker who has grabbed you
Tongue Twister 20
with his tongue.
Kill a Witch without any Survivor taking damage from
Witch Hunter 20
her.

Zombie Genocidest Kill 53,595 Infected. 20

Akimbo Assassin Survive an entire campaign using only pistols. 30

Kill all four Survivors in one life while playing as a

All 4 Dead 30
Tank.

Cr0wnd Kill a Witch with a single headshot. 30

Save another Survivor from a Special Infected while

Ground Cover 30
on the ground.

Man vs Tank Single-handedly kill a Tank. 30

Survive a campaign with no Survivors taking damage

Nothing Special 30
from Special Infected.
Play an entire campaign with no Survivors taking
Safety First 30
friendly fire damage.

Unbreakable Finish a campaign without ever being healed. 30

No Survivors take damage after contacting the rescue

Untouchables 30
vehicle.

Zombicidal Maniac Survive any campaign on Expert. 30

What Are You Trying

Survive all campaigns on Expert. 35
to Prove?
TOTAL:
1000

224