Hey guys,
Well, after wasting some space here on The Escapist forums for awhile now, I figured I might as well make some sort of contribution to the site. So I figured, "Why don't I make some sort of awesome list of everything someone would need to live through some sort of very, very bad thing that in a word would be unexplainable?" So I did. It took me awhile but I managed to assemble a list of everything you'd need to live life like a scavenger during a zombie apocalypse. This is the first in my series of "Weapons List" guides so sound off on the poll if you guys like it or not. I'll see if I can take in some constructive criticism that will help me improve some things. I don't need to stress how important food and water is to the human body so I'll only be covering weapons and vehicles.
-- Weapons --
Guns:
- Benelli M4 or Remington 11-87 Police Shotgun -- or -- Any M1 or M4 Style Carbine
Note the word STYLE. It is a generally accepted fact that the M4/M16 rifles are the WORST weapons used in modern combat today. The M1 is definitely the preferred option between the two, but if possible pick up a Robinson M96 XCR, FNC, or H&K MR556/762. They are definite improvements over the M4 in terms of maintenance and reliability whilst retaining the accuracy the M4 is known for. Another weapon to consider would be the SIG 556 Classic SWAT, which you may be able to find off of local law enforcement depending on which state you live in.
EDIT: The list is meant for people who are constantly on the move and would only want to deal with the undead if there were no other option. If the purpose of the list was for someone to actively exterminate a zombie horde, I'm sure they would be better off using hunting and assault rifles. The reason I chose carbines over "fuller" weapons was because of their exceptional balance between their lighter-weight and accuracy at a fair range (about 50 yards). All the guns listed here are semi-auto civilian models, not just to insure you make off quick, accurate shots, but also to make sure they're state legal.
- Any .38, .357, .45 ACP, or 9mm handgun or revolver
The rounds for these weapons are the most commonly used in today's world, therefore, they would simply be the most logical choices. A .22, while both light, plentiful, and certainly capable of penetrating the braincase, would be a bit too inaccurate for a safe engagement whilst anything above the power of a .357 would be better off used in a rifle.
Knives:
- Blackened KA-BAR Kukri Machete -- or -- 14-1/4? Heavy Bowie
Either of these blades would work fine with the only major difference between the two being how you would use them. Whereas the Kukri is best used for slashing and chopping movements, the Bowie is better used for gutting your opponents. Both have their disadvantages (a miss with a Kukri will leave you exposed to attack while the Bowie's only use would be to mess up a zombie's insides) but they both have considerably long blades that would be more than capable of reaching out and touching the undead adversary.
- Becker Necker x2
Your standard last resort knife, these should only be used to prevent yourself from being bitten when grabbed.
Viewer's Choice (A special segment where I post certain weapons the viewers would take with them in the event of contamination):
- M14
- Spartan Laser
- M1 Garand
- H&K UMP45
- .30-30 Winchester
- Necronomicon
- Dual Needlers
- Crowbar
- One Nuclear Bomb
- Grenades
- Flamethrower
- AK-47
- Dragunov SVD
- Katana
Utility:
- KA-BAR K2 Rescue Kit/Becker TacTool/Stanley 55-122 Forcible Entry Fubar
The difference between the first two is that while the K2 Kit is pretty much a multi-component screwdriver with a decent last resort blade attached to the other side, the TacTool is more like a crowbar/saw/combat knife all rolled into one. The Fubar practically works like a sledge hammer. Not only can it be used for breaking down barricades, but it also makes a pretty decent melee weapon with proper training.
Verdict: Although good for making things nice and quiet, there are too many parts to the Rescue Kit for me to give a glowing recommendation. And unless you want to keep it in your car or you happen to find a special slot for it on your backpack, the Fubar would be too heavy to carry around with you, meaning you'd have to forsake your primary weapon if you're stuck walking. So the TacTool gets the win.
- Piano Wire
For those with lingering suspicions, a net of piano wire will be able to withhold a small group of zombies for days if properly assembled, mangling the limbs to the point where they would be practically unusable. And if a zombie actually decides to run through one of these, then all the better.
- A Backpack
To carry necessities: food, water, and clothes.
-- Travel --
Off Road/Initial Escape:
- Suzuki DR-Z250/KTM300 EXC
The Suzuki is a good beginner's bike, so I'd recommend using that if you've never rode a motorcycle before. The KTM has better off road capability but can be a little too powerful for someone who doesn't know what they're doing.
Around Town/Going Solo:
- Schwinn 2009 Frontier GSD
Your standard bicycle. Good in case you want to make your way through town quietly.
Group Travel:
- Jeep Wrangler 4x4.
Only for groups of 4 or more. Unless you were trying to get a fairly large group from point A to point B, I wouldn't recommend driving through a city. There will be too many cars in the way for you to navigate through, making bikes and motorcycles the preffered option in heavily populated areas.
Open countryside is a different story. So long as you have enough fuel, you will be able to shorten your trips considerably. Just be prepared to face whatever terrain you're in once you run out of gas.
Thanks for reading!
PS: If your wondering why I used mostly KA-BAR weapons on the list, it's because A) KA-BAR is the best mass producer of combat ready knives you'll ever come across and B) I was too lazy to check up on any other site.
Well, after wasting some space here on The Escapist forums for awhile now, I figured I might as well make some sort of contribution to the site. So I figured, "Why don't I make some sort of awesome list of everything someone would need to live through some sort of very, very bad thing that in a word would be unexplainable?" So I did. It took me awhile but I managed to assemble a list of everything you'd need to live life like a scavenger during a zombie apocalypse. This is the first in my series of "Weapons List" guides so sound off on the poll if you guys like it or not. I'll see if I can take in some constructive criticism that will help me improve some things. I don't need to stress how important food and water is to the human body so I'll only be covering weapons and vehicles.
-- Weapons --
Guns:
- Benelli M4 or Remington 11-87 Police Shotgun -- or -- Any M1 or M4 Style Carbine
Note the word STYLE. It is a generally accepted fact that the M4/M16 rifles are the WORST weapons used in modern combat today. The M1 is definitely the preferred option between the two, but if possible pick up a Robinson M96 XCR, FNC, or H&K MR556/762. They are definite improvements over the M4 in terms of maintenance and reliability whilst retaining the accuracy the M4 is known for. Another weapon to consider would be the SIG 556 Classic SWAT, which you may be able to find off of local law enforcement depending on which state you live in.
EDIT: The list is meant for people who are constantly on the move and would only want to deal with the undead if there were no other option. If the purpose of the list was for someone to actively exterminate a zombie horde, I'm sure they would be better off using hunting and assault rifles. The reason I chose carbines over "fuller" weapons was because of their exceptional balance between their lighter-weight and accuracy at a fair range (about 50 yards). All the guns listed here are semi-auto civilian models, not just to insure you make off quick, accurate shots, but also to make sure they're state legal.
- Any .38, .357, .45 ACP, or 9mm handgun or revolver
The rounds for these weapons are the most commonly used in today's world, therefore, they would simply be the most logical choices. A .22, while both light, plentiful, and certainly capable of penetrating the braincase, would be a bit too inaccurate for a safe engagement whilst anything above the power of a .357 would be better off used in a rifle.
Knives:
- Blackened KA-BAR Kukri Machete -- or -- 14-1/4? Heavy Bowie
Either of these blades would work fine with the only major difference between the two being how you would use them. Whereas the Kukri is best used for slashing and chopping movements, the Bowie is better used for gutting your opponents. Both have their disadvantages (a miss with a Kukri will leave you exposed to attack while the Bowie's only use would be to mess up a zombie's insides) but they both have considerably long blades that would be more than capable of reaching out and touching the undead adversary.
- Becker Necker x2
Your standard last resort knife, these should only be used to prevent yourself from being bitten when grabbed.
Viewer's Choice (A special segment where I post certain weapons the viewers would take with them in the event of contamination):
- M14
- Spartan Laser
- M1 Garand
- H&K UMP45
- .30-30 Winchester
- Necronomicon
- Dual Needlers
- Crowbar
- One Nuclear Bomb
- Grenades
- Flamethrower
- AK-47
- Dragunov SVD
- Katana
Utility:
- KA-BAR K2 Rescue Kit/Becker TacTool/Stanley 55-122 Forcible Entry Fubar
The difference between the first two is that while the K2 Kit is pretty much a multi-component screwdriver with a decent last resort blade attached to the other side, the TacTool is more like a crowbar/saw/combat knife all rolled into one. The Fubar practically works like a sledge hammer. Not only can it be used for breaking down barricades, but it also makes a pretty decent melee weapon with proper training.
Verdict: Although good for making things nice and quiet, there are too many parts to the Rescue Kit for me to give a glowing recommendation. And unless you want to keep it in your car or you happen to find a special slot for it on your backpack, the Fubar would be too heavy to carry around with you, meaning you'd have to forsake your primary weapon if you're stuck walking. So the TacTool gets the win.
- Piano Wire
For those with lingering suspicions, a net of piano wire will be able to withhold a small group of zombies for days if properly assembled, mangling the limbs to the point where they would be practically unusable. And if a zombie actually decides to run through one of these, then all the better.
- A Backpack
To carry necessities: food, water, and clothes.
-- Travel --
Off Road/Initial Escape:
- Suzuki DR-Z250/KTM300 EXC
The Suzuki is a good beginner's bike, so I'd recommend using that if you've never rode a motorcycle before. The KTM has better off road capability but can be a little too powerful for someone who doesn't know what they're doing.
Around Town/Going Solo:
- Schwinn 2009 Frontier GSD
Your standard bicycle. Good in case you want to make your way through town quietly.
Group Travel:
- Jeep Wrangler 4x4.
Only for groups of 4 or more. Unless you were trying to get a fairly large group from point A to point B, I wouldn't recommend driving through a city. There will be too many cars in the way for you to navigate through, making bikes and motorcycles the preffered option in heavily populated areas.
Open countryside is a different story. So long as you have enough fuel, you will be able to shorten your trips considerably. Just be prepared to face whatever terrain you're in once you run out of gas.
Thanks for reading!
PS: If your wondering why I used mostly KA-BAR weapons on the list, it's because A) KA-BAR is the best mass producer of combat ready knives you'll ever come across and B) I was too lazy to check up on any other site.
