National Guard Bases in PZ: Raiding Without Joining the Undead
Table of Contents
Introduction
Project Zomboid's universe isn't just about lone survivors—it's a world where society collapsed while fighting back. The National Guard represents this struggle, appearing throughout the game's lore and environments in Build 41 and 42. While you won't encounter living soldiers (yet), their legacy shapes your survival experience through abandoned checkpoints, military gear, and the haunting radio broadcasts that tell their story.
This guide dives deep into everything National Guard-related in Project Zomboid's latest builds: official lore, in-game locations, military equipment, and how the community has expanded upon this theme through mods and roleplaying. Whether you're hunting for high-tier weapons, curious about the Knox Event's backstory, or looking to create your own military-themed challenges, consider this your tactical briefing for all things National Guard in zombie-infested Kentucky. For weapon locations and strategies, check our gun store locations guide.
Patch History Timeline
- Build 33 (2015) – Added radios/TV with first lore mentions of the National Guard quarantine
- Build 41 (2019–2021) – Added Louisville map with military checkpoint, secret base (surface level), military loot and zombie spawns
- Build 41 Patches (2022) – Enhanced military zombie spawns with appropriate gear at bases
- Build 42 (2023–2025) – Expanded secret base with underground bunker, introduced "pre-looted world" concept
- Future: Build 43+ – Planned NPCs (potentially including military factions)
Official Lore: The National Guard & Knox Event
Radio and TV Broadcasts
Project Zomboid's story unfolds primarily through in-game broadcasts during the first days of survival. These transmissions provide a chilling narrative of the Knox Event and the National Guard's role in containing it—or trying to.
This broadcast confirms the National Guard was hastily redirected from overseas deployment to establish the quarantine around Knox County. As the situation deteriorates, broadcasts reveal:
- The zone was sealed under martial law, with checkpoints on all major roads
- The National Guard and U.S. Army cooperated on containment efforts
- Initial media reports described it as an "extreme flu" before communications deteriorated
- Survivor broadcasts mention an Air National Guard base in Nashville that initially offered shelter before going silent
Knox Event Timeline
The outbreak's progression reveals the gradual collapse of military containment:
Day 1-3: Initial Outbreak
First reports of "violent incidents" in Knox County. National Guard units from Fort Knox redirected to establish checkpoints.
Day 4-7: Quarantine Established
Full military quarantine of the "Knox Event" area. Exclusion Zone declared. Media reports conflicts at checkpoints as citizens try to flee.
Day 8-9: Communications Breakdown
Military broadcasts become erratic. Reports of containment breaches. Louisville border camp established as a major processing center.
Day 10+: Collapse
Emergency Broadcast System announces evacuation of government personnel. Final military transmissions cut off mid-broadcast. By the time players start their game, organized military presence has fallen.
By the time you begin playing, the National Guard's organized resistance has collapsed—leaving behind only environmental storytelling and the zombified remains of those who fought to contain the outbreak.
Game World Content in B41/B42
Louisville Border Quarantine Camp
Louisville Quarantine Camp: Military tents, barricades and abandoned checkpoints mark the southern entrance to Louisville.
The Louisville border camp is one of B41's most significant military locations—a sprawling checkpoint where the National Guard tried to control access to Kentucky's largest city. Features include:
- Layout: Military tents, watch towers, medical stations, and highway barricades
- Zombie Population: Dense concentration of military and civilian zombies
- Loot Potential: High-tier military equipment, firearms, ammunition, medical supplies
- Strategic Value: High-risk, high-reward location that provides a narrative snapshot of the quarantine's final days
💡 Survivor Tip
The Louisville checkpoint is best approached with preparation and stealth. Consider waiting until you have decent weapons and skills before attempting to clear it, or use distraction techniques to loot specific tents while avoiding the main zombie concentration.
The Secret Military Research Facility
West of Rosewood lies one of Project Zomboid's most mysterious locations—a hidden military research facility that hints at darker aspects of the Knox Event.
Build 41 Version
- Single surface building with minimal loot
- Difficult to access via long forest roads
- Dense population of military and scientist zombies
- Many locked doors, sparse rewards
Build 42 Expansion
- Added underground bunker/laboratory complex
- New lore documents and story clues
- Higher-tier military equipment and experimental items
- Challenging "endgame" location with claustrophobic corridors
The facility's expansion in Build 42 reflects the developers' response to community curiosity. Players had long theorized that this remote base might connect to the Knox Event's origins, and the underground addition provides tantalizing new clues about what the military was studying before the outbreak.
Helicopter Event & Military Presence
The vanilla helicopter event represents the last vestiges of military activity outside the Exclusion Zone. While not explicitly identified as National Guard, this periodic flyover suggests that reconnaissance continues even after the quarantine fails:
- Function: Generates significant noise that attracts zombies toward the player's location
- Narrative Implication: Military/government forces are still monitoring the situation from outside
- Strategic Impact: Forces players to adapt their plans and potentially abandon safe locations
Other military traces include checkpoints on highways, abandoned National Guard vehicles, and Louisville's armory store—all now overrun by the undead that once were Kentucky's defenders.
Build 41 vs Build 42 Changes
The transition from Build 41 to 42 brought several refinements to military-themed content while setting the stage for future NPC integration:
| Feature | Build 41 | Build 42 |
|---|---|---|
| Secret Military Base | Surface building only | Added underground bunker with research labs and additional lore |
| Military Loot | Static spawns | "Pre-looted world" concept—locations may be partially scavenged |
| Zombie Population | Basic military zombies | Enhanced spawn logic for appropriate gear on military zombies |
| NPC Framework | Not present | Groundwork for B43+ NPCs (no actual NPCs yet) |
Build 42's "pre-looted world" concept is particularly noteworthy for military locations. This mechanic simulates that others (perhaps surviving National Guard units or other survivors) have already scavenged some areas, making loot more variable and realistic—you might find an armory nearly empty if you arrive too late, suggesting someone else got there first.
Looking Forward: NPCs in Build 43+
While Build 41 and 42 don't include human NPCs, the developers have confirmed that NPCs are a major focus for Build 43 and beyond. This future update could potentially introduce National Guard survivors, military factions, or storylines involving government response to the outbreak. For now, players use mods to simulate these interactions. Check our NPC mods guide for current options.
National Guard in Mods
The modding community has filled the gap between the National Guard's lore presence and gameplay interaction with numerous expansions:
Expanded Helicopter Events
Expanded Helicopter Events mod adds military helicopters, supply drops, and more varied air traffic to enhance the apocalypse experience.
One of the most popular military-themed mods, Expanded Helicopter Events by Shark and ChuckleberryFinn transforms the basic helicopter event into a dynamic system of air activity:
- Military Helicopters: UH-1 "Hueys" that patrol with loudspeakers, sometimes firing on zombies (or players if they appear threatening)
- Supply Drops: FEMA supply crates parachuted from military aircraft containing medicine, ammunition, and military rations
- News Choppers: Media helicopters that appear early in the outbreak looking for stories
- Police Helicopters: Law enforcement aircraft that may engage with visible threats
- Jets & Drones: High-altitude military flyovers and surveillance drones
- Raider Helicopters: Hostile survivor groups in stolen aircraft who might attack indiscriminately
🎮 Player Story
"I was once hunkered on a rooftop in West Point, surrounded by a sea of undead, low on ammo, thinking 'this is it.' Suddenly, whirr-whirr-whirr, a green helicopter comes in low. It blared 'Remain calm! The area is under quarantine!' and started unloading its M60 into the horde. It was like a scene from a movie. I'm cheering, zombies are dropping... then the helicopter took a turn, saw my movement, and I hear 'Unauthorized personnel detected' – and it began shooting at me! My makeshift rooftop fort got strafed and I had to belly-crawl away."
Military Maps & Locations
Several map mods add military installations that weren't included in the vanilla game:
Fort Knox
Adds the actual Fort Knox military base to the map south of Muldraugh. Includes barracks, motor pools, armories, and the famous gold depository. Use our interactive maps to navigate these locations.
Over the River
Adds a small town and military base with an underground bunker. Perfect for players seeking additional National Guard outposts to explore.
CDC Rapid Response
Scenario mod that adds CDC/National Guard response elements: checkpoints, airdrops, and military supply caches throughout the map.
Military Gear & Vehicles
Several popular mods enhance the military equipment available to survivors:
- Brita's Weapon Pack & Armor Pack: Adds dozens of military-grade weapons, tactical gear, night vision goggles, and authentic uniforms
- Filibuster Rhymes' Used Cars: Includes military vehicles like Humvees and transport trucks
- Tank & Helicopter Mods: Allow players to pilot military aircraft or drive armored vehicles
- More Builds: Adds military-style fortifications like gun nests, sandbag walls, and guard towers
NPC Mods
While Build 41/42 lacks official NPCs, modders have created basic systems to simulate human interaction:
⚠️ Mod Compatibility Warning
NPC mods tend to be experimental and may cause instability, especially when combined with other mods. Always back up your saves before trying these, and be prepared for occasional bugs or crashes.
- Superb Survivors: Adds basic AI survivors who can fight zombies or join the player
- Military-themed NPC add-ons: Various attempts to create National Guard or Army NPC squads
- Military Profession: Allows players to start as ex-soldiers with appropriate gear and skills
Strategies & Gameplay Tips
Looting Military Locations
Military sites offer some of the best loot in Project Zomboid, but also some of the highest risks:
Louisville Checkpoint Strategy
Early & Stealthy
- Visit during first week before hordes migrate
- Use noise makers to draw zombies away from target areas
- Prioritize specific tents or buildings
- Grab what you can without clearing the area
Late & Loud
- Return when you have firearms and ammunition
- Use vehicles to create entry points through fences
- Set up a fallback position
- Systematically clear zones and check zombie corpses
Pro Tip: Watch for alarm systems in office buildings at the checkpoint. Consider disabling any visible alarms before starting your raid.
Secret Military Base Approach
The Rosewood research facility requires a different strategy due to its remote location and layout:
- Preparation: Bring extra food, water, and first aid—you're far from civilization
- Indoor Combat: Prefer melee weapons for the confined corridors to avoid attracting more zombies
- Underground Navigation: For B42's bunker, bring multiple light sources and consider marking your path with torn sheets
- Extraction: Have a vehicle parked at the entrance for a quick getaway with your loot
Helicopter Event Tactics
For both vanilla and modded helicopter encounters:
Vanilla Helicopter
- Get indoors immediately when you hear it
- Stay away from windows—zombies will be drawn to your location
- Consider temporarily abandoning your base if it becomes surrounded
- Return after the event to clear zombies systematically
Expanded Helicopters
- Monitor Emergency Broadcast System for air activity warnings
- Hide when military helicopters approach unless you want to risk getting shot
- Race to supply drops as soon as you spot parachutes
- Find cover immediately if you hear jet aircraft—the noise will attract massive hordes
Combat with Military NPCs (Modded)
If using mods that add hostile human NPCs, adapt your tactics accordingly:
- Cover System: Use buildings and obstacles as cover—NPCs can't shoot through walls but will try to flank you
- Range Advantage: Engage with long-range weapons like rifles with scopes if possible
- Zombie Tactics: Consider using noise to draw zombies toward hostile NPCs
- Stealth Approach: Circle around and approach from unexpected angles—many NPC mods have limited AI patrols
Roleplay & Challenge Scenarios
The Project Zomboid community has created numerous ways to roleplay as National Guard or experience military-themed challenges:
"No Hope, No Rescue" Last Stand
Role: National Guard unit left behind at Louisville checkpoint
Setup: Start at the Louisville camp with military gear
Challenge: Hold the line as long as possible against increasing hordes
Difficulty: High (especially with sprinters enabled)
"Evacuation to Louisville" Challenge
Role: Civilian trying to reach evacuation zone
Setup: Start in remote town on Day 0
Challenge: Reach Louisville checkpoint by Day 7 (simulated last evac)
Difficulty: Medium (time pressure changes playstyle)
Military Police Roleplay (Multiplayer)
Role: National Guard MP enforcing quarantine rules
Setup: Establish base at checkpoint, patrol with uniforms
Challenge: Maintain order, detain rule-breakers, protect civilians
Difficulty: Varies (depends on server population and cooperation)
🎮 Player Story: The Lone Radio Operator
"I did a run where I gave my character a Veteran background, spawned near a military base (using map mods), and pretended I was the lone surviving National Guard radio operator. My mission was to travel from base to base, 'checking in' on each outpost. Each one was overrun, which I interpreted as discovering the fate of my comrades. It added a melancholic but purposeful vibe to the playthrough—I wasn't just surviving; I was completing a mission, because that's what a good soldier would do. The final leg had me drive to Louisville to see if any survivors made it to the quarantine camp... only to find it in ruins. By the end, my character gave up hope and tried to fly off in a makeshift helicopter... which ended about as well as you'd expect."
Tower Defense Style
Some players treat base defense against hordes like a tower defense game:
- Fortify a military location with barricades, traps, and kill corridors
- Set up different defensive positions (sniper towers, fallback points)
- Use noise to deliberately attract waves of zombies
- Track "high scores" like days survived or zombie kills before being overrun
Conclusion & Future Outlook
In Project Zomboid's Build 41 and 42, the National Guard exists as a haunting presence—their story told through environmental storytelling, abandoned outposts, and radio broadcasts chronicling their desperate fight against the Knox Event.
While you won't encounter living National Guard soldiers in the vanilla game yet, their legacy shapes the world you explore: from the massive Louisville quarantine checkpoint to the mysterious Rosewood research facility. Every military zombie you encounter was once a person trying to hold back the tide of infection.
The modding community has expanded on this foundation, adding dynamic military helicopter events, expanded bases, authentic gear, and even rudimentary NPC interactions—giving players a taste of what official National Guard content might eventually look like.
Looking Forward: Build 43 and Beyond
With NPCs confirmed for Build 43, the future looks promising for official military presence in Project Zomboid. We might see:
- National Guard survivor factions or outposts
- Military rescue or evacuation missions
- More detailed backstory on the Knox Event's military response
- Dynamic events involving government forces trying to regain control
Until then, the National Guard in Project Zomboid remains what you make of it—whether that's looting their abandoned posts, roleplaying as the last surviving squad, or installing mods to bring military forces back to Knox County.
So gear up, survivor. That thin olive drab line held as long as it could. Now it's up to you to carry on—or at least make good use of the weapons they left behind.