Welcome to my Project Zomboid Steam page. On this page you'll find some information on character builds, and other useful stuff. I made this page mainly for my own amusement, and for me to refer to. I shared it to be helpful to others. If you have any questions or suggestions, please post them in the comments section.

Overview:

• Strong melee combat build for solo, with maxed carry weight and excellent endurance.
  
• Keep a couple of water bottles on you all the time and keep them filled.
  
• Get rid of Underweight by eating lots of high-calorie food at the start of the game.
  
• Doesn't start with hotwiring so get Mechanics 2 & Electrical 1 ASAP.
  
• Use beta blockers when fighting hordes.
  
• Use alcohol to sleep when panicked, or sleep on a bench.
  
• Most suited for experienced players. Long term-focus.

Occupation:

• Fire Officer

Negative Traits/Occupation:

• Fire Officer (+0): +1 Axe, +1 Fitness, +1 Sprinting, +1 Strength
  
• Cowardly (+2): 200% panic.
  
• Short-sighted (+2): Heavily reduces foraging radius if not wearing glasses
  
• Slow Reader (+2): 70% reading speed.
  
• Weak Stomach (+3): 200% chance of food illness, but food illness has shorter duration.
  
• Claustrophobic (+4): Panic indoors.
  
• Conspicuous (+4): 200% chance of being spotted by zombies.
  
• Pacifist (+4): 75% XP gains for Melee & Aiming skills.
  
• Prone to Illness (+4): 125% zombification, 170% cold chance & colds are slightly worse.
  
• Smoker (+4): Gains stress over time, can use cigarettes to reduce stress & unhappiness.
  
• Unlucky (+4): -10% chance of finding loot, -1 Foraging radius, -5% repair chance.
  
• High Thirst (+6): 200% thirst rate.
  
• Slow Healer (+6): Injury penalties are doubled, including time to heal & speed reduction.
  
• Underweight (+6): -1 Fitness, 80% melee damage, +chance to trip.
  
• Thin-skinned (+8): 127% chance of injury.
  
• Total: +59

Positive Traits/Hobbies:

• Wakeful (-2): -30% sleep required.
  
• Sewer (-4): +1 Tailoring.
  
• Gymnast (-5): +1 Lightfooted, +1 Nimble.
  
• Fast Learner (-6): 130% XP gains for skills, except Strength/Fitness.
  
• Keen Hearing (-6): better perception radius & visibility from behind.
  
• Handy (-8): +1 Carpentry, +1 Maintenance, +100HP to constructions, 11% faster build.
  
• Hunter (-8): +1 Aiming, +1 Short Blade, +1 Sneaking, +1 Trapping.
  
• Athletic (-10): +4 Fitness, additional reduction to endurance loss from running/melee.
  
• Strong (-10): +4 Strength, 140% melee damage.
  
• Total: -59

Overview:

• Most suitable for players who want to get guns as fast as possible.
  
• Has a slightly easier start than Columbus.

Occupation:

• Police Officer

Negative Traits:

• Slow Reader (+2): 70% reading speed.
  
• Short-sighted (+2): Smaller view distance & slower visibility fade.
  
• Weak Stomach (+3): 200% chance of food illness, but food illness has shorter duration.
  
• Conspicuous (+4): 200% chance of being spotted by zombies.
  
• Pacifist (+4): 75% XP gains for Melee & Aiming skills.
  
• Prone to Illness (+4): 125% zombification, 170% cold chance & colds are slightly worse.
  
• Smoker (+4): Gains stress over time, can use cigarettes to reduce stress & unhappiness.
  
• Unlucky (+4): -10% chance of finding rare loot.
  
• Asthmatic (+5): 140%/130% running & sprinting/melee attack endurance cost.
  
• High Thirst (+6): 200% thirst rate.
  
• Slow Healer (+6): Injury penalties are doubled, including time to heal & speed reduction.
  
• Thin-skinned (+8): 127% chance of injury.
  
• Total: +52

Occupation/Positive Traits/Hobbies:

• Police Officer (-4): +3 Aiming, +2 Reloading, +1 Nimble.
  
• Dextrous (-2): 50% faster inventory transfer.
  
• Wakeful (-2): -30% sleep required.
  
• Brave (-4): 30% of normal panic rate.
  
• Fast Learner (-6): 130% XP gains for skills, except Strength/Fitness.
  
• Keen Hearing (-6): better perception radius & visibility from behind.
  
• Handy (-8): +1 Carpentry, +1 Maintenance, +100HP to constructions, 11% faster build.
  
• Athletic (-10): +4 Fitness, -40% running/sprinting endurance loss.
  
• Strong (-10): +4 Strength, 140% melee damage.
  
• Total: -52

Overview:

• Simple melee combat build for multiplayer, with high carry weight and excellent endurance.
  
• The usual strategies apply, don't fight zeds indoors, carry water bottles, etc.
  
• Designed for a multiplayer server with sleep turned off.

Occupation:

• Burger Flipper

Negative Traits/Occupation:

• Burger Flipper (+2): +1 Short Blade, +1 Maintenance, +2 Cooking
  
• Weak Stomach (+3): 200% chance of food illness, but food illness has shorter duration.
  
• Claustrophobic (+4): Panic indoors.
  
• Conspicuous (+4): 200% chance of being spotted by zombies.
  
• Pacifist (+4): 75% XP gains for Melee & Aiming skills.
  
• Prone to Illness (+4): 125% zombification, 170% cold chance & colds are slightly worse.
  
• High Thirst (+6): 200% thirst rate.
  
• Slow Healer (+6): Injury penalties are doubled, including time to heal & speed reduction.
  
• Thin-skinned (+8): 127% chance of injury.
  
• Total: +41

Positive Traits/Hobbies:

• Cat's Eyes (-2): 20% better vision at night.
  
• Dextrous (-2): 50% faster inventory transfer.
  
• Fast Reader (-2): 130% reading speed.
  
• Baseball Player (-4): +1 Long Blunt.
  
• Gymnast (-5): +1 Lightfooted, +1 Nimble.
  
• Fast Learner (-6): 130% XP gains for skills, except Strength/Fitness.
  
• Athletic (-10): +4 Fitness, additional reduction to endurance loss from running/melee.
  
• Strong (-10): +4 Strength, 140% melee damage.
  
• Total: -41

Overview:

• Beginner / cannon fodder build for early game multiplayer. Hotwire every car you see!
  
• Extremely good stealth and fast in combat stance, and can hotwire cars.
  
• Perfect for obtaining cars fast early game and using this to get loot, etc.
  
• The usual strategies apply, don't fight zeds indoors, carry water bottles, etc.
  
• Don't worry about dying on this build because it's not so good for long-term play.

Occupation:

• Burglar

Negative Traits:

• Short-sighted (+2): Smaller view distance & slower visibility fade.
  
• Weak Stomach (+3): 200% chance of food illness, but food illness has shorter duration.
  
• Conspicuous (+4): 200% chance of being spotted by zombies.
  
• Claustrophobic (+4): Panic while indoors.
  
• Pacifist (+4): 75% XP gains for Melee & Aiming skills.
  
• Prone to Illness (+4): 125% zombification, 170% cold chance & colds are slightly worse.
  
• High Thirst (+6): 200% thirst rate.
  
• Slow Healer (+6): Injury penalties are doubled, including time to heal & speed reduction.
  
• Thin-skinned (+8): 127% chance of injury.
  
• Total: +41

Occupation/Positive Traits/Hobbies:

• Burglar (-6): +2 Lightfooted, +2 Nimble, +2 Sneaking, able to hotwire vehicles.
  
• Cat's Eyes (-2): 20% better vision at night.
  
• Dextrous (-2): 50% faster inventory transfer.
  
• Graceful (-4): 60% footstep radius, slightly less chance of trips.
  
• Keen Hearing (-6): better perception radius & visibility from behind.
  
• Athletic (-10): +4 Fitness, additional reduction to endurance loss from running/sprinting.
  
• Strong (-10): +4 Strength, 140% melee damage.
  
• Total: -40

Overview:

• Strong melee combat build for multiplayer, maxed carry weight & high endurance.
  
• Get rid of Underweight by eating lots of high-calorie food at the start of the game.
  
• Has Tailoring and Carpentry so you can help out supporting your team.
  
• If someone else on your team has Tailoring, feel free to remove Sewer.
  
• The usual strategies apply, don't fight zeds indoors, carry water bottles, etc.

Occupation:

• Fire Officer

Negative Traits/Occupation:

• Fire Officer (+0): +1 Axe, +1 Fitness, +1 Sprinting, +1 Strength
  
• Short-sighted (+2): Smaller view distance & slower visibility fade.
  
• Weak Stomach (+3): 200% chance of food illness, but food illness has shorter duration.
  
• Claustrophobic (+4): Panic indoors.
  
• Conspicuous (+4): 200% chance of being spotted by zombies.
  
• Pacifist (+4): 75% XP gains for Melee & Aiming skills.
  
• Prone to Illness (+4): 125% zombification, 170% cold chance & colds are slightly worse.
  
• High Thirst (+6): 200% thirst rate.
  
• Slow Healer (+6): Injury penalties are doubled, including time to heal & speed reduction.
  
• Underweight (+6): -1 Fitness, 80% melee damage, +chance to trip.
  
• Thin-skinned (+8): 127% chance of injury.
  
• Total: +47

Positive Traits/Hobbies:

• Cat's Eyes (-2): 20% better vision at night.
  
• Fast Reader (-2): 130% reading speed.
  
• Sewer (-4): +1 Tailoring.
  
• Gymnast (-5): +1 Lightfooted, +1 Nimble.
  
• Fast Learner (-6): 130% XP gains for skills, except Strength/Fitness.
  
• Handy (-8): +1 Carpentry, +1 Maintenance, +100HP to constructions, 11% faster build.
  
• Athletic (-10): +4 Fitness, additional reduction to endurance loss from running/melee.
  
• Strong (-10): +4 Strength, 140% melee damage.
  
• Total: -47

Overview:

• Straightforward combat build with some great Carpentry bonuses.
  
• Uses +3 Short Blunt to smash zombie heads with maximum effectiveness from day 0.
  
• The usual strategies apply, don't fight zeds indoors, carry water bottles, etc.
  
• Uses Smoker, so beg your teammates for ciggies.

Occupation:

• Construction Worker

Negative Traits:

• Short-sighted (+2): Smaller view distance & slower visibility fade.
  
• Weak Stomach (+3): 200% chance of food illness, but food illness has shorter duration.
  
• Conspicuous (+4): 200% chance of being spotted by zombies.
  
• Claustrophobic (+4): Panic while indoors.
  
• Pacifist (+4): 75% XP gains for Melee & Aiming skills.
  
• Prone to Illness (+4): 125% zombification, 170% cold chance & colds are slightly worse.
  
• Smoker (+4): Gains stress over time, can use cigarettes to reduce stress & unhappiness.
  
• High Thirst (+6): 200% thirst rate.
  
• Slow Healer (+6): Injury penalties are doubled, including time to heal & speed reduction.
  
• Thin-skinned (+8): 127% chance of injury.
  
• Total: +45

Occupation/Positive Traits/Hobbies:

• Construction Worker (-2): +3 Short Blunt, +1 Carpentry.
  
• Cat's Eyes (-2): 20% better vision at night.
  
• Fast Reader (-2): 130% reading speed.
  
• Gymnast (-5): +1 Lightfooted, +1 Nimble.
  
• Fast Learner (-6): 130% XP gains for skills, except Strength/Fitness.
  
• Handy (-8): +1 Carpentry, +1 Maintenance, +100HP to constructions, 11% faster build.
  
• Athletic (-10): +4 Fitness, additional reduction to endurance loss from running/sprinting.
  
• Strong (-10): +4 Strength, 140% melee damage.
  
• Total: -45

Overview:

• Strong ranged combat build for multiplayer, with high carry weight and excellent endurance.
  
• The usual strategies apply, don't fight zeds indoors, carry water bottles, etc.
  
• Be careful with guns! They can get you and your team killed easily.

Occupation:

• Police Officer

Negative Traits:

• Short-sighted (+2): Smaller view distance & slower visibility fade.
  
• Weak Stomach (+3): 200% chance of food illness, but food illness has shorter duration.
  
• Conspicuous (+4): 200% chance of being spotted by zombies.
  
• Claustrophobic (+4): Panic indoors.
  
• Pacifist (+4): 75% XP gains for Melee & Aiming skills.
  
• Prone to Illness (+4): 125% zombification, 170% cold chance & colds are slightly worse.
  
• Asthmatic (+5): 140% fatigue from sprinting & 130% from melee weapon swings.
  
• High Thirst (+6): 200% thirst rate.
  
• Slow Healer (+6): Injury penalties are doubled, including time to heal & speed reduction.
  
• Thin-skinned (+8): 127% chance of injury.
  
• Total: +46

Occupation/Positive Traits/Hobbies:

• Police Officer (-4): +3 Aiming, +2 Reloading, +1 Nimble.
  
• Cat's Eyes (-2): 20% better vision at night.
  
• Fast Reader (-2): 130% reading speed.
  
• Brave (-4): 30% less panic from zeds.
  
• Fast Learner (-6): 130% XP gains for skills, except Strength/Fitness.
  
• Handy (-8): +1 Carpentry, +1 Maintenance, +100HP to constructions, 11% faster build.
  
• Athletic (-10): +4 Fitness, -40% running/sprinting endurance loss.
  
• Strong (-10): +4 Strength, 140% melee damage.
  
• Total: -46

Overview:

• Forager build based on Gordon Ramsay - simple combat build that can also forage well.
  
• The usual strategies apply, don't fight zeds indoors, couple of water bottles, etc.
  
• You don't have +1 Maintenance on this build, so a crowbar is the best weapon to use.

Occupation:

• Unemployed

Negative Traits/Occupation:

• Unemployed (+8): n/a
  
• Weak Stomach (+3): 200% chance of food illness, but food illness has shorter duration.
  
• Claustrophobic (+4): Panic indoors.
  
• Conspicuous (+4): 200% chance of being spotted by zombies.
  
• Pacifist (+4): 75% XP gains for Melee & Aiming skills.
  
• Prone to Illness (+4): 125% zombification, 170% cold chance & colds are slightly worse.
  
• High Thirst (+6): 200% thirst rate.
  
• Slow Healer (+6): Injury penalties are doubled, including time to heal & speed reduction.
  
• Thin-skinned (+8): 127% chance of injury.
  
• Total: +47

Positive Traits/Hobbies:

• Cat's Eyes (-2): 20% better vision at night.
  
• Fast Reader (-2): 130% reading speed.
  
• Outdoorsman (-2): bonus to Foraging radius, and some other stuff.
  
• Baseball Player (-4): +1 Long Blunt.
  
• Gymnast (-5): +1 Lightfooted, +1 Nimble.
  
• Fast Learner (-6): 130% XP gains for skills, except Strength/Fitness.
  
• Hiker (-6): +1 Foraging, +1 Trapping
  
• Athletic (-10): +4 Fitness, additional reduction to endurance loss from running/melee.
  
• Strong (-10): +4 Strength, 140% melee damage.
  
• Total: -47

• The TV channel Life & Living gives out free XP for certain skills at given times of the day.

• If you listen to a radio that has the Emergency Broadcast Channel, you'll hear a special alert.
  
• The radio will give out the usual weather alerts, then it will say "Air activity detected".
  
• This means that a helicopter is going to come to your location and attempt to locate you.
  
• If you stay hidden, e.g. inside your house, the helicopter will eventually give up.
  
• Although it may come back after a while to look for you again, so beware.
  
• If you get spotted, it's very bad because it will hover above you for a long time.
  
• This will draw a hordes of zombies to your location. So, don't let it spot you.
  
• The helicopter event can occur on days 6-9 (15th-18th) so check your radio before then.
  
• Some players travel to another area during this event so that their base isn't affected.

• Foraging is now super useful so it's worth examining how to reduce penalties to it.
  
• The Short-Sighted trait gives a pretty big foraging penalty and this is quite annoying.
  
• However, equipping glasses or reading glasses removes this penalty.
  
• The glasses do have a slight penalty of -2.5% to the foraging radius, but this is OK.
  
• While foraging you must remove all other headgear covering head, face and eyes.

• Some traits allow you to generate panic on-demand, for example Claustrophobic.
  
• Typically panic is a negative status, however, it has one hidden benefit...
  
• Entering panic removes any boredom status. Very useful when you're in your safehouse.
  
• If you start to suffer boredom in your house, just walk into a tight space such as a closet.

• First, remove all the light bulbs from every car you see on the road.
  
• When you have a bunch of them, like 50 or so, install and uninstall each of them to a car.
  
• You get XP for each separate part that you install/reinstall, once per 24 hours.
  
• Using this method you will gain a lot of XP from an item that weighs almost nothing.
  
• You only need a screwdriver to do this. Remember to read the beginner skill book first.
  
• Alternatively, just find the Carzone VHS tapes and gain XP from those.
  
• You can currently watch tapes over and over in multiplayer.

• Axes are assumed to be the best method of cutting trees.
  
• However, axes in general are extremely rare.
  
• In addition, the handaxe is only moderately good at felling trees.
  
• Enter the meat cleaver, a fairly common short blade weapon.
  
• It's just as good as cutting trees as the handaxe!
  
• You have to manually attack trees though.

• Did you know turning light switches on during night-time makes noise?
  
• Bear this in mind when you flick switches during the night - try to avoid it.
  
• You will draw zeds from extremely large distances.

• Metalworking can be a pain to level, but there is a relatively fast way to do it.
  
• You need a bunch of propane torches and a mask. A propane tank helps.
  
• Find some wrecked cars. You can find them on the highway very easily.
  
• Right click and select dismantle wreck. You'll get a bunch of weapons, too.
  
• This gives a decent amount of XP. If you've read the books you'll gain levels fast.

• Most trapping guides will suggest the use of the cage trap to get rabbits, but...
  
• Rabbits are pretty unreliably caught, and use up valuable resources to catch (e.g. cabbage).
  
• Enter the stick trap, and its target, the bird: lightweight and nutritious.
  
• Stick traps are extremely easy to craft, and worms are very easy to obtain.
  
• You can even create a wooden floor platform, hang an escape rope, then demolish the stairs.
  
• Your stick traps will catch endless birds and won't be damaged by zeds.
  
• This also gives you tons of reliable Trapping XP.

• Axe - Try Getting A Reservation At Dorsia Now!
  
  • Top tier weapon type but relatively rare compared to the other weapon types.
    
  • Attacks with this weapon damage the target's clothing - this can be an issue.
    
  • Two-handed when wielded optimally, so you can't hold a bag in your other hand.
    
  • Best weapon: fire axe (very high damage, powerful critical hits).
• Long Blunt - We Don't Go To Ravenholm...
  
  • Less rare than axes, but not as common as short blunt/blade.
    
  • Two-handed when wielded optimally, so you can't hold a bag in your other hand.
    
  • Best weapons: baseball bat (good knockdown), crowbar (extremely good durability).
• Short Blunt - What We Have Here Is A Failure To Communicate
  
  • Very common weapon type, and thus very easy to level from the start of your run.
    
  • Limited ways to get a bonus on this weapon type - only from occupations.
    
  • Best weapon: nightstick (all-rounder), pipes (common & effective), pipe wrench (knockdown).
• Long Blade - Nothing Personnel, Kid.
  
  • Top tier weapon type but extremely rare compared to the other weapon types.
    
  • Attacks with this weapon damage the target's clothing - this can be an issue.
    
  • Best weapon: if you find one, just use it. Good luck.
• Short Blade - That's Not A Knife... This Is A Knife
  
  • Very common weapon type, and thus very easy to level from the start of your run.
    
  • Attacks with this weapon damage the target's clothing - this can be an issue.
    
  • Best weapon: hunting knife (very high critical chance and good damage).

These evaluations are for single-player, multiplayer has a slightly different meta although many of the traits perform similarly. To get an idea of what traits are optimal for multiplayer, look at the MP builds.

The Best:

• Strong: excellent carry weight & melee damage bonuses.
  
• Wakeful: allows you to get so much more done in a day - time is money.
  
• Athletic: a very expensive trait but it is usually worth it if you can fit it in.

The Average:

• Fast Learner: a big bonus to XP gains, but it is a little expensive.
  
• Keen Hearing: extremely useful, but experienced players may not need it at all.
  
• Dextrous: great quality of life trait for very low cost, though often it is a luxury.
  
• Brave: reduces panic significantly, however you can play around panic & it reduces over time.
  
• Cat's Eyes: very situational, nice to have but not necessary at all. Excellent in multiplayer.
  
• Lucky: extremely overrated trait, 10% is just not that big of a bonus. Other bonuses are small.
  
• Outdoorsman: it's somewhat useful but there usually better ways to spend your points.
  
• Organized: significant increase to carry weight, but this trait is an expensive luxury.
  
• Thick Skinned: you can mitigate injury in other ways, but reducing injuries is nice.
  
• Light Eater: it's kind of hard to run out of food, but this is a nice quality-of-life trait I guess.
  
• Graceful: fantastic reduction to footstep noise, but often this is not necessary.
  
• Speed Demon: only useful for travelling a lot really, just don't go in reverse if you can avoid it.

The Worst:

• Eagle Eyed: barely does anything.
  
• Fast Healer: it's not really important to heal quickly in this game.
  
• Fast Reader: reading is just something you hit the fast forward button for. Mandatory in MP.
  
• Fit: just get Athletic instead, or don't bother.
  
• Adrenaline Junkie: it's not necessary to run that fast most of the time (sprinters aside).
  
• Inconspicuous: barely does anything, only take on extreme stealth builds.
  
• Iron Gut: just don't eat rotten food?
  
• Low Thirst: water isn't that hard to find, even later.
  
• Resilient: colds can be avoided with smart play, and who cares if you zombify slower.
  
• Stout: just get Strong.

The Best:

• Sewer: underrated trait in my opinion, Tailoring is really good and it's a pain to level.
  
• Gymnast: Nimble is extremely good and it's hard to get as a +1, plus this is an odd point trait.
  
• Handy: bonuses to two useful skills (especially maintenance), a little expensive though.

The Average:

• Baseball Player: nice but a luxury.
  
• Brawler: it's a luxury, although the value you get for 6 points is decent.
  
• Hunter: you get so much that's useful here but it is expensive.
  
• Hiker: I think this might be quite good on a Forager build. Situational.
  
• Amateur Mechanic: it's an odd point trait and useful, but the VHS tapes exist too.

The Worst:

• Runner: this skill doesn't need to be boosted.
  
• Herbalist: you can get the recipes from a book! Useless.
  
• Cook: this skill doesn't need to be boosted.
  
• Gardener: this skill doesn't need to be boosted.
  
• Former Scout: these skills don't need to be boosted.
  
• Angler: this skill doesn't need to be boosted.
  
• First Aider: this skill doesn't need to be boosted.

The Best:

• Conspicuous: barely does anything, you will get spotted anyway; in fact it's almost useful.
  
• High Thirst: you won't notice the difference really, it's not that hard to find water.
  
• Pacifist: won't make a huge difference to your character, most of the time.
  
• Prone to Illness: oh no, you might catch a cold... free points, basically.
  
• Short Sighted: this heavily affects Foraging, but it's still mostly free points. Also, glasses.
  
• Slow Healer: it's not really important to heal quickly in this game.
  
• Slow Reader: reading is just something you hit the fast forward button for.
  
• Thin-skinned: you can mitigate injury in other ways, and this gives lots of points.
  
• Weak Stomach: just don't eat rotten food. Free points.
  
• Unlucky: barely makes a difference to the amount of loot you get. I have tested this.
  
• Underweight: if you are diligent in eating high-calorie food, you can lose this in 2-3 days.
  
• Smoker: if you know exactly where to look for cigarettes, this is free points.

The Average:

• Asthmatic: some builds can play around these penalties, and it gives odd points.
  
• Cowardly: late-game you will not notice this much, bit annoying til then though.
  
• Hearty Appetite: a little annoying, because unlike water you can't eat automatically.
  
• Very Underweight: takes quite a while to get rid of this, but long term it's free points I guess.
  
• Feeble: horrible for your carry weight, but some players might play around this.
  
• Hemophobic: this is usually a bad idea, but on some builds it can work I guess.
  
• Out of Shape: -2 Fitness doesn't make a huge difference, but it doesn't work with Athletic...
  
• Claustrophobic: you can play around the penalties. Unfortunately, it excludes Brave now.

The Worst:

• Agoraphobic: this is pretty awful, though I suppose its effects will fade with time.
  
• All Thumbs: good lord no.
  
• Clumsy: the footsteps part is situationally not awful, but you will trip significantly more.
  
• Deaf: this is 'hardcore mode', don't take this unless you like dying or want a challenge.
  
• Disorganized: horrible for your carry weight.
  
• Hard of Hearing: you will get bitten from behind and die.
  
• Illiterate: do you like grinding for skills? If so, pick this!
  
• Obese: takes too long to lose weight.
  
• Overweight: takes too long to lose weight.
  
• Restless Sleeper: horrible because you wake up each day not fully rested.
  
• Sleepyhead: do much less with your day for only 4 points, no thanks.
  
• Slow Learner: do you like grinding for skills? If so, pick this!
  
• Sunday driver: this is the worst, makes driving horrible (in MP though, others could drive).
  
• Unfit: slight fitness penalties are situationally ok but this is too extreme.
  
• Weak: horrible for your carry weight and melee damage.

Unemployed (+8)

• Underrated occupation because it gives you lots of points which you could spend elsewhere.
  
• You have to consider that occupations cost up to sixteen points, comparatively!
  
• Score: 8/10

Fire Officer (+0)

• One of the best occupations in the game. Gives S-tier items for free, and many skills.
  
• Score: 10/10

Police Officer (-4)

• Very nice firearms bonuses, although firearms can be tricky to find early on.
  
• On the other hand, one of the few ways to get Nimble as a bonus skill.
  
• Score: 8/10

Park Ranger (-4)

• Some really great bonuses, but the supposed 75% movement is more like 30%.
  
• Score: 7/10

Construction Worker (-2)

• Excellent weapon bonus, and Carpentry is always useful.
  
• Score: 8/10

Security Guard (-2)

• Nice passive skill (theoretically) but these skill bonuses aren't that valuable.
  
• The passive requires you to set an alarm to take advantage of it... so it's actually kinda bad.
  
• Score: 5/10

Carpenter (+2)

• That's a really big Carpentry bonus but is it really necessary?
  
• Score: 7/10

Burglar (-6)

• The ability to hotwire cars for free is really, really nice for the start of your game.
  
• Expensive, and the hotwiring bonus becomes worthless once you get the required skills.
  
• Score: 8/10

Chef (-4)

• Very expensive considering Burger Flipper exists. Really no reason to get this.
  
• Score: 4/10

Repairman (-4)

• Very nice bonuses but usually it's better to just get the Handy trait.
  
• Score: 6/10

Farmer (+2)

• Farming is kind of bad as a bonus skill but I guess this occupation is cheap.
  
• Score: 6/10

Fisherman (-2)

• No, just no.
  
• Score: 4/10

Doctor (+2)

• First Aid is kind of bad as a bonus skill but at least this occupation comes cheap.
  
• Score: 6/10

Veteran (-8)

• Very expensive occupation but Desensitized is really powerful. Great for a gun build.
  
• You should consider Police Officer & Brave as an alternative though.
  
• Score: 7/10

Nurse (+2)

• Pretty weak bonuses but at least it's cheap.
  
• Score: 5/10

Lumberjack (0)

• Compared to Fire Officer this is just worse, but at least Axe Man works in combat now.
  
• The forest speed thing isn't as good as it seems, like Park Ranger it's about 30%.
  
• Score: 7/10

Fitness Instructor (-6)

• Negative 6 cost for this? Wow.
  
• Score: 4/10

Burger Flipper (+2)

• Maintenance is great and the weapon bonus is useful, plus this is quite cheap.
  
• Score: 8/10

Electrician (-4)

• Electrical will probably become more useful in the future but at the moment this is just bad.
  
• Score: 4/10

Engineer (-4)

• It's alright if you like bombs I guess. Kind of expensive though.
  
• Score: 6/10

Metalworker (-6)

• Some people really like Metalworking but this is very expensive for what you get.
  
• Score: 6/10

Mechanic (-4)

• The problem with this occupation is VHS tapes exist for Mechanics.
  
• Score: 6/10

Just some settings that I use for my playthroughs.

• [World] Water Shutoff: 2-6 Months (Default: 0-30 days)
  
• [World] Electricity Shutoff: 2-6 Months (Default: 0-30 days)
  
• [World] Initial Gas Station Amount: Infinite (Default: Normal)
  
• [World] Light Bulb Lifespan: 0 (Default: 1.0)
  
• [Nature] Compost Time: 1 Week (Default: 2 Weeks)
  
• [Character] Rear Vulnerability: Low (Default: High)
  
• [Character] Weapon Multi-Hit: On (Default: Off)
  
• [Loot Rarity] Literature: Normal (Default: Rare)
  
• [In-Game Map] Allow Mini-Map: On (Default: Off)
  
• [Zombie Lore] Transmission: Off (Default: Blood + Saliva)
  
• [Zombie Lore] Day/Night Activity: Day (Default: Both)
  
• [Zombie Lore] Drag Down: Off (Default: On)
  
• [Zombie Lore] Fake Dead Zombie Reanimation: Off (Default: On)
  
• [Advanced Zombie Options] Population Peak Multiplier: 1.7 (Default: 1.5)
  
• [Advanced Zombie Options] Population Peak Day: 90 (Default: 28)
  
• [Advanced Zombie Options] Respawn Hours: 8760 (Default: 72)
  
• [Advanced Zombie Options] Respawn Unseen Hours: 8760 (Default: 16)
  
• [Advanced Zombie Options] Respawn Multiplier: 0.01 (Default: 0.1)