How to Play Nerf Humans vs. Zombies

Surext

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posted on 6 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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Humans Vs. Zombies, also known as HvZ, is a popular game among college students. Gameplay often involves hours or days of "battle" and tag between a human team and a zombie team. As humans get tagged by zombies, they become zombies themselves. Playing can be quite fun, but getting into the game can be intimidating at first. If you're new to HvZ, this guide will help you join in, have fun, and win

Steps

Getting Ready

Find a game. This step is important for both humans and zombies, but most of your games will start you out as a human. Most games designate one or more zombies at the event, so you may start out as a zombie, instead of becoming one "organically". There are online websites to find games of HvZ near you. Read all about the event you're interested in, because they vary in duration, location, and rules. Some games can go on for days, in between your other obligations.

Pick gear. Choose a couple blasters (eg. a Stryfe, Rough-Cut 2x4, and a Firestrike) and a way to hold both the blasters and extra ammo on your body. Some games allow melee toys to be used. If so, it may be a good idea to bring an N-Force sword. However, some campuses ban them to try to maintain balance, so make sure to check the rules before you bring a sword. While it's nice to have some of the fancier blasters, a simpler blaster such as a Disruptor or Retaliator can hold you over quite well as long as you are careful. Make sure to bring lots of darts or other ammo, because HvZ events can last multiple days. Rolled up (clean!) socks are also a good idea to bring in case of running into a special zombie or simply having to reload or clear a jam. Some campuses allow you to modify your blaster. If so, it may be worthwhile to try and remove a few of the locks on your blaster. However, keep within the maximum range posted if there is one, and if the rules say to bring stock, always make sure to bring stock. Most games require you to have a visible bandanna (eg. a neon color) so teams can easily be distinguished. Humans usually wear the bandanna on their arm, while zombies usually wear the bandanna on their head. Some games also require you to have a card or dog tags for zombies to take to administrators so that you're noted as a zombie. If possible, see if there are communication channels for humans and zombies (eg. Gravemind, Discord channels that keep humans separated from zombies and vice-versa) A good pair of running shoes is a must for both humans and zombies. HvZ is a game of tag first and a game of Nerf second.

Try to practice and exercise before you play. Gear is nice, but it won't stop a zombie from tagging you in an ambush or during a reload. Try to work on improving your awareness, reload speed, running speed, dodging, and accuracy. Awareness will keep you from walking into traps. It's always better to be overly cautious than not cautious enough. Reload speed lowers the amount of time you are vulnerable as a human. Running speed keeps zombies away from you as a human, and as a zombie, allows you to get close to a human. Dodging allows a human to avoid a zombie tag and shoot the zombie, while a zombie can dodge darts to try to tag a human. Accuracy is probably the most important, because if you fire a perfect outline of zombies, the only thing you're actually hitting is your foot. Try to learn how to shoot somewhat accurately while running so that you can utilize both the human's range and your mobility.

Go to the event. If the game is not at your college, you may either need to drive or use public transportation to get there.

Listen carefully to the rules. Even if you looked up the rules for last year, the mods may have changed a rule that caused problems. Pay extra attention to spawn timers, starve timers, and whether there are safe zones and special zombies. Spawn timers are the amount of time it takes a zombie to respawn if it's hit with a dart (usually 10-15 minutes). Starve timers are the amount of time it takes a zombie to "starve" and leave the game permanently (sometimes removed, but usually 48 hours without a tag). Safe zones are zones where zombies cannot tag humans (usually lunch rooms, school buildings, and dorms). Special zombies have one unique ability, such as being able to tag humans using rolled-up socks, acting as a mobile spawnpoint for zombies, or immunity to darts (but not socks). Moderators (often shortened to "mods") are the people who are helping run events. Contact them if there is a problem.

Playing as a Human

Survive throughout non-mission play. Be wary around corners and bushes, because zombies love to ambush in the early game. Shooting a teammate has no effect, but some games have the original zombie(s) appear to be human, so feel free to shoot a "teammate" just to be sure. Try to turn around corners as far to the opposite side as possible (eg. if the corner turns left, stay to the right). Be careful. Unlike zombies, which respawn, you usually only have one life (some games give revives as a mission reward.) Running is usually a good option if you're dealing with 2 or more zombies.

Run from and shoot at zombies. Just because you have the ranged advantage doesn't mean you should stay still. A stationary human will easily be tagged. If in doubt of whether you should run or shoot, do both! Try to be careful and keep an eye on where you're running. You don't want to literally run into a zombie, and you definitely want to avoid becoming friends with the local sidewalks.

Go on missions, if there are any. Missions are special events (often daily or nightly) that usually have rewards for doing a specific task (eg. collecting three specific objects or defending an area for a while). Zombies will almost definitely be waiting to mess up your plans, but the reward is often worth the risk.

Try to win if possible. Humans usually cannot actually "win", but sometimes there is a "win condition," like a cure for the plague or an "extraction point" so you can escape. Try to obtain this condition if possible.

Playing as a Zombie

Ambush people. You "turn" humans by tagging them, but when you're shot, you're out of the game for a small amount of time, usually about ten minutes. Shrubbery and corners are your best friend for ambushes.

Show up to missions. Sometimes, you can get a reward by ruining the humans' objective, but either way, there will be humans there so you can more easily keep yourself far from "starvation".

Charge at humans. You can be more reckless as a zombie in the late game, due to infinite lives (some games have starve timers, but that is independent of getting hit). Tag as many humans as you can. Zombies win if/when all humans are "turned". In addition to furthering your cause, tagging a human resets your starve timer.