This article will provide a basic guide on how to survive in Valve's multiplayer game called Left 4 Dead. Note that this strategy is based on the demo version of the game, so this article may not contain the latest information.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Mastering Weapons
Step 1. Master the gun
The gun can be used in conjunction with a second gun so you can use two pistols at the same time. The gun has unlimited ammo and each magazine contains fifteen rounds. When using two pistols, you have thirty rounds per magazine. You will use a gun if you are injured by a zombie until it becomes incapitated (a condition when the main health runs out and makes you unable to stand).
- Always take a second gun when you find one so you can shoot more bullets. Squatting improves accuracy so you can fire the gun effectively from a distance.
- Using a gun, if the situation allows, can save the main weapon's ammunition.
Step 2. Master the shotgun
There are two types of shotguns in this game. The first is the pump shotgun. This gun holds eight rounds and must be pumped every time you fire a bullet. The second shotgun is an auto shotgun (tactical shotgun on Left 4 Dead 2) which contains 10 bullets. This gun loads bullets automatically into the bullet holes after firing them, so you can fire bullets faster. This weapon is great for close combat, especially if you are surrounded by hordes of zombies (Swarm or Horde).
Step 3. Master automatic weapons
Uzi loads fifty rounds and he can fire bullets quickly. This weapon is great for dealing with hordes of zombies, but you can be attacked more easily if you run out of ammo. The M-16 assault rifle can fire bullets faster and deal more damage, so you should use this weapon if you like automatic weapons. However, be aware that these weapons can deplete bullets quickly, so make sure your shots hit the enemy.
Step 4. Master the minigun (heavy machine gun on Left 4 Dead 2)
This weapon is similar to Heavy's minigun in Team Fortress 2. This weapon can kill hordes of zombies quickly. However, don't fire your gun continuously as it will overheat and become temporarily unusable. If this weapon overheats, you are vulnerable to being attacked by enemies and can be killed more quickly by hordes of zombies.
Step 5. Master the rifle (hunting rifle)
This weapon that contains 15 bullets can kill ordinary zombies in one shot when it hits its head. This rifle has a zoom feature and is very useful for long range combat. This weapon also has the ability to shoot more than one zombie in the same row in one shot.
- For example, if there are three zombies standing in a line, one shot with a rifle can kill them all.
- Apart from that, you can also shoot and kill zombies that are blocked by doors, certain walls, and other items with this weapon.
- Compared to other weapons, rifles don't have good abilities for close combat. In addition, the zoom feature is also useless when facing enemies at close range.
Step 6. Master the grenade
The first is a Molotov cocktail. This weapon can create a great fire barricade against hordes of zombies as Molotov cocktails can kill zombies quickly even if they don't die immediately (a burning zombie may run towards you until it dies). However, be careful when throwing it. If you throw them too close, you and your friends may be seriously injured or become incapitated.
Step 7. Use a pipe bomb
Aside from the minigun, the pipe bomb is probably the best weapon in the game. Once thrown, almost all the zombies that hear the sound of this bomb will run towards it. In any situation, pipe bombs can be used to clear an area of zombies before you enter it.
However, be careful when meeting Witch. Don't throw bombs at him because it will only make the Witch angry. It will attack you and run away from the bomb that is about to explode so it doesn't have any effect on it. You'll just throw a pipe bomb and the Witch will hurt you
Step 8. Use melee attacks
All items and weapons can be used to hit the zombies. Hitting can push zombies back and give you time to aim or reload or give time to adjust your shot and position when surrounded by hordes of zombies.
- Melee attacks can be used to push a Hunter when he pounces on a friend. In addition, hitting a friend when he gets tangled in Smoker's tongue can set him free.
- This attack can also attract Tank's attention when it attacks a friend.
- Melee attacks are best used to push the Boomer back when he attacks, so you and your friends won't get hit by his vomit when he dies.
Part 2 of 3: Studying the Enemy
Step 1. Be careful with zombies
Zombies (common infected) are weak enemies that can usually be found running. However, if you have a large number of them, zombies can become the most deadly enemies in the game. Zombies are provoked by physical attacks, gunfire, flashlights, and if you are seen by them. If he knows your whereabouts, he will move very quickly and agilely, but can still be killed easily.
- Zombies can swarm in very large numbers, even up to a hundred at a time. Therefore, you and other characters (controlled by someone or artificial intelligence) must continue to be together. In this situation, hordes of zombies are difficult to fight because the zombies will usually come from two or three different directions. There are many ways to stop hordes of zombies, but the best way is to use pipe bombs, Molotov cocktails, and strengthen your position and hold off your enemies.
- When hordes of zombies appear, there will usually be dramatic music or screams from a distance.
Step 2. Kill the Boomer
This enemy is a special type of infected which is dangerous. Boomers can squirt vomit that attracts hordes of zombies towards you and your friends. When Boomer is killed, it will explode. The explosions are made up of gas and vomit that can hit you and attract the attention of zombies too.
- The best way to fight him is to hit him in the back and kill him when he is far away from you and your friends.
- Surprisingly, it can move and enter the room quickly, squirt vomit at you and your friends, and then exit. Dodge his attacks by listening to the burps, splashing water, and heavy footsteps that Boomer makes.
Step 3. Avoid Smoker
This enemy is a special type of infected which is dangerous. Smoker is a tall enemy who can trap you or a friend with his tongue and pull him away from the team. He's easy to kill, but if he manages to snare a friend with his tongue, you'll need to save him quickly.
- The best way to kill Smoker is to hit the entangled friend so he stops pulling it. After that, shoot Smoker until he explodes into smoke.
- The smoke can be a minor obstacle as it can be slightly distracting and cause the team to cough loudly.
- You can tell that Smoker is nearby by listening to his dry cough and high-pitched screams.
Step 4. Be careful with Hunter
This enemy is a special type of infected which is dangerous. It can jump quickly and pounce on you. When he pounces on you or a friend, the person affected by his attack will be so badly injured that he becomes incapitated and then dies if his friend doesn't help him.
- Quickly hitting a Hunter and pushing him away from friends can be a good way to counter him, especially if you don't have a good weapon. However, make sure you kill him when his body wobbles from being hit. If you don't kill it, it could pounce on you again.
- Hunters can also be stopped by hitting him when he jumps to pounce. This will prevent it from pounce on you and make it wobbly.
- When he falters, you can kill him easily.
- You can tell if a Hunter is nearby by listening to his high-pitched screams and growls.
Step 5. Be careful with Witch
This enemy is a special type of infected which is dangerous. Witches are usually in places where they have to pass so it's very difficult to avoid them. This enemy is very dangerous and he can make you incapitated in one hit. On the Expert difficulty, he can kill you in one hit.
- Witch can be found crying on the floor. Avoid the Witch and don't fight her. However, there are some situations where you'll need to kill him in order to continue the game, such as killing him if he stays on the stairs that must be passed. He will always attack the person who provoked him.
- The best way to deal with it is not to fight it. Just pass him and turn off the flashlight. If you have to kill him and have a shotgun, aim for the head. One shot that hits her head can kill Witch in an instant if all the bullets hit her. If you manage to kill him in one shot, you and your team can dodge his attacks. If you can't kill him in an instant or don't have a shotgun and he's chasing you, get away from him and aim for his head. If the Witch manages to hit her target, she will either kill you on the Expert difficulty or make you incapitated on another difficulty.
Step 6. Kill the Tanks
This enemy is a special type of infected which is dangerous. Tanks are the biggest and strongest enemies in the game. He was twice as big as a player and on the Expert difficulty he was very hard to kill. He can pick up a block of concrete or a car and throw it at you. In addition, he can also catapult you with his punches. You can't avoid Tanks at all. He will see you and attack the team.
- Tanks are easy to kill if almost all or all of the team is carrying an M-16 assault rifle. Shooting Tanks using this weapon continuously can kill them quickly. Using two guns can be a good way to counter them. Another good tactic against this enemy is to throw Molotov cocktails at him to burn him so he can reduce health more quickly. However, note that in the Campaign or Survival mode the fire will increase the running speed of the Tank. In Versus mode, you should always try to burn the Tank as fire can reduce its speed slightly.
- You can tell if a Tank is coming by listening to its thunderous footsteps, gripping music, or its unique roar.
Part 3 of 3: Become an Expert Player
Step 1. Take care of your health
First, learn how to use a first aid kit that can heal 80% of health. However, note that if health is still high, the first aid kit only provides a small amount of health. This item can also be used to heal friends. Last but not least are pain pills that can provide temporary health that decreases slowly, but can help temporarily. This item should be used if you only have health between 40% to 65%.
- First aid kits are found at the beginning and end of the map and also in certain areas although they are rarely found. Use this item if you only have 25% health or less.
- Know when to heal yourself. Use a first aid kit when you really need it. Use pain pills if the injury isn't serious or you need extra health to run faster.
Step 2. Keep moving
If you stay in the same place for a long time, zombies will come and kill you, especially on the Expert difficulty. Therefore, keep moving.
Don't keep a first aid kit or pain pills if you're okay. Share these items with others because even weak friends can still help kill enemies
Step 3. Stay together
The key to Left 4 Dead is working together. Move and shoot together and share items with other players. If you decide to fight the zombies alone, Smoker or Hunter can find and kill you easily.
Step 4. Use careful melee attacks
When a zombie starts attacking and you're reloading, hit it, back off, and reload. After that, shoot the zombies.
Step 5. Use a careful crouching strategy
If you don't have Molotov cocktails or pipe bombs, crouch down when the hordes of zombies attack you and keep shooting at the zombies. Squatting makes it easier for other players behind you to shoot without hitting you. In addition, crouching reduces the weapon's recoil when firing it.
Step 6. Start playing on the Easy difficulty and slowly increase the difficulty
If it's your first time playing a game by Valve, choose the Easy difficulty. If it's your first time playing Left 4 Dead, choose the Normal difficulty. After trying to play the game on the Normal difficulty, play the game on the Advanced difficulty for a while. When you feel confident, play the game on the Expert difficulty. Don't rush to increase the difficulty because mastering the game takes time.
Step 7. Stay alert
Remember that hordes of zombies and special infected can appear at any time, so stay alert.
Tips
- When fighting a Tank, try to surround it and keep shooting until it dies.
- If you have to split up, divide the group into two and each group contains two people. If someone is grabbed by a special infected, other players can kill him.
- If you know a zombie horde is coming and have a pipe bomb, use the weapon because the zombies will chase the bomb. Pipe bombs are a great weapon for killing hordes of zombies if you run out of ammo.
- When passing the Witch, be aware that physical contact can provoke her, so if she starts to stand up or growl, back off. Let him calm down and find another way to get through. If there is no other way, kill him.
- Make sure your weapons are loaded. When you're reloading and the zombies start attacking, hit them. You will continue to reload even though you are hitting the enemy.
- Try looking for grenades and health-healing items wherever you are, but don't walk too far from the team.
- In the Finale section of the map, you must hold your position until help arrives. When help arrives, run to it. The place will be swarmed by lots of zombies and you can't stop and fight all the enemies.
- Use Molotov cocktails to kill hordes of zombies and pipe bombs to clear the area of zombies.
- Keep the door closed when you enter the room because the door can become a barricade. However, note that the enemy can destroy it easily, so shoot the zombie while he is making a hole in the door.
- Don't waste your first aid kit. Use this item when the screen color is gray and health is less than 25% or when you enter the Finale area and have low health.
- If possible, let your friends know using the VOIP (voice chat) feature if you want to act or when you are under attack by Smokers, Hunters, Boomers, or hordes of zombies. In most situations, notifying using voice chat is faster than typing a chat.
Warning
- If you get hit by Boomer vomit, be prepared, reload and use your guns because hordes of zombies are coming.
- Smoker's tongue will pull you towards him. If an obstacle stops its drag, its tongue will start choking you to death and trap you so that enemies can attack easily.
- Boomer's vomit will attract zombies and make them attack you. Make sure you shoot the Boomer after you hit him, so you don't get hit by his vomit.
- Tanks can throw chunks of concrete that can knock you over. Therefore, keep an eye on what he is doing.
- Hunter can reduce health quickly. Hit the Hunter to free your friend as soon as possible or hit him while he is trying to pounce. Contrary to popular belief, hitting a Hunter to get him to let go of a friend is quicker than shooting him dead.
- On the Expert difficulty, Witch can kill anyone who provokes her with one hit.
- Smoker can attract players from a distance. If a friend is successfully pulled by him, he will start hitting. Make sure you release him immediately.
- Hordes of zombies are very dangerous, so make sure you don't get surrounded by them. If hordes of zombies manage to surround you, don't forget to use melee attacks because these attacks are very useful for close combat.
