Zombie Army 4: Dead War is a wonderfully over-the-top zombie shooter experience developed by Rebellion Entertainment, and exists as a spin-off to the Sniper Elite series. It involves Nazi zombies, portals to Hell, and a Hitler that just won't stay dead. It came out early last year but still has a pretty frequent player base that enjoys its single-player and cooperative multiplayer campaign experience.
With the fate of the world on the line, Zombie Army 4 players have to choose the best guns with which to dispatch the endless hordes of the dead. There's a vast arsenal to choose from throughout the game, but not all weapons are created equal. That's why this list is here to help players identify the best weapons available in Zombie Army 4: Dead War.
Updated on April 26th, 2022 by Josh Davison: With the release of Zombie Army 4: Dead War on the Nintendo Switch, it's a great time to go back and take a look at this campy schlock horror spin-off series to Sniper Elite. Zombie Army 4 is a delightful trudge through a World War II-flavored zombie apocalypse where the survivors have to struggle to fend off the endless waves of the dead in order to carve out some kind of civilization in the ashes of the old world. In order to do so, you will need the zombie-killing weapons on offer, and there are thankfully a good number of options to choose from.
13 You Could Do Worse Than The Thompson As A Secondary Weapon
The Thompson is one of the less good submachine guns on offer in Zombie Army 4, but that still puts it in the upper echelon of weapons. The Thompson has relatively low stopping power, but it fires fast and doesn't kick too much. In close quarters, it's a good option for dropping the zombies closest to you to attain some breathing room.
There is definitely a playstyle that would prefer the Thompson to other secondary weapons, but it's the kind that only uses the secondary weapon as a last resort. It's most recommendable when paired with the M1 Garand, as it is the most all-purpose primary weapon.
12 The PPSH-41 Sprays Led At A High Rate Of Fire
The PPSH-41 was added in DLC for Zombie Army 4. It's mostly an objective improvement on the Thompson, but you also won't be blamed for opting out of the additional content for this game. However, the PPSH-41 is a great addition if you decide to pick up this particular expansion pack. It has a very high rate of fire, making it into something of an undead buzzsaw that keeps the shambling ghouls a good distance away.
The PPSH-41 is arguably one of the best secondary weapons in the game and would likely rank higher if it were in the base game instead of being locked behind a paywall. Regardless, it's darn fun and an effective weapon if you decide to buy it.
11 The M1 Garand Is A Solid Medium-Range Gun
The M1 Garand is more of a medium-range weapon than the other primary weapons on offer in the game. It's hampered by the fact that it can't be reloaded on demand. Instead, it needs to run dry on bullets before it can be reloaded. Despite that, it may be the best multipurpose weapon, as it can put in the work at long and medium-range, and it can hip-spray in a pinch (though that's not particularly recommended).
The M1 Garand may be a darling for anyone who remembers using it in Call of Duty: World at War, but it's less of an icon in this game. Despite that, it's still a fine choice and will keep you alive so long as you know how to treat it.
10 M30 Drilling Is A Tri-Barrelled Zombie Shredder
The list kicks off with a secondary weapon in the shotgun category, the M30 Drilling. It's a 12-gauge shotgun outfitted with a third barrel as opposed to only the traditional two. For the zombie-killing veteran, the thought of the third barrel on a 12-gauge should be enough to have players salivating, but it gets better.
The upgrades add incendiary ammunition through a heated barrel, meaning this bad boy can set flesh-eaters alight. Naturally, there is also a sawn-off modification for the M30 Drilling, meaning that this gun can be an absolute demon at close range.
9 MG42Z Rains Hot Led On The Undead
The MG42Z isn't a weapon that the player character can be outfitted with, as this weapon can only be found in the environment of Zombie Army 4. This means that once this weapon runs out of ammunition, the player is out of luck. It's also stuck on a tripod unless the player has the Heavy perk, which allows them to carry this machine gun around.
Caveats aside, the MG42Z is a zombie-slaying machine. It is a twin-barrel zombie-slaying angel of death worth using any time players can find it. It obliterates rotting Nazi flesh at an incredible rate, and gamers should use it as extensively as possible.
8 Panzershreck Is The Explosive Solution To The Flesh-Eating Problem
The Panzershreck is another heavy weapon that the player cannot outfit, and instead must be found in the level environment. However, like the MG42Z, it's a masterpiece of zombie-slaying machinery capable of vaporizing undead hordes.
"Panzershreck" is a German term for "tank fear" or "armor fear," and is a variety used on the western front of World War II. That means that this weapon was made to put heavily-armored tanks out of commission. Just imagine what it could do to a handful of zombies.
7 Webley MKVI Is A Hand Cannon With An Attachable Knife
The Webley MKVI is a sidearm that the player can equip. It's a six-chamber revolver that packs a powerful punch and can easily add a new hole to a zombie's head. The drawback is the reload time, as the weapon doesn't have a magazine. Rounds have to be loaded directly into the firing chambers.
The weapon's upgrades are impressive, but they don't help with the loading time issue. Instead, they add explosive rounds for the Webley and increase its stopping power. These make this British weapon a true hand cannon, and make players a force of nature the undead will learn to fear.
6 The Preacher Spreads The Good Word To The Undead Hordes
The Preacher is another heavy weapon that can be found throughout the environment. It is a powerful shotgun that can turn incoming zombies into a fine mist to be carried away in the wind. It gains additional points for its visual design and the fact that few things are more enjoyable than shotgun-blasting a zombie in a video game.
It is unfortunate that the Preacher can't be a part of the soldier's loadout in the game. Once players have used all its ammunition, they can't pick up more ammo for the Preacher in that level. However, it's still a potent zombie annihilator that players should use at every opportunity.
5 Colt M1911 Is A Reliable Sidearm, And Reliable Keeps You Alive
Some great choices in the game include less powerful weapons that are nonetheless worth mentioning since they can be part of the player's loadout. The Colt M1911 is a sidearm that the player can equip and is likely the best option for a sidearm in the game. It's less powerful than the Webley but has a far quicker reloading time.
In terms of upgrades, this pistol can be given a scope, a better grip, and a damage boost. Furthermore, it can be given the Divine Mod, which also increases its damage output after charging. That makes this gun a righteous punishment wield against the undead hordes, helping to purge them from the Earth.
4 MP44 Is A Rapid-Fire Secondary Weapon
This entry returns to the secondary weapon slot. The MP44 is a submachine gun capable of turning oncoming zombies into Swiss cheese. This gun has it all: good control, a high rate of fire, and swift reload speed. Its peers don't quite measure up, so the MP44 is arguably the best submachine gun choice the player has.
This gun can get some powerful upgrades as well. It has the option for explosive rounds, it can receive a scope to help your accuracy and range, and players can attach a bayonet to shred any zombies that get too close.
3 The Trench Gun Blows The Undead To Bits
Despite the MP44's power, the absolute best secondary weapon has to be the Trench Gun. It's a pump-action shotgun that can turn the player into a mobile abattoir for zombies. This weapon turns enemies that get too close into paste, and its status as a pump-action means that players can get a few shots in before having to reload.
Its upgrades include a speed grip to increase the rate of fire. However, the true treasure of this weapon is the electric mod, which adds an electrical charge to the Trench Gun's shots. Gamers can even attach an electrified bayonet that lets them stab and shock zombies at the same time.
2 Mosin-Nagant M91/30 Can Keep The Zombies Far Away
The Mosin-Nagant brings us to the primary weapons. These weapons are the most powerful, have the best range, and allow players to pick off zombies from good cover. Given that Zombie Army 4 is a Sniper Elite spin-off, all of the player's primary weapons are going to be long-range rifles, and the Mosin-Nagant is the most powerful of the bunch.
The Mosin-Nagant is a bolt-action, meaning it's not great for closer engagements. However, if players can keep their distance, it is a zombie annihilator. Users can outfit it with explosive rounds to add to the damage, and a Vampir Scope that allows critical shots to heal the player.
1 Gewehr 43 Is The Best Piece Of Reliable Long-Range Zombie Repellent
The Gewehr 43 isn't quite as powerful as the Mosin-Nagant, but it's semi-automatic and, as a result, far more versatile. If a group of zombies is bearing down, the Gewehr can get anyone out of this tight spot far better than the Mosin-Nagant.
It's no slouch when it comes to damage, though; it can still liquify a zombie's brains. The Gewehr can also get an incendiary ammunition mod, a Vampir Scope, and an electric bayonet through upgrades. All in all, the Gewehr is the best balance of power, speed, and range that players need to survive the Dead War.
Zombie Army 4: Dead War is now available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, and Google Stadia