Let’s be honest. We’ve never had a full blown ZA and we’re not likely to get a trial run. Our intel on Zombie behavior is then “best guess.” So let’s keep it to a few fundamental behaviors when assessing our foe. As we engage them and learn more about their behavior through actual FIELD OPS we’ll expand upon this foundation.
Since most Zombie lore suggests they’re active only to seek food, we’ll consider this as their base motivation. It is interesting to note that this base need is similar to our own (ala Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs). First, let’s divide food seeking behavior into the style with which it is sought. Do the Zombies appear to hunt or scavenge? If Zombies hunt, they’re going to be more proactive. They may stalk, set rudimentary traps, set kill zones, and ambush prey. Scavengers are less proactive. They’re not likely to chase you at first, because a scavenger prefers an easy meal. But, they might chase you if you’re already week or hurt, or if they stumble upon you.
Second, do the Zombies appear to act with a pack mentality or are they acting as individuals without care for the others around them. Packs are dangerous. Even a semi-organized pack working in unison becomes a much larger threat than twice as many individuals. And before you start whining and go all, “but Zombies are dead so their brains don’t work,” on me, consider the ant. Not much of a brain there either but they sure do work and coordinate well as a group. Assume the primitive (read survival) part of the brain is still functioning in Zombies. Assuming a hive type of mentality in this scenario, looking for the Alpha Zombie may disrupt the pack. If Zombies behave as mindless individuals, then we’re a bit safer. Just don’t go pulling a large group into your field of fire if you can’t put them all down fast enough.
Third, let’s consider locomotion. Do Zombies run, walk, or shamble? Forget crawl you can step over them. I’m hoping for shambling Zombies. It seems to me all things considered, a slow awkwardly moving Zombie is as good as head cheese regardless of some of the other behaviors we’re considering. So as long as we’re not grossly overweight and shambling ourselves (Zombieland Rule #1? CARDIO!), we should be pretty well ahead of the game.
Finally, how do the Zombies orient themselves to their surroundings? More importantly how are they going to find us? Do they use sight? What about noise? Can they smell? Whichever they use or don’t use can be used to our advantage. For example, if Zombies rely solely on sight we’re in a much better place than the Zombie using sight, smell and hearing to find food. The former can be easily avoided. The latter more easily makes a happy meal out of you.
Let’s recap: hunter vs. scavenger, pack vs. loner, runner vs. walker, vs. shambler, and senses used for tracking. Do yourself a favor and start considering the combinations possible from what has been discussed. Consider how to avoid, evade, and engage each threat. If you can, practice each scenario. Mental preparation is the first step. Practical application is the nail in the Zombies coffin…so to speak.
Until next time.
No comments:
Post a Comment