While Project Zomboid has been in early access for many years, with the release of the new build 41, it's quickly becoming one of the most realistic and popular zombie survival games on Steam. This new build brings with it multiplayer, adding a new element to this zombie survival RPG.
RELATED: Project Zomboid: Tips And Tricks That Will Keep You Alive
Whether you're a new player to Project Zomboid or you're returning to the game to try out the new features, surviving the streets of Knox County can be a daunting task. But with the right experience and skill, your character might be able to handle the apocalypse a bit easier.
10 Engineer
If you'd rather outsmart the undead instead of bashing their heads with a baseball bat or shooting them up with guns, then the engineer occupation might be the perfect choice for you. These characters start with one extra skill in both electricity and carpentry and a small boost to training those skills.
But what's unique about this occupation is that they will be able to craft a variety of traps and bombs from the beginning, some of which are exclusive to them, and their recipes can't be learned by other characters in the game.
9 Carpenter
Within the sandbox world of Project Zomboid, you can build and customize your base to your heart's content; as long as you have the skills for it. The carpenter occupation starts with three skills in carpentry and a massive boost in experience gained in it.
In addition, you start with one skill and a small experience boost to short blunt weapons, which are one of the most common melee weapons in the game. To top it off, this occupation comes with an extra two points to spend on your traits.
8 Repairman
As you hit zombies with the melee weapon of your choice, your weapon will eventually lose its durability and break, and you will either have to repair it or find a new weapon. This issue becomes even worse with some of the best weapons in the game, such as the katana, as it can't be repaired.
RELATED: The Best Survival Games For Beginners
A high maintenance skill means your weapons will last longer, and the repairman occupation ensures you start with a decent three starting point and a faster rate of learning it. You also have a chance of starting in a construction site or a gas station if you spawn in Riverside, both of which are filled with valuable loot in the early days.
7 Security Guard
While some prefer to establish a base and defend it, others might face the apocalypse differently. If you like always being on the run, avoiding zombies, and scavenging for food and water, then Security Guard offers some decent bonuses for you.
They start with two points in sprinting and one point in lightfooted, so they will have an easier time outmaneuvering the chasing hordes. In addition, they get the perk night owl, which means they need less sleep and are more alert to sound while asleep, so they are less likely to be surprised when a wandering zombie comes knocking at your door.
6 Lumberjack
Everyone loves axes, and in Project Zomboid, they are one of the most powerful weapons you can wield against the coming undead. The main drawback of axes is that they drain more of your endurance and swing slower than most other melee weapons in the game.
Lumberjacks know their way around an axe. They are much faster, both at taking down the trees for construction needs and at swinging their axes against the zombies' heads. They gain an extra point in the strength skill, and they can move faster in the woods.
5 Burglar
A working vehicle is one of the hardest things to come by in the early game. And more often than not, cars that are in decent condition don't have the keys on them. You either need to level up your mechanics and electrical skills to hotwire the car or start as a burglar.
RELATED: The Best Survival Horror Games
This occupation lets you hotwire vehicles without the required skill. In addition, they are the best starting choice for a sneaky playthrough as they have two extra skill points in sneaking, lightfooted, and nimble.
4 Fire Officer
Playing as a first responder in an apocalyptic setting is not only a fun roleplay choice, but they have the skills to handle themselves well in disastrous situations. Fire officers in Project Zomboid are one of the best starting occupations for multitudes of reasons.
They get an extra skill point in axe, sprinting, strength, and fitness, so they are one of the most physically capable characters in the game. In addition, if you start the game in Rosewood, you have a chance of spawning in the fire station, which has tons of valuable loot and is a fantastic early-game base location.
3 Park Ranger
If you choose to spend your remaining days in a zombie-infested world, out in the wilderness, then the park ranger's toolkit will have everything you need to survive on your own. They start with one skill point in axe and carpentry and two in foraging and trapping.
They also usually spawn in secluded houses on the outskirts of major cities. With their starting skills, you can easily head for the woods and avoid most of the undead while surviving off the land.
2 Police Officer
As many players might have discovered this the hard way, firearms are not good weapons for the early game. With low aiming skill you will have a tough time hitting the zombies, and they are loud enough to lure hordes of zombies to your location.
If you start as a police officer, you will have three skills in aiming and one skill in nimble and reloading, allowing you to hit your targets much more reliably while keeping a safe distance. You also have a chance of spawning in police stations, where you can stock up and meet your death guns blazing.
1 Veteran
Zombies are scary, and not many people have the nerve to face hordes of the undead and remain steady in their resolve. Panicking while fighting zombies will reduce your combat effectiveness considerably and is usually the main reason for your demise.
Veterans have seen enough hardship that they've become desensitized and are immune to most forms of panic. They also get two skill points in aiming and reloading, so they are much more effective at handling firearms than most occupations in the game.
NEXT: Best Mods for Project Zomboid
