Hello, fellow survivors!
Getting to the final day of Challenge mode in Zelter is no easy task. Use these hints to become a seasoned survivor!
1) Complete the tutorial
You might know how the game is played from the previous updates, but modifications to the game mean it can sometimes change. Completing the tutorial means you’ll definitely have hands-on experience with every up-to-date feature.
2) Set your difficulty
Following the tutorial you’ll get to make your character and choose your difficulty. Novice is easier than the default Seasoned difficulty, and Veteran is for those looking for a true challenge. Every difficulty is valid and you should play whichever one you prefer!
3) Keep an eye on the messages
CP is going to message you as soon as the mission starts. Among other things, you’ll find out the helicopter arrival time. You should expect more messages from Command as you progress through the game. They contain important info, so pay attention!
4) Find shelter
When there’s a zombie plague outside, staying out in the open is beyond dangerous. Bunker-like shelters in the area are far more secure. Find one and set up your base soon and use it as your permanent hub for all your crafting and item-storing needs. You won’t be able to stay inside indefinitely, but you’ll be glad you have a shelter to go back to.
5) Sneak around
Sneak, don’t run! If a zombie’s not directly looking at you, you can get past them without a fight. Just sneak by holding down SHIFT and move forward. Just remember, when you sneak you also hold your breath, and you can only do that for so long.
6) Start gathering and crafting early
Time is not on your side. At the very beginning, focus on crafting your tools, an oven and a wooden workbench. From there you can craft more advanced structures and gear. Remember the best use for each tool
Axe - to chop trees for wood and dismantle wooden objects
Pickaxe - to mine ore and stones
Mallet - to break down garbage piles and various metal objects
Chests will help you keep adequate space to store all your resources. Make several if you need to!
7) Remember your quick access slots
Zombies won’t politely wait while you rummage through your backpack. Quick access slots are your friends. Make sure you assign all your essentials to quick access slots to gather resources or defend yourself at a moment’s notice
8) Food and water
If you are hungry or thirsty, you won’t be able to survive, so you need a supply of water and food. Drink from taps or sinks in any house (or your shelter) and that will take care of thirst. Hunger is trickier, but if you chop down an apple tree the apples will alleviate both your hunger and your thirst!
9) Make a gun
The starting box may well contain a pistol, but don’t count on your luck - make your own. A Metal Workbench will give you a choice of pistol, shotgun, SMG, assault rifle or hunting rifle to craft. A trusty pistol would do you good, but remember to experiment! Your enemies will get bigger. So should your guns. Just make sure you craft the right ammo too.
It’s simple enough to gun down a single normal zombie in 2-3 shots, so no need to go in guns blazing. Be wary of the ammo supply.
10) Rescue civilians
Your endgame score depends on how many civilians you save. Not to mention the perks every rescued civilian gives you. Even when you’re out of space for new perks, they can give you supply boxes with ammo, food or medicine. Look out for civilians and get to them before the zombies do!
11) Craft a backpack
You start with a fanny pack that has rather limited space. A proper backpack will require leather that you get from hunting animals. You’ll get more than double the inventory space, so it’s definitely worth it!
12) Secure a landing zone
On day three the first helicopter will arrive. The noise is guaranteed to attract zombies from all across the neighborhood. Secure the position in advance by building barricades and turrets to cover the civilians’ escape.
13) Craft a refrigerator
Spoiled food does you no good, but a refrigerator will keep it usable for much longer! If you plan to stock up on food - make sure you have a fridge to put it into.
14) Scout your surroundings
The area around your shelter is always worth scouting. You may find loot boxes or useful items such as herbs with which to craft medicine and tonics. Furthermore you can note the location of the water pump and electric generator early on. Both of these facilities are essential so be sure to know where to go when you need to fix them!
15) Craft skull keys
Zombie bones can be used to craft keys to open your way to particularly useful loot - armor, tools, barricades, weapons and ammunition, as well as medkits and tonics.
16) Complete additional (blue) missions.
Completing a blue mission triggers a supply drone to be dispatched to the area. Among other things it will bring you infection medicine - the only cure for the zombie infection.
17) Scout at night as well
Night time can be frightening, but if you’re well-prepared you can use the time to investigate further, save additional civilians and gather resources. Just make sure you return to safety before the helicopter arrives!
18) Use map markers
Right-click on the map to choose from markers you can set on the map. Found a chest you can’t unlock yet? Mark it to visit it later when you have the key.
19) Craft to spare
You’d do well to craft more than you need at any given time. What you’re not going to use right now may well come in handy later!
20) Remember to level up!
Put your talent points to good use! However, since you can’t refund your talent points, read up on what each talent does in advance and get ready to unlock and upgrade the ones that help your playstyle.
We hope you found these hints helpful in surviving the zombie plague. Do you have any hints or recommendations for fellow survivors? Share them in the comments below and have fun playing Zelter!