State of Decay 2 throws you into a zombie apocalypse where survival depends on managing a community of survivors. You’ll scavenge for resources, build and upgrade your base, and fight off hordes of the undead. It’s a challenging open-world RPG where every decision matters, from who you let into your community to how you defend your home.
This guide will help you master the core mechanics of survival, from effective base building and resource management to efficient combat strategies. We’ll cover how to tackle infestations, deal with hostile enclaves, and ultimately complete your legacy mission, ensuring your community thrives against all odds.
General Info
State of Decay 2 is a zombie survival, base management, open world game. Learn about the game's minimal plot and endless survival focus.
State of Decay 2 is a zombie survival, base management, open world game available on PC. The plot is minimal, with the game's focus being on surviving endlessly.
Version History:
- 1.0 - All Legacy Questlines and Base locations added.
- 0.8 - Added Warlord Legacy Missions
- 0.6 - Added Builder Legacy Missions
- 0.5 - Added Sheriff Legacy Missions
- 0.3 - Added all Skills
- 0.2 - Basic Gameplay and Mechanics explained. Still a lot of work to do. Feel free to email us with any information that could be useful for this guide.
Contact Us:
Authors Johnny and Sophie can be reached via email for suggestions, critics, contributions, or spelling mistakes. Any contributions made will be credited at the end of the guide.
- sophie.bayles97@gmail.com
- jona.mustang@gmail.com
Donations:
Donations are appreciated to support the authors. Any amount is helpful and will be greatly appreciated. A donation link is available for those who wish to give back.
Legal Information:
This guide may not be reproduced except for personal, private use. It may not be placed on any web site other than GameFAQs or otherwise distributed publicly. Use of this guide on any other web site or as part of any public display is strictly prohibited and a violation of copyright. All trademarks and copyrights are owned by their respective holders.
Guide and Walkthrough (PC) by Zoska
State of Decay 2 walkthrough covering character selection, camp setup, and legacy goals. Updated 06/03/2018.
- 1Choose Your Characters
- 2Welcome to Camp Osprey
- 3New Home
- 4Healing the Sick
- 5Friendly Neighbour
- 6Primary Goal
- 7Legacy Goals
- This guide covers the initial stages of State of Decay 2, including setting up your first base and progressing through critical story objectives.
- Refer to the Information & Strategy section for tips for beginners and a list of skills.
- Explore the Bases section for details on Cascade Hills, Drucker County, and Meagher Valley.
Choose Your Characters
State of Decay 2: Learn about the four starting survivor pairs, their fixed backstories, and how character and skill randomization works before you begin your community.
Alright, welcome to State of Decay 2! Before you can even think about building up your survivor community, you've gotta pick your starting crew. This is your very first decision, and it sets the stage for everything that comes next.
You'll get to choose from four different pairs of survivors. Each pair comes with a set backstory that's fixed, so you know who they are and where they're coming from. But here's the kicker: the actual names of the character you'll play as, and their partner, are totally random every time you start a new game. Plus, their personal traits and starting skills get randomized too. It keeps things fresh!
Generally, the character you control will start with four core skills: Cardio, Wits, Fighting, and Shooting. Sometimes, you might luck out and get a random fifth skill, but honestly, that doesn't happen too often. The skill levels themselves are also random each time you begin.
Your partner survivor is a bit different. They'll also start with those same four core skills, plus one extra skill that's specific to their pair. Here’s the breakdown:
- Surly Siblings: Your partner will have the Mechanics skill.
- Old Buddies: Your partner will have the Craftsmanship skill.
- Perpetual Breakup: Your partner will have the Chemistry skill.
- Odd Couple: Your partner will have the Gardening skill.
Just like your main character, the skill levels for your partner are also randomized at the start of each new game. So, choose wisely, and good luck with your random rolls!
Welcome to Camp Osprey
Learn how to complete the first objective in State of Decay 2 at Camp Osprey, including finding weapons and dealing with zombies.
- 1After the initial cutscene, enter the camp. Press 'W' to move forward. Hold 'L SHIFT' + 'W' to sprint, but be aware this drains stamina.
- 2As you enter the clearing, two zombies will be by the entrance. Quickly move past them and kill them with your bat by pressing the 'LMB' (left mouse button).
- 3A third zombie is ahead. You can search containers by holding 'E' when close enough. This takes time, but holding 'L SHIFT' speeds it up, though it risks making noise and alerting nearby zombies.
- 4Continue through the camp, searching containers and killing zombies. Your bat will break, and you'll get an optional objective to find a new weapon.
- 5A crowbar can be found in a large cabinet to the right of the path. Other containers outside may hold bandages (to restore health) or snacks (to restore stamina).
- 6Four zombies block the way into a building. Rushing them and knocking them down is the most effective approach. Your partner will assist.
- 7Inside the building, turn on your flashlight by pressing 'F'.
- 8Break through the first chained fence by interacting with it and then pressing 'LMB' a few times.
- 9A Plague Zombie will attack your partner as you open the gate, biting them. Kill the Plague Zombie.
- 10Your partner will complain about being bitten. You'll receive a new objective to find a different way out as the original exit is blocked.
- 11In a new outdoor area with many bodies, you'll encounter crawling zombies. You can kill them by grabbing them (hold 'L CONTROL'), holding 'L CONTROL', and left-clicking to finish them.
- 12Your partner will feel unwell due to the infection. You'll get a new objective to find something to help them.
- 13Enter the next building, turn right, and find a medical container with bandages.
- 14After searching containers, head outside. Many zombies block the path. Hold 'C' to crouch and sneak past.
- 15You can perform sneak attacks on two zombies by grabbing them with 'L CONTROL' and finishing them with 'LMB'.
- 16A Screamer zombie blocks the path and cannot be snuck past. It will scream when it spots you, attracting a horde.
- 17A shooter will kill the Screamer and tell you to run to a ladder.
- 18Climb the ladder. You'll meet the last army guard, who will direct you to the doctor.
- 19Climb down the ladder and follow the path. Press 'SPACE' to jump over an obstacle.
- 20The doctor, who is randomized each game, can cure your partner but needs an infirmary to make medicine.
- 21The army guard will announce more zombies are swarming the camp.
- 22The doctor gives you a gun to kill a caged Plague Zombie.
- 23Run outside and choose one of three towns: Foothills, Plateau, or Valley. You can travel to all three later in the game.
- Use sprinting sparingly to conserve stamina.
- Searching containers can be sped up by holding 'L SHIFT', but be mindful of the noise it creates.
- Bandages restore health, and snacks restore stamina.
- When facing groups of zombies, rushing and knocking them down can be effective.
- Crouching ('C') allows you to sneak past zombies.
- Sneak attacks are a good way to eliminate zombies quietly.
- Screamers attract hordes, so be prepared to run when one is encountered.
- The choice of starting town does not permanently lock you out of other locations.
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