The Zombie Apocalypse Weapons Guide

While this weapon is slow and cumbersome in close quarters, the sniper rifle is ideal when dealing with faraway targets. It works well for providing cover fire eliminating or targets in situations where surgical precision is necessary. It does not, however, work on large groups -- for that situation, see our entry on dynamite or the entry on RPGs and other rocket launchers. 

When aiming a sniper rifle, be sure to account for wind resistance and the target's movement. Rather than shooting where the target is, anticipate where it is going to go and fire there. Remember, the bullet takes time to reach the target. If the target is close enough aim for the head. If the target is human, however -- as any sniper will tell you -- aim for the center of its mass, because the likelihood of hitting a perfect headshot is small.

Weapon Tip: If you are having trouble hitting the targets, try holding your breath. It helps calm your heart, steady your hands and keep the scope in one place. In addition to this, consider cutting down on the caffeine.    

The shoulder-launched missile weapon (commonly known as "bazooka") encompasses a wide variety of shoulder-mounted firearms. These include the standard rocket-propelled grenade (RPG), the anti-tank guided missile, and the man-portable air defense system. These weapons work wonders in situations where the user is faced with large crowds of hostiles. A single rocket can quickly and effectively clear a room, courtyard or any other large area. Thanks to the exhaust system present on these "bazookas," there is very little recoil. If you happen to find such a weapon, make sure to use it sparingly. Ammo for these is hard to find, hard to carry and highly explosive.

Weapon Tip: Try getting down on one knee when firing a shoulder-launched missile weapon for better accuracy.    

The satchel charge was invented in Finland by captain Kaarlo Tuurna, when dynamite just wasn't enough. These demolition devices not only have a higher damage ratio but also the advantage of being remotely-triggered. Such an ability is vital for planned demolition, as well as planned murder. Simply figure out where and how the hostiles will approach you, plant a charge in a strategic location, stand back and wait. When the targets are close enough, detonate the charge. In addition, it pays to get creative. For example, set charges around the base of a heavy, stone gazebo. When the zombies are inside this structure, detonate the explosive and bury them underneath a pile of rubble.

Weapon tip: Make sure your remote detonation device has fresh batteries. Few things are worse than a carefully-planned massacre going awry because the charges won't detonate.

Sometimes wrongly referred to as simply "machine gun," the submachine gun (or SMG) is an automatic weapon that is designed to fire pistol cartridges. Such a weapon is highly useful in a zombie apocalypse situation due to the fact that it combines the automatic firing capabilities of a machine gun with the cartridge capacity of a pistol. This is a great space-saving feature. Simply make sure the bullets in your pistol are of the same variety as your SMG, and you've got that much less equipment to carry.

Tip: For even more portability, consider a machine pistol. They have an even smaller form factor than an SMG while retaining the automatic fire capability we all know and love.