In Project Zomboid, every tool has a purpose. With tools that help the player fortify their base, break down doors, and ward off dozens of undead, among other things, attempting to play the game without using some of the essential tools makes for an impossible task.
Not every tool can be best suited to each player's unique playstyle, so players should experiment in order to figure out what works best for them. Some might prefer to rely more on tools that help their fortifications, avoiding zombies as much as they can, while others may prioritize tools that encourage combat. Regardless of tool choice, being able to effectively understand each tool's viability in any given scenario is essential to surviving in the brutal and unforgiving world of Project Zomboid.
10 Sledgehammer
The sledgehammer is the rarest and most sought-after tool in the entire game. With ridiculously low spawn rates even on the highest loot-rarity settings, acquiring one usually takes time, and surviving long enough to come across one is an additional challenge. With the sledgehammer's tremendous weight and agonizingly slow swing speed, it doesn't fare well against the dead, and attempting to use it against them will tire players quickly.
The tool's usefulness comes with its ability to destroy individual tiles, which makes it a valuable asset as many gun shops, or places with desirable loot, are guarded by walls, reinforced gates, doors, and fences that can only be destroyed by a sledgehammer.
9 Hammer
Hammers are the most common and one of the most used tools early game. With the ability for players to choose to spawn with a hammer within the game's spawn kit option, it makes it a valuable tool early on. For those looking to level their carpentry quickly, hammers can be used to barricade doors and windows with planks and nails. The hammer can also break beds, and the double bed variant provides the most XP for leveling carpentry.
Not only is it a great tool in the early stages of the game for its carpentry purposes, but it also fares pretty well against zombies, and is ideal for those looking to fight zombies head-on. For a light weapon that won't tire the player too quickly, it is a great choice to level up the Short Blunt combat skill, and a perfectly rounded tool for any survivor.
8 Crowbar
With the most durability of any weapon in the game, the crowbar makes a perfect weapon for smashing zombie brains, and players can rest assured that a good-condition crowbar won't be breaking on them anytime soon. While the crowbar makes for a pretty decent weapon in the right hands, it also has a plethora of other uses.
For players lucky enough to find boarded-up survivor houses or buildings, they can use the crowbar to pry the planks off the walls, and safely loot the contents inside. The crowbar can also be used to pick up flooring and is the only tool capable of doing so.
7 Screwdriver
While the screwdriver serves no purpose as a tool to fight the dead, it can be used for a wide number of other uses. It has the ability to remove objects such as radios from cars, levels the mechanic skill, and is an essential tool for survivors looking to experiment and create bombs, traps, and can dismantle electrical equipment, leveling the Electrical skill.
For players that don't decide to play as a Burglar with a hotwiring ability, leveling the mechanic and electrical skill can allow players to hotwire vehicles, which can be extremely beneficial for those who change cars frequently. It also comes with the ability to attach upgrades such as silencers, muzzles, and other components to guns, which is ideal for anyone looking to pursue a more ranged, gun-based playstyle in their world.
6 Saw
The saw is a pivotal tool for players looking to fortify their houses with a heavy line of defense. It can be found in hardware stores, storage crates, and warehouses. As planks are one of the easier defenses players can utilize and since trees are abundant, players have a steady and accessible supply of planks that ensures all fortifications remain strong and well-maintained.
It also serves as a means to dismantle objects, being able to saw dressers, drawers, tables, and other types of furniture into raw resources such as planks and nails for recycled use. For players who use shotguns, they can use the saw to create a sawed-off shotgun, which is more effective than a normal shotgun at close ranges.
5 Axe
The axe is an incredibly powerful weapon. Randomly found in warehouses, storage crates, fire stations, or on firefighter zombies, acquiring one early can be game-changing for survivors looking to fight the dead up close. With its high damage and great durability, the axe doubles up as a weapon strong enough to take on hordes, as well as being able to break down tough doors and entrances.
On top of its melee utility, the axe works great in combination with a saw, as it can be used to cut trees into logs, and then saw logs into planks. Logs can also be tied together with rope or ripped sheets for a lighter overall weight, and then stored inside of cars or even carried.
4 Fishing Rod
Fishing rods are extremely useful tools found in warehouses, garages, or hardware stores. With the ability to catch fresh food for the player, it is perfect for those looking to live a more secluded, peaceful life by a water source. It also provides a fun experience for those looking to kick back and relax after weeks of killing the undead.
With the potential to catch fish of varying sizes, fishing feels fun and rewarding. With most fishing spots isolated or with the potential to be cleared of dead easily, players can find comfort in knowing a zombie is unlikely to catch them off guard while they're reeling in a giant catfish.
3 Shovel
The shovel can be found fairly commonly in warehouses, storage containers, or garages. As the shovel has a relatively powerful damage output and great durability, the shovel is a tool that should not be discounted. Being able to dig graves grants this tool immense value, as players will often find themselves surrounded by corpses without a means to dispose of them.
Each grave can hold up to 5 corpses and covers two tiles once dug and then covered, so players looking to clean up the corpses around their base, or take on hordes of undead, should always have one on hand to clean up the mess.
2 Propane Torch
For players looking to settle down long-term after pooling resources for months, the propane torch will work wonders on heavy metal fortifications. With the propane torch increasing the Metalworking skill, players are able to create strong, upgraded variants as the level increases.
As the propane torch is fairly common in garages, containers, or warehouses and can also be found in containers with metal sheets, it's another valuable tool players should try and acquire in the early stages of the game. With a welding mask, a propane torch, welding rods, and the correct metalworking materials, players can transform a simple home into an extremely durable fortress.
1 Can Opener
The can opener is the single most important tool survivors should aim to acquire. Players can find it in abundance in kitchen cupboards in most houses. Its viability comes with the ability to open canned foods, the most openly available and abundant source of food in the game.
Players who acquire a can opener and lots of canned goods can rest without fear of growing hungry. While players might get bored with eating the same thing over and over again, canned foods can also be cooked and made into various soups and stews.
Project Zomboid is currently available on PC.