Survival Tips

Single-player survival tips for SCUM.

• Avoid towns when you start; most cupboards are empty and you'll meet more zombies.
• When the hand icon to search for rocks appears, do it; a few rocks let you craft a basic knife from the crafting menu.
• Use the stone knife to cut bushes and shrubs. You can usually search for rocks in the same spot; you can craft from items on the ground, so no need to pick them up.
• There are different branches and twigs; the spear needs the longer variety — learn what each bush/shrub gives.
• To throw the spear, hold left mouse to aim and release to launch; once thrown it's gone for good, so make it count.
• Find a lone zombie in a field/forest and launch the spear at its face. Loot it: if it wears combat pants, they're yours on kill (more pockets, more loot) — note what it wears, it's usually a clue.
• To loot buildings, aim for police stations etc.; you'll usually find weapons or combat gear.
• The scroll wheel is your friend: it sets your move speed and resumes at that pace after stopping. In combat it also sets how fast you back away from a zombie — scroll forward to retreat faster, and punch its face while it rests. Watch your stamina.