Best game mode for new player

[ShadowBane]

Looking to get started on the right foot. I am a new player and have been playing around and enjoying the game but I am starting a new game from scratch now that I think I understand it a bit better.

What do you recommend of the four starting options? I have played in Sandbox mode and tested out the “stealth” option (can’t remember what it is called).

This time I am trying to give the game a serious attempt. Which game mode do you recommend? I am playing Vanilla for now as I want to learn the game better before modding it.

Thanks.

[Ocular]

I recommend learning on apocalypse personally. It'll take some time and you'll die a lot but it'll work out better in the end if you want to be able to survive a long time and be good at the game. The three most important things imo is map knowledge, combat knowledge and how to move around/kite the zombies.

https://map.projectzomboid.com/

I studied the map until I knew every important location and spawn point.

Here's a (should be up to date by the looks of it) heatmap as well https://www.reddit.com/r/projectzomboid/comments/k3z0dt/heat_map_zombies_spawn_location_b41/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

[skooma addict]

custom apocalypse with zombie respawn off

[sedatbekdemirhjk]

snake mod pack

[Ocular]

Originally posted by sedatbekdemirhjk:

snake mod pack

Lol what? Snakes mod pack is pretty complex even for a seasoned player. He's not asking about mods he's asking about what difficulty he should play on 😆

[LSD]

I wouldn't go with Apocalypse as a newer player. Until b41, the default game mode was more like "Survival", with multi-hit (long weapons and shoves hit up to 3 zombies at a time if they're grouped together) making combat much easier. Apocalypse is 1 strike = 1 hit.
I just played b41 for the first time a few weeks ago and found it difficult to get to grips with the new difficulty. There seems to be less loot, there's definitely less weapons (and even fewer viable ones), and there's waaay more zombies around.

I'd say try a full run on Survival, then when hordes of zombies don't seem like a threat any more, you'll be ready for Apocalypse.

[MadArtillery]

Custom sandbox and First Days is a pleasent way to learn. And you get to listen to the news on the radio and tv for quite awhile as things go to hell.

[ShadowBane]

Originally posted by Ocular:

I recommend learning on apocalypse personally. It'll take some time and you'll die a lot but it'll work out better in the end if you want to be able to survive a long time and be good at the game.

Yah I was thinking that maybe this was the way to go. Sort of jump into the fire and learn that way. Just wasn’t sure about survival mode.

[ShadowBane]

Originally posted by LSD:

I'd say try a full run on Survival, then when hordes of zombies don't seem like a threat any more, you'll be ready for Apocalypse.

And this is why I came here for help. Thanks. I wish the game would give more explanations about the different modes because as a new player it is confusing to know where to start.

[ApokalyptoJr]

survival and apocalypse are both completely different from each other. while both are pretty difficult, apocalypse is the hardest since multi-hit is disabled and loot is rarer compared to survival. while i do agree about the practicing with survival and going into Apocalypse, i mainly just ♥♥♥♥ around with the sandbox settings and have been doing that since i got the game since that is what made me interested. sandbox game-mode is also recommended since the game has already established sandbox presets you can choose from such as "initial infection" "one week later" "six months later" etc. you can even create and save your own sandbox settings as the game has a pretty in-dept sandbox being able to change anything from how you can get infected, to the speed of the zombies, how rare loot is, etc. however i don't recommend messing around until you play a run or two on survival/apocalypse.

[Dennis Rafkin]

A fun way to learn and get used to it is to set the zombies to slow shamblers, and change the peak population to x2-4, zombie respawn off, but leave everything else on default. You'll have an easier time in the beginning getting used to things like the attack range, where to loot certain things, the systems of the world, and moving around in combat. Then as the days pass more and more zombies will flood the streets but they are slow so then you also get to learn how to deal with hordes in a progression style manner. Once you can get decently far on this setting and feel comfortable, feel free to crank up the challenge by moving them back to normal speed next time you restart.

[Armagenesis]

If you are still learning about the controls and whatnot, try Initial Infection in the Sandbox mode.
Otherwise, try Survivor mode.

[Jinn]

I'd still say B41 Survivor is whack for learning the game. Differences from Apocalypse:

- Low Rear Vulnerability (default: high)
- Weapon Multi-hit on
- Mini-map on
- Zombie Strength: Weak (default: normal)
- Drag Down off

Does not change loot, the amount of zombies, their hearing, memory, speed, etc. While these settings certainly make the game a little easier, I wouldn't say it helps new players all that significantly for learning the game.

Learning the game the biggest difficulties gonna be getting use to the controls, resource prioritization, and how to engage/avoid zombies. And the second you're fighting more than two zombies in a cluster, most new players won't have any idea how to handle it properly, especially without any equipment.

I'd recommend playing on Custom (Apocalypse) with a few additional changes:

- (Loot Rarity): Ammo: Normal
Gives an excuse to learn guns, and makes the Police Department worth going to.

- (Character): Starter Kit on
Gives a new player some basic starter options, and sets clear examples of items they should prioritize finding (storage, food, water, weapons, etc.)

- (Advanced Zombie Options): Population Multiplier: 0.75
- (Advanced Zombie Options): Population Start Multiplier: 0.5
- (Advanced Zombie Options): Population Peak Multiplier: 2
With these settings, you'll face significantly less (but still fully potent) zombies at the start. You'll have about a month to learn the ropes of the game with some basic starting equipment. After that, you're facing them in same numbers as standard Apocalypse.

A lot of people play with Slow Shamblers, but that's up to personal preference how slow/fast you want em (although it will certainly help with learning). I use the Definitive Zombies mod so they have variant settings based on the Weather/Season, but starting in the Summer against Sprinters is NOT recommended.

Sorry for length, just wanted to clarify my reasonings. Hope you enjoy the game!

[Jackpot]

Sandbox is probably the best go to since it'll let you easily tailor your own experience as new player and let you choose how much of something you want based on how confident you are.

Maybe you just wanna lower zombie pop, maybe you just wanna raise loot spawn, etc.
Sandbox just lets you tailor it to whatever YOU want, regardless of skill level.

Survival is still a decent and generic starter, but of course it's entirely upto you, since it may be too harsh for some newer players, but some newer players may handle it well.
Just understand as the game says "This is how you died."

[ProtecTron]

Originally posted by skooma addict:

custom apocalypse with zombie respawn off

This. I would add getting burglar to use vehicles (imo driving Is a must for fun playthrougs) and extra points to avoid grinding so much.

And don't expect to be "good" at the game, i'm dying like when I was starting, but having the same or more fun taking more risks. Almost 800hr into it.

Don't turn down your hours of loot because you die. Create a new char and contiunue. (Avoid grinding to boredom)