Campaign vs. Realism

This is a guide to show players the big and small differences between the usual campaign and realism.

The Must Know Differences

One of the biggest differences from campaign is the lack of glowing outlines. This means that survivors have to keep a careful eye out for any useful supplies, and to always look over their shoulder to check on their team mates. One last difference is no respawn closets so either you wait for the next map, or you get defibbed.


One of the most noticeable things is the lack of glowing outlines for team mates. Have you ever had trouble finding a team mate's body to defib them? Imagine doing that, but they are alive, most likely under attack by a horde or special, and are rapidly dwindling in the health department with nothing but some pistols to protect them.

Oh yeah... lets not forget you're most likely dealing with these threats too.

Another noticeable difference is the damage output. Before a shotgun point blank would kill all common, and a pistol could take 3 shots at most. In realism pistols take 5 shots to the body to kill them. But a headshot will only take one!

A gun that many possibly pass up for a melee suddenly becomes much more effective due to its 8 one shot bullets. That's right I'm talking about the good ol' magnum (or Desert Eagle for some of you) With it's one shot ability no matter where you hit, be it the arm, chest, head, or feet. It is a must use weapon if you stumble across it in your travels because in realism, it has a smaller spawn rate than before. The only time I would recommend ignoring it would be if you are on advanced/expert, melees are generally better on those difficulties.

The Exceptions

While it probably hasn't crossed your mind, you would think the lack of glowing outlines would make your Dead Center finale, along with The Passing's more difficult right? WRONG!

The finale for these 2 campaigns each take gas cans which, thankfully, still have their glow.

The Witch

One of the largest differences from campaign is the Witch. In campaign she would instantly incap on everything but expert. Now... Well now she KILLS on EVERYTHING except easy. Even then when you are revived you lose a chunk of the 30 temporary health you get upon revival.

Another thing to remember is the Witch can not be crowned!(killed with one or two shots from a shotgun for you newbies) so you can't just shotgun her. You have to use various strategies if you want to disturb a witch with the only consequence being a smaller ammo stock.

If you haven't gotten my message yet commit this picture to memory.


The only way to kill a witch with a medium-large chance of surviving is by shutting a door on her. She isn't able to break them in realism. Unlike in campaign where she plows through them all.

General Tips

Now we can get to some basic tips that might will allow you to survive the coming apocalypse.

• Take defibs into serious consideration.
  

• Magnums are always a valid option.
  
• Keep team mates in sight at all times.
  
• Mics are highly recommended.
  
• Don't piss off the witch!
  
• If possible, aim for the head of all zombies.
  
• Communication is vital! Team mates can't tell if you're boomed/under attack from a special unless you tell them!

The Special Infected

The infected are also tougher in realism, while not very noticable at first lack of realizing these differences can mean a map restart.

First is that all special infected take less damage from bodyshots just like common. This makes it significantly harder to free a team mate with a long range shotgun. (especially noticable on expert where it takes 3 melees to kill a charger)

Second is that jockies and boomers become a much larger threat. While jockeys were at most an annoyance in campaign they become a terrible adversary in realism (there's a reason my normal expert team have started calling him "The Harbringer of Death") because not only does he split the team up without any glow to help find them, his damage output is increased so that it takes a notibly less ammount of time to incap someone.

Boomers, while losing the ability to remove the ability to see outlines, also gain a boost from realism. They horde is significantly tougher than they were before, and team mates can't tell instantly that someone has been puked on. (Unless they see the player stumble obviously)

Spitters don't gain a damage dealing bonus, but they do gain a damage taking bonus. So it is especially hard to kill her before she is able to spit.

Hunters don't get a damage dealing bonus as well, but they do get the ability to take out incapped players without the others being the wiser if timed with a horde. A player will usually aim for the heads of the common standing around the incapped player, this allows a hunter to stay below their sights and deal out damage at a fast place. So if you are incapped don't be afraid to spam "Hunter Hunter Hunter!" through the mic a few times.

Smoker's boost is like that jocky's. His boost is the lack of outlines. This can mean a well places smoker can drag a player well out of sight with the other players being none the wiser. He also takes less damage from bodyshots.

Charger's main boost is (again) the ability to take more damage. This means that if you would stand far away but still in his path and kill him before, you're getting caught and pounded now.

[󠀡󠀡󠀡⁧⁧1x5x7]

Which hoe disliked this

[White Lion]

awesome explanation

[Paladyne]

I'd recommend sticking to Campaign if you're still a bit new. There's just SOOO much to learn!

That being said, when you get to the point where you feel like you've got a good grip on things and are ready to progress to Advanced or Expert (heh), go ahead and give Realism a try. It does require a lot more communication and tighter coordination, but that's part of what makes it fun; successfully surviving in Realism is that much more satisfying because it shows you can still make it even when the training wheels come off. :)

[Mendigo_Loko™]

P1tabread Don't ever think tryng realism if you are not a pro or have pro teammates, serious...

[Jabroni]

Would you recommend to a beginner to try realism? Im a bit new.

[Provocation]

Great. Rated up.

[CONTROLLER ONLY MAN]

You CAN crown the witch. Having all 4 with shotgun(tier 2 shotgun is recommended), aim point blank at the witch, open fire.

[Geo The Tank]

Your welcome.

[(CB) God Emperor Trump]

Whaddaya know. I'm honored to be named in this article.

[Arfel]

\o/