7 Days To Die is a sandbox zombie survival game that focuses on exploration, base building, and, of course, slaughtering endless hordes of zombies. It features multiple types of enemies, each with their own unique stats and abilities.
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Posts By Ryan Thompson-BamseyFiguring out how to best approach every situation in this game is mostly predicated on choosing the right weapon. While 7 Days To Die has plenty of guns to choose from, some are simply better, whether it's due to sheer stats or special effects that they bring to the fray.
Updated on October 9, 2024, by Christopher Padilla: 7 Days To Die has released a 1.0 (Stable)! This game has seen many changes since this article was written, never mind across its whole development cycle. Weapons are one of the many systems that were overhauled, tweaked, chopped, and screwed. Weapons look different, handle different, and are built different, with some gone missing and others added to the arsenal. We've reflected those changes across all the entries and added some helpful information. Namely what Skill Magazine you use to craft each weapon, and what skills you need to make them at certain qualities. We also added the ingredients for each quality level of each weapon, as well as the main state that increases that weapon's damage.
15 Robotic Sledge/Robotic Turret
- Skill Magazine: Tech Planet
- Scales With: Intellect
Recipe Quality
Skill Requirement
Ingredients
Quality 1
26
Robotics Parts x1, Forged Iron/Forged Steel x40, Duct Tape x10, Spring x10
Quality 2
32
Robotics Parts x2, Forged Iron/Forged Steel x80, Duct Tape x20, Spring x20
Quality 3
39
Robotics Parts x3, Forged Iron/Forged Steel x120, Duct Tape x30, Spring x30
Quality 4
46
Robotics Parts x4, Forged Iron/Forged Steel x160, Duct Tape x40, Spring x40
Quality 5
53
Robotics Parts x5, Forged Iron/Forged Steel x200, Duct Tape x50, Spring x50
Quality 6
60
Robotics Parts x6, Forged Iron/Forged Steel x240, Duct Tape x60, Spring x60, Legendary Parts x1
If you’re playing solo, these guys are your only friends in zombieland. Even if you’re not spec’d for Intelligence, it’s still a good idea to keep them with you, should you find them.
The Robotic Turret is a fantastic wingman to take with you when you’re clearing POIs, and it better, because Forged Steel isn’t cheap. Luckily, this guy delivers in spades. Just set it down and start exploring, and if the fighting gets too intense, run the horde back to your turret and double-team those corpses.
The Robotic Sledge is also a fantastic companion, not in normal combat, but during the horde night. With certain base setups, you can set it up anywhere along any elevated section (over a pit or blades) of the zombie path and watch as it knocks zombies off. If you’re a crafty enough builder, you could even AFK as the turrets do the work.
14 Stun Baton
- Skill Magazine: Tech Planet
- Scales With: Intellect
Recipe Quality
Skill Requirement
Ingredients
Quality 1
26
Baton Parts x1, Forged Iron x5, Duct Tape x, Electrical Parts x
Quality 2
30
Baton Parts x2, Forged Iron x10, Duct Tape x2, Electrical Parts x2
Quality 3
35
Baton Parts x3, Forged Iron x15, Duct Tape x2, Electrical Parts x2
Quality 4
40
Baton Parts x4, Forged Iron x20, Duct Tape x2, Electrical Parts x2
Quality 5
45
Baton Parts x5, Forged Iron x25, Duct Tape x2, Electrical Parts x2
Quality 6
50
Baton Parts x6, Forged Iron x30, Duct Tape x2, Electrical Parts x2, Legendary Parts x1
The Stun Baton is a powerful and versatile weapon that, alongside the above Robotic weapons, is a pretty good incentive to go down the Intellect path. This zappy stick does decent damage, but what really gives it oomph is the ability to stun enemies. This allows you all the time in the world to wallop them over the head ‘till they’re dead.
The Stun Baton Repulsor mod might be tempting to use, but it’s not always a good idea. While it’s great for horde nights or combat in the open, it’s not ideal for Clear Enemies quests since they can send enemies flying where you can’t find them, possibly making missions unwinnable.
In duels or fights against small groups of enemies, you’re pretty much guaranteed to win as enemies get zapped every few normal hits and all but the toughest enemies go down with a few headshots. For larger groups, pop some Nerd Tats and tase whole groups of enemies, making them easy pickings.
13 Steel Sledgehammer
- Skill Magazine: Get Hammered
- Scales With: Strength
Recipe Quality
Skill Requirement
Ingredients
Quality 1
36
Steel Sledgehammer Parts x1, Forged Steel x10, Wood x10, Duct Tape x3
Quality 2
43
Steel Sledgehammer Parts x2, Forged Steel x20, Wood x20, Duct Tape x6
Quality 3
51
Steel Sledgehammer Parts x3, Forged Steel x30, Wood x30, Duct Tape x9
Quality 4
59
Steel Sledgehammer Parts x4, Forged Steel x40, Wood x40, Duct Tape x12
Quality 5
67
Steel Sledgehammer Parts x5, Forged Steel x50, Wood x50, Duct Tape x15
Quality 6
65
Steel Sledgehammer Parts x6, Forged Steel x60, Wood x60, Duct Tape x18, Legendary Parts x1
Sledgehammers are a powerful class of weapon that requires skill and restraint to use because of their big damage and even bigger stamina cost. Swing recklessly, and you’ll find yourself helpless in the middle of the horde, unable to run away until your stamina returns.
This is one of the best non-explosive ways to break down doors and into safes, provided you have the stamina to swing until the job is done. Otherwise, stick to something purpose-built like an axe (wood) or pickaxe (metal).
The Steel Sledgehammer is the biggest and baddest of these and is the hardest-hitting in the game, even beating out guns in per-attack damage. You can bop zombies on the dome for a big (likely lethal and messy) hit or swing wide with the Power Attack and ragdoll multiple zombies.
12 Lever-Action Rifle
- Skill Magazine: Rifle World
- Scales With: Perception
Recipe Quality
Skill Requirement
Ingredients
Quality 1
26
Rifle Parts x7, Forged Steel x40, Duct Tape x7, Spring x13
Quality 2
32
Rifle Parts x8, Forged Steel x50, Duct Tape x8, Spring x15
Quality 3
39
Rifle Parts x9, Forged Steel x60, Duct Tape x9, Spring x17
Quality 4
46
Rifle Parts x10, Forged Steel x70, Duct Tape x10, Spring x19
Quality 5
53
Rifle Parts x11, Forged Steel x80, Duct Tape x11, Spring x21
Quality 6
60
Rifle Parts x12, Forged Steel x90, Duct Tape x12, Spring x23, Legendary Parts x1
Reminiscent of the gun that won the west, the Lever-Action Rifle is a fantastic and versatile option and a fantastic midgame option. It has a higher firing rate and ammo capacity than all lower-tier rifles, making it a versatile ranged option.
It excels at mid-range, and if you’re confident in your shooting skills, you can even forgo a scope. If you don’t trust the iron sights, then mod it with a Reflex Sight for faster and more accurate target acquisition. These work well at close-mid engagements since you’re not staring down the scope and are more aware of your periphery.
If you want even more accuracy, then mod it with a 2x Scope for even more accuracy at the cost of weapon handling and a little bit of tunnel vision. If you want to improve this weapon, complete the Wild West fantasy with the Ranger set of armor.
11 Compound Bow
- Skill Magazine: Bow Hunters
- Scales With: Agility
Recipe Quality
Skill Requirement
Ingredients
Quality 1
36
Bow / Crossbow Parts x13, Leather x25, Duct Tape x13, Spring x25
Quality 2
39
Bow / Crossbow Parts x14, Leather x27, Duct Tape x14, Spring x27
Quality 3
43
Bow / Crossbow Parts x15, Leather x29, Duct Tape x15, Spring x29
Quality 4
47
Bow / Crossbow Parts x16, Leather x31, Duct Tape x16, Spring x31
Quality 5
51
Bow / Crossbow Parts x17, Leather x33, Duct Tape x17, Spring x33
Quality 6
55
Bow / Crossbow Parts x18, Leather x35, Duct Tape x18, Spring x35, Legendary Parts x1
If you want to unleash your inner Rambo, you can’t do much better than the Compound Bow. It's a reliable and flexible weapon that allows you to strike from stealth in rapid succession– or at least fire off some more arrows before you need to switch to something different.
You get the Exploding Arrow/Bolt Recipe from the Ranger’s Guide To Archery Vol. 2. While most of its costs are modest, each arrow does cost one Duct Tape, which are uncommon to find and can be annoying to craft.
If you want to escalate things from First Blood to First Blood Part 2, then equip the Exploding Arrows, letting you do some big damage over a large area as quickly as you can draw and release them.
10 Steel Club
- Skill Magazine: Big Hitters
- Scales With: Strength
Recipe Quality
Skill Requirement
Ingredients
Quality 1
36
Steel Club Parts x1, Forged Steel x10, Wood x10
Quality 2
43
Steel Club Parts x2, Forged Steel x20, Wood x20
Quality 3
51
Steel Club Parts x3, Forged Steel x30, Wood x30
Quality 4
59
Steel Club Parts x4, Forged Steel x40, Wood x40
Quality 5
67
Steel Club Parts x5, Forged Steel x50, Wood x50
Quality 6
75
Steel Club Parts x6, Forged Steel x60, Wood x60, Legendary Parts x1
Swift and deadly, Steel Club will never let you down when in a tight spot. If you're going down the Strength route, you should never leave your base without one. As far as stats go, the weapon consumes very little stamina while also dealing heavy damage, with an added chance of dismembering when you land a headshot.
Invest in the perk Pummel Pete if you plan to go clubbing, as it not only makes the Steel Club more powerful but also allows it to do combos where enough consecutive hits deal a burst of damage. At max rank, it also refunds Stamina on a kill, further mitigating its already minimal Stamina costs.
9 Pump Shotgun
- Skill Magazine: Shotgun Weekly
- Scales With: Strength
Recipe Quality
Skill Requirement
Ingredients
Quality 1
26
Shotgun Parts x7, Forged Steel x40, Duct Tape x7, Spring x13
Quality 2
32
Shotgun Parts x8, Forged Steel x50, Duct Tape x8, Spring x15
Quality 3
39
Shotgun Parts x9, Forged Steel x60, Duct Tape x9, Spring x17
Quality 4
46
Shotgun Parts x10, Forged Steel x70, Duct Tape x10, Spring x19
Quality 5
53
Shotgun Parts x11, Forged Steel x80, Duct Tape x11, Spring x21
Quality 6
60
Shotgun Parts x12, Forged Steel x90, Duct Tape x12, Spring x23, Legendary Parts x1
While not the best shotgun in the game, it is an early game weapon that will allow you to dominate blood moons. It packs a mean punch with a decent magazine but a rather slow reload speed. Putting points into your Boomstick perk increases your shotguns' performance, as well as making it easier to find shotgun shells. At rank 3, you can stun enemies, while at rank 5, you're far more likely to shoot their legs off and leave them crawling.
Shotgun shells are as plentiful as any other basic ammo type, and they use different ingredients to craft. They require buckshot, polymers, gunpowder, and paper. That last one is plentiful enough if you break down cardboard boxes and search toilets, but are quite the hassle to make, so make sure you keep them for shell production!
In order to make it more effective, you can attach a shotgun tube extender, which increases your shotgun shell capacity, as well as a Shotgun Choke Mod to it. Your grouping will be so tight that one-shotting regular zombies will be a given. Alternatively, you can use the Duckbill Mod to headshot multiple zombies at once.
8 .44 Magnum
- Skill Magazine: Handgun Magazine
- Scales With: Agility
Recipe Quality
Skill Requirement
Ingredients
Quality 1
23
Handgun Parts x7, Forged Steel x40, Duct Tape x7, Springs x13
Quality 2
26
Handgun Parts x8, Forged Steel x50, Duct Tape x8, Springs x15
Quality 3
30
Handgun Parts x9, Forged Steel x60, Duct Tape x9, Springs x17
Quality 4
34
Handgun Parts x10, Forged Steel x70, Duct Tape x10, Springs x19
Quality 5
38
Handgun Parts x11, Forged Steel x80, Duct Tape x11, Springs x21
Quality 6
42
Handgun Parts x12, Forged Steel x90, Duct Tape x12, Springs x23, Legendary Parts x1
The most powerful handgun in the world. This is a sentiment echoed in 7 Days To Die, as this is the heaviest-hitting pistol in the game. While it's considered a mid-tier weapon, the next one up, the Desert Vulture, deals less per-shot damage.
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Posts By Jack PierikThis thing hits like a truck, but it controls like one, too. It's not a weapon for fighting big hordes, since you'll need to space out your shots to counter the recoil on it and its modest capacity for bullets. It can, however, make short work of the tougher zombie types. If you can collect every book of the Magnum Enforcer set, the .44 performs better against crowds, since the bonus for the full collection is that all your .44 shots penetrate enemies.
7 Tactical Assault Rifle
- Skill Magazine: Tactical Warfare
- Scales With: Fortitude
Recipe Quality
Skill Requirement
Ingredients
Quality 1
27
Machine Gun Parts x7, Forged Steel x40, Duct Tape x7, Spring x13
Quality 2
35
Machine Gun Parts x8, Forged Steel x50, Duct Tape x8, Spring x15
Quality 3
43
Machine Gun Parts x9, Forged Steel x60, Duct Tape x9, Spring x17
Quality 4
51
Machine Gun Parts x10, Forged Steel x70, Duct Tape x10,Spring x19
Quality 5
59
Machine Gun Parts x11, Forged Steel x80, Duct Tape x11, Spring x21
Quality 6
67
Machine Gun Parts x12, Forged Steel x90, Duct Tape x12, Spring x23, Legendary Parts x1
This assault rifle is a mid-tier weapon, providing you with reliable automatic fire and decent damage without slowing you down. Given that 7 Days to Die is a survival game, you'll want to use short, controlled bursts while firing this thing. This game might be more generous than your average survival-crafting game, but you can still blow through your ammo supply quickly, and the last thing you want to hear in a firefight is the click of an empty magazine.
The Tactical is good for close-mid engagements with multiple enemies, but it struggles at the far edge of mid-range, especially if you're trying for headshots. You may want to equip it with a scope or reflex sight to enhance its accuracy at farther ranges.
6 SMG-5
- Skill Magazine: Handgun Magazine
- Scales With: Agility
Recipe Quality
Skill Requirement
Ingredients
Quality 1
39
Handgun Parts x13, Forged Steel x100, Duct Tape x13, Spring x25
Quality 2
46
Handgun Parts x14, Forged Steel x110, Duct Tape x14, Spring x27
Quality 3
53
Handgun Parts x15, Forged Steel x120, Duct Tape x15, Spring x29
Quality 4
60
Handgun Parts x16, Forged Steel x130, Duct Tape x16, Spring x31
Quality 5
67
Handgun Parts x17, Forged Steel x140, Duct Tape x17, Spring x33
Quality 6
75
Handgun Parts x18, Forged Steel x150, Duct Tape x18, Spring x35, Legendary Parts x1
This bootleg MP5 is one of the best uses for your pistol ammo and can prove quite useful even in the late game. It will make short work of large packs of zombies with its impressive accuracy and rate of fire. The slow reload speed can be easily fixed with a magazine extender mod.
If you want to make the most out of your SMG-5, maxing out your Gunslinger perk is the way to go. If you enjoy a run-and-gun play style, then this is definitely one of the best weapons in the game.
