How to Survive Zombie Defence

How to play the Zombie Defence game mode.

Introduction

Zombie Defence is a Tower Defence[en.wikipedia.org] game mode for Civ VI. It comes with the Portugal Pack (DLC) from the New Frontier Pass.

It introduces Zombies as an aggressive type of barbarian.

To counter these there are new defensive improvements you can build. (Which can be used against any land invasion not just Zombies). Notably the trap and barricade.

This is a guide to survive the Zombie apocalypse.

Run!

When you see a Zombie, run!

Zombies will go after the nearest (military) unit. So unless you want to bait them, move your units away. They will attract Zombies.

Build Walls.

Walls are your ciy's first line of defence against invading Zombies. So tech Masonry ASAP and rush a wall.

Also, you can increase your city strength[civilization.fandom.com] by building the strongest melee/anti-cav (or naval) unit.

Similarly build the strongest ranged unit possible to increase your city ranged attacks.

In the modern era beeline Steel [civilization.fandom.com]to get automatic city defences.

Build Holy Sites Or Campuses

Most certainly in your capital, make sure you prioritise building a holy site or a campus ASAP.

You will then be able to use the special projects to convert Zombies within your city limits...but it's a little tricky and you only take control of Zombies for a certain number of turns.

So be certain to use those clocked Zombies offensively, like moving them to an allied city and setting them free!

Don't Die

Any units that die increase chances of Zombie spawn. So avoid dying.

Zombie kills spawn more Zombies. So especially don't get killed by Zombies! (Unless you wish for a Zombie spawn - like on your enemies doorsteps).

Prioritise Killing Regular Barbs (Not Zombies)

Zombies don't pillage improvements or districts. Nor will they usually attack civilian units like workers and settlers. But normal barbs will. (Aside - this allows you to send out workers to build barricades and traps into Zombie swarms).

However, every Zombie you kill makes the Zombies stronger.

So in general, prioritise killing regular barbs.

Rid yourself of Zombie swarms with the campus and holy site districts special projects - Dark Signal and Turn Undead.

The Cardinal

If zombies swarm early game, I suggest unlocking Moksha, the governor, first. His promotion Laying On Of Hands heals all units in his city in one turn.

Aim to get this first promotion quickly, either with culture or by building the government plaza.

Dig In

This is by far the most important step.

Fortify by building barricades and traps. Roman forts, Pas, Alcazars and Great Walls.

Later build advanced traps and modernised barricades, with Military Engineers.

Notably these Zombie Defence mode improvements can be made outside your territory! (So you don't have to waste your valuable land).

But make haste. Build defences before zombies swarm.

Firewall - Burn Zombies!

Originally posted by Johnny Cash from "The Ring of Fire":

I fell into a burning ring of fire
I went down, down, down
And the flames went higher
And it burns, burns, burns
The ring of fire

In Apocalypse mode, if you settle swathes of forest (or jungle) you can use a Soothsayer to create a disaster in the forest and burn zombies to death.
Rewilding (i.e. planting forest) helps.

Kiting

Once you have dug in and/or rewilded you may "kite" zombies into burning forests and/or towards your barricades and traps.

Fast moving units like cavalry are best for this.
Also units with extra visibility.

e.g: Vietnam's Voi Chiến and Canada's Mountie both are excellent examples for kiting. Also zombies.

Nuke Zombies

Here, using Ireland as a zombie drop zone to nuke them, on Europe map.

Zombie vs. Zombies

Fight fire with fire.

The apostle with the Heathen Conversion promotion will allow you to convert Zombies. You can also use the hero Hunahpu & Xbalanque ("the twins").

Use your Zombies to defend against attacking Zombies. The attackers will never be any stronger than your units. Ever.

And later you can strengthen your Zombies by forming corps and armies.

But remember - Zombies will swarm if you use your Zombies to kill barbarian Zombies. That spawn another barbarian Zombie instantly.

Build Your Navy! (And Air Force!)

Zombies only ever spawn on land, so focus on naval warfare.
You can never lose naval units to Zombies, so you won't be contributing to the Zombie spawn.

Also land assaults are much harder with the numerous defensive structures available in the Zombie Defence mode, so you are better off making naval (and aerial) offensives.

Settle Islands & Coasts

As Zombies can only attack from land, settle coastal cities and islands.

The isolation will provide protection from Zombie swarms.

Trade a la Portugal

Any traders that pass over land have a chance of being plundered by Zombies. So take a page from Portugal and trade over sea.

(Or play as Portugal, cos they are designed almost to trade perfectly in Zombie Defence mode).

Zombie Outbreak Distant Cities

Zombie Outbreak is a new spy mission that will spawn Zombies in a foreign city.

Be careful not to use the Zombie Outbreak mission on cities close to your borders. Otherwise they end up swarming your cities instead.

Suggested Civs

China, Rome, The Maori, Portugal, Byzantium, Gaul, Vietnam and Phoenicia.

Naval civs like Japan, England, The Ottoman, Brazil, Indonesia, the Netherlands and Spain may also fare well with Zombies.

Try defensive civs like The Maya and Georgia as well.

Suggested Leaders

Unifier Qin, Varangian Hardrada.

[paulo1dantas1]

Very good @blkbutterfly
But even using one of the suggestions, the zumbies didn't stopped to appear in my cities, I just killed the save as I already got the win and keep for one more run way. I will start a new one.

[blkbutterfly]

@haggard Thx

[haggard]

helpful

[blkbutterfly]

@Lamizor Yes, Human Shield
I actually did a second (advanced) guide -> https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2664692990

[Lamizor]

Actual zombie pro tip: wall your cities with builders. Zombies cannot eat them

[blkbutterfly]

@shrubber Welcome!

[shrubber]

Tried a duel with zombies active. They took out three city states and had the AI capital under siege and reduced to 0/0 str/heal, but never captured it - I guess the zombies can't win for you. Won a culture victory by backing into it with my surviving cities. And got the Fancy Pants achievement, which was not what I was shooting for .... then I read your guide. It sure points out my mistakes. Thanks @Blkbutterfly74.

[Jac]

Or don't activate the mode.

[Joshybones]

delete new frontiers, zombies gone

[blkbutterfly]

@kspipes You welcome