Survival Log Zombie Horde Guide: Warnings, Defense & Tense State

Read the Horde Warning

The Radio can warn about an approaching zombie horde several days ahead. An official update also describes accepting the task and surviving until the next warning for a reward. Use the current Radio text for exact timing because public notes do not publish one universal countdown.

Before the Horde

• repair every door and window;
• stage repair materials where they are reachable;
• place traps without blocking stairs or repair positions;
• check electric defenses, generator, batteries, and fuel;
• prepare ready food and rest before the attack;
• pause nonessential production and exploration;
• leave a clear route between the weakest openings.

During the Attack

Watch barrier condition rather than only zombie count. Redirect repair work to the opening closest to failure. Manual control becomes especially important when Tense appears.

The August 21 update defines Tense as a state triggered when Home doors or windows are close to being breached. The protagonist and survivors stop automatic eating, sleeping, and entertainment. Manual commands are unaffected, and normal behavior returns after repairs or horde retreat.

Trap and Pathing Rules

Official fixes say zombies no longer avoid traps after a pathfinding adjustment. They also corrected cases where traps blocked characters and survivors, especially around stairs. Keep a repair lane behind the defense line and do not assume more traps are better if nobody can reach the barrier.

Power and Food

Hordes can overlap with outages or weather. Protect critical refrigeration and any electrical defense you rely on. Meet food and rest needs before the warning expires; during Tense, issue manual orders only when the defense line can spare the time.

Recovery

After the horde, repair all damage, inspect traps, restore normal power priorities, check food freshness, and meet delayed survivor needs. Restock the same repair kit immediately so the next warning is not a new procurement problem.

FAQ

What does the Radio warning do?

It provides advance notice of a horde and may be tied to a survive-until-next-warning task and reward. Follow the current Radio text for timing.

Why did characters stop eating during the horde?

They likely entered Tense because a door or window was close to failure. Use manual orders and repair the threat.

Do traps block my characters?

Recent patches fixed several pathing cases, but poor placement can still leave an inefficient repair route. Test access before the attack.

Is this different from the Shelter page?

This page focuses on the event sequence and Tense behavior. The Shelter Defense page covers the broader defensive layout.