Zombie Mode [Normal] Guide (Kite it Right)

Before we begin...

Hey guys, this is a guide for Zombie Mode on the normal difficulty. All the information provided here is a compilation of my personal experiences playing this mode. Hopefully, this guide will be of use to you. Enjoy.

P.S. I just noticed I use "Zeds" a lot as a short form for zombies. Just in case that wasn't obvious enough, I am stating it now.


Golden Rule

Never get hit! (Okay, that's kind of impossible due to many circumstances..but try not to take damage, ever.) Survival > Points because the points will come if you stay alive. You can't get points if you're dead. (Lol okay, technically you can :P Look under the "General Tips" section for more information. It's in one of those bullet points.)


Weapons of Choice: Light Weight Guns

When I say light weight, I just mean non-heavy weight guns such as MGs and such. This guide is more focused on kiting after all.


Map of Choice: Unearth

There are several reason I chose this map over Bio-Hazard:
    It's bigger, therefore giving you more room to kite.
  • It has elevated terrain, such as ramps and buildings, which are useful for avoiding otherwise disastrous situations.
  • It has a smaller potency for a ginormous mob of cannibalistic-friendly enthusiasts to band together and attempt to pummel n' slash you to death.
  • And maybe more that I have forgotten to mention

Map Specifics
    Every five rounds (Wave 5, 10, etc.), you'll be air-supplied grenades and sometimes Hypo-Meds. And yes, the spawn is round specific. This means that the spawn locations of the grenade and Hypo-Med boxes are fixed, depending on the round you're in.
  • Jumping or walking off ramps or ledges forces the Zeds to go the long way around. They don't jump off ledges, but take the proper way down.

Must Do's

You must!...Okay..It is strongly suggested that you:
    Check your mini-map frequently. You don't want to be ambushed or run into Zeds when you're trying to kite them. (I suggest you check at least every 5 seconds, unless you're just finishing off the last few Zeds.)
  • Refill on ammo at the end of every 1-2 rounds. Running out of ammo would render you defenceless.
  • Always. Always!!! Aim for the head. It not only saves you bullets, but also stacks your points and kills them multiple times faster. (And by stack, I just mean get points faster, not more points.)
  • Learn to kite. This is one of the most important, if not the most important, skill you can learn for this mode.

General Tips
    Stand outside the spawning locations and kill the first 2-3 Zeds to get a little bit of a start. A downfall to this strategy is that sometimes the Zeds target you because you're the closest one to them.
  • Save the grenades you pick up, and use them when the time is right (like when there's a herd chasing after you). It's a waste to use them on 2 or 3 Zeds only.
  • Damaging a Zed will get them to target you.
  • If you happen to be dead, and your teammates finish the round before your countdown timer ends, you'll still get the Round Complete Bonus Points. So if you're missing just enough points for a reward level up, stay in the game instead of leaving immediately.
  • In the last round, Wave 30, killing the respawning Zeds won't get you any points, so focus your fire at the boss.

Cannibalistic-Friendly Enthusiasts

Undead (Limp, limp, dies)

Undead-1.png

    move as if their lives didn't depend on it
  • can be outrun
  • attack super slow. (You'd only get hit if you were standing still or if you ran into them.)

How to Kite:

Err...well...just run away from them o.O An extensive explanation will now follow: ssssssssssssssssssssss...etc

Opinion:

I sometimes like to melee them for fun XD


Hunter (Fanatic Fan of the Players)

Hunter-1.png

    runners
  • can't be outrun
  • attack like the Undead, but faster

How to Kite:

Strafe left or right around them. So basically hold a or d and turn your mouse. You can move back a little if you want to, but keep a or d down.

Opinion:

They sometimes sneak behind me because I didn't check my mini-map well enough. *winkwink*


Gun Wielding Zombies (0.25 Shots Per Second Elite Squad)

SWATZombie-1.png

    do they march?
  • can be outrun
  • ranged attacks
  • three subclasses: ak, shotgun, and sniper (snipers spawn in predetermined locations at window openings and don't move]

How to Kite:

You run faster than them, so just stay out of range. Do I need to include another extensive explanation? ;D

Opinion:

I personally hate the snipers. Because as I'm innocently shooting down their fellow enthusiasts, just minding my own business, they shoot me ten bazigajilion times before I can turn my attention to them =( I usually try to kite towards the snipers, so I can get a close up shot at them without turning away from the mob chasing me.


Ghost (Ninja!)

Ghost-1.png

    troll face ghost (When they hit you, they turn around for some strange reason >.> I couldn't take a proper screenshot)
  • can't be outrun
  • almost instantaneous attack and hit animation (it seems)
  • oh right, and they're partially invisible when they move

How to Kite:

Honestly, I have yet to find a way to effectively evade their "instantaneous" attacks. Maybe it isn't possible. Maybe it is. So with that said, just stay calm, aim precisely, and shoot them down (of course while moving back when needed). They have little health and are easily killed.

Opinion:

Ghosts are the extremely close, second runner up on my most hated Zeds list. The first being snipers!! D:< (Lol, which I don't think I spazzed enough about.) Why are ghosts so lovingly hated by me? One, because you can't outrun them >=( Two, it's hard to see them coming, so mini-map surveillance is essential! *violent winkwink*. And three, sometimes I panic, spray everywhere, accomplish an extraordinary feat of only killing 1-2 out of 10 or so, run out of ammo, start reloading, and then pay for my beautiful display of failure =D


Dread (Go Go Power Rangers!)

Dread.png

    Wolverine wannabe
  • fail Power Ranger
  • can be outrun
  • long-ing melee range attack

How to Kite:

Hold down strafe (a or d) and move in towards them to invoke an attack, then back off immediately so they miss. The entire time you have to be strafing and circling them. If you're not too good at this, or if there are too many to handle, just hold down strafe and alternate w and s every 0.5 seconds or so. It won't be perfect, but it will save you from some hits. Just back off a little when you do get hit, because you get slowed and won't be able to dodge properly.

Opinion:

Argh, I hate it when I underestimate their range.


Mutant (The Incredible Hulk Bald)

Mutant-1.png

    lawl he got hit in this pic XD
  • can be outrun in their normal state
  • has a "boost" state where they run faster than normal. (Can't be outrun.)

How to Kite:

I found that you can kite these guys the same way that you can kite Dreads.

"Hold down strafe (a or d) and move in towards them to invoke an attack, then back off immediately so they miss. The entire time you have to be strafing and circling them. If you're not too good at this, or if there are too many to handle, just hold down strafe and alternate w and s every 0.5 seconds or so. It won't be perfect, but it will save you from some hits. Just back off a little when you do get hit, because you get slowed and won't be able to dodge properly."

Opinion:

Their boost is sometimes tricky to kite because they move at bursts of speed. So when I'm lazy, I just hit f and take the easy way out XD


Scorcher (Mutant-Style Suicide Bombers)

Scorcher-1.png

    there's like a 2 sec delay after the start of their detonation before they actually explode (Detonation is triggered by either a player being too close to a Scorcher, or by depleting it of its hp.)
  • they have no attack other than exploding
  • they move at relatively the same speed as players, which generally means, can be outrun

How to Kite:

-Insert Extensive Explanation Here-

Opinion:

I really don't care much for these guys. They don't cause much trouble at all. In fact, I kinda like them because they "creep block", as one would say in DotA, the faster ones behind them a bit.


Smoke Mutant (Oops I Did It Again)

SmokeMutant-1.png

    SirFartsALittle
  • can be outrun
  • long-ish range melee attack
  • sometimes farts or something, producing a black, smokey cloud (he has a gas mask for a reason :P)

How to Kite:

Um well..since there are so few, and I never ran into a problem with them mobbing me, I haven't really tested a kiting strategy against these guys. I'm going to assume the method used on Dreads and Mutants apply here too. Besides, they can be outrun =D

Opinion:

Nothing much. I've had too little contact with them to really care too much. I'd have to say that when they do do the stinky, it is kind of annoying.


Zombie Captain (-Insert Witty Comment Here-)

ZombieCaptain-1.png

    where are the Maidens? D:<
  • can be outrun
  • ranged attacks

How to Kite:

You can run faster than them, so just keep a distance and show them your pew pew pew skills.

Opinion:

They die...I assume for the the second time, very easily. The head is the key, as always.


Zombie Leader (Matrix Fail)

ZombieLeader-1.png

    another spectacular screenshot by yours truly. Now that I think about it. He kinda looks like a hunter >.> Just imagine he's carrying a gun mkay? :3
  • male version of the Zombie Caption, not the other way around >=)
  • can be outrun
  • ranged attacks

How to Kite:

Pew pew pew skills and one GODLY button, s.

Opinion:

Ummm...He does a wicked Hunter impression? o.O

Comments

  • Dread Tyrant

    DreadTyrant-1.png

      mini-boss
    • cool *cough* Power Rangers helmet modification
    • can be outrun
    • appears on Wave 15

    How to Kite:

    Well, the tyrants are pretty lame imo. Lol, maybe this should be under the opinion section >.> Anyhow, seeing as you can just outrun this guy, s ftw. Otherwise, use the Provoke and Dodge Method, which isn't really needed in this case.

    Opinion:

    Tyrants are lame. Maybe I should elaborate. Well, they're usually the last Zed standing, making it ultra easy, and they seem to have a tendency to exhibit extremely poor aim. As a mini-boss, I find this to be a disappointment. I am disappoint >=(


    Mutant Tyrant

    MutantTyrant-1.png

      mini-boss
    • same as a Mutant, but larger and does more damage
    • can be outrun
    • has the same type of "boost" state as mutants which can't be outrun
    • appears on Wave 20

    How to Kite:

    Provoke and Dodge Method when he's in his "boosted" state, or hit your f button and be lazy.

    Opinion:

    This guy is by far the most annoying of the Terrifically Terrible Tyrant Team. This is only due to the fact that he has the ability to boost his speed.


    Smoke Tyrant

    SmokeTyrant-1.png

      sick hat. He looks boss.
    • sadly only a mini-boss
    • can be outrun
    • can produce that black smoke cloud thingy
    • appears on Wave 25

    How to Kite:

    Argh, this is so repetitive! It can be outrun. It can't get much easier than this.

    Opinion:

    Free points =D, like all the other members of the T.T.T.T (Lol I just realized that the abbreviation looks like two crying faces =D Totally by fluke :3)


    Goliath

    Goliath-1.png

      why so blurry? Okay, honestly, I forgot to take a screenshot when I was in the last round, Wave 30 :P So I resorted to going on youtube to get a screenie XD Here's the
    link for credit's sake.[*]can't be outrun, but that isn't the problem[*]has an immobilizing AOE ability which lasts like 2.5 seconds or so (you can still shoot while immobile)[*]has an extremely slow attack where he swings his flail, on his right hand, vertically[*]appears on the last round, Wave 30

    How to Kite:

    It will be self explanatory once you get to this round. Just get out of the way when he starts swinging. The only problem you'd have is if he immobilizes you, and if you let his minion Zeds hit you by not killing them first.

    Opinion:

    I actually think he's easy? :P


    Ending Note

    Okay so, to address the amount of experience I have with Zombie Mode, I have some :P I've only reached Wave 30 once, and therefore completed the mode, once. How did I do this? And why only once? My super awesome and legitimate excuse for this is that I only play games starting on the first round. This is because I like to host my own games instead of waiting :P. The secret to my success in that one time win, is that I joined a game in Wave 20 (Lol. I thought I'd give it a shot). So that ends my time one win mystery. Anyway, regarding my regular runs, the highest score that I've gotten was 249k. I forgot which round it was, but I believe it was Round 28. By the way, I don't use HypoMeds, Large HypoMeds, or tokens (I'm not a ZP user). I'm telling you this, not to brag, but to point out that it is quite possible for a regular player to get points and survive with only his/her gun. I hope this guide helps many, solves world hunger, and wins us the war against the Zeds.

    Thank you for reading this far =) Hopefully I didn't forget anything. Happy C.F.E hunting ;D
  • I actually liked the guide!!
    I lol'ed in some parts xD
    Keep up the good work mate!
  • I actually liked the guide!!
    I lol'ed in some parts xD
    Keep up the good work mate!
    Hehe thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed it =D
  • NICE GUIDE! i hope everyone can read it so ZM normal will be so easy! woot! =D
  • Nice Zombies guide, as to the maps... meh, ain't that bad.

    I loved the zombie part tho.
  • +1

    Very nice guide. I read all of it. I'm sure that it will help me with my ZM skills.
  • Zombie leader's are harder to kill, (more hp)
  • eLChRisK wrote: »
    Zombie leader's are harder to kill, (more hp)
    Lol, that's true. I included that info the first time I wrote this. But then I deleted it, thinking he'd look better than the Zombie Captain >=( Feminism FTW :P

    And thanks everyone for your positive feedback =)
  • I cant beat him. Im not sure why you say hes easy ,but, when you are left alon elike i am all the time you will see that the horde is what really kills you. Its annoying thesecond you run out of ammo your done. if you try to reload you get boxed in by flankes of undead. Any tips on a gun I should use. i tried rpk m60 m4a1silver ak awm you name it I tried it to no avail. Usually what gets me is the round with 150 ghosts. Why? Because they are a bunch of kukri nobs lol. And being flanked by them is very annoying. I wish I could have someone help me that wont leave me alone at round 25!? But whatever :/
  • Decent guide sir, good work. You did forget to mention something though. Kick the Hackers that join, or you will lose out on alot of points, therefore only getting you 2 silver crates if you manage to beat the boss. (most of the time)