In 7 Days to Die, you’ll encounter various types of zombies, each with unique characteristics and challenges. While you’ll mostly deal with the standard “walker” zombies, there are also stronger types and zombified animals roaming the landscape.
Normal Zombies
Normal Zombies are the most common type you’ll encounter. These typical, garden-variety zombies are humanoid in form, slow-moving, and generally lacking purpose in their afterlife. In the early and mid-game, you’ll often face these zombies, which are relatively weak and easy to eliminate with headshots from a bow, firearm, or melee weapon.
Normal Zombies can be found in every biome, populating the streets and Points of Interest (POIs) you explore. Many share similar appearances, with some differing only in names and clothing.
Strong Zombies
True to their name, Strong Zombies are more formidable than their normal counterparts. These zombies are often larger, heavier, and capable of inflicting more damage. Though the strategy remains the same—aim for the head—Strong Zombies take longer to dispatch due to their increased health.
Strong Zombies appear in every biome but may be more prevalent in certain areas.
Special Zombies
Special Zombies encompass unique variants that don’t fit into the previous categories. Each Special Zombie is distinct, with its own behaviors and abilities, making them some of the most dangerous foes you’ll encounter. These zombies are rarer early on and become more common as you progress through the game.
Animal Zombies
As the name suggests, Animal Zombies are zombified animals. While there aren’t many varieties, they are a frequent sight in 7 Days to Die. Zombie dogs, for instance, are ubiquitous and ready to attack at any moment.
Zombie Behavior
Zombies in 7 Days to Die exhibit different behaviors based on the time of day and context. Most Normal and Strong Zombies are relatively passive during the day but become more aggressive at night. Their interactions with players and animals can also vary, and they may not always travel alone.
Daytime
During daylight hours, zombies wander aimlessly in search of prey. If they spot you, they will move towards you but maintain their slow pace. In POIs like houses and buildings, zombies can often be caught off-guard. They might be lurking behind doors or lying in wait on the ground, allowing for stealth attacks with extra damage. However, be aware that these attacks can alert nearby zombies.
Nighttime
When darkness falls at 22:00, zombies become “Feral,” meaning they turn aggressive and gain speed. This transformation mirrors the shift from “walker” to “runner” in zombie films. It’s best to stay indoors at night, as zombies can easily pursue and overwhelm you. Their feral behavior lasts until 04:00 when they return to their daytime state.
Wandering Horde
Occasionally, you may encounter a wandering horde—a large group of Normal and Strong Zombies. It’s wise to avoid these hordes unless you’re well-prepared to face multiple zombies simultaneously.
Animals
Zombies crave flesh, regardless of its source. Occasionally, you might witness a zombie and an animal vying for dominance. If the zombie prevails, it will feast on the animal. You can also use a slain animal as bait to attract zombies.
Feral and Radiated Zombies
All zombie types can fall into rarer categories of Feral or Radiated Zombies.
- Feral Zombies: These have more health and deal higher damage. Like nighttime zombies, they are always running and are easily identified by their glowing, orange eyes and aggressive nature. Wights are a notable example, as they are always feral.
- Radiated Zombies: More common in the late game, these zombies glow green and are even stronger than Feral Zombies. They regenerate health over time, making them tougher to kill. A Rad Remover Mod on your weapon can halt their regeneration.
Zombie Lists
Below is a detailed list of zombies, their common biomes, health, and tips for defeating them.
Normal Zombies
| Zombie | Biome | Health |
|---|---|---|
| Boe | All Biomes | 200 |
| Arlene | All Biomes | 150 |
| Darlene | All Biomes | 200 |
| Businessman | All Biomes (Offices) | 150 |
| Nurse | All Biomes (Hospitals) | 150 |
| Janitor | All Biomes | 200 |
| Joe | All Biomes | 150 |
| Yo | All Biomes | 200 |
| Thug | All Biomes | 200 |
| Steve | All Biomes | 150 |
| Utility Worker | All Biomes (Construction) | 200 |
| Hazmat | Desert, Wasteland | 150 |
| Party Girl | All Biomes (Apartments) | 150 |
| Lab Worker | All Biomes (Hospitals) | 200 |
Strong Zombies
| Zombie | Biome | Health |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist | All Biomes | 450 |
| Biker | All Biomes | 500 |
| Lumberjack | Snow | 450 |
| Zombie Soldier | Desert, Wasteland | 250 |
| Big Mama | All Biomes | 450 |
| Moe | All Biomes | 250 |
Special Zombies
| Zombie | Biome | Health | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cop Zombie | Desert, Wasteland | 500 | Avoid its projectile vomit and explosive potential |
| Burnt Zombie | Burnt Forest | 150 | Headshots are effective |
| Mutated Zombie | All Biomes | 575 | Use long-range weapons |
| Wight | Wasteland | 1250 | Engage from a distance with powerful weapons |
| Spider Zombie | All Biomes | 135 | Sidestep leap attacks and counterattack |
| Screamer | All Biomes (High Activity) | 150 | Kill with a headshot to prevent summoning a horde |
| Crawler Zombie | All Biomes | 150 | Quick to kill but hard to spot |
| Demolition Zombie | Desert, Wasteland | 1000 | Avoid hitting explosive charge; take out with headshots |
Animal Zombies
| Zombie | Biome | Health |
|---|---|---|
| Zombie Dog | All Biomes | 175 |
| Dire Wolf | All Biomes (Night) | 3000 |
| Zombie Bear | Wasteland | 3500 |
| Zombie Vulture | Desert | 30 |
| Grace | Pine Forest | 3400 |
Non-Zombified Animals
| Animal | Biome | Health |
|---|---|---|
| Wolf | Pine Forest, Snow | 200 |
| Mountain Lion | Snow | 750 |
| Coyote | Desert | 80 |
| Bear | Pine Forest, Snow, Wasteland | 2300 |
| Little Bear | Pine Forest, Snow | 650 |
| Snake | Pine Forest, Desert | 10 |
| Boar | Pine Forest, Burnt Forest | 225 |
