Darkest Days: Top 10 Tips, Tricks & Guide (Become the Ultimate Survivor)!

Ah, another day, another zombie apocalypse. Yawn. Just when you thought the undead trend was over, Darkest Days slaps you awake with a rotting hand and says, “Not today, survivor!”

This open-world, action-packed, gun-toting, zombie-smashing RPG throws you into a wasteland where the only thing more terrifying than the flesh-eating hordes is your own questionable survival skills. But fear not, brave wasteland wanderer! Whether you’re a seasoned apocalypse veteran or a fresh-faced survivor who still screams at jump scares, this Top 10 Tips & Tricks Guide will turn you from zombie chow into the ultimate post-apocalyptic badass.

So grab your shotgun, duct-tape your armor, and let’s dive into the Darkest Days survival manual—because no one wants to respawn as a walker.

1. Master the Art of Running (Away)

Let’s be real—your first instinct when seeing a horde of decaying monsters sprinting at you should NOT be to stand your ground like some action movie hero. Run. Away.

Darkest Days isn’t kind to reckless players. Zombies are fast, relentless, and love group hugs (the kind where they eat your face). Early on, your weapons will be about as effective as a water gun against a volcano. So, until you’ve got serious firepower, sprint, dodge, and use the environment to your advantage.

• Climb cars, dumpsters, and buildings—zombies may be deadly, but most haven’t mastered parkour.

• Use narrow alleys and doorways to funnel them into choke points.

• Don’t fight in the open unless you enjoy being surrounded (and subsequently devoured).

Remember: Survival isn’t about pride—it’s about not being dinner.

2. Scavenge Like Your Life Depends on It (Because It Does)

In Darkest Days, loot is life. Ammo? Check. Medkits? Check. That half-eaten sandwich in a trash can? Double-check.

Every building, car, and corpse is a potential treasure trove. But don’t just grab everything—prioritize essentials:

• Weapons & Ammo – Because fists don’t work against zombies (unless you’re The Rock).

• Healing Items – Bleeding out in a ditch is not a heroic way to go.

• Crafting Materials – Duct tape fixes everything, even the apocalypse.

• Food & Water – Starvation is a slow, embarrassing death.

Pro Tip: Mark locations on your map where you find good loot. You’ll thank yourself later when you’re low on bullets and surrounded. (Need even more games to binge? Our Mech Assemble Zombie Swarm guide will hook you instantly!)

3. Guns, Guns, and More Guns (But Use Them Wisely)

Sure, unloading a minigun into a zombie horde sounds fun—until you realize ammo is rarer than a polite raider.

Different guns serve different purposes:

Ammo conservation is key. Don’t spray and pray—aim for the head and make every bullet count.

4. Vehicles: Your Zombie-Crushing Metal Best Friends

Walking everywhere is for suckers. Darkest Days gives you a sweet ride (or at least a rusty, barely-functional one) to mow down zombies in style.

• Cars – Fast, but fragile. Great for quick escapes.

• Trucks – Slow but sturdy. Perfect for plowing through hordes.

• Special Vehicles (Police Cars, Ambulances) – Extra durability and sometimes unique perks.

Upgrade your ride with armor, spikes, or even a mounted turret (because why not turn your car into a death machine?).

Warning: Don’t get too attached. Vehicles can (and will) explode when overused.

5. Build a Sanctuary (Or Die Trying)

A lone wolf dies fast. Recruit survivors, build defenses, and create a fortress that screams, “No zombies allowed!”

• Assign roles (farmers, guards, crafters) to keep your base running.

• Upgrade walls, traps, and workshops to fend off attacks.

• Send survivors on supply runs—because you’re too busy being the hero.

A strong base means safety, resources, and a place to hide when you inevitably aggro too many zombies.

6. Multiplayer: Team Up or Betray Everyone (No Judgment)

Darkest Days isn’t just about surviving zombies—it’s about surviving other players, who are often way more dangerous. The multiplayer modes are a chaotic blend of co-op survival and backstabbing madness.

Co-op Survival Tips:

• Stick with a squad. Lone wolves get eaten. Or shot. Or both.

• Assign roles (medic, sniper, tank) to maximize efficiency.

• Share loot (or pretend to, then run off with the good stuff).

Competitive Mode (AKA “Trust No One” Mode):

• Fake alliances. Befriend players, then rob them blind when they least expect it.

• Ambush supply drops. Let others do the hard work, then swoop in like the morally bankrupt survivor you are.

• Watch for traitors. That “friendly” player following you? Probably plotting your demise.

Pro Tip: If someone says, “I just want to talk,” they absolutely do not just want to talk.

7. How to Kill Giant Mutant Zombies (Without Soiling Your Pants)

Regular zombies are scary enough, but Darkest Days loves throwing boss-level abominations at you. These towering, grotesque freaks hit like trucks and soak up bullets like sponges.

Tactics for Taking Them Down:

• Aim for weak spots (glowing bits, exposed organs, that weird third arm).

• Use explosives. Nothing says “die, ugly” like a well-placed grenade.

• Keep moving. Standing still = getting stomped into paste.

• Bring friends. Let them distract the beast while you unload into its face.

Warning: If you hear deep, guttural roaring, start running before you see it.

8. Stealth: Because Sometimes, Bravery is Overrated

Not every fight is worth taking. Stealth is your best friend when outnumbered, outgunned, or just feeling lazy.

How to Be a Post-Apocalyptic Ninja:

• Crouch-walk everywhere. It’s slower, but zombies won’t hear you.

• Use silenced weapons. Headshots without the noise.

• Throw distractions. Toss a bottle to lure zombies away.

• Hide in dumpsters. Not glamorous, but neither is being eaten.

Bonus Tip: If you do get spotted, run to a car and drive like hell. (This guide is just the beginning! Check out our SD Gundam G Generation Eternal guide for your next obsession)

9. Crafting: Turn Junk Into Life-Saving Gear

In the apocalypse, duct tape and hope are your two main resources. Darkest Days lets you craft everything from medkits to molotovs, so start hoarding materials like a doomsday prepper.

Must-Have Crafting Recipes:

• Health Kits (Bandages + Alcohol) – Because bleeding out sucks.

• Improvised Explosives (Nails + Fuel) – For when you need a “boom” solution.

• Vehicle Armor (Scrap Metal + Tools) – Extra protection for your zombie-plow.

Pro Move: Always carry extra materials—you never know when you’ll need to MacGyver your way out of death.

10. The Secret to Long-Term Survival (Hint: It’s Not Luck)

You’ve made it this far, but Darkest Days is a marathon, not a sprint. To truly thrive, you need a long-term strategy.

Endgame Survival Tips:

• Upgrade your base constantly. Stronger walls = fewer zombie sleepovers.

• Recruit skilled survivors. A doctor is worth 10 trigger-happy maniacs.

• Explore EVERYTHING. Hidden bunkers, underground labs, and military caches hold the best loot.

• Adapt or die. The game gets harder—so should you.

Final Verdict: Will You Survive Darkest Days?

Darkest Days is brutal, chaotic, and ridiculously fun—if you know what you’re doing. With these 10 essential tips, you’re no longer just another victim waiting to happen. You’re a post-apocalyptic legend in the making.

Now grab your gun, rev up that armored truck, and show the undead who’s boss.

And hey—if you see that “not bitten” guy again? Maybe just shoot him. Better safe than zombified.

Liked this guide? Share it with your fellow survivors (or keep it to yourself for a competitive edge).

Got your own Darkest Days tips? Drop them in the comments—if you’re still alive, that is.