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2009/08/18 23:58:58
Subject: Zombies - At last science takes the threat seriously
2) It is really heavy so you would be less likely to be able to avoid zombies, and the weight makes it more difficult to "aim" your blows
3) Limited fuel makes it a nice decorative ornament in your cold undead hand after you get eaten by the zombie that arrived just after your fuel ran out
4) The teeth would probably jam on the flesh and bone
5) Think how long an average chainsaw takes to cut through a bit of wood... do you really have all day to spend cutting through a zombies skull?
A Gordon Freeman style crowbar is considered to be one of the best tools for zombie incapacitation. And you can open things with it too...
I still think medieval weaponry is quite amongst the best things against zombies. Chainsaws will run out of fuel, guns will run out of ammo.
I'd go for a sword (for chopping head off) or a mace (for cracking head in). The sword is probably lighter and swifter, which is nice, because it takes less calories to chop a zombie down. You know, when there are thousands of undead, you need to calculate how much you can kill before you're too exhausted.
And I'd want a shield. In close quarters, something that can block my entire left side and can be used to ram stuff out of the way is probably quite useful.
Oh, and no heavy armour for me, but thick clothes and some REALLY nice face/head/neck protection. Probably would go for chainmal for head/neck and some ice-hockey style face protection. Don't wanna get bitten, no sir.
2009/08/19 08:42:55
Subject: Re:Zombies - At last science takes the threat seriously
The problem with swords and other chopping weapons is that they blunt quite quickly. Even the best need quite a bit of force behind them to cut through bone etc. Most European swords were designed for either slashing and inflicting wounds which caused people to bleed to death, or crush wounds (crushing bones through armour etc).
It also takes quite a bit of skill to use one well.
Maces etc are probably better, though very heavy in most cases.
I would still opt for a crowbar... you get weight, 2 different stabbing ends, and you can still open things with it.
As for a shield.... yes, it can be good against zombies re shoving them etc, but against even a small handfull of them, it is just something else for them to grab and pull you around by.
As for armour, leathers are probably the best to fend off scratches etc. Might also help protect against some bites.
Chainmail is heavy and noisy and will not protect against crushing blows etc.
Your best defence is your mobility.
Added to the above, most chain mail and middle age weapons are display models, or at best very poor quality attempts at proper weapons and armour. Most of the weaponsmithing knowledge has been lost, meaning proper things are very rare and expensive.
When it comes, be sure to run for a Bass Pro Shop...or a Cabella's, gonna take out a bunch of zombies if they follow you there...
DR:80+S(GT)G++M++B-I++Pwmhd05#+D+++A+++/sWD-R++T(Ot)DM+ How is it they live in such harmony - the billions of stars - when most men can barely go a minute without declaring war in their minds about someone they know.
- St. Thomas Aquinas
Warhammer 40K:
Alpha Legion - 15,000 pts For the Emperor!
WAAAGH! Skullhooka - 14,000 pts
Biel Tan Strikeforce - 11,000 pts
"The Eldar get no attention because the average male does not like confetti blasters, shimmer shields or sparkle lasers."
-Illeix
2009/08/19 09:26:50
Subject: Re:Zombies - At last science takes the threat seriously
Although swords do blunt quite quickly, I guess they don't have that problem very much if they only cut through deceasing flesh and rotting bone.
About quality: Yes, of course, I wouldn't one of those showcase swords out of cheap steel or even aluminium. The guys at Albion Swords make some nice ones that come quite close to the "real" thing I guess, if not even better.
And, if a blade goes dull, well, you can still use it as a sword-shaped mace. I'd still argue that a sword, even blunt, has as great a hitting power as a crowbar.
However, I guess a one-handed axe could be nice, too. More raw force, the edge doesn't need to be that sharp...and you can break stuff! Granted, the crowbar is nice for its ability to lever things open and I definitely would take one with me if I found one anywhere. I just argue that for combat, I'd like a real weapon.
2009/08/19 09:31:13
Subject: Zombies - At last science takes the threat seriously
I cannot imagine you actually doing all that well man... that is BRUTAL .
Seriously though, seriously seriously though... I think that the best hand to hand weapon would have to be a staff, total crowd control, and you could even have a spear tip. A group of spear-men on horse-back would totally own a zombie flank no problem. Just run over them and get a few ready for the ZOmBBQ later.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2009/08/19 09:33:24
2009/08/19 09:31:25
Subject: Zombies - At last science takes the threat seriously
No real way to actually beat a zombie flying shark... a rocket propelled chainsaw turret on your balloon could help a little bit... but it would have to have at least 2 lasers.
2009/08/19 09:53:48
Subject: Zombies - At last science takes the threat seriously
The problem with a staff or a spear is that it is not so good indoors, as it is a bit too big to use in enclosed spaces. And since most zombies will be in urban areas, you will be a bit stuffed.
And hand axes, although being good, still need a fair bit of practice to use and still blunt quite quickly. You really need to be careful of the axe turning in your hand as you hit things, as it can seriously hurt you, aside from any zombie wounds you might then sustain as you lay bleeding to death
Thick denim clothes and gloves and a scarf plus balaclava etc to make you bite proof - human teeth and jaws, even zombie ones, aren't very sharp or have that much ppsi leverage, two claw hammers or those mountaineering picks for head attacks, maybe a bastard big machete for clearing a path etc.
The zombie survival guide does recommend the crowbar and it does seem a logical choice but I am still debating the idea of a buckler shield for holding back one zombie whilst I hack into the first, in which case i'd need something much lighter and therefore went with the claw hammer.
I especially liked the part in the book where they recommend a two storey house with an easily destroyable staircase. Ever since I read that book I find myself assessing the defensive potential of any building I am in.
2009/08/19 10:55:15
Subject: Zombies - At last science takes the threat seriously
A scarf is just something for them to grab hold of.
You might want to look into a leather and metal gorget (sp) though.
I would think that in a class 4 (or a latter stage class 3), you would want more than a 2 storey house, as the number of zombies will mean they end up just climbing on top of each other in the press, so I would go for a fairly tall block of flats or a really tall office building (an older one without escalators which are hard to remove would be best). Then trash the bottom stories worth of stairs.
Added advantage of the height adding killing power to anything you throw off the roof too.
Frazzled wrote:Zombies only have a chance in the intitial stages, then its Party Time Chainsaw style.
Horrible choice of weapons, shame on you! Loud, complicated, limited fuel, and gets infectious mess everywhere. Stick to a crowbar, it'll double as a useful tool.
No, they'll have the advantage in the beginning because of the massive amount of confusions/conflicting information. Then they'll have the advantage in the middle as everyone starts to fend for themselves, and tries to build little sporadic islands of safety. They have the advantage at the end because of numbers and dwindling supplies. Not good when your enemy is capable of waging total war and you're not. : /
Automatically Appended Next Post:
Wrexasaur wrote:I would be a bit nervous about where I went though...
And what happens when the zombie seagulls attack you? You know it is going to happen!
Already done in the novel Dead Sea by Brian Keene. The virus started in humans but then moves to more and more animals, etc... making survival less and less likely.
Forget the buckler if it's strapped to your arm. If they pull on it, you're pulled off balance through your arm. Think about getting a thick motorcycle jacket and butchers gloves.
This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 2009/08/19 11:13:54
2009/08/19 11:22:20
Subject: Zombies - At last science takes the threat seriously
I was surprised I liked it as I'm a traditional (slow, dumb) zombie fan. All three books were good. Then again I also liked City of the Dead and the The Rising as well.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2009/08/19 11:47:15
2009/08/19 11:52:17
Subject: Zombies - At last science takes the threat seriously
Viruses which attack cells are often different to those which attack bacteria, and I don't know off the top of my head if there are any which attack both but I could be wrong.
I need some more zombie books in my life... love good zombie films. Have to say that I prefer the slow zombies, but the new fast and sometimes smart (or perhaps just cunning) zombies are pretty scary and make for a good movie too.
thats what bunkers are for, to insure the ammo NEVER runs out
Automatically Appended Next Post:
JEB_Stuart wrote:When it comes, be sure to run for a Bass Pro Shop...or a Cabella's, gonna take out a bunch of zombies if they follow you there...
Right with ya.
Yep there's an Academy within 15 minutes. Right now even with the bullet bubble there's lots of shotgun rounds, and camping stuff for months/years.
Forget the buckler if it's strapped to your arm. If they pull on it, you're pulled off balance through your arm. Think about getting a thick motorcycle jacket and butchers gloves.
Good point. Racing leathers and wraparound shield would be perfect. Heavy accident resistant leather protecting all points. Hard helmet resistant to everything outside of a rifle shot protecting (including against icky fluids) with pretty good neck coverage. Add a nice .22 and backup stick with rusty nail and you're ready to rock Zombie style.
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2009/08/19 12:14:11
-"Wait a minute.....who is that Frazz is talking to in the gallery? Hmmm something is going on here.....Oh.... it seems there is some dispute over video taping of some sort......Frazz is really upset now..........wait a minute......whats he go there.......is it? Can it be?....Frazz has just unleashed his hidden weiner dog from his mini bag, while quoting shakespeares "Let slip the dogs the war!!" GG
-"Don't mind Frazzled. He's just Dakka's crazy old dude locked in the attic. He's harmless. Mostly."
-TBone the Magnificent 1999-2014, Long Live the King!
2009/08/19 12:18:40
Subject: Zombies - At last science takes the threat seriously
SilverMK2 wrote:Viruses which attack cells are often different to those which attack bacteria, and I don't know off the top of my head if there are any which attack both but I could be wrong.
I need some more zombie books in my life... love good zombie films. Have to say that I prefer the slow zombies, but the new fast and sometimes smart (or perhaps just cunning) zombies are pretty scary and make for a good movie too.
The zombies in the Zombie Island trilogy aren't caused by a virus though. I won't give anything away.
Good zombie literature:
The Walking Dead. Hands down the best zombie comic to date and has been optioned into a TV series after a bidding war.
The Risen & The City of the Dead
The Morningstar Strain (Plauge of the Dead)
Autumn
Day to day Armageddon
Monster Island, Monster Nation, Monster Planet
Movies:
Fido
The Zombie Diaries (Not the deeply miserable Diaries of the Dead flop of a film)
Dead Set
Get to a 2nd story, don't bother anything on the ground floor. Also just hanging out in your place is no good w/o food water. Remember the rules of 3. You can go 3 days w/o water and 3 weeks w/o food. After that really bad times.
Forget spiked stuff. You'll end up poking yourself in the leg with your bat and getting infected through the wound. One mistake, and that's it.
Solid metal no frills objects
2009/08/19 12:44:45
Subject: Zombies - At last science takes the threat seriously
Why not do the practical thing and go somewhere where the zombies can't fething reach you?
Get a gun. Lots of them. Find the military or the police at the least.
Honestly.
People are like dice, a certain Frenchman said that. You throw yourself in the direction of your own choosing. People are free because they can do that. Everyone's circumstances are different, but no matter how small the choice, at the very least, you can throw yourself. It's not chance or fate. It's the choice you made.
2009/08/19 12:47:58
Subject: Zombies - At last science takes the threat seriously
Of course. Slow zombies would be so dangerous when we have tanks, helicopters and MOABs.
All will run out of gas/ammo and manpower when the pilots starve. All require a specialized crew to run and specialized parts to maintain.
When all supply lines are cut, when the enemy attacks while forces are demobilized and decentralized, the above listed supplies will be in short demand or impossible to find.
A gun is only as good as the ammo you have. How much ammo can you run with? How much do you have on hand NOW? I have 1 box of .22 shells and I really don't know how old they are. : /
And, yes. The most simple effective solution is to get to the 2nd floor of a building and break the stairs. Most apartment complexes have 2 or three levels in them. Perfect castles once you draw up the bridge. That's something YOU could do right now given a little time and a sledge hammer, instead of thinking about tanks and other what not you have no control over.
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2009/08/19 12:53:32
2009/08/19 13:03:49
Subject: Zombies - At last science takes the threat seriously
Then there's the issue of zombies existing in the first place.
A virus that reduces us to mindless eating machines? What? The closest thing I can think of to that would be rabies, and even that wouldn't create actual zombies. If Romero hadn't made Night of the Dead, we never would have had this silly idea.
People are like dice, a certain Frenchman said that. You throw yourself in the direction of your own choosing. People are free because they can do that. Everyone's circumstances are different, but no matter how small the choice, at the very least, you can throw yourself. It's not chance or fate. It's the choice you made.
2009/08/19 13:10:52
Subject: Zombies - At last science takes the threat seriously
Alpha Legion - 15,000 pts For the Emperor!
WAAAGH! Skullhooka - 14,000 pts
Biel Tan Strikeforce - 11,000 pts
I'd still argue that a sword, even blunt, has as great a hitting power as a crowbar.
.
Stick to a crowbar, it'll double as a useful tool.
