[Mason609]

Originally Posted by KG7IL

I will confess that I do not understand zombies as well as I should.
I realize that you should shoot them in the head before they eat your brains (or bite you).

But, I was unclear if they could run. Thank gawd for the internet.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071020132321AAjYWby

I probably will stay with firearms and shoot them from a distance when possible.

But a sword on the back would be uber-mall-ninja. . . . and I don't think that is a good thing.

There are 2 types of Zombies - Voodoo and un-dead.

The Voodoo ones aren't fast moving, because their cognitive abilities and gross motor functions aren't working together, as they are being controlled by another person. Also, with these types, the most you'll get from one controller is 2-3.

The un-dead type (28 Days/Weeks Later does not fall into a Zombie category, as they are not the living dead) are slow moving, as their body is in a constant state of decomposition. There are no "super human" abilities with these creatures.

Firearms are probably the better way to go, BUT, there is the slight issue with ammo. Even if you have a base camp, and have a large supply of rounds, that number will continue to deplete monthly. Even if you have a press and the right dies, the components for making the rounds will deplete as well.

Say you do reload....

Are you going to police your brass after every encounter? Doubtful. Too dangerous.

Say you do, where do you get the propellant, and bullets and primers?

Sure, you can cast your own bullets, if you know how, and have the right equipment. But what about primers and propellant?

In a Zombie Apocalypse, firearms should be reserved for absolute emergencies, such as hordes of them and you need to clear a path to escape, or against bad guys trying to steal your supplies and kill you.

[KG7IL]

Originally Posted by Mason609

There are 2 types of Zombies - Voodoo and un-dead.
In a Zombie Apocalypse, firearms should be reserved for absolute emergencies, such as hordes of them and you need to clear a path to escape, or against bad guys trying to steal your supplies and kill you.

Thank you for your input. This helps clear up a few things.
Knowledge is power when faced with this imminent danger

If the sword requires more skill than I care to develop, and if the firearm will be useless when the ammo is depleted, can you suggest a middle ground.

Perhaps a chainsaw attached to a long pole? A quiver full of swords to throw? A bucket of brains sloshed to delay them?

[slog]

My wife's ex-husband made me laugh hard. When one of his kids told him I have a gun collection, he said he didn't appreciate me having guns in my house, and that all he needs is a samurai sword. I just said, I don't care if you're bruce lee, if you step foot into my house, you won't get close enough to use a sword, and you can't run faster than a bullet.

[Tackleberry1]

Waaaaaay too much thought is going into ^^THIS^^ Z thing.

I enjoy the Walking Dead too but...

Ok, I'll play. There is a very good reason the guns rendered all primitive weapons obsolete...

It not that these weapons were not effective, on the contrary, they were exceedingly effective AND horrific to wield. The reason IS that it took years upon years of training to produce a competent swordsman or bowman.

I've zero training with edged weapons longer than 8" but I know enough to know that swinging a sword is not like swinging a bat.

A better backup weapon is the one your familiar with such as a bat, machete, hatchet, Ect...

Personally, I'd opt for a pair of Mohican style hatchets with spiked pommels as a "latch ditch" weapon system.

Tacks

[axxe55]

Originally Posted by Tackleberry1

Waaaaaay too much thought is going into ^^THIS^^ Z thing.

I enjoy the Walking Dead too but...

Ok, I'll play. There is a very good reason the guns rendered all primitive weapons obsolete...

It not that these weapons were not effective, on the contrary, they were exceedingly effective AND horrific to wield. The reason IS that it took years upon years of training to produce a competent swordsman or bowman.

I've zero training with edged weapons longer than 8" but I know enough to know that swinging a sword is not like swinging a bat.

A better backup weapon is the one your familiar with such as a bat, machete, hatchet, Ect...

Personally, I'd opt for a pair of Mohican style hatchets with spiked pommels as a "latch ditch" weapon system.

Tacks

i agree, that if you were forced to use some other weapon than a firearm, use something that is more comfortable and familiar to you. swordplay looks good in the movies, and those who truly are good enough with a sword, didn't learn overnight. it took years to learn to be that good with a sword.

[Marlinman]

Originally Posted by axxe55

i agree, that if you were forced to use some other weapon than a firearm, use something that is more comfortable and familiar to you. swordplay looks good in the movies, and those who truly are good enough with a sword, didn't learn overnight. it took years to learn to be that good with a sword.

Ya about 6 years for me. Then again its another one of them things I seem to be a natural at.

[USEBOTHHANDS]

Originally Posted by axxe55

i agree, that if you were forced to use some other weapon than a firearm, use something that is more comfortable and familiar to you. swordplay looks good in the movies, and those who truly are good enough with a sword, didn't learn overnight. it took years to learn to be that good with a sword.

with millions of zomboids to practice on, what else have you got to do?

[Marlinman]

Originally Posted by USEBOTHHANDS

with millions of zomboids to practice on, what else have you got to do?

If I'm around ill teach you guys well maybe not axxe-im afraid he'd cut his own head off

[TLuker]

Originally Posted by Tackleberry1

Waaaaaay too much thought is going into ^^THIS^^ Z thing.

I enjoy the Walking Dead too but...

Ok, I'll play. There is a very good reason the guns rendered all primitive weapons obsolete...

It not that these weapons were not effective, on the contrary, they were exceedingly effective AND horrific to wield. The reason IS that it took years upon years of training to produce a competent swordsman or bowman.

I've zero training with edged weapons longer than 8" but I know enough to know that swinging a sword is not like swinging a bat.

A better backup weapon is the one your familiar with such as a bat, machete, hatchet, Ect...

Personally, I'd opt for a pair of Mohican style hatchets with spiked pommels as a "latch ditch" weapon system.

Tacks

I was thinking the same thing. I don't think most people realize just how dangerous an extremely sharp and large edge weapon is? One break in concentration and you just severed your own artery. Most people, including myself, would be just as likely to hurt themselves as an enemy. That was great advice about sticking with something you're familiar with.

[clr8ter]

With my luck, I'd just end up whacking them with the flat side of the blade. I'd get my brains eaten for sure, and they'd be laughing while they did it. Do zombies laugh?

Remember the scene in Dawn of the Dead where the cop and the gun shop owner were calling out zombies that looked like celebrities and then shooting them with a rifle? Yeah, more my speed. Unless there is a minigun available.........