Undead Nightmare tips

Headshots only: Zombies can only be killed with headshots— aim carefully and use Dead Eye for accuracy.

Conserve ammo: group zombies together and use explosives.

Supplies matter: Explore side areas and complete side missions for valuable weapons and items.

Survivors help: Save survivors when possible; they can defend towns and offer rewards.

Getting special weapons: Completing certain missions unlocks unique weapons (such as Boom Bait, Winchester Repeater, and the Semi-Auto Pistol).

Use special weapons: Use unique weapons like the Blunderbuss, Holy Water, and the Torch for crowd control or tough enemies.

Aim for the head! Zombies are tougher than regular enemies, so use powerful weapons and stay on the move.​

You’ll find special weapons like the Blunderbuss and holy water, plus new horses with unique abilities.

Some multiplayer features are available, but check the game’s menu for the latest options and modes.

There are 4 main types of human undead you’ll encounter, plus infected wildlife. All undead die instantly if you destroy their head, and shooting them in the legs can knock them down temporarily.

• Normal undead: Slow-moving unless they spot you. They punch and scratch, rarely grapple.

• Bolters: Appear in Tall Trees and New Austin. Thin and fast, they drop to all fours and charge directly at you.

• Bruisers: Large and strong. Initially slow, but perform a powerful headlong charge when close, sending John flying.

• Retchers: Covered in glowing tumors, primarily in Mexico. They spit toxic waste and explode when killed, damaging nearby undead and accidentally hostile survivors.

Looting:

• Ammo belts can drop bullets, Fire Bottles, or Dynamite.

• The Blunderbuss allows you to convert undead parts into ammo at a 10:1 ratio.

Undead wildlife:

• Undead wildlife behaves like normal animals but only takes headshots or fire damage. Goats, horses, and buffalo are undead but are non-hostile and cannot be looted.

While shops aren’t open in Undead Nightmare, towns still offer a few useful services. Most towns, forts, and villages across New Elizabeth, New Austin, and Mexico are under constant undead attack. You can interact with towns by helping defend them, which sometimes provides rewards or useful resources. Pitching in also adds to the immersive experience of the undead-infested frontier.

If a town’s survivor leader dies before the town is saved—whether due to your actions or a Retcher attack—you won’t be able to arm the remaining survivors. A new leader will be chosen for the next siege, so you’ll need to manage the defense yourself in the meantime.

During a siege, a meter at the top of the screen shows your progress. When the meter is full, the town is safe for several days. If overrun again, you’ll get a notice and can defend it once more. Supplying survivors with ammo also helps fill the meter faster, often more efficiently than fighting every zombie yourself..

Once you’ve cleared a town of undead, it becomes a safe zone where you can loot ammo caches, sleep in beds, and fast-travel between locations. Saving a town also unlocks survivor missions inside, except for Fort Mercer and El Presidio, which are always safe.

Saving a town rewards you with ammo and occasionally a weapon. While rewards are mostly randomized, there are a few guaranteed items: Fire Bottles for Thieves’ Landing, Dynamite for Gaptooth Breach, and a Rolling Block Rifle for the Pacific Union R.R. Camp.