PZ Starting Spots: Which Town Wonโt Eat You Alive?
Welcome to Knox Country, Survivor
The world of Project Zomboid features a huge open map โ a chunk of Kentucky filled with towns, cities, and hidden sites โ and each region offers a different survival experience. Choosing where to loot or settle can mean the difference between thriving or becoming zombie chow. This guide is your one-stop survival atlas, updated for 2025 with the latest map expansions and gameplay changes.
We'll tour every major town and noteworthy location in Project Zomboid, sharing insider tips on:
- ๐ฆ Loot distribution: What goodies (and baddies) you can expect to find where.
- โ ๏ธ Dangers: Zombie population levels and unique hazards in each area.
- ๐ Base-building potential: Safehouses and stronghold spots favored by the community. For detailed base location guides, check our best base locations guide.
- ๐ Secret locations: Recently added areas and hidden gems to explore (or avoid).
From the quiet streets of Rosewood to the urban hell of Louisville, we've got you covered. Grab your map (and a shotgun), and let's dive in!
๐ Quick Start: Choosing Your Town
If you're new or just want the TL;DR on each major location, this section is your anchor. Here's a quick rundown of the five major towns in Project Zomboid and what they offer:
Rosewood (Easy Mode)
A small administrative town with the lowest zombie count of any spawn location. Ideal for beginners โ you'll find a police station (with an armory), a large fire department (popular base), and plenty of space to breathe. Rosewood's on the highway for easy evacuation, and the Knox Penitentiary nearby offers end-game loot if you're brave enough to clear it.
Riverside (Relaxed Rural Start)
A riverside town known as the "Pride of the Mighty Ohio." It's a wealthy community with upscale homes and a cozy downtown. Zombie populations are on the lower side โ the second-lowest spawn town by dev design. Riverside's key attractions: a large hotel, a church, a bakery, and nearby the West Maple Country Club. Fishing and water are abundant here, making long-term survival easier.
Muldraugh (Balanced Classic)
The classic PZ town โ a long stretch of highway dotted with neighborhoods and businesses. Muldraugh has a medium-to-high zombie population concentrated along its main streets. It offers a bit of everything: a large warehouse and logging company for tools, a police station, gun store at the hunting lodge south of town, and numerous residential areas. Many experienced players recommend Muldraugh for an "all-around" survival experience.
West Point (High Risk, High Reward)
A densely populated town by the Ohio River, infamous for being a deathtrap for the unprepared. West Point has the highest zombie density of the four spawn towns, especially downtown where streets are tight. So why start here? Loot, loot, loot! West Point boasts a gun store, a large police station, pharmacy, hardware store โ basically all the shops you need within a few blocks.
Louisville (Late-Game Metropolis)
No one spawns in Louisville by default โ it's an end-game goal. Louisville is a sprawling city with 20,000+ zombies roaming the streets. Skyscrapers, a huge hospital, a downtown mall, a university campus, mansions โ Louisville has everything. The loot potential is off the charts, but it's suicidal to venture inside without significant gear and skills.
Quick Decision Tips:
- ๐ฐ If you're a beginner, go Rosewood or Riverside for an easier learning curve. Check our first day survival guide for essential early game tips.
- โ๏ธ For a mix of challenge and reward, Muldraugh hits the sweet spot.
- ๐ฅ If you're feeling confident (or masochistic), West Point will keep you on your toes.
- ๐ And Louisville is waiting for when you really think you've seen it all.
Major Towns Comparison:
| Town | Spawn Point? | Zombie Density | Notable Loot & Buildings | Base Building Viability | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rosewood | Yes | Very Low (โ1.5k in town, plus 4k at prison) | Police station (armory), Large firehouse, Gas station, Courthouse | Excellent โ spacious, few zombies. Fire Dept is a popular fortified base. See our interactive maps for detailed layouts. | Easiest start; nearby Knox Prison has high-tier loot if cleared. |
| Riverside | Yes | Low (โ2k total) | Giga-Mart supermarket, Police station, Riverside Hotel, Nearby Country Club | Good โ moderate threat. Suburbs offer defendable houses, and the Country Club can be secured. | Abundant water (river) and fishing; trailer park can draw clusters. |
| Muldraugh | Yes | Medium (โ4k zeds) | Large warehouses (hardware/tools), Police station, Pharmahug drugstore, McCoy Logging Co. | Good โ many outlying buildings to claim. Gated neighborhoods in south are great once cleared. | Central location on map makes for good expansion; watch for roaming hordes along highway. |
| West Point | Yes | High (โ5k zeds) | Gun store (West Point Hunting), Large police station, Hardware store, Pharmacy, School | Fair โ downtown is dangerous, but outskirts (e.g. riverside cabins, church) make decent bases. | High loot density downtown. Expect huge hordes; not recommended for newbies. |
| Louisville | No | Extreme (20k+ zeds) | Every loot imaginable: Mall, Hospital, Military Surplus, Police HQ, Residential high-rises | Poor early on โ requires late-game gear. Best to secure a small outskirts area first as a forward base. | End-game city; approach only when well-armed. Contains unique vehicles and story locations. |
Muldraugh โ "Knox Country's Crossroads"
Muldraugh has been the classic Project Zomboid town since the early days. Geographically, it's a narrow town stretched along a north-south highway (Route 31W) and flanked by forests. Historically an army town just north of Fort Knox (ground zero of the Knox Event in lore), Muldraugh offers a mix of blue-collar locales and rural outskirts.
๐ฆ Loot & Buildings
Muldraugh's downtown strip includes essentials: a police station, small grocery, pharmacy, tavern, and a few diners. On the southwest end you'll find the Enigma Books store (for skill books) and a hardware store. The northeast is dominated by the McCoy Logging Co. โ a lumberyard with multiple warehouses full of tools, nails, and construction supplies.
Just south of the lumberyard is a large warehouse (Mass Genfac Co.) which often contains generators, ammunition, and other goodies. Muldraugh also has two gas stations (one at each end of town) โ crucial for fuel. Residential areas span both sides of the highway, with a notable gated community at the far south end.
โ ๏ธ Strategy & Dangers
Zombie density in Muldraugh starts moderate but can swell as hordes migrate along the highway. Early on, stick to residential side-streets to avoid drawing big groups. The downtown is linear, meaning if a horde forms, your escape options are basically north or south along the main road. Always have a fallback route (many players use the woods to lose pursuers).
Hot spots include the logging company area (lots of zeds drawn to the warehouses' noise potential) and the highway gas stations (open areas but often zombie magnets). However, because Muldraugh is spread out, you can also find relatively quiet pockets โ especially the far north trailer park and the far south neighborhood.
๐ Popular Base Locations
- Muldraugh Warehouse (North): The big Mass Genfac Co. warehouse north of town is a fan-favorite. It has an office upstairs for sleeping, concrete walls on one side, and just two large entrances that can be fortified. It's on the town's edge, meaning fewer zombies wander in.
- Gated Community (South): The upscale neighborhood on the south end has pre-built tall fences. Clearing it is a challenge due to many houses (and alarm risks), but once secure, you have an entire cul-de-sac of defensible homes. One of those houses even has a backyard pool (infinite water supply after purification).
- Isolated Houses: West of Muldraugh, off a side road, are a few isolated country houses. These make good starter bases if you want solitude, though you'll have longer trips for supplies.
Unique Pros
- โ Central location makes it a great staging ground
- โ Abundant building materials from the logging company
- โ Forested lodges and cabins to the west (hunting loot)
- โ Well-balanced challenge level
Cons
- โ Lacks a pawn shop or large gun store
- โ Elongated layout means lots of travel
- โ Highway can become a zombie migration route during events
- โ Downtown can get congested with zombies
In summary, Muldraugh is the "jack-of-all-trades" town: manageable zombie levels, decent loot variety, and superb base potential. It's no cakewalk, but it won't overwhelm you as quickly as West Point might. For many, it's the perfect sandbox to learn the ropes and then build a permanent stronghold.
West Point โ "High Stakes on the Ohio"
If Muldraugh is a sleepy rural town, West Point is its rowdier cousin. Situated on the banks of the Ohio River, West Point is more compact and urbanized, with a downtown that can erupt into a zombie nightmare on Day 1. The devs loosely based it on real West Point, KY โ it even features a famous bar named Twiggy's that the town's mayor allegedly frequents in lore.
๐ฆ Loot & Buildings
West Point's claim to fame is an abundance of valuable stores:
- Gun Store (Hunting & Outdoors): Located on the northern edge of downtown. This small shop has a metal gate and usually an alarm โ inside are rifles, shotguns, ammo, and hunting gear. It's a prime loot spot and thus a prime death trap if you go too early.
- Police Station: Centrally located, with a fenced parking lot. Contains a locked armory with guns and ammo on par with the gun shop.
- Food & Supplies: West Point has a large supermarket, hardware store, pharmacy (all near each other downtown), as well as a church, school, and a Fossoil gas station at the west end of town.
- West Point "Mall": Players often refer to the grocery + shops area as the "West Point mini-mall". It's not an actual mall building, but the cluster of loot in one block feels like a mini mall.
โ ๏ธ Strategy & Dangers
West Point is often recommended against for new players. Day 1 in West Point can see streets literally filled with zombies, especially near the center. Noise travels far in this packed town โ one house alarm or gunshot and you'll gather a horde that can sweep the whole block. If you spawn here:
- 1 Get out of downtown ASAP. Many survivors sprint for the outskirts immediately.
- 2 Use the alleyways and fences to break line of sight with zombies.
- 3 Escape via river or country โ the river to the north or woods to the south/west.
๐ Popular Base Locations
- Twiggy's Bar: On the west edge of town, this bar has an upstairs room and roof access. It's a two-story standalone, meaning you can potentially destroy the interior staircase and use sheet ropes for a virtually unreachable safehouse.
- Gas Station: The gas station west of downtown (near the edge of the map) is another choice. It has a service garage (good for mechanics) and fewer zombies around. Be mindful it's very flammable if a fire breaks out.
- River Cabin: North of West Point, beyond the town proper, there's a lone cabin by the river (with a well nearby). It's an excellent remote base โ low zombie traffic and a water source. Many use it as a stepping stone to raid West Point in smaller trips.
Unique Pros
- โ Unmatched loot density outside of Louisville
- โ Early access to guns and weapons
- โ Close to Louisville and Valley Station
- โ River access provides water and fishing
Cons
- โ Highest zombie density of spawn towns
- โ Compact layout means hordes form quickly
- โ Far from Rosewood and Riverside
- โ Not recommended for beginners
In short, treat West Point as a high-risk, high-reward challenge. It'll test your combat and evasion skills, but if you conquer it, you'll be swimming in gear and supplies.
Riverside โ "Wealthy, Wet, and Worthwhile"
Riverside is a picturesque town on the river's west bank, notable for its mix of wealthy homes and rural charm. In lore it's described with pride and even has its own baseball team. For players, Riverside offers a gently challenging start โ less intense than West Point, but not as empty as Rosewood. It's geographically north-west on the Knox Country map.
๐ฆ Loot & Buildings
Riverside's downtown is a single main street with:
- Supermarket & Restaurant: There's a "Spiffo's" diner and a Supermarket providing lots of food early on.
- Police Station: Small, with limited gear (Riverside's cops didn't seem heavily armed) but still a couple of guns and ammo boxes.
- Hotel: The 3-story hotel near the river is a landmark โ tons of rooms (sheets, luggage, maybe a pistol in a nightstand).
- Residential Areas: West of downtown are older, mid-income homes. East are the "rich" houses โ larger homes with fences and maybe an occasional pool.
- Scenic Grove Mobile Park: South of town is a trailer park community. Trailers mean lots of small loot stashes but very flimsy structures for defense.
- Country Club: Just outside Riverside (to the southeast) lies the West Maple Country Club. This is a large complex with a golf course, clubhouse, and pool.
โ ๏ธ Strategy & Dangers
Riverside starts relatively calm. You can often loot several houses before encountering large groups. The main cluster of zombies will be near the town center and trailer park. One strategy is to pick one side of town to focus on โ either start by clearing the residential west side (so you secure a bunch of houses and sheds for tools), or tackle the downtown stores quickly for supplies then retreat to a safehouse.
Avoid the trailer park early on; zombies there tend to cluster and trailers have thin walls (they can be torn apart easily if a group inside gets riled up).
Water is a big advantage here โ the Ohio River is a permanent water source. Also, fishing is an option (with a fishing rod, you can catch food daily). Setting up near the water's edge can be smart for sustenance, just keep an eye out for zombies wandering along the shoreline.
๐ Popular Base Locations
- Country Club: The country club building is huge and two-story. It has a surrounding fence (though with many openings). Some players barricade the ground floor and live on the upper level. You'll have a kitchen, bedrooms, even a pool (for water).
- The Church: Riverside's church is a sturdy structure with a tall bell tower and fenced yard. It's in the northwest part of town with fewer zombies around. Clearing it gives a nice walled compound feel.
- Riverside Lodge: North up the river there's a small lodge/ranger station (a little out of town). It's a quiet spot with good storage and is easy to defend due to isolation.
- Residential Fortification: Many just pick one of the larger homes on the east side and fortify it โ preferably one with a second floor and fence. Riverside's upscale homes sometimes come with tall fences or walls, making your job easier.
Unique Pros
- โ Abundant water access along the riverfront
- โ Lower zombie density than Muldraugh or West Point
- โ Upscale homes often have useful loot
- โ Country Club offers unique base potential
Cons
- โ Fewer guns and military equipment
- โ The trailer park can be deceptively dangerous
- โ Limited specialized tools and hardware
- โ Somewhat isolated from other major locations
In all, Riverside is often recommended for players who want a challenging yet manageable start. You won't be swimming in guns or canned food, but you also won't be swarmed at every turn. With the river at your side and maybe a bourbon tumbler at the country club, Riverside can feel almost relaxing... almost.
Rosewood โ "Low Population, High Potential"
Rosewood is a cozy town in the south-west of the map. Think of government buildings, nice community services, and a laid-back vibe โ at least until the zombies show up. It's known in the PZ community as the easiest starting location, largely due to its sparse zombie population. Don't underestimate it entirely though; Rosewood has its own curveballs.
๐ฆ Loot & Buildings
Despite being a small town, Rosewood has several notable sites:
- Fire Department: A large, modern fire station on the south edge of town. This is a jackpot for tools (axes, saws), firefighter gear (helmets, jackets โ great protection), and it has a built-in garage plus a second story.
- Police Station: Right in the center of Rosewood, next to the courthouse. It has an armory (smaller than West Point's, but usually a few guns and ammo), and offices with ammo and maybe a shotgun.
- School: A high school sits in Rosewood, good for random supplies (and lots of wood and metal scrap if you disassemble furniture and lockers).
- Shops: A gas station, a "Spiffo's" fast food, and a small grocery store round out the town's needs.
- Rosewood Prison (Knox Penitentiary): This is outside the town proper, a bit to the west down a lonely road. It's a massive fenced prison complex. Loot includes an armory, tons of melee weapons (nightsticks, etc.), riot gear, and an infirmary. However, it's teeming with zombies โ thousands may be inside.
โ ๏ธ Strategy & Dangers
Rosewood itself won't throw huge hordes at you early on. You might clear the entire town in a week of in-game time if you're methodical. Focus on hitting the high-value spots (Fire Station for an axe and tools, Police for a gun). The town layout is open, with wide streets and plenty of line-of-sight.
A key approach in Rosewood is to secure the fire station. Many players beeline to it, clear any firefighter zombies inside, and then fortify it as a base. It has a tall watchtower, multiple exits (front, back garage), and a perimeter fence you can extend. Being on the edge of town, it faces forest on one side (quiet) and the town on the other (zombies).
Dangers in Rosewood are subtle โ you might get comfortable and then walk into a six-zombie group lurking behind the gas station or in the woods. Always stay cautious. Another potential hazard: if you decide to drive early, Rosewood's main highway can spawn wrecks and wandering zombies that surprise drivers.
๐ Popular Base Locations
- Fire Station: Rosewood's fire station is the premier base location. It has multiple floors, a fence, a tower for spotting zombies, and garage bays for vehicles. It's on the edge of town, reducing random zombie traffic, and is incredibly defensible.
- Mechanic Shop: There's a small auto shop in town with a fenced yard. It's great if you're focusing on vehicles, as it has tool storage and usually a car lift.
- Edge of Town Houses: The outskirts have standalone houses that can be fortified. For example, a nice two-story home on the north side near the lake makes a peaceful base, with nature at your doorstep.
- Prison Outer Building: Some bold players actually use the outer administrative building of the prison as a base, without clearing the entire prison. They barricade the doors connecting to cell blocks and just occupy the front office area. It's risky but offers great security.
Unique Pros
- โ Lowest zombie population of any spawn town
- โ Excellent fire station potential base
- โ Nearby prison for late-game loot
- โ Perfect for beginners to learn the game
Cons
- โ Fewer weapon sources compared to other towns
- โ Somewhat isolated from other major locations
- โ Limited store variety
- โ Slower skill gains due to fewer combat opportunities
In summary, Rosewood is the calm before the storm. It's where you can establish a firm foundation with minimal interference โ just don't let that lull you into dropping your guard, especially if you plan a run on the prison or a road trip out of town.
Louisville โ "The Big Urban Buffet"
Louisville is the crown jewel of Knox Country โ a sprawling urban center that was sealed off during the outbreak. It's roughly 4ร the size of any other town in the game and offers an end-game challenge for even the most seasoned players. With tens of thousands of zombies, navigating Louisville feels like trying to survive in a real metropolis overrun by the undead.
WARNING: Louisville is NOT for new players or the unprepared. Approach only with high skills, ample supplies, and a solid escape plan.
๐ฆ Loot & Buildings
It's easier to list what isn't in Louisville. Nearly every type of location exists here:
- Downtown: Skyscrapers, corporate offices, hotels, a giant hospital (with several floors of medical loot), a courthouse, fancy restaurants โ downtown has huge buildings that can take hours to fully loot.
- Residential Districts: Louisville has sprawling suburbs on its outskirts and apartment complexes in the city. Some suburbs are even fenced gated communities, which can be secured as bases.
- Mall & Stadium: While the main Mall is in Valley Station just south, Louisville has numerous shopping centers, and a baseball stadium with concession stands full of junk food.
- Industrial Zones: Warehouses, factories, and a dedicated industrial district. This is where you might find large tool warehouses, storage lots, and possibly military supply depots.
- Military Checkpoints: Scattered around the edges of Louisville are military outposts โ for example, the checkpoint on the south bridge into the city. These areas sometimes yield guns, ammo, or military radios off dead soldiers.
- Unique Spots: There's a Museum of Art, a large cemetery, a strip of nightclubs, a riverfront docks area, and more.
โ ๏ธ Strategy & Dangers
The entirety of Louisville is one giant danger zone. A few pointers:
- 1 Don't go in unprepared. Generally, players tackle Louisville after establishing themselves elsewhere (with maxed skills, stockpiled weapons, vehicles, and lots of ammo).
- 2 Use vehicles carefully: Driving through Louisville is both useful and hazardous. Cars let you plow through or bypass hordes, but wrecks and narrow streets can trap you.
- 3 Divide and Conquer: Louisville is best approached by carving out a small safe zone. For instance, clear a single apartment building on the outskirts and use it as a forward base.
- 4 High rises = high risks: Entering a tall office or apartment building is risky โ zombies can be on any floor, and your escape routes are limited.
- 5 Noise discipline: In a city, sound attracts not just the 5 zombies next door, but the 50 down the street. Using guns or loud tools will snowball into a parade of undead.
๐ Base Options in the Urban Jungle
Some players do enjoy the challenge of basing inside Louisville. Viable options include:
- Secure Tower: Find a multi-story building (3-4 stories) on the edge of town. Clear it, destroy the stairs from the ground to second floor, and use sheet ropes. Stock it with supplies. This can be a relatively safe perch, as zombies can't climb ropes.
- Fenced Communities: Louisville has some pre-fenced neighborhoods (with brick walls or iron fences). Clearing one of these of zombies essentially gives you a gated community base with minimal construction needed.
- Fire Station or Police Station: These are sturdy and often fenced. Louisville's main fire station has multiple bays and a fenced training yard. If you manage to clear it, it's a fortress in the city.
- Raid & Retreat: Many opt to not permanently base in Louisville โ instead, they raid and retreat. A common approach is to use a base in Valley Station or West Point, and make armed convoy forays into Louisville for specific loot.
Unique Pros
- โ Every type of loot imaginable in one area
- โ Unique items not found elsewhere
- โ Endless zombie-killing opportunities
- โ Rich storytelling through environment
Cons
- โ Extreme zombie density (20k+ zeds)
- โ Easy to get surrounded with no escape
- โ Navigation is difficult (maze-like streets)
- โ PC performance can suffer in the dense city
In summary, Louisville is the ultimate Project Zomboid challenge โ a nightmare metropolis where only the well-prepared survive. Tackle it when you've mastered the rest of Knox Country, and even then, never underestimate it.
Other Notable Locations & Points of Interest
Not every place in Knox Country is a major town โ there are smaller settlements and unique sites that can be just as important in your survival story. Here we cover some of these notable locations:
Valley Station & The Mall
Valley Station isn't a town in the spawn menu, but it's the area on the southern outskirts of Louisville and just north-east of West Point. It's usually defined as everything south of the Louisville quarantine fence and north of the river bridge leading to West Point. This area features a mix of rural and suburban locales and one huge landmark: the Knox Heights Mall.
Crossroads Mall
A gigantic shopping mall that rivals any seen in zombie fiction. Two stories of shops, a food court, a movie theater โ and hundreds upon hundreds of zombies. The Mall alone has around 4,000 zeds on default settings. The loot payoff is massive, but many players deem it "not worth the risk".
Knob Creek Shooting Range
On the west side of Valley Station is a compound known as Knob Creek. There's a lodge and a gun store called "Straight Shooter". These have an abundance of firearms, ammo, and hunting supplies โ basically a mini-arsenal.
๐ก Tips for Valley Station
Unlike the main towns, Valley Station is spread out. This means travel by car is common โ but also means zombies are spread too, except at attractions like the Mall. A great strategy is to avoid the Mall initially. If you spawn in West Point, crossing the bridge into Valley Station can actually be a way to escape the West Point chaos and find a bit more breathing room on the other side. The gas station in Valley Station is often cited as a strong base due to its second-floor and relative isolation.
March Ridge
March Ridge is a small, fenced town in the far south of Knox Country. Added in Build 41, it's often overlooked because it's not a spawn town and is a bit out-of-the-way. Lore-wise, it was a gated community, possibly for military families (which explains the fence around its perimeter).
Layout & Population
March Ridge has one main street with a handful of shops (a mini-mart, laundromat, bar, very small police station) and the rest is apartment complexes and houses. Despite its size, it can have a surprisingly high zombie population for how remote it is โ it's as if a lot of people were caught inside the fence.
Strategy & Value
If you go to March Ridge, the big appeal is easy base material. Many of the apartment buildings are identical, two-story structures. You could clear one and have a ready-made apartment base with multiple units. The perimeter fence around town can act as a deterrent to roaming zeds.
Pros
- โ Quiet and secluded location
- โ Surrounding fence offers protection
Cons
- โ Far from everything else
- โ Limited loot variety
Dixie, Fallas Lake & Rural South
"Dixie" refers to a trailer park and surrounding rural stop along the Dixie Highway (the same highway that runs through Muldraugh). It's south of Muldraugh, north of March Ridge โ basically a midpoint on that road.
Dixie Trailer Park
The Dixie Mobile Park is a small cluster of mobile homes. There are maybe a dozen trailers and a central office building. Loot is whatever folks left in their trailers โ sometimes ammo or a handgun, but mostly low-end residential loot. The trailer park has very few zombies.
Fallas Lake (aka "Ekron")
Just west of the Dixie trailer park is a small farming village called Fallas Lake. Some in the community thought this was "Ekron" on the map, but devs clarified its fictional name is Fallas Lake. Fallas Lake features a farming supply store, a country church, a doctor's office, a bookstore, and a few homes.
Wildlife & Forage: This region is very rural. Forests for foraging are everywhere, and the lake by Fallas can be fished. In Build 42+, if you're looking to try out the new hunting and animal husbandry systems, the countryside around Dixie is perfect โ fewer zombies to interrupt your hunting trips, and likely spawns for deer or wild animals.
The Secret Military Base (Knox Research Facility)
Deep in the woods, west of Rosewood, lies one of Knox Country's worst-kept secrets: a hidden military research facility. Many players call it the "secret base" or "underground lab," and it's one of the most intriguing locations to explore.
Only attempt the secret base when well-equipped. Bring light sources for the bunker. Be ready for surprises around corners. Have an escape plan โ it's easy to get turned around in the bunker's identical halls.
Layout & Access
It's quite remote. You have to follow a series of dirt roads west from Rosewood, winding through dense forest. Eventually, you hit a barbed wire fence and a gated checkpoint. Inside is a compound with a few small buildings. There's an entrance to an underground section via a hatch or stairs.
Zombies & Loot
The base is crawling with military zombies โ think soldiers and lab technicians. They often carry high-end gear: M16s, ammo, body armor, sometimes even rare weapon mods. Inside the base, you can find gun lockers, medical research items, and unique scene pieces (like experiment rooms or holding cells).
"The Burnt Town" (Ghost Town)
There is a location commonly referred to as the "burnt town" or ghost town โ a small settlement that was burned down during the outbreak. Visually, it's striking: most buildings are charred ruins, with blackened walls and ash. It's an eerie, quiet place, and easy to miss on the map.
Location & Population
This ghost town is located in the north-western part of the map, not far from the river and somewhat between Riverside and Louisville's outskirts. By the time you find it, relatively few zombies remain (most probably followed noises elsewhere).
Loot & Value
Most of the buildings are ruined, so loot is sparse. However, one prized item is an Antique Oven that can spawn in one of the houses. Antique ovens are wood-burning stoves โ extremely useful after the power shuts off, as you can cook and heat without electricity.
๐๏ธ Storytelling
The burnt town tells a story of military or local authorities taking drastic action. Exploring it during the day vs. night gives very different feelings (try night with a flashlight for true horror vibes). It's a reminder of Project Zomboid's narrative depth โ not all tragedy came from zombies; humans played a part too.
West Maple Country Club
We touched on this in Riverside's section, but it deserves a mention as a standalone point of interest. The country club is a huge recreational center with a golf course and luxury amenities.
Why Go
Apart from role-play luxury, the country club has a few unique loot spawns like golf clubs (meh weapon but stylish), a chance for rare bourbon or wine in the bar, and the possibility of finding an antique stove in the club kitchen. Also, lots of nice furniture and decorative items if you care about base aesthetics.
Base Potential
The idea of living at a resort during the apocalypse is appealing. You have fenced tennis courts (could be farm plots), a pool (water source), and a big building to secure. It's outside town, meaning once you clear it, it's low-maintenance. As long as you periodically patrol the grounds for the odd straggler, you're relatively safe.
๐งฐ Survivor's Toolbox: Maps, Mods, and More
Navigating and mastering these locations can be enhanced with some community-made tools and modifications. Here are a few helpful resources to consider:
๐บ๏ธ Map Resources
- Interactive Map Project: The official Project Zomboid map website (map.projectzomboid.com) is a godsend. It lets you zoom in on Knox Country, view all towns, buildings, and even loot definitions by room.
- PZ Fans Map: Another online map by the community (pzfans.com) includes additional layers like zombie heatmaps and forage zones. It can show you which areas are marked as non-forageable or how loot is distributed.
- WorldEd and TileZed: If you ever want to mod or just inspect the game's map in extreme detail, the developers provide map editing tools (TileZed) and WorldEd. These let you open the game's map files.
๐งฉ Recommended Mods
- Spawn Mods: There are mods that add spawn points for the non-default towns (so you can start in places like March Ridge or Valley Station). For example, the "Small Towns Spawn Locations" mod adds spawns in Fallas Lake, March Ridge, and Valley Station.
- Map Expansion Mods: The community has created lots of custom maps that add new towns or even connect to the main Knox map. Popular ones include Bedford Falls, New Denver, Chernaville, and Grapeseed.
- Mapping and Info Mods: Some mods provide in-game mapping tools (like the ability to draw on your map or share map notes in multiplayer). Others like CartoZed can generate an image of areas you've visited.
- Loot Rebalance Mods: Since loot distributions can change (especially with Build 42's new loot scarcity and heat map mechanics), mods like "Loot Settings" allow customization.
Remember, while tools can guide you, try not to spoil all the exploration fun for yourself. Project Zomboid is at its best when you're slightly lost and learning the environment. But if you're truly stumped or want to double-check if that building has a well or an alarm, these resources have your back.