These weapons are superior to the standard weapons and should be sought out at the earliest opportunity. Once they are acquired, avoid picking up standard weapons—they’re considered downgrades. The locations of weapon upgrades are largely determined by the director, but the upgrades can be found in some static locations, including some safe houses.
Auto Shotgun
Damage: High
Penetration: High
Accuracy: Low
Range: Short–Intermediate
Rate of Fire: High
Reload Time: Slow
Fire Mode: Automatic
Magazine Capacity: 10
Total Ammo Count: 128 + 10
Description
This combat automatic shotgun performs similarly to the standard pump model but can be fired automatically by simply holding down the trigger.
The increased rate of fire is a welcome addition, particularly when confronting large swarms at close range. But unlike the other automatic weapons, it utilizes an under-barrel tube magazine that must be loaded one shell at a time, just like the pump shotgun.
However, the weapon’s long reload time and limited range are its only drawbacks.
Field Notes
The damage output of the auto shotgun is identical to that of the pump shotgun, with the same spread and penetrative qualities. As a result, it’s best employed at close range against tightly clustered targets. Take advantage of choke points for optimal results.
While the weapon’s automatic functionality is useful during chaotic situations, avoid holding the trigger down. Unless engaging a Tank or Witch, one shot is usually enough to take down any targets you’re pointing the weapon at.
Also, when it’s fired automatically the weapon’s recoil causes the muzzle to climb. So let the weapon settle before firing follow-up shots.
Always be aware of your backdrop. Teammates standing behind your target have a strong chance of being sprayed by penetrating shot. Firing the weapon automatically can pose a huge threat to your teammates, especially at the higher difficulty levels.
Like the pump shotgun, this weapon can sever limbs and heads with a single shot, so go easy on the trigger when engaging individual zombies.
Avoid shooting the auto shotgun at distant targets—it will do little to no damage, wasting ammo. Instead, rely on your pistol or the long-range weapons of your teammates to deal with such threats.
Keep the weapon loaded to capacity at all times. If the weapon runs dry, it must be reloaded one shell at a time. This can take several seconds thanks to the weapon’s 10-shell magazine.
Be prepared to knock away zombies with melee attacks while reloading. Also, let your teammates know you’re reloading, so they can cover you.
As with the pump shotgun, have teammates equipped with the auto shotgun take the lead when clearing building interiors or other confined spaces. They’re best suited to engage infected that leap or rush around corners.
Assault Rifle
Damage: Moderate
Penetration: High
Accuracy: High
Range: Short–Long
Rate of Fire: High
Reload Time: Fast
Fire Mode: Automatic
Magazine Capacity: 50
Total Ammo Count: 360 + 50
Description
This is the standard-issue infantry assault rifle employed by the military and some police agencies. These rifles can usually be found in areas that have been overrun or completely abandoned by the armed forces and local law enforcement.
It’s a highly versatile weapon perfectly capable of engaging targets at short, intermediate, and long range. Although equipped with automatic capability, it’s most accurate when fired in short controlled bursts from a stationary, crouched stance.
Field Notes
The assault rifle is easily the most well-rounded weapon available thanks to its solid performance in a variety of situations and settings. It’s a vast improvement over the SMG, so upgrade at the earliest opportunity.
While not as powerful as the shotguns, the assault rifle can still shear off zombie limbs and heads with a quick automatic burst.
Given the rifle’s automatic capability and penetration power it’s possible to score multiple headshots with a single auto burst. Bullets fired through one target’s head continue traveling in a straight line, penetrating anything behind it.
Also, try aiming the rifle at head level and panning the crosshairs across multiple targets to decapitate a line of approaching common infected.
As with the SMG, avoid firing long bursts to enhance accuracy and conserve ammo. The assault rifle’s recoil isn’t as harsh as the SMG’s, but muzzle climb is still a factor when firing lengthy bursts.
If you’re running low on ammo, switch to the pistol and preserve the assault rifle’s ammo for critical events like run-ins with Tanks or Witches. Two or three assault rifles firing on full auto can quickly deplete the health meter of a Tank or Witch.
When engaging targets at long range, always drop to a knee before firing. This not only increases the rifle’s accuracy but also minimizes the effects of recoil.
During swarm attacks try to take advantage of bottlenecks such as doorways. Firing automatically into a doorway filled with infected is a great way to mow down large groups of infected in a matter of seconds.
Unlike the SMG’s, the rifle’s penetration ensures any targets behind the first row take damage.
Sniper Rifle
Damage: High
Penetration: High
Accuracy: Very High
Range: Intermediate–Long
Rate of Fire: Moderate
Reload Time: Slow
Fire Mode: Semi-automatic
Magazine Capacity: 15
Total Ammo Count: 180 + 15
Description
Primarily designed as a hunting rifle, this semi-automatic “ranch rifle” is fitted with a scope ideal for engaging targets at long range.
Constructed of blued steel and hardwood, the rifle is extremely durable and reliable. But its stopping power is its greatest asset—this is the quintessential one-shot, one-kill weapon.
However, unlike the other box magazine–fed weapons, the sniper rifle takes a while to reload.
Its relatively low rate of fire can also make it more of a liability than an asset in close-quarter engagements. But these are minor trade-offs when taking into account the weapon’s awesome power.
Field Notes
The sniper rifle is the most specialized weapon available and is most effective at mid–long range. For this reason, equip your team with no more than one of these rifles—greater balance is required.
Use the rifle’s scope only when a teammate is nearby to cover you. While peering through the scope it’s easy to get flanked. In most situations, the crosshairs on the HUD are adequate for aiming.
This weapon delivers the same punch as a shotgun, but with far greater precision and range. There’s no need to try for headshots. A single shot to the chest of a zombie is just as deadly. Single shots also sever limbs and explode heads.
Due to the rifle’s penetrative power, a single round can pass through and kill multiple zombies. So don’t be afraid to fire the rifle into large clusters of infected gathered in doorways or other choke points. Just make sure none of your teammates are in the path of the unstoppable bullet.
Despite its box magazine, the reloading process is cumbersome. So be ready to knock away infected with melee attacks while reloading.
Always supplement a sniper rifle with at least one assault rifle and one auto shotgun to balance out your team’s firepower. You’ll need the assault rifle’s automatic fire and a shotgun’s close-quarter proficiency to make up for the sniper rifle’s shortcomings.
Avoid camping out on high perches and taking potshots at distant nonthreatening targets. It’s important to keep moving. Otherwise the director just spawns more zombies. You’ll run out of ammo long before the director gives up.
Minigun
Damage: High
Penetration: High
Accuracy: Moderate
Range: Intermediate–Long
Rate of Fire: Extreme
Reload Time: N/A
Fire Mode: Automatic
Magazine Capacity: N/A
Total Ammo Count: Unlimited
Description
Efforts to defend towns and evacuation centers prompted the military to place these devastating fixed weapons at critical sites, often oriented in a defensive posture. But in the haste to evacuate, these guns were left behind.
With its rotating barrel configuration, the minigun can fire several thousand rounds per minute, perfect for mowing down large swaths of infected. It does have a tendency to overheat, though, so you must pause for it to cool down.
Field Notes
The weapon’s rotating barrels are driven by an electrical motor. When the trigger is depressed, the motor starts and the barrels begin to rotate.
It won’t fire until the barrels are rotating at top speed, so be prepared for this one- to two-second delay when squeezing the trigger.
While firing, glance down at the barrels occasionally. If they begin to glow red, the weapon is close to overheating. Either lay off the trigger or continue firing until the weapon ceases to operate.
In either case, firing can resume within a few seconds. Consider disengaging and using your primary weapon until the minigun is ready to fire again.
The minigun has a very limited firing arc and is most useful for covering narrow fields of fire. For this reason it’s important that at least one teammate guards the gunner, providing protection from flanking attacks.
Look for opportunities to kill infected bosses while firing the minigun. This is by far the quickest way to take out a Tank. But if the Tank moves out of the weapon’s field of fire, ditch the minigun and continue attacking the Tank with your primary weapon.
If you stay behind the gun, you’re a sitting duck.
Sometimes using a minigun isn’t the best tactic for defending certain areas. So remain flexible, even if it means using a minigun sparingly during an infected attack. After all, if the attack is originating behind the minigun, it won’t do you any good.
Minigun Achievement
Name: Red Mist
Description: Kill 1,000 infected with a mounted machine gun.
Gamerpoints: 20
Tips: This is a basic incremental achievement tracked over time. Simply man the minigun as frequently as possible during finales and mini-finales and you’ll eventually kill enough infected to earn the achievement.