7 Days to Die: beginner's guide and tips for Survival

7 Days to Die offers players a truly unique survival experience, blending open-world exploration with deep crafting mechanics and intense zombie combat. Set in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by nuclear fallout, players must scavenge, build, and survive as they face the ever-present threat of zombie hordes and the challenges of a harsh, infected world.

The story of 7 Days to Die begins in the year 2034, when nuclear attacks and a viral outbreak destroyed civilization. The infection spreads rapidly, and anyone who contracts it faces death within seven days. The virus reanimates the dead, turning them into vicious zombies that roam the land. Your task? Survive as long as possible.

Whether you’re a fresh survivor or an experienced player returning after a long break, this updated guide will walk you through essential survival tips for your first few days in the game.

Tips for Surviving the First Night

In 7 Days to Die, survival is a constant challenge, but the first night is especially brutal. Zombies become more aggressive and dangerous, making it critical to prepare properly. Here are some essential tips to make it through:

Noise Attracts Zombies
It’s common knowledge in the world of 7 Days to Die that noise draws zombies. Avoid making loud sounds at night, including crafting and breaking objects, as this can attract unwanted attention. If you need to make noise, keep it to a minimum, and do so during the day when zombies are less aggressive.
Don’t Fight at Night
Zombies are far more dangerous at night. They move faster, and they’re harder to spot due to the limited visibility. It’s best to avoid them entirely during the night. Stay hidden in your shelter, keep quiet, and resist the temptation to venture out.
Use Buildings and Elevation to Your Advantage
If you find yourself attacked by zombies, retreat to a building or, even better, a mine. The key to surviving a zombie attack is elevation—zombies have a harder time reaching you on top of ladders or rooftops. Keep this in mind when setting up your shelter.
Craft a Sleeping Bag
Your first shelter should include a sleeping bag. This item acts as your respawn point, ensuring that you won’t have to go back to the start if you die. Place it in a safe area, and keep it close to your hideout to be safe.

Food and Water: What You Can and Can’t Eat

Food and water are critical for your survival, but not everything you find will be safe to eat. In fact, some food items can actually harm you. Here’s what to avoid and what you can safely consume.

Foods to Avoid

Turbid Water: While drinkable, turbid (dirty) water will lower your health, stamina, and wellness.
Raw Meat: Eating raw meat leads to food poisoning, causing a dramatic drop in health and stamina.
Raw Eggs: These cause slight food poisoning, so it’s best to cook them before eating.
Moldy Bread: A staple food in some cultures, but in 7 Days to Die, moldy bread will make you sick.
Zombie Meat: Despite being abundant, zombie meat will poison you, even if it’s from a cute dog.

Safe Foods to Eat

Cooked Meat: Always cook any meat before eating it to avoid illness. Grilled meat, venison stew, and bacon with eggs are great options to restore health and hunger.
Canned Foods: These are safe and often come in handy when you’re in a pinch.
Water: Stay hydrated by drinking clean water or canned water. It’s also essential to carry water on your adventures.
Health-Boosting Foods: Bacon with eggs, rabbit stew, and big beef rations can help boost your health.
Endurance-Boosting Foods: To recover stamina, carry water, honey, yucca juice, or canned drinks.

General Survival Tips

7 Days to Die is about more than just avoiding zombies. To truly thrive in this harsh world, you’ll need to master crafting, scavenging, and building. Here are some general tips to help you survive longer:

1. Search for Containers

Look for containers, trash piles, and even cars. These often contain useful items, such as crafting materials, food, and medical supplies. You can even scavenge for basic tools and weapons.

2. Craft a Stone Axe

The stone axe is one of your most essential early tools. It functions as a weapon, a crafting tool, and an axe to gather materials like wood and stone. You’ll need it for just about everything in the game, so craft one early on.

3. Bird’s Nest

Bird nests are scattered around the world and are a valuable resource for crafting arrows, which are useful for ranged combat. Make sure to collect these whenever you can.

4. Don’t Fight Zombies Unless Necessary

If you encounter zombies, your best option is to avoid them, especially if you’re unprepared. Zombies can be dangerous, and fighting them head-on without proper weapons and armor is risky. If a zombie spots you, try to find a safe escape route, preferably with a high vantage point or an obstacle to block them.

5. Pack for Travel

When exploring, always carry enough food, water, and medical supplies like bandages and painkillers. It’s also smart to bring extra crafting materials, a weapon, and a backup tool like a stone axe. If you don’t need certain items, store them in a Storage Chest back at base.

6. Collect Metal

Metal is an essential resource in 7 Days to Die and is used in a variety of crafting recipes. No matter what kind of metal you come across, collect it—especially scrap iron, as it’s needed for making tools, weapons, and even building materials.

7. Use Torches for Defense

Place torches around your shelter. Zombies react differently to light at night and are less likely to spawn near well-lit areas. Torches also help you see clearly in dark spaces, allowing you to better spot incoming threats.

8. Monitor the Minimap

The minimap at the bottom left corner of the screen shows nearby zombies. Zombies that are green haven’t noticed you yet, yellow indicates that they’re approaching, and red means they’ve spotted you. Keep an eye on the minimap to assess danger and plan your next move.

Conclusion

Surviving in 7 Days to Die can be a daunting task, but with the right knowledge, preparation, and strategy, you can make it through the early days and build a strong foundation for long-term survival. From crafting tools and gathering resources to managing food and avoiding zombies, there’s a lot to learn. But with these updated survival tips, you'll be well on your way to thriving in this post-apocalyptic world.

Good luck, survivor. The world of 7 Days to Die is brutal, but with determination and skill, you can survive for days, weeks, or even longer. Stay sharp, and keep your wits about you.

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