Turn-based games can be a bucket of funfor the right player, and Terminus: Zombie Survivors is exactly that, pitting gamers against harsh conditions and flesh-hungry zombies. Here, you have to use whatever you can find to survive, even if it means stabbing enemies with nothing but a screwdriver.
As such, we’ve put together a list for first-time players hoping to succeed at a run, featuring the best tools in the game. Keep these in your backpack as you venture through the wilds, and you might just make it.
11Pot
A must-have for any apocalypse survivor, the pot allows you to cook the heartiest meals. From ramen to stew, getting your hands on as many pots as possible (search restaurants and houses) guarantees that you’ll be able to make it to salvation with a full belly.
To make the most of a pot, always have enough clean water on hand so you can cook!
The pot packs a punch even as a weapon, and deals an extra 25 percent damage when striking zombie heads. Either way, whether you’re cooking or defending yourself, the pot will serve you well.
10Pan
Just like the pot, the pan is an essential that Terminus players can’t do without. The pan allows you to cook even more meals with whatever you’re able to scrounge, not to mention doubling up as a very handy weapon in desperate times.
Don’t throw away rotten food! Consuming them in one go will not stack the Diseased status effect, so if you’re going to be sick, you might as well be sick all the way.
In previous versions of the game, the pan could be used to cook rotten meat into fresh meals, but since this is no longer the case, all it does is give rotten meats a Satiety bonus. Food for thought!
9Crowbar
A crowbar is essential for breaking into houses you encounter along the way. It’s not ideal to try and break down a door or window — not only does it drain you of AP, it also creates a huge ruckus that’ll attract a zombie horde.
Tools with additional abilities like Force Open should be your last choice for a weapon.
With crowbars, entering houses will only cost you a mere 2 AP. Try not to use this tool as a weapon if you can help it and keep it as your ticket into any and every house you find, especially if you’re low on supplies.
8Axe
An axe is important for those who are depending on their crafting skill to survive their runs. You’ll be able to break furniture down into crafting components. Of course, it deals a significant amount of damage as well, especially against bigger, armoured zombies.
The Firefighter class gives you a natural bonus when using crowbars and axes for the Force Open ability.
Axes can also be used to break into houses the way a crowbar lets you, making this one of the best, most versatile tools in Terminus. If you come across an axe, don’t pass up on it — and keep it in tip-top shape as long as possible!
7Pliers
Even though pliers can only be used on one thing — cutting fences — they’re not to be underestimated, especially in the later stage of your run as you get closer and closer to salvation.
Being chased? Cut through a wire fence and move away from the opening you made — most zombies will follow you instead of walking through it and start attacking the fence.
Climbing fences in railroad areas will cost you plenty of AP and leave you too exhausted to effectively run from danger. The railroad is also where you’ll see a high volume of zombies, so having pliers curtails that and allows you to outmanoeuvre your flesh-eating enemies.
6Hammer
Like any other exciting zombie-based game,zombies here can be a real bother even if you’re hiding in a house. They can break doors and windows, meaning you’ll be susceptible to getting overwhelmed if you’re not careful — that’s where a hammer comes in.
When you reinforce a broken window, use a rag to cover it up for visibility reasons.
Use the hammer to reinforce broken doors and windows even mid-battle to buy yourself more time (either to recover AP, HP, or simply make it to sunrise in one piece). If all else fails, smash zombie legs with the hammer.
5Shovel
Another crucial essential to always have in your backpack, a shovel allows you to access areas by removing debris blocking your path — or smashing some zombie heads in.
Classes with a higher natural Strength such as Firefighters will have a much easier time clearing debris with this tool.
This is particularly handy if you’re travelling mostly by car (which saves you tons of AP when moving from place to place), since debris can easily disrupt a journey and stop you in your tracks.
4Siphon Pump
Fuel is a precious resource, able to power whatever vehicle you encounter and repair along the way. With a working vehicle at your disposal, you can bypass hordes of zombies and get closer to your goal, which is why a siphon pump is vital.
Remember to always have a gas tank on hand when you siphon fuel.
As you encounter abandoned cars, generators, and gas stations along the way, the siphon pump can be used to collect what little fuel there is left to make your journey that much easier — so don’t ignore it when you find it!
3Umbrella
Getting caught in the rain not only makes you colder, it also slows you down. An umbrella is far more effective than wearing a raincoat because of its high Water Resistance trait, allowing you to move with greater ease even in bad weather.
Recruited an extra party member? Having multiple umbrellas means everyone will be able to move together with ease in rainy conditions.
Umbrellas are also great for swiping at legs, offering a whopping +50 percent of damage bonus to zombie’s legs. Always be prepared for a rainy day and have an umbrella close by!
2Bone Needle
Staying warm in these brutal conditions is important to your survival in Terminus. Suffering in the cold means you’ll be losing HP every turn, which is why having a bone needle comes in handy.
With this tool, your crafting speed increases by 50 percent.
Keep your best clothing intact with the needle. Alternatively, the needle also allows you to make your own clothing, so long as you have the right components.
