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Post by Lore on Nov 11, 2007 16:38:43 GMT -5
Well I'm of the opinion that if they're fast moving zombies, we're all screwed. There's really nothing to do but run away or die. In the case of more traditional slow moving zombies, a bat or machete IS better for close combat BECAUSE you don't have to stop and reload. A person reloading a gun could easily fall to slow zombies. With a bat, you just keep swinging.
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Post by Erika on Nov 11, 2007 19:27:37 GMT -5
Really, I think you need both. The gun to take them out from a distance, and the bat for up close. Because even if you can effectively bash zombie heads at close distances, if they're close to you, you increase the chances of getting bitten or scratched as you're killing them. This is, of course, assuming that the condition is being spread through wounds.
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Post by Lore on Nov 11, 2007 20:46:11 GMT -5
The close range is of course back up, if all else fails and they somehow get the sneak on you or there is so many that you can't pick them all off with your gun before they get too close. I suggest always using a rifle from a distance with your non-firearms as your last-resort-up-close-and-personal defense. I definitely don't suggest seeing a pile of zombies, dropping your gun and running right into their midst. Shoot until your ammo is gone first.
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Post by Masoob on Nov 12, 2007 1:01:30 GMT -5
I wouldn't fire at all if I was in a zombie-dense area. I'm assuming zombies retain human hearing, and if they hear a gunshot- and even if you are at a distance, every zombie within a mile radius would probably be after you. For close range I'd break into a knife shop and snag a no-dachi sword.
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Post by Lore on Nov 12, 2007 2:40:26 GMT -5
Not only do they retain human hearing but they also get rid of pesky selective hearing as well. Them jerks have the upper hand!
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Post by MalkavianMarine on Nov 12, 2007 7:51:50 GMT -5
The only problem is, and I con personally attest to this since I made this mistake myself. . .
Most Japanese swords made for martial arts are machine pressed. Which makes them incredibly weak. If you were to use any kind of Asian blade (or blade for that matter) you need to make sure that it is folded steel. I dont want to go into the physics of the making process ( I dont quite understand it myself) but I do know the difference between pressed steel (Martial arts, showy weapons) and folded steel (killin' swords) is that the latter is exponentially times stronger.
Which makes them more rare. So bear in mind, if you get a pressed steel blade, be sure to pick up about 30 of them, your not going to get as many kills out of it.
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Post by Lore on Nov 12, 2007 13:20:11 GMT -5
Yeah, the possibility of ending up with a cheap knockoff blade that will break on you is very high, and very dangerous. It looks nice and flashy but if it breaks on the second or third vertebrae you try to cut through, it's not a very good thing. It's definitely not the most reliable form of defense unless you know for a FACT that the blade won't break on you. If you're going to go for a blade like this, I suggest seeking out a serious sword/knife dealer and make sure the blade retails in the high hundreds, if not thousands (not that you have to pay for it since you'll probably be breaking into the place), but even then it might not be of real quality. Another idea is to break into a museum. Yes, that gorgeous sword is a relic from times past, but no one's really going to care if you take it and use it to kill zombies because there's no one around. And because it's in a museum, you can mostly assume that it's been kept in good condition.
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Post by Masoob on Nov 12, 2007 15:13:25 GMT -5
I didn't say I was going to go to San Francisco to get one. Also the nodachi is so big, it basically eliminates the point in using it, because there is no way you could manuever one of those in a hallway or indoors.
Maybe I'd just use a fire axe. Those are plenty sturdy. Also how would a tazer work on a zombie?
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Post by Amazing Mr. K on Nov 12, 2007 15:24:47 GMT -5
I don't think it would as a taser causes the muscles to contract in order to be effective, where as zombies are in a state of decomposition
then again this warrants some study as I may be wrong
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Post by Lore on Nov 12, 2007 15:58:34 GMT -5
Maybe I'd just use a fire axe. Those are plenty sturdy. Oooh. Yeah, do that! That's hot.
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Post by MalkavianMarine on Nov 12, 2007 17:42:19 GMT -5
According to the ZSG tasers are useless
Fire axes would be nice, but wouldn't they get heavy after a while ?
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Post by Masoob on Nov 12, 2007 23:03:14 GMT -5
Probably, but it would remain effective longer than a bat, or pressed steel blade, or a fork. At least I'm assuming, since they're made to smash through roofs and walls and stuff.
As for the tazer, even if they are decomposing, wouldn't they still need muscle contraction in order to move? What reason does the ZSG use for why it wouldn't work?
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Post by MalkavianMarine on Nov 13, 2007 8:05:48 GMT -5
Damn, its at my gf's and we just had a fight . . .
I cant quote it properly but the book says that evidence is inconclusive. Max Brooks stated that scientists beleive that it might be because of the lack of water in their bodies to conduct the electricity.
Basically he pulled the "because I'm the author and I said so" clause
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Post by Masoob on Nov 13, 2007 20:34:12 GMT -5
You'd think that argument would shoot down being able to explain how zombies move in the first place. The 'water in zombie' argument, not the author clause.
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Post by Lore on Nov 13, 2007 21:08:09 GMT -5
I'd avoid the taser anyway. A shooting taser can only be used once and it stuck to the zombie while a hand held stun gun is far too up close and personal and you mind as well bring out your axe. I think tasers are really just a non-issue.
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