How to Attack in Project Zomboid

One of the most important parts of the Project Zomboid is learning how to do combat with melee weapons! By the end of this guide you should know exactly how to attack your enemies with all of the different weapon types in the game. The controls mentioned in this guide are the default controls for the game so if they do not work, refer to the key bindings in your options menu.

How to Attack an Enemy

To attack with a melee weapon in Project Zomboid follow these steps:

Equip a weapon in the primary or both hands.

Hold the Right-mouse button or Left CTRL key to charge your strike.
Aim your mouse at the enemy you wish to attack.
Click the left-mouse button to attack the enemy

attack enemies in Project Zomboid all using the mouse — The hockey stick bandit strikes again!

Depending on the weapon you are using you will have to be fairly close to your enemy. Obviously some weapons have a longer reach than others, so choosing the right weapon for the situation is very important. There is another type of attach that is used to push enemies back and gain some space. To push (or shove) an enemy hold the right mouse button, or left CTRL key and press the space bar. This push can sometimes knock down enemies depending on the strength level of your character. A character with a high strength level is more likely to knock down an opponent.

If you want to learn how to increase your strength in Project Zomboid check out this guide to exercising in Build 41.

Attacking with a Ranged Weapon

Attacking with a ranged weapon such as a thrown weapon or a gun works the exact same way as with a melee weapon. That is, apart from the pact you can be at any range from the target. When operating a gun, the change to hit an enemy depends on the characters ‘Aiming’ skill level. Hitting targets with a ranged weapon will give the player experience into the aiming skill level.

Attack your enemies with a ranged weapon by using a gun in Project Zomboid — Fire off a few round with Project Zomboid’s vast array of weapons

To shoot, just as with the melee weapon, ready the weapon and aim using the left Ctrl key or by holding the right mouse button. Then, once you are aimed at your target, press the left mouse button in order to shoot. If your weapon does not fire, keep in mind you will need to have bullets ready to fire in the weapon. Chances are you will miss most of the shots you fire at the start of your gun toting adventure. Best practice is to use a weapon with a large spread such as a shotgun to level up the aiming skill before using a pistol or rifle in the game.

Apart from guns, there are also a large range of thrown weapons such as the football or the molotov.

Attacking With a Controller

For players using a controller the controls can be a bit confusing at first. To attack with the controller in Project Zomboid follow these simple steps:

Equip a weapon
Use the right analog stick to aim in the direction you want to attack
Press the Right Trigger on your controller. (R2 for DS4 controllers)

To melee attack whilst holding a ranged weapon press the LB button or L1 on a DS4 controller.

Using a controller is a great way to be able to play Project Zomboid on a TV as the game doesn’t currently have a console version. You can also play with others over Steam’s Remote Play Together feature. The other player can connect a controller to their computer and play co-op with the host over Steam. The best part is the other player doesn’t even have to own the game. For more information on playing multiplayer with others over Steam’s Remote Play Together click here.

Now you know everything there is to attacking in Project Zomboid. Be safe out there survivors!