Sources and evidence

Open the guide · PZWiki · Project Zomboid Beginner Guide · r/projectzomboid · Life and Living TV · Helicopter · Custom Sandbox · Skill book · Nutrition · Water · Panic · Endurance · Heavy load · Zombie · Rain Collector Barrel (Garbage Bags)

• Needs Testing
  A Steam community guide updated September 11, 2026 compares Riverside and Rosewood as beginner-friendly starts, describes Muldraugh as playable with heavier concentrations to learn, and treats West Point as less forgiving; these are author recommendations, not official difficulty rankings.

  Source · Author labels guide as Build 42.20 Stable · checked 2026-09-29.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  Life and Living TV (channel 203) airs skill shows for nine days from the game start, in fixed slots at 06:00, 12:00, and 18:00: Cooking daily at 06:00, Carpentry at 12:00, and rotating evening shows (Fishing, Agriculture day 2, Fishing Rod recipe day 3, Foraging day 5, Trapping day 6, Pie Dough recipe day 6, Cake Batter recipe day 7). Full viewing yields about 762.5 Cooking and 650 Carpentry XP; TV XP stops counting once a skill passes level 3, though recipes are still learned.

  Source · Wiki schedule captured while current stable is 42.21; schedule slots are date-relative and shift with a custom sandbox start date · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: item page.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  The helicopter metagame event can arrive starting on day 6 and no later than day 9, between 9 AM and 6 PM. The Automated Emergency Broadcast System warns 'Air Activity Detected' from 7 AM on the day of the event. The helicopter has a noise value of 500 (a shotgun blast is 200), hovers about 60 real seconds over a spotted player, and may return hours later.

  Source · Noise value based on code reference for 42.13.1; window settings differ per game mode (Apocalypse: once) · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: radio system page.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  In the default Apocalypse sandbox, both the water shutoff and the electricity shutoff are set to 0-2 months: the utilities can die on any day inside that range, and the game does not announce which day. Sinks, toilets, and other fixtures still hold a limited amount of water after the shutoff.

  Source · Sandbox defaults as documented while current stable is 42.21; custom sandbox can change the range · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: collector page.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  The default Apocalypse game starts on the 9th of the starting month at 9 AM, which is why the first Life and Living TV slot a new player can realistically catch is the day-one 12:00 Carpentry show (the 06:00 Cooking show runs until 12:00 if a TV is found fast).

  Source · Sandbox defaults while current stable is 42.21; custom sandbox can change start day and time · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: schedule page.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  Skill books multiply all XP a skill earns while read: Volume I (levels 1-2) x3, Volume II (3-4) x5, Volume III (5-6) x8, Volume IV (7-8) x12, Volume V (9-10) x16. Reading takes about 2 in-game minutes per page (220-380 pages per volume), the bonus accrues proportionally as you read, and Aiming, Long Blade, and Reloading use a lower 1.5-8 multiplier track.

  Source · Wiki page updated for 42.13.2; multipliers are long-standing mechanics · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: skills page.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  Player weight bands are: Very Low Weight 50.1-65, Low Weight 65.1-75, Normal 75.1-84.9 (default start 80), High Weight 85-99.9, Very High Weight 100+. Any weight trouble trait stops fitness XP past level 6, and Very Low, Very High, or Emaciated (50 or less) block fitness XP entirely until the weight returns to a healthier band.

  Source · Wiki page updated for 42.11.0; mechanic redesigned in Build 34 and stable since · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: moodles page.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  After the water shutoff, sinks and toilets each still hold 20 units of water, bathtubs hold 100, and water dispensers hold 250. Water from toilets, rivers, and rain collectors is tainted and must be boiled until the tainted-water icon disappears before it is safe to drink. The AEBS radio does not warn players before the water shutoff.

  Source · Wiki page updated for 41.78.19; fixture capacities are long-standing values · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: collector page.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  Panic penalizes combat as it rises. Each visible zombie adds about 3% panic, and panic keeps climbing 0.5% per in-game minute while zombies stay on screen. At the four levels the melee crit chance drops 1.3/2.6/3.9/5.2 points and melee damage drops 0.2/0.3/0.4 per swing (Alarmed through Terrified); at Terrified the vision cone also narrows. Panic decays about 1.75% per second on day 1 and the recovery rate improves every day survived, up to 150 days. Beta blockers and alcohol suppress it; the desensitized trait removes zombie-triggered panic entirely.

  Source · Wiki page marked 42.12.3 while current stable is 42.21 · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: item page.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  Endurance damage penalties are steep and start early. Using 25% of endurance (Out of Breath) cuts melee damage 50% and speed 19%; at 50% used (High Exertion) melee damage is down 80%, sprinting is disabled; at 75% (Excessive Exertion) damage is down 90% and running is disabled; at 90% (Exhausted) damage is down 95% and walking is 75% slower. Recovery requires standing idle, sitting on the ground, resting on furniture, or high Fitness — walking or sneaking sharply reduces recovery.

  Source · Wiki page marked 42.12.3 while current stable is 42.21 · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: fitness effects.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  Over-encumbrance is banded against carry capacity: past 100% capacity movement is 19% slower and attack speed 7% slower; past 125% sprinting is disabled and speed is down 37%; past 150% running is disabled, endurance recovery stops entirely, and the character takes continuous damage down to 75% health; past 175% walking is 75% slower. Sitting or resting halts the damage.

  Source · Wiki page marked 42.12.3 while current stable is 42.21 · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: moodle list.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  Zombies target by sight first and sound second, follow a horde leader, and take the most direct route to any noise source — including through the player. They can spawn inside bathrooms and closets and ambush, and some crawlers play dead until disturbed. Attacks from behind have a significantly higher chance of severe injury. Injury odds differ by type: bites are always fatal Knox infection by default, lacerations carry 25% and scratches 7% infection chance. Urban population peaks after 30 days by default.

  Source · Wiki page marked 41.78.19 while current stable is 42.21 · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: infection page.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  The rain collector barrel (garbage bags variant) requires Carpentry level 5 to build and holds 600 units. It collects rain as tainted water: unsafe to drink until boiled, but usable for watering crops and washing without purification. Plumbed to a sink, the sink dispenses water that does not need purification. Barrels only fill while it rains and need open sky above them.

  Source · Wiki page marked 42.12.3 while current stable is 42.21 · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: water sources page.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  Weight moves on an accumulated calorie pool (max 3,700, min -2,200). Weight rises while the pool sits above baseCalorieThreshold + (weight-80) x 40 (base 1,000 default, 700 with slow metabolism under 90 weight, 1,800 with fast metabolism over 70), with gain speed scaled by calories/4,000 and by carbohydrate/fat intake over 400 and 700. Weight falls when the pool drops below (weight-70) x 30, at 0.0000085 x (calories/2,500) per second. Diet foods that lose weight safely: radishes, tomatoes, broccoli, carrots, onions, strawberries, berries, cherries. Weight gain is helped by walking instead of sprinting and sleeping often; loss by sprinting, climbing fences, and chopping trees. Protein between 50 and 300 multiplies strength XP by 1.5. Weight is visible on the Info panel (J).

  Source · Wiki page updated for 42.11.0 while current stable is 42.21 · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: weight trait pages.

Open the guide · PZWiki · Project Zomboid Discussions · Project Zomboid Build 42 video discovery · Nutrition · Panic · Custom Sandbox · Builds hub · Occupations and Traits

• Needs Testing
  The community Builds reference presents positive traits as point costs, negative traits as point refunds, and character choices as decisions made before the run rather than a confirmed in-run respec system.

  Source · Build 42 community reference; current-build check pending · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans Occupations and Traits page reports 25 occupations and exposes occupation points, starting skills, and sample build records as separate character-planning fields.

  Source · PZFans page labelled Build 42.20.4; current Build 42.21 values require verification · checked 2026-09-30.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans occupation and trait reference records Custom Occupation at +8 points, Veteran at -8 points, Athletic at -10 points, and High Thirst at +2 points, with trait exclusions documented separately.

  Source · PZFans page labelled Build 42.20.4; current Build 42.21 values require verification · checked 2026-09-30.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  Player weight bands are: Very Low Weight 50.1-65, Low Weight 65.1-75, Normal 75.1-84.9 (default start 80), High Weight 85-99.9, Very High Weight 100+. Any weight trouble trait stops fitness XP past level 6, and Very Low, Very High, or Emaciated (50 or less) block fitness XP entirely until the weight returns to a healthier band.

  Source · Wiki page updated for 42.11.0; mechanic redesigned in Build 34 and stable since · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: moodles page.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  Weight moves on an accumulated calorie pool (max 3,700, min -2,200). Weight rises while the pool sits above baseCalorieThreshold + (weight-80) x 40 (base 1,000 default, 700 with slow metabolism under 90 weight, 1,800 with fast metabolism over 70), with gain speed scaled by calories/4,000 and by carbohydrate/fat intake over 400 and 700. Weight falls when the pool drops below (weight-70) x 30, at 0.0000085 x (calories/2,500) per second. Diet foods that lose weight safely: radishes, tomatoes, broccoli, carrots, onions, strawberries, berries, cherries. Weight gain is helped by walking instead of sprinting and sleeping often; loss by sprinting, climbing fences, and chopping trees. Protein between 50 and 300 multiplies strength XP by 1.5. Weight is visible on the Info panel (J).

  Source · Wiki page updated for 42.11.0 while current stable is 42.21 · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: weight trait pages.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  Panic penalizes combat as it rises. Each visible zombie adds about 3% panic, and panic keeps climbing 0.5% per in-game minute while zombies stay on screen. At the four levels the melee crit chance drops 1.3/2.6/3.9/5.2 points and melee damage drops 0.2/0.3/0.4 per swing (Alarmed through Terrified); at Terrified the vision cone also narrows. Panic decays about 1.75% per second on day 1 and the recovery rate improves every day survived, up to 150 days. Beta blockers and alcohol suppress it; the desensitized trait removes zombie-triggered panic entirely.

  Source · Wiki page marked 42.12.3 while current stable is 42.21 · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: item page.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  In the default Apocalypse sandbox, both the water shutoff and the electricity shutoff are set to 0-2 months: the utilities can die on any day inside that range, and the game does not announce which day. Sinks, toilets, and other fixtures still hold a limited amount of water after the shutoff.

  Source · Sandbox defaults as documented while current stable is 42.21; custom sandbox can change the range · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: collector page.

• Needs Testing
  The community Skills reference places fitness, weapon skill, foraging, and cooking in an early band; carpentry, first aid, electrical, and mechanics in a following band; and agriculture, animal care, and blacksmithing in later progression.

  Source · Build 42 community reference; current-build check pending · checked 2026-09-29.

Open the guide · PZWiki · r/projectzomboid · Project Zomboid Build 42 video discovery · Nutrition · Panic · Endurance · Heavy load · Custom Sandbox · Builds hub · Occupations and Traits

• Needs Testing
  The community Builds reference groups opening character plans around combat, builder or utility work, foraging or cooking, and co-op role division.

  Source · Build 42 community reference; current-build check pending · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The community Builds reference presents positive traits as point costs, negative traits as point refunds, and character choices as decisions made before the run rather than a confirmed in-run respec system.

  Source · Build 42 community reference; current-build check pending · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans Occupations and Traits page reports 25 occupations and exposes occupation points, starting skills, and sample build records as separate character-planning fields.

  Source · PZFans page labelled Build 42.20.4; current Build 42.21 values require verification · checked 2026-09-30.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans occupation and trait reference records Custom Occupation at +8 points, Veteran at -8 points, Athletic at -10 points, and High Thirst at +2 points, with trait exclusions documented separately.

  Source · PZFans page labelled Build 42.20.4; current Build 42.21 values require verification · checked 2026-09-30.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  Player weight bands are: Very Low Weight 50.1-65, Low Weight 65.1-75, Normal 75.1-84.9 (default start 80), High Weight 85-99.9, Very High Weight 100+. Any weight trouble trait stops fitness XP past level 6, and Very Low, Very High, or Emaciated (50 or less) block fitness XP entirely until the weight returns to a healthier band.

  Source · Wiki page updated for 42.11.0; mechanic redesigned in Build 34 and stable since · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: moodles page.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  Weight moves on an accumulated calorie pool (max 3,700, min -2,200). Weight rises while the pool sits above baseCalorieThreshold + (weight-80) x 40 (base 1,000 default, 700 with slow metabolism under 90 weight, 1,800 with fast metabolism over 70), with gain speed scaled by calories/4,000 and by carbohydrate/fat intake over 400 and 700. Weight falls when the pool drops below (weight-70) x 30, at 0.0000085 x (calories/2,500) per second. Diet foods that lose weight safely: radishes, tomatoes, broccoli, carrots, onions, strawberries, berries, cherries. Weight gain is helped by walking instead of sprinting and sleeping often; loss by sprinting, climbing fences, and chopping trees. Protein between 50 and 300 multiplies strength XP by 1.5. Weight is visible on the Info panel (J).

  Source · Wiki page updated for 42.11.0 while current stable is 42.21 · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: weight trait pages.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  Panic penalizes combat as it rises. Each visible zombie adds about 3% panic, and panic keeps climbing 0.5% per in-game minute while zombies stay on screen. At the four levels the melee crit chance drops 1.3/2.6/3.9/5.2 points and melee damage drops 0.2/0.3/0.4 per swing (Alarmed through Terrified); at Terrified the vision cone also narrows. Panic decays about 1.75% per second on day 1 and the recovery rate improves every day survived, up to 150 days. Beta blockers and alcohol suppress it; the desensitized trait removes zombie-triggered panic entirely.

  Source · Wiki page marked 42.12.3 while current stable is 42.21 · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: item page.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  Endurance damage penalties are steep and start early. Using 25% of endurance (Out of Breath) cuts melee damage 50% and speed 19%; at 50% used (High Exertion) melee damage is down 80%, sprinting is disabled; at 75% (Excessive Exertion) damage is down 90% and running is disabled; at 90% (Exhausted) damage is down 95% and walking is 75% slower. Recovery requires standing idle, sitting on the ground, resting on furniture, or high Fitness — walking or sneaking sharply reduces recovery.

  Source · Wiki page marked 42.12.3 while current stable is 42.21 · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: fitness effects.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  Over-encumbrance is banded against carry capacity: past 100% capacity movement is 19% slower and attack speed 7% slower; past 125% sprinting is disabled and speed is down 37%; past 150% running is disabled, endurance recovery stops entirely, and the character takes continuous damage down to 75% health; past 175% walking is 75% slower. Sitting or resting halts the damage.

  Source · Wiki page marked 42.12.3 while current stable is 42.21 · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: moodle list.

• Needs Testing
  The community Skills reference places fitness, weapon skill, foraging, and cooking in an early band; carpentry, first aid, electrical, and mechanics in a following band; and agriculture, animal care, and blacksmithing in later progression.

  Source · Build 42 community reference; current-build check pending · checked 2026-09-29.

Open the guide · PZWiki · Project Zomboid Discussions · Project Zomboid Build 42 video discovery · Skill book · Life and Living TV · Nutrition · Endurance · Skills hub

• Needs Testing
  The community Skills reference places fitness, weapon skill, foraging, and cooking in an early band; carpentry, first aid, electrical, and mechanics in a following band; and agriculture, animal care, and blacksmithing in later progression.

  Source · Build 42 community reference; current-build check pending · checked 2026-09-29.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  Skill books multiply all XP a skill earns while read: Volume I (levels 1-2) x3, Volume II (3-4) x5, Volume III (5-6) x8, Volume IV (7-8) x12, Volume V (9-10) x16. Reading takes about 2 in-game minutes per page (220-380 pages per volume), the bonus accrues proportionally as you read, and Aiming, Long Blade, and Reloading use a lower 1.5-8 multiplier track.

  Source · Wiki page updated for 42.13.2; multipliers are long-standing mechanics · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: skills page.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  Life and Living TV (channel 203) airs skill shows for nine days from the game start, in fixed slots at 06:00, 12:00, and 18:00: Cooking daily at 06:00, Carpentry at 12:00, and rotating evening shows (Fishing, Agriculture day 2, Fishing Rod recipe day 3, Foraging day 5, Trapping day 6, Pie Dough recipe day 6, Cake Batter recipe day 7). Full viewing yields about 762.5 Cooking and 650 Carpentry XP; TV XP stops counting once a skill passes level 3, though recipes are still learned.

  Source · Wiki schedule captured while current stable is 42.21; schedule slots are date-relative and shift with a custom sandbox start date · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: item page.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  Player weight bands are: Very Low Weight 50.1-65, Low Weight 65.1-75, Normal 75.1-84.9 (default start 80), High Weight 85-99.9, Very High Weight 100+. Any weight trouble trait stops fitness XP past level 6, and Very Low, Very High, or Emaciated (50 or less) block fitness XP entirely until the weight returns to a healthier band.

  Source · Wiki page updated for 42.11.0; mechanic redesigned in Build 34 and stable since · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: moodles page.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  Endurance damage penalties are steep and start early. Using 25% of endurance (Out of Breath) cuts melee damage 50% and speed 19%; at 50% used (High Exertion) melee damage is down 80%, sprinting is disabled; at 75% (Excessive Exertion) damage is down 90% and running is disabled; at 90% (Exhausted) damage is down 95% and walking is 75% slower. Recovery requires standing idle, sitting on the ground, resting on furniture, or high Fitness — walking or sneaking sharply reduces recovery.

  Source · Wiki page marked 42.12.3 while current stable is 42.21 · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: fitness effects.

Open the guide · PZWiki · r/projectzomboid · Project Zomboid Build 42 video discovery · Custom Sandbox · Water · Zombie · Endurance · Heavy load · Life and Living TV · Items hub · Project Zomboid Beginner Guide

• Needs Testing
  The community Items reference prioritizes water containers, non-perishable food, a weapon, bandages, a bag, and a fallback plan for the first-day route.

  Source · Build 42 item reference; exact loot availability varies by world · checked 2026-09-29.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  The default Apocalypse game starts on the 9th of the starting month at 9 AM, which is why the first Life and Living TV slot a new player can realistically catch is the day-one 12:00 Carpentry show (the 06:00 Cooking show runs until 12:00 if a TV is found fast).

  Source · Sandbox defaults while current stable is 42.21; custom sandbox can change start day and time · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: schedule page.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  In the default Apocalypse sandbox, both the water shutoff and the electricity shutoff are set to 0-2 months: the utilities can die on any day inside that range, and the game does not announce which day. Sinks, toilets, and other fixtures still hold a limited amount of water after the shutoff.

  Source · Sandbox defaults as documented while current stable is 42.21; custom sandbox can change the range · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: collector page.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  After the water shutoff, sinks and toilets each still hold 20 units of water, bathtubs hold 100, and water dispensers hold 250. Water from toilets, rivers, and rain collectors is tainted and must be boiled until the tainted-water icon disappears before it is safe to drink. The AEBS radio does not warn players before the water shutoff.

  Source · Wiki page updated for 41.78.19; fixture capacities are long-standing values · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: collector page.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  Life and Living TV (channel 203) airs skill shows for nine days from the game start, in fixed slots at 06:00, 12:00, and 18:00: Cooking daily at 06:00, Carpentry at 12:00, and rotating evening shows (Fishing, Agriculture day 2, Fishing Rod recipe day 3, Foraging day 5, Trapping day 6, Pie Dough recipe day 6, Cake Batter recipe day 7). Full viewing yields about 762.5 Cooking and 650 Carpentry XP; TV XP stops counting once a skill passes level 3, though recipes are still learned.

  Source · Wiki schedule captured while current stable is 42.21; schedule slots are date-relative and shift with a custom sandbox start date · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: item page.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  Zombies target by sight first and sound second, follow a horde leader, and take the most direct route to any noise source — including through the player. They can spawn inside bathrooms and closets and ambush, and some crawlers play dead until disturbed. Attacks from behind have a significantly higher chance of severe injury. Injury odds differ by type: bites are always fatal Knox infection by default, lacerations carry 25% and scratches 7% infection chance. Urban population peaks after 30 days by default.

  Source · Wiki page marked 41.78.19 while current stable is 42.21 · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: infection page.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  Endurance damage penalties are steep and start early. Using 25% of endurance (Out of Breath) cuts melee damage 50% and speed 19%; at 50% used (High Exertion) melee damage is down 80%, sprinting is disabled; at 75% (Excessive Exertion) damage is down 90% and running is disabled; at 90% (Exhausted) damage is down 95% and walking is 75% slower. Recovery requires standing idle, sitting on the ground, resting on furniture, or high Fitness — walking or sneaking sharply reduces recovery.

  Source · Wiki page marked 42.12.3 while current stable is 42.21 · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: fitness effects.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  Over-encumbrance is banded against carry capacity: past 100% capacity movement is 19% slower and attack speed 7% slower; past 125% sprinting is disabled and speed is down 37%; past 150% running is disabled, endurance recovery stops entirely, and the character takes continuous damage down to 75% health; past 175% walking is 75% slower. Sitting or resting halts the damage.

  Source · Wiki page marked 42.12.3 while current stable is 42.21 · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: moodle list.

Open the guide · PZWiki · Project Zomboid Discussions · Project Zomboid Build 42 video discovery · Water · Rain Collector Barrel (Garbage Bags) · Nutrition · Custom Sandbox · Base hub · Skills hub · Farming guide

• Needs Testing
  The community Base and Skills references discuss water shutoff planning, wells or hand pumps, rain collection, and preservation through fridges, freezers, generators, and cooking.

  Source · Build 42 survival reference; exact object behavior needs current verification · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans Farming page provides a 55-crop planner and records season, growth, and disease-related fields for crop planning.

  Source · PZFans page labelled Build 42.19; crop timings and behavior require current Build 42.21 verification · checked 2026-09-30.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans farming reference lists Radish at 30 days, Cabbage at 60 days, Carrot at 90 days, and Garlic at 240 days in its crop growth records.

  Source · PZFans page labelled Build 42.19; crop behavior requires current Build 42.21 verification · checked 2026-09-30.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans Build 42.19 farming reference describes sow windows, Farming Speed 1.0 timing, water targets, weeds, fertilizer, and four crop problems: mildew, aphids, pest flies, and slugs or snails.

  Source · PZFans page labelled Build 42.19; current Build 42.21 farming behavior requires verification · checked 2026-09-30.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans farming reference warns that disease risk is affected by water, weeds, cursed status, and sandbox settings, so exact crop outcomes should not be treated as fixed timing without the active world rules.

  Source · PZFans page labelled Build 42.19; current Build 42.21 farming behavior requires verification · checked 2026-09-30.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  In the default Apocalypse sandbox, both the water shutoff and the electricity shutoff are set to 0-2 months: the utilities can die on any day inside that range, and the game does not announce which day. Sinks, toilets, and other fixtures still hold a limited amount of water after the shutoff.

  Source · Sandbox defaults as documented while current stable is 42.21; custom sandbox can change the range · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: collector page.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  After the water shutoff, sinks and toilets each still hold 20 units of water, bathtubs hold 100, and water dispensers hold 250. Water from toilets, rivers, and rain collectors is tainted and must be boiled until the tainted-water icon disappears before it is safe to drink. The AEBS radio does not warn players before the water shutoff.

  Source · Wiki page updated for 41.78.19; fixture capacities are long-standing values · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: collector page.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  The rain collector barrel (garbage bags variant) requires Carpentry level 5 to build and holds 600 units. It collects rain as tainted water: unsafe to drink until boiled, but usable for watering crops and washing without purification. Plumbed to a sink, the sink dispenses water that does not need purification. Barrels only fill while it rains and need open sky above them.

  Source · Wiki page marked 42.12.3 while current stable is 42.21 · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: water sources page.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  Weight moves on an accumulated calorie pool (max 3,700, min -2,200). Weight rises while the pool sits above baseCalorieThreshold + (weight-80) x 40 (base 1,000 default, 700 with slow metabolism under 90 weight, 1,800 with fast metabolism over 70), with gain speed scaled by calories/4,000 and by carbohydrate/fat intake over 400 and 700. Weight falls when the pool drops below (weight-70) x 30, at 0.0000085 x (calories/2,500) per second. Diet foods that lose weight safely: radishes, tomatoes, broccoli, carrots, onions, strawberries, berries, cherries. Weight gain is helped by walking instead of sprinting and sleeping often; loss by sprinting, climbing fences, and chopping trees. Protein between 50 and 300 multiplies strength XP by 1.5. Weight is visible on the Info panel (J).

  Source · Wiki page updated for 42.11.0 while current stable is 42.21 · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: weight trait pages.

Open the guide · 42.20: The Big Glow Up · Project Zomboid Map Project · PZWiki · Project Zomboid Beginner Guide · Knox Country Build 42.20.2 map render (Deep Zoom tiles) · Map index

• Verified by official source
  The official 42.20 article says the Build 42 map surface area doubled compared with Build 41 and that the Art Department delivered 1,400 new unique buildings and 20,000 new tiles, bringing the tile total to 35,000.

  Source · Build 42.20 map update · checked 2026-09-30.

• Verified by official source
  The official 42.20 article lists Riverside, West Point, Rosewood, Fallas Lake, Muldraugh, Ekron, and Dixie among locations receiving major rework or polishing.

  Source · Build 42.20 map update · checked 2026-09-30.

• Needs Testing
  The same community guide warns that familiar towns changed in Build 42 and that players should not rely completely on old Build 41 map knowledge.

  Source · Author labels guide as Build 42.20 Stable · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  A Steam community guide updated September 11, 2026 compares Riverside and Rosewood as beginner-friendly starts, describes Muldraugh as playable with heavier concentrations to learn, and treats West Point as less forgiving; these are author recommendations, not official difficulty rankings.

  Source · Author labels guide as Build 42.20 Stable · checked 2026-09-29.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  The PZFans Knox Country map guide publishes map-pin coordinates for twelve labelled towns (Louisville, Valley Station, Riverside, Brandenburg, West Point, Fallas Lake, Ekron, Muldraugh, Echo Creek, Rosewood, March Ridge, Irvington) on a grid where lower Y is farther north.

  Source · PZFans map guide labelled Build 42.19; current stable is 42.21, so pins orient the map rather than fix street-level positions · checked 2026-10-03. Cross-checked: community map viewer · community wiki.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans map reference lists 11 named spawn regions, including Muldraugh, West Point, Rosewood, Riverside, Louisville, March Ridge, Dixie, Valley Station, Ekron, Irvington, and Brandenburg.

  Source · PZFans map reference labelled Build 42.20.4; exact spawn behavior requires current-map verification · checked 2026-09-30.

• Verified by official source
  The live Project Zomboid map has moved to pzmap.org (the old map.projectzomboid.com address 308-redirects there) and answers with x-frame-options: sameorigin, so it cannot be embedded in an iframe.

  Source · Checked 2026-10-03 against the live response headers · checked 2026-10-03.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  projectzomboidmap.com publishes a public Build 42.20.2-r1 Knox Country tile render as a Deep Zoom pyramid (layer0, 1024 px jpg tiles, image 2314368 x 1019040, sparse pyramid through level 22 with availability listed in base/tiles_manifest.json) produced from game files with pzmap2dzi 1.1.16, and publishes the matching isometric projection in base/map_info.json (sqr 128, x0 1036288, y0 -139296), so world coordinates map to pixels as screenX = x0 + (x - y) * 64 and screenY = y0 + (x + y) * 32. The earlier knoxcountymap.com mirror (1157184 x 505936, levels through 14 only) was replaced because it topped out one quarter of this linear resolution.

  Source · Render identifies itself as B42 build b42.20.2-r1 (pzmap2dzi 1.1.16); current stable is 42.21 · checked 2026-10-03. Cross-checked: Deep Zoom descriptor · Tile availability manifest · renderer project (MIT).

• Cross-checked with community sources
  Town label coordinates used by the maps atlas come from PZwiki Build 42 infobox values (for example Louisville 12500,1800 and Rosewood 8105,11578), cross-checked against the projectzomboidmap.com b42.20.2-r1 render using its published projection (x0 1036288, y0 -139296, sqr 128); West Point (11654,6864), Muldraugh (10593,9738) and Brandenburg (2056,6070) keep the PZFans guide coordinates where those sit closer to the built-up area.

  Source · Values are town label positions on the Build 42 world map, not building centres or spawn points · checked 2026-10-03. Cross-checked: community wiki.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans Map Index organizes Project Zomboid regions, towns, and points of interest into a navigable location reference rather than a single flat town list.

  Source · PZFans Build 42 map reference; exact tiles and routes require current-map verification · checked 2026-09-30.

Open the guide · Project Zomboid Map Project · PZWiki · r/projectzomboid · Project Zomboid Beginner Guide · Zombie · Custom Sandbox · Helicopter · 42.20: The Big Glow Up · Map hub · Map index

• Needs Testing
  The community Map reference describes Rosewood as a suburban town with clinics, schools, and household supplies, while the official 42.20 article lists Rosewood among reworked locations.

  Source · Build 42 map reference; exact locations need current verification · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans Map Index organizes Project Zomboid regions, towns, and points of interest into a navigable location reference rather than a single flat town list.

  Source · PZFans Build 42 map reference; exact tiles and routes require current-map verification · checked 2026-09-30.

• Verified by official source
  The official 42.20 article lists Riverside, West Point, Rosewood, Fallas Lake, Muldraugh, Ekron, and Dixie among locations receiving major rework or polishing.

  Source · Build 42.20 map update · checked 2026-09-30.

• Needs Testing
  A Steam community guide updated September 11, 2026 compares Riverside and Rosewood as beginner-friendly starts, describes Muldraugh as playable with heavier concentrations to learn, and treats West Point as less forgiving; these are author recommendations, not official difficulty rankings.

  Source · Author labels guide as Build 42.20 Stable · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans map reference lists 11 named spawn regions, including Muldraugh, West Point, Rosewood, Riverside, Louisville, March Ridge, Dixie, Valley Station, Ekron, Irvington, and Brandenburg.

  Source · PZFans map reference labelled Build 42.20.4; exact spawn behavior requires current-map verification · checked 2026-09-30.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  The PZFans Knox Country map guide publishes map-pin coordinates for twelve labelled towns (Louisville, Valley Station, Riverside, Brandenburg, West Point, Fallas Lake, Ekron, Muldraugh, Echo Creek, Rosewood, March Ridge, Irvington) on a grid where lower Y is farther north.

  Source · PZFans map guide labelled Build 42.19; current stable is 42.21, so pins orient the map rather than fix street-level positions · checked 2026-10-03. Cross-checked: community map viewer · community wiki.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  Town label coordinates used by the maps atlas come from PZwiki Build 42 infobox values (for example Louisville 12500,1800 and Rosewood 8105,11578), cross-checked against the projectzomboidmap.com b42.20.2-r1 render using its published projection (x0 1036288, y0 -139296, sqr 128); West Point (11654,6864), Muldraugh (10593,9738) and Brandenburg (2056,6070) keep the PZFans guide coordinates where those sit closer to the built-up area.

  Source · Values are town label positions on the Build 42 world map, not building centres or spawn points · checked 2026-10-03. Cross-checked: community wiki.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  In the default Apocalypse sandbox, both the water shutoff and the electricity shutoff are set to 0-2 months: the utilities can die on any day inside that range, and the game does not announce which day. Sinks, toilets, and other fixtures still hold a limited amount of water after the shutoff.

  Source · Sandbox defaults as documented while current stable is 42.21; custom sandbox can change the range · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: collector page.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  Zombies target by sight first and sound second, follow a horde leader, and take the most direct route to any noise source — including through the player. They can spawn inside bathrooms and closets and ambush, and some crawlers play dead until disturbed. Attacks from behind have a significantly higher chance of severe injury. Injury odds differ by type: bites are always fatal Knox infection by default, lacerations carry 25% and scratches 7% infection chance. Urban population peaks after 30 days by default.

  Source · Wiki page marked 41.78.19 while current stable is 42.21 · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: infection page.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  The helicopter metagame event can arrive starting on day 6 and no later than day 9, between 9 AM and 6 PM. The Automated Emergency Broadcast System warns 'Air Activity Detected' from 7 AM on the day of the event. The helicopter has a noise value of 500 (a shotgun blast is 200), hovers about 60 real seconds over a spotted player, and may return hours later.

  Source · Noise value based on code reference for 42.13.1; window settings differ per game mode (Apocalypse: once) · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: radio system page.

Open the guide · Project Zomboid Map Project · PZWiki · r/projectzomboid · Project Zomboid Beginner Guide · Water · Rain Collector Barrel (Garbage Bags) · Custom Sandbox · 42.20: The Big Glow Up · Map hub · Map index

• Needs Testing
  The community Map reference highlights Riverside's lakeside properties and larger homes, while the official 42.20 article lists Riverside among reworked locations.

  Source · Build 42 map reference; exact locations need current verification · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans Map Index organizes Project Zomboid regions, towns, and points of interest into a navigable location reference rather than a single flat town list.

  Source · PZFans Build 42 map reference; exact tiles and routes require current-map verification · checked 2026-09-30.

• Verified by official source
  The official 42.20 article lists Riverside, West Point, Rosewood, Fallas Lake, Muldraugh, Ekron, and Dixie among locations receiving major rework or polishing.

  Source · Build 42.20 map update · checked 2026-09-30.

• Needs Testing
  A Steam community guide updated September 11, 2026 compares Riverside and Rosewood as beginner-friendly starts, describes Muldraugh as playable with heavier concentrations to learn, and treats West Point as less forgiving; these are author recommendations, not official difficulty rankings.

  Source · Author labels guide as Build 42.20 Stable · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans map reference lists 11 named spawn regions, including Muldraugh, West Point, Rosewood, Riverside, Louisville, March Ridge, Dixie, Valley Station, Ekron, Irvington, and Brandenburg.

  Source · PZFans map reference labelled Build 42.20.4; exact spawn behavior requires current-map verification · checked 2026-09-30.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  In the default Apocalypse sandbox, both the water shutoff and the electricity shutoff are set to 0-2 months: the utilities can die on any day inside that range, and the game does not announce which day. Sinks, toilets, and other fixtures still hold a limited amount of water after the shutoff.

  Source · Sandbox defaults as documented while current stable is 42.21; custom sandbox can change the range · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: collector page.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  After the water shutoff, sinks and toilets each still hold 20 units of water, bathtubs hold 100, and water dispensers hold 250. Water from toilets, rivers, and rain collectors is tainted and must be boiled until the tainted-water icon disappears before it is safe to drink. The AEBS radio does not warn players before the water shutoff.

  Source · Wiki page updated for 41.78.19; fixture capacities are long-standing values · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: collector page.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  The rain collector barrel (garbage bags variant) requires Carpentry level 5 to build and holds 600 units. It collects rain as tainted water: unsafe to drink until boiled, but usable for watering crops and washing without purification. Plumbed to a sink, the sink dispenses water that does not need purification. Barrels only fill while it rains and need open sky above them.

  Source · Wiki page marked 42.12.3 while current stable is 42.21 · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: water sources page.

Open the guide · Project Zomboid Map Project · PZWiki · Project Zomboid Discussions · Project Zomboid Beginner Guide · Endurance · Heavy load · 42.20: The Big Glow Up · Map hub · Map index

• Needs Testing
  The community Map reference presents Muldraugh as a central flat area with long-road navigation and foraging considerations, while the official 42.20 article lists Muldraugh among reworked locations.

  Source · Build 42 map reference; exact locations need current verification · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans Map Index organizes Project Zomboid regions, towns, and points of interest into a navigable location reference rather than a single flat town list.

  Source · PZFans Build 42 map reference; exact tiles and routes require current-map verification · checked 2026-09-30.

• Verified by official source
  The official 42.20 article lists Riverside, West Point, Rosewood, Fallas Lake, Muldraugh, Ekron, and Dixie among locations receiving major rework or polishing.

  Source · Build 42.20 map update · checked 2026-09-30.

• Needs Testing
  A Steam community guide updated September 11, 2026 compares Riverside and Rosewood as beginner-friendly starts, describes Muldraugh as playable with heavier concentrations to learn, and treats West Point as less forgiving; these are author recommendations, not official difficulty rankings.

  Source · Author labels guide as Build 42.20 Stable · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans map reference lists 11 named spawn regions, including Muldraugh, West Point, Rosewood, Riverside, Louisville, March Ridge, Dixie, Valley Station, Ekron, Irvington, and Brandenburg.

  Source · PZFans map reference labelled Build 42.20.4; exact spawn behavior requires current-map verification · checked 2026-09-30.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  Town label coordinates used by the maps atlas come from PZwiki Build 42 infobox values (for example Louisville 12500,1800 and Rosewood 8105,11578), cross-checked against the projectzomboidmap.com b42.20.2-r1 render using its published projection (x0 1036288, y0 -139296, sqr 128); West Point (11654,6864), Muldraugh (10593,9738) and Brandenburg (2056,6070) keep the PZFans guide coordinates where those sit closer to the built-up area.

  Source · Values are town label positions on the Build 42 world map, not building centres or spawn points · checked 2026-10-03. Cross-checked: community wiki.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  Endurance damage penalties are steep and start early. Using 25% of endurance (Out of Breath) cuts melee damage 50% and speed 19%; at 50% used (High Exertion) melee damage is down 80%, sprinting is disabled; at 75% (Excessive Exertion) damage is down 90% and running is disabled; at 90% (Exhausted) damage is down 95% and walking is 75% slower. Recovery requires standing idle, sitting on the ground, resting on furniture, or high Fitness — walking or sneaking sharply reduces recovery.

  Source · Wiki page marked 42.12.3 while current stable is 42.21 · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: fitness effects.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  Over-encumbrance is banded against carry capacity: past 100% capacity movement is 19% slower and attack speed 7% slower; past 125% sprinting is disabled and speed is down 37%; past 150% running is disabled, endurance recovery stops entirely, and the character takes continuous damage down to 75% health; past 175% walking is 75% slower. Sitting or resting halts the damage.

  Source · Wiki page marked 42.12.3 while current stable is 42.21 · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: moodle list.

Open the guide · Project Zomboid Map Project · PZWiki · r/projectzomboid · Water · Rain Collector Barrel (Garbage Bags) · Custom Sandbox · 42.20: The Big Glow Up · Base hub

• Needs Testing
  The community Base reference compares Fallas Lake, Brandenburg farms, and Ekron farmhouses as different water, vehicle, storage, production, and travel trade-offs rather than one universal best base.

  Source · Build 42 base reference; exact locations need current-map verification · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The community Base and Skills references discuss water shutoff planning, wells or hand pumps, rain collection, and preservation through fridges, freezers, generators, and cooking.

  Source · Build 42 survival reference; exact object behavior needs current verification · checked 2026-09-29.

• Verified by official source
  The official 42.20 article lists Riverside, West Point, Rosewood, Fallas Lake, Muldraugh, Ekron, and Dixie among locations receiving major rework or polishing.

  Source · Build 42.20 map update · checked 2026-09-30.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  In the default Apocalypse sandbox, both the water shutoff and the electricity shutoff are set to 0-2 months: the utilities can die on any day inside that range, and the game does not announce which day. Sinks, toilets, and other fixtures still hold a limited amount of water after the shutoff.

  Source · Sandbox defaults as documented while current stable is 42.21; custom sandbox can change the range · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: collector page.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  After the water shutoff, sinks and toilets each still hold 20 units of water, bathtubs hold 100, and water dispensers hold 250. Water from toilets, rivers, and rain collectors is tainted and must be boiled until the tainted-water icon disappears before it is safe to drink. The AEBS radio does not warn players before the water shutoff.

  Source · Wiki page updated for 41.78.19; fixture capacities are long-standing values · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: collector page.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  The rain collector barrel (garbage bags variant) requires Carpentry level 5 to build and holds 600 units. It collects rain as tainted water: unsafe to drink until boiled, but usable for watering crops and washing without purification. Plumbed to a sink, the sink dispenses water that does not need purification. Barrels only fill while it rains and need open sky above them.

  Source · Wiki page marked 42.12.3 while current stable is 42.21 · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: water sources page.

Open the guide · Project Zomboid Map Project · PZWiki · r/projectzomboid · Project Zomboid Beginner Guide · Zombie · Endurance · Heavy load · Helicopter · 42.20: The Big Glow Up · Map hub · Map index

• Needs Testing
  The community Map reference highlights West Point's higher population and military-adjacent loot, while the official 42.20 article lists West Point among reworked locations.

  Source · Build 42 map reference; exact locations need current verification · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans Map Index organizes Project Zomboid regions, towns, and points of interest into a navigable location reference rather than a single flat town list.

  Source · PZFans Build 42 map reference; exact tiles and routes require current-map verification · checked 2026-09-30.

• Verified by official source
  The official 42.20 article lists Riverside, West Point, Rosewood, Fallas Lake, Muldraugh, Ekron, and Dixie among locations receiving major rework or polishing.

  Source · Build 42.20 map update · checked 2026-09-30.

• Needs Testing
  A Steam community guide updated September 11, 2026 compares Riverside and Rosewood as beginner-friendly starts, describes Muldraugh as playable with heavier concentrations to learn, and treats West Point as less forgiving; these are author recommendations, not official difficulty rankings.

  Source · Author labels guide as Build 42.20 Stable · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans map reference lists 11 named spawn regions, including Muldraugh, West Point, Rosewood, Riverside, Louisville, March Ridge, Dixie, Valley Station, Ekron, Irvington, and Brandenburg.

  Source · PZFans map reference labelled Build 42.20.4; exact spawn behavior requires current-map verification · checked 2026-09-30.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  Town label coordinates used by the maps atlas come from PZwiki Build 42 infobox values (for example Louisville 12500,1800 and Rosewood 8105,11578), cross-checked against the projectzomboidmap.com b42.20.2-r1 render using its published projection (x0 1036288, y0 -139296, sqr 128); West Point (11654,6864), Muldraugh (10593,9738) and Brandenburg (2056,6070) keep the PZFans guide coordinates where those sit closer to the built-up area.

  Source · Values are town label positions on the Build 42 world map, not building centres or spawn points · checked 2026-10-03. Cross-checked: community wiki.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  Endurance damage penalties are steep and start early. Using 25% of endurance (Out of Breath) cuts melee damage 50% and speed 19%; at 50% used (High Exertion) melee damage is down 80%, sprinting is disabled; at 75% (Excessive Exertion) damage is down 90% and running is disabled; at 90% (Exhausted) damage is down 95% and walking is 75% slower. Recovery requires standing idle, sitting on the ground, resting on furniture, or high Fitness — walking or sneaking sharply reduces recovery.

  Source · Wiki page marked 42.12.3 while current stable is 42.21 · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: fitness effects.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  Over-encumbrance is banded against carry capacity: past 100% capacity movement is 19% slower and attack speed 7% slower; past 125% sprinting is disabled and speed is down 37%; past 150% running is disabled, endurance recovery stops entirely, and the character takes continuous damage down to 75% health; past 175% walking is 75% slower. Sitting or resting halts the damage.

  Source · Wiki page marked 42.12.3 while current stable is 42.21 · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: moodle list.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  Zombies target by sight first and sound second, follow a horde leader, and take the most direct route to any noise source — including through the player. They can spawn inside bathrooms and closets and ambush, and some crawlers play dead until disturbed. Attacks from behind have a significantly higher chance of severe injury. Injury odds differ by type: bites are always fatal Knox infection by default, lacerations carry 25% and scratches 7% infection chance. Urban population peaks after 30 days by default.

  Source · Wiki page marked 41.78.19 while current stable is 42.21 · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: infection page.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  The helicopter metagame event can arrive starting on day 6 and no later than day 9, between 9 AM and 6 PM. The Automated Emergency Broadcast System warns 'Air Activity Detected' from 7 AM on the day of the event. The helicopter has a noise value of 500 (a shotgun blast is 200), hovers about 60 real seconds over a spotted player, and may return hours later.

  Source · Noise value based on code reference for 42.13.1; window settings differ per game mode (Apocalypse: once) · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: radio system page.

Open the guide · Project Zomboid Map Project · PZWiki · r/projectzomboid · Project Zomboid Beginner Guide · Zombie · Heavy load · 42.20: The Big Glow Up · Map hub · Map index

• Needs Testing
  The community Map reference organizes Project Zomboid locations around Louisville, Riverside, Rosewood, Muldraugh, West Point, and other named regions for route and point-of-interest discovery.

  Source · Build 42 map reference; exact locations need current verification · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans Map Index organizes Project Zomboid regions, towns, and points of interest into a navigable location reference rather than a single flat town list.

  Source · PZFans Build 42 map reference; exact tiles and routes require current-map verification · checked 2026-09-30.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  The PZFans Knox Country map guide publishes map-pin coordinates for twelve labelled towns (Louisville, Valley Station, Riverside, Brandenburg, West Point, Fallas Lake, Ekron, Muldraugh, Echo Creek, Rosewood, March Ridge, Irvington) on a grid where lower Y is farther north.

  Source · PZFans map guide labelled Build 42.19; current stable is 42.21, so pins orient the map rather than fix street-level positions · checked 2026-10-03. Cross-checked: community map viewer · community wiki.

• Verified by official source
  The official 42.20 article lists Riverside, West Point, Rosewood, Fallas Lake, Muldraugh, Ekron, and Dixie among locations receiving major rework or polishing.

  Source · Build 42.20 map update · checked 2026-09-30.

• Needs Testing
  A Steam community guide updated September 11, 2026 compares Riverside and Rosewood as beginner-friendly starts, describes Muldraugh as playable with heavier concentrations to learn, and treats West Point as less forgiving; these are author recommendations, not official difficulty rankings.

  Source · Author labels guide as Build 42.20 Stable · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The community Base reference compares Fallas Lake, Brandenburg farms, and Ekron farmhouses as different water, vehicle, storage, production, and travel trade-offs rather than one universal best base.

  Source · Build 42 base reference; exact locations need current-map verification · checked 2026-09-29.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  Zombies target by sight first and sound second, follow a horde leader, and take the most direct route to any noise source — including through the player. They can spawn inside bathrooms and closets and ambush, and some crawlers play dead until disturbed. Attacks from behind have a significantly higher chance of severe injury. Injury odds differ by type: bites are always fatal Knox infection by default, lacerations carry 25% and scratches 7% infection chance. Urban population peaks after 30 days by default.

  Source · Wiki page marked 41.78.19 while current stable is 42.21 · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: infection page.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  Over-encumbrance is banded against carry capacity: past 100% capacity movement is 19% slower and attack speed 7% slower; past 125% sprinting is disabled and speed is down 37%; past 150% running is disabled, endurance recovery stops entirely, and the character takes continuous damage down to 75% health; past 175% walking is 75% slower. Sitting or resting halts the damage.

  Source · Wiki page marked 42.12.3 while current stable is 42.21 · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: moodle list.

Open the guide · Project Zomboid Workshop · Project Zomboid Discussions · The Indie Stone Forums · Adding Mods Mid-Game

• Verified by official source
  The Workshop detail page captured on 2026-09-29 identifies Mattnetic's Heart Health Meter [B42] as item 3805849470, with tags [Build 42, Interface, QoL], Posted 21 Sep @ 11:56am, and 22 Sep @ 6:52pm.

  Source · Live Workshop snapshot captured 2026-09-29 · checked 2026-09-30.

• Needs Testing
  The mod author's Workshop description says Mattnetic's Heart Health Meter is built for Build 42.20+, supports single-player, local host, and dedicated multiplayer, and is safe to add to existing saves.

  Source · Build 42.20+ author statement · checked 2026-09-30.

• Verified by official source
  The Workshop detail page captured on 2026-09-29 identifies True Cargo - Project Full HD as item 3806955469, with tags [Build 42, Items, Models, QoL, Realistic, Vehicles], Posted 23 Sep @ 2:02pm, and 28 Sep @ 12:17pm.

  Source · Live Workshop snapshot captured 2026-09-29 · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The mod author's Workshop description says True Cargo requires Build 42.15 or newer and that load order does not matter; it describes the multiplayer design as ready but explicitly says it had not yet been tested on a server.

  Source · Build 42.15+ author statement · checked 2026-09-29.

• Verified by official source
  The Workshop detail page captured on 2026-09-29 identifies Hug the Plushie! as item 3807099610, with tags [Build 42, Misc, Multiplayer, Realistic], Posted 23 Sep @ 9:34pm, and 28 Sep @ 7:51am.

  Source · Live Workshop snapshot captured 2026-09-29 · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The mod author's Workshop description says Hug the Plushie is compatible with multiplayer, safe to add and remove mid-save, requires a restart after enabling, and should load after other affected mods; the page lists Workshop item 3749026793 as required.

  Source · Build 42 author statement · checked 2026-09-29.

• Verified by official source
  The Workshop detail page captured on 2026-09-29 identifies pz3d as item 3807334881, with tags [Build 42, Framework, Interface, Misc, Models, QoL, Realistic, Textures, Weapons, WIP], Posted 24 Sep @ 9:16am, and 28 Sep @ 7:18am.

  Source · Live Workshop snapshot captured 2026-09-29 · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The mod author's Workshop description labels pz3d as a very early work in progress for Project Zomboid 42.20.4, single-player only, with multiplayer planned; the page lists ZombieBuddy item 3619862853 as required.

  Source · Build 42.20.4 author statement · checked 2026-09-29.

• Verified by official source
  The Workshop detail page captured on 2026-09-29 identifies Barricade The Door as item 3807705597, with tags [Build 42], Posted 25 Sep @ 1:54am, and no Updated value displayed.

  Source · Live Workshop snapshot captured 2026-09-29 · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The mod author's Workshop description says Barricade The Door gives a barricaded door ten times health and notes that interaction with NPC mods was not properly tested.

  Source · Build 42 author statement · checked 2026-09-29.

• Verified by official source
  The Workshop detail page captured on 2026-09-29 identifies [B42] Dynamic Gear Rattling as item 3808152720, with tags [Build 42, Audio, Clothing/Armor, Military, QoL, Realistic, Silly/Fun], Posted 25 Sep @ 7:18pm, and 27 Sep @ 4:22pm.

  Source · Live Workshop snapshot captured 2026-09-29 · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The mod author's Workshop description says Dynamic Gear Rattling is safe to add and remove mid-save and works in multiplayer, while dedicated servers had not been tested.

  Source · Build 42 author statement · checked 2026-09-29.

• Verified by official source
  The Workshop detail page captured on 2026-09-29 identifies CD: Belgian Malinois as item 3808688990, with tags [Build 42, Animals, Misc, Models, Multiplayer, Realistic], Posted 26 Sep @ 2:29pm, and no Updated value displayed.

  Source · Live Workshop snapshot captured 2026-09-29 · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The mod author's Workshop description says CD: Belgian Malinois supports Build 42.19 and later, requires Companion Dogs 0.8.0 or newer, requires a full restart after enabling, and is intended for dedicated and co-op servers.

  Source · Build 42.19+ author statement · checked 2026-09-29.

• Verified by official source
  The Workshop detail page captured on 2026-09-29 identifies Over the Shoulder as item 3808805481, with tags [Build 42, QoL, Realistic], Posted 26 Sep @ 7:12pm, and 28 Sep @ 8:07am.

  Source · Live Workshop snapshot captured 2026-09-29 · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The mod author's Workshop description says Over the Shoulder supports Build 42.20 and newer, was tested on 42.21, is safe to add to an ongoing game, and is single-player only.

  Source · Build 42.20+ author statement · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  A Steam user reported that updating from 42.20 to 42.21 made a game using the PZ Optimisation mod fail to launch; the post proposes a PowerShell command that downloads and executes an install.ps1 script from GitHub.

  Source · Build 42.20 to 42.21 user report · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  A Steam user with 127 installed mods reported post-42.21 menu, inventory, and trap-state problems and asked how to identify incompatible subscribed mods; the thread excerpt does not establish a verified root cause.

  Source · Build 42.21 user report · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans Build 42.19 mid-game mod reference separates lower-risk UI or quality-of-life changes from loot and vehicle changes that can depend on unvisited cells, and treats map mods as unsupported for casual mid-save changes.

  Source · PZFans page labelled Build 42.19; current Build 42.21 save behavior requires verification · checked 2026-10-01.

Open the guide · Mods · Project Zomboid Workshop · How to Add Mods to Project Zomboid · How do mods in B42 MP work? · Dedicated server · Adding Mods Mid-Game · Server mods

• Needs Testing
  PZwiki describes the Steam Workshop flow as subscribing to an item, restarting the game if it does not appear, waiting for installation, and enabling it in the in-game mod manager; the page warns that it was last updated for 42.14.0.

  Source · Page marked 42.14.0; current stable shown as 42.21.0 · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  PZwiki says an existing save can use a separate mod selection through Load, selecting the save, More, and Choose Mods, and advises backing up the save before changing active mods; the page is version-marked 42.14.0.

  Source · Page marked 42.14.0; current stable shown as 42.21.0 · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans server mod reference separates numeric WorkshopItems, internal Mods identifiers, and Map folder identifiers; these fields must be recorded separately when moving from Workshop subscription to server activation.

  Source · PZFans server reference labelled Build 42.19; current multiplayer activation requires verification · checked 2026-09-30.

Open the guide · Project Zomboid Workshop · The Indie Stone Forums · Project Zomboid Discussions · Server mods · Dedicated server · Mods

• Needs Testing
  The site's load-order reference records frameworks, dependencies, map cells, Workshop IDs, Mods IDs, and small-batch retesting as the minimum fields needed to diagnose a mod-order failure.

  Source · PZwiki page marked 42.14.0; current stable shown as 42.21.0 · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  Replies in a Steam discussion about Build 42.21 mod failures suggested disabling half of a large mod list at a time and narrowing the failing batch; this is a community troubleshooting method, not an official fix or independently reproduced result.

  Source · Build 42.21 community troubleshooting discussion · checked 2026-09-30.

• Needs Testing
  A Steam user with 127 installed mods reported post-42.21 menu, inventory, and trap-state problems and asked how to identify incompatible subscribed mods; the thread excerpt does not establish a verified root cause.

  Source · Build 42.21 user report · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans Server Mods page treats WorkshopItems, Mods, and Map entries as separate multiplayer configuration records instead of one combined mod list.

  Source · PZFans server reference labelled Build 42.20.4; multiplayer activation requires runtime verification · checked 2026-09-30.

• Needs Testing
  PZwiki's dedicated-server mod section distinguishes Mods= entries from WorkshopItems= entries; the page is version-marked 42.20.0 and requires a 42.21 verification pass.

  Source · Page marked 42.20.0; current stable shown as 42.21.0 · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The mod author's Workshop description says True Cargo requires Build 42.15 or newer and that load order does not matter; it describes the multiplayer design as ready but explicitly says it had not yet been tested on a server.

  Source · Build 42.15+ author statement · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The mod author's Workshop description says Hug the Plushie is compatible with multiplayer, safe to add and remove mid-save, requires a restart after enabling, and should load after other affected mods; the page lists Workshop item 3749026793 as required.

  Source · Build 42 author statement · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The mod author's Workshop description labels pz3d as a very early work in progress for Project Zomboid 42.20.4, single-player only, with multiplayer planned; the page lists ZombieBuddy item 3619862853 as required.

  Source · Build 42.20.4 author statement · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The mod author's Workshop description says CD: Belgian Malinois supports Build 42.19 and later, requires Companion Dogs 0.8.0 or newer, requires a full restart after enabling, and is intended for dedicated and co-op servers.

  Source · Build 42.19+ author statement · checked 2026-09-29.

Open the guide · Project Zomboid Workshop · r/projectzomboid · Project Zomboid Discussions · Adding Mods Mid-Game · Server mods

• Needs Testing
  The captured Workshop sample contains Over the Shoulder, Mattnetic's Heart Health Meter, Dynamic Gear Rattling, and True Cargo with Build 42 and quality-of-life related tags.

  Source · Live Workshop snapshot captured 2026-09-29 · checked 2026-09-29.

• Verified by official source
  The Workshop detail page captured on 2026-09-29 identifies Mattnetic's Heart Health Meter [B42] as item 3805849470, with tags [Build 42, Interface, QoL], Posted 21 Sep @ 11:56am, and 22 Sep @ 6:52pm.

  Source · Live Workshop snapshot captured 2026-09-29 · checked 2026-09-30.

• Needs Testing
  The mod author's Workshop description says Mattnetic's Heart Health Meter is built for Build 42.20+, supports single-player, local host, and dedicated multiplayer, and is safe to add to existing saves.

  Source · Build 42.20+ author statement · checked 2026-09-30.

• Verified by official source
  The Workshop detail page captured on 2026-09-29 identifies True Cargo - Project Full HD as item 3806955469, with tags [Build 42, Items, Models, QoL, Realistic, Vehicles], Posted 23 Sep @ 2:02pm, and 28 Sep @ 12:17pm.

  Source · Live Workshop snapshot captured 2026-09-29 · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The mod author's Workshop description says True Cargo requires Build 42.15 or newer and that load order does not matter; it describes the multiplayer design as ready but explicitly says it had not yet been tested on a server.

  Source · Build 42.15+ author statement · checked 2026-09-29.

• Verified by official source
  The Workshop detail page captured on 2026-09-29 identifies [B42] Dynamic Gear Rattling as item 3808152720, with tags [Build 42, Audio, Clothing/Armor, Military, QoL, Realistic, Silly/Fun], Posted 25 Sep @ 7:18pm, and 27 Sep @ 4:22pm.

  Source · Live Workshop snapshot captured 2026-09-29 · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The mod author's Workshop description says Dynamic Gear Rattling is safe to add and remove mid-save and works in multiplayer, while dedicated servers had not been tested.

  Source · Build 42 author statement · checked 2026-09-29.

• Verified by official source
  The Workshop detail page captured on 2026-09-29 identifies Over the Shoulder as item 3808805481, with tags [Build 42, QoL, Realistic], Posted 26 Sep @ 7:12pm, and 28 Sep @ 8:07am.

  Source · Live Workshop snapshot captured 2026-09-29 · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The mod author's Workshop description says Over the Shoulder supports Build 42.20 and newer, was tested on 42.21, is safe to add to an ongoing game, and is single-player only.

  Source · Build 42.20+ author statement · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans Build 42.19 mid-game mod reference separates lower-risk UI or quality-of-life changes from loot and vehicle changes that can depend on unvisited cells, and treats map mods as unsupported for casual mid-save changes.

  Source · PZFans page labelled Build 42.19; current Build 42.21 save behavior requires verification · checked 2026-10-01.

• Needs Testing
  A Steam user with 127 installed mods reported post-42.21 menu, inventory, and trap-state problems and asked how to identify incompatible subscribed mods; the thread excerpt does not establish a verified root cause.

  Source · Build 42.21 user report · checked 2026-09-29.

Open the guide · Project Zomboid Workshop · The Indie Stone Forums · Project Zomboid Discussions · Adding Mods Mid-Game · Server mods · 42.20: The Big Glow Up

• Needs Testing
  The site map-mod reference requires a Build tag, cell footprint, conflict check, documented map order, and existing-save or new-world boundary before a map mod is added to a live save.

  Source · Build 42 Workshop reference; individual items require current review · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans Build 42.19 mid-game mod reference separates lower-risk UI or quality-of-life changes from loot and vehicle changes that can depend on unvisited cells, and treats map mods as unsupported for casual mid-save changes.

  Source · PZFans page labelled Build 42.19; current Build 42.21 save behavior requires verification · checked 2026-10-01.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans Server Mods page treats WorkshopItems, Mods, and Map entries as separate multiplayer configuration records instead of one combined mod list.

  Source · PZFans server reference labelled Build 42.20.4; multiplayer activation requires runtime verification · checked 2026-09-30.

• Verified by official source
  The official 42.20 article says the Build 42 map surface area doubled compared with Build 41 and that the Art Department delivered 1,400 new unique buildings and 20,000 new tiles, bringing the tile total to 35,000.

  Source · Build 42.20 map update · checked 2026-09-30.

• Verified by official source
  The official 42.20 article lists Riverside, West Point, Rosewood, Fallas Lake, Muldraugh, Ekron, and Dixie among locations receiving major rework or polishing.

  Source · Build 42.20 map update · checked 2026-09-30.

Open the guide · Project Zomboid Workshop · Project Zomboid Discussions · The Indie Stone Forums · How do mods in B42 MP work? · Dedicated server · Server mods

• Needs Testing
  The site compatibility record separates the game patch, Workshop item metadata, dependencies, author notes, recent reports, and a clean-save runtime result.

  Source · Build 42 Workshop reference; individual items require current review · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  A Steam user reported that updating from 42.20 to 42.21 made a game using the PZ Optimisation mod fail to launch; the post proposes a PowerShell command that downloads and executes an install.ps1 script from GitHub.

  Source · Build 42.20 to 42.21 user report · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  A Steam user with 127 installed mods reported post-42.21 menu, inventory, and trap-state problems and asked how to identify incompatible subscribed mods; the thread excerpt does not establish a verified root cause.

  Source · Build 42.21 user report · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  A Steam user reported checksum verification blocking some vanilla Build 42.21 clients from joining a server and proposed manually creating three local files based on server files; this is not an official fix or independently reproduced result.

  Source · Build 42.21 user report · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  A Steam user reported that one subscribed Build 42 mod appeared in the mod list while another subscribed mod did not; the captured opening post provides a symptom, not a verified resolution.

  Source · Build 42 user report · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  Replies in a Steam discussion about Build 42.21 mod failures suggested disabling half of a large mod list at a time and narrowing the failing batch; this is a community troubleshooting method, not an official fix or independently reproduced result.

  Source · Build 42.21 community troubleshooting discussion · checked 2026-09-30.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  In a March 29, 2026 Steam Support discussion, a response from Beard says server mods must be enabled in both the Steam Workshop and Mods sections; the original poster still reported that the expected mod functionality did not appear.

  Source · Build 42 multiplayer report · checked 2026-09-29. Cross-checked: official_wiki_volunteer_maintained · steam_support_discussion.

• Needs Testing
  PZwiki's dedicated-server mod section distinguishes Mods= entries from WorkshopItems= entries; the page is version-marked 42.20.0 and requires a 42.21 verification pass.

  Source · Page marked 42.20.0; current stable shown as 42.21.0 · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The mod author's Workshop description says Over the Shoulder supports Build 42.20 and newer, was tested on 42.21, is safe to add to an ongoing game, and is single-player only.

  Source · Build 42.20+ author statement · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The mod author's Workshop description says Mattnetic's Heart Health Meter is built for Build 42.20+, supports single-player, local host, and dedicated multiplayer, and is safe to add to existing saves.

  Source · Build 42.20+ author statement · checked 2026-09-30.

• Needs Testing
  The mod author's Workshop description says True Cargo requires Build 42.15 or newer and that load order does not matter; it describes the multiplayer design as ready but explicitly says it had not yet been tested on a server.

  Source · Build 42.15+ author statement · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans server mod reference separates numeric WorkshopItems, internal Mods identifiers, and Map folder identifiers in the server configuration.

  Source · PZFans server reference labelled Build 42.19; current multiplayer activation requires verification · checked 2026-09-30.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans Server Mods page treats WorkshopItems, Mods, and Map entries as separate multiplayer configuration records instead of one combined mod list.

  Source · PZFans server reference labelled Build 42.20.4; multiplayer activation requires runtime verification · checked 2026-09-30.

Open the guide · Project Zomboid Workshop · Project Zomboid Discussions · The Indie Stone Forums · How do mods in B42 MP work? · Dedicated server · Server mods

• Needs Testing
  The site dependency record starts with a failing Workshop item, follows every required item, records the save or server context, and retests the smallest complete chain.

  Source · Build 42 Workshop reference; individual items require current review · checked 2026-09-29.

• Verified by official source
  The Workshop detail page captured on 2026-09-29 identifies Hug the Plushie! as item 3807099610, with tags [Build 42, Misc, Multiplayer, Realistic], Posted 23 Sep @ 9:34pm, and 28 Sep @ 7:51am.

  Source · Live Workshop snapshot captured 2026-09-29 · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The mod author's Workshop description says Hug the Plushie is compatible with multiplayer, safe to add and remove mid-save, requires a restart after enabling, and should load after other affected mods; the page lists Workshop item 3749026793 as required.

  Source · Build 42 author statement · checked 2026-09-29.

• Verified by official source
  The Workshop detail page captured on 2026-09-29 identifies pz3d as item 3807334881, with tags [Build 42, Framework, Interface, Misc, Models, QoL, Realistic, Textures, Weapons, WIP], Posted 24 Sep @ 9:16am, and 28 Sep @ 7:18am.

  Source · Live Workshop snapshot captured 2026-09-29 · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The mod author's Workshop description labels pz3d as a very early work in progress for Project Zomboid 42.20.4, single-player only, with multiplayer planned; the page lists ZombieBuddy item 3619862853 as required.

  Source · Build 42.20.4 author statement · checked 2026-09-29.

• Verified by official source
  The Workshop detail page captured on 2026-09-29 identifies CD: Belgian Malinois as item 3808688990, with tags [Build 42, Animals, Misc, Models, Multiplayer, Realistic], Posted 26 Sep @ 2:29pm, and no Updated value displayed.

  Source · Live Workshop snapshot captured 2026-09-29 · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The mod author's Workshop description says CD: Belgian Malinois supports Build 42.19 and later, requires Companion Dogs 0.8.0 or newer, requires a full restart after enabling, and is intended for dedicated and co-op servers.

  Source · Build 42.19+ author statement · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  PZwiki says an existing save can use a separate mod selection through Load, selecting the save, More, and Choose Mods, and advises backing up the save before changing active mods; the page is version-marked 42.14.0.

  Source · Page marked 42.14.0; current stable shown as 42.21.0 · checked 2026-09-29.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  In a March 29, 2026 Steam Support discussion, a response from Beard says server mods must be enabled in both the Steam Workshop and Mods sections; the original poster still reported that the expected mod functionality did not appear.

  Source · Build 42 multiplayer report · checked 2026-09-29. Cross-checked: official_wiki_volunteer_maintained · steam_support_discussion.

• Needs Testing
  PZwiki's dedicated-server mod section distinguishes Mods= entries from WorkshopItems= entries; the page is version-marked 42.20.0 and requires a 42.21 verification pass.

  Source · Page marked 42.20.0; current stable shown as 42.21.0 · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans server mod reference separates numeric WorkshopItems, internal Mods identifiers, and Map folder identifiers in the server configuration.

  Source · PZFans server reference labelled Build 42.19; current multiplayer activation requires verification · checked 2026-09-30.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans Server Mods page treats WorkshopItems, Mods, and Map entries as separate multiplayer configuration records instead of one combined mod list.

  Source · PZFans server reference labelled Build 42.20.4; multiplayer activation requires runtime verification · checked 2026-09-30.

Open the guide · The Indie Stone Forums · Project Zomboid Discussions · Project Zomboid Workshop · How do mods in B42 MP work? · Multiplayer troubleshooting · Multiplayer hub

• Needs Testing
  The community Multiplayer reference separates shared world state, player-specific state, global sandbox rules, and Workshop or Mods alignment for a co-op session.

  Source · Build 42 multiplayer reference; current server behavior needs verification · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The community Multiplayer reference distinguishes an in-game host, a dedicated server, and a managed host as different administration and availability models.

  Source · Build 42 multiplayer reference; current server behavior needs verification · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The community Multiplayer reference lists loot, zombie speed, time, water shutoff, and PVP among server-level settings groups and distinguishes preset from custom configuration.

  Source · Build 42 multiplayer reference; exact defaults need verification · checked 2026-09-29.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  In a March 29, 2026 Steam Support discussion, a response from Beard says server mods must be enabled in both the Steam Workshop and Mods sections; the original poster still reported that the expected mod functionality did not appear.

  Source · Build 42 multiplayer report · checked 2026-09-29. Cross-checked: official_wiki_volunteer_maintained · steam_support_discussion.

• Needs Testing
  Replies in a Steam discussion about Build 42.21 mod failures suggested disabling half of a large mod list at a time and narrowing the failing batch; this is a community troubleshooting method, not an official fix or independently reproduced result.

  Source · Build 42.21 community troubleshooting discussion · checked 2026-09-30.

• Needs Testing
  A Steam user with 127 installed mods reported post-42.21 menu, inventory, and trap-state problems and asked how to identify incompatible subscribed mods; the thread excerpt does not establish a verified root cause.

  Source · Build 42.21 user report · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans Multiplayer Troubleshooting page uses logs, backups, and symptom-led diagnosis as the starting records for multiplayer server failures.

  Source · PZFans server reference labelled Build 42.20.4; diagnostic steps require current-server verification · checked 2026-09-30.

Open the guide · 42.21 Stable Released · The Indie Stone Forums · Project Zomboid Discussions · Server settings · Server Settings and Version Fields

• Verified by official source
  The current version-mismatch workflow compares stable or unstable branch, exact client and server build, restart state, and only then Workshop files.

  Source · Build 42.21 Stable · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans server settings reference separates branch and patch checks from WorkshopItems, Mods, Map, dependencies, and restart state when diagnosing a multiplayer version mismatch.

  Source · PZFans server reference labelled Build 42.19; current Build 42.21 settings require verification · checked 2026-10-01.

• Verified by official source
  The official Project Zomboid blog announced Build 42.21 Stable on 2026-09-28.

  Source · Build 42.21 Stable · checked 2026-09-30.

• Verified by official source
  The official 42.21 patch-notes topic says existing Build 42.20.4 saves should not be affected, but recommends manually backing up an existing save before testing it on the 42.21 Unstable branch.

  Source · Build 42.20.4 to 42.21 Unstable testing · checked 2026-09-30.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans Server Settings page separates server configuration layers such as INI and SandboxVars records, giving the operator a field inventory before editing a live server.

  Source · PZFans server reference labelled Build 42.20.4; exact defaults and paths require Build 42.21 verification · checked 2026-09-30.

Open the guide · The Indie Stone Forums · Project Zomboid Discussions · Project Zomboid Workshop · Hosted server mod configuration discussion · Dedicated server · Server and Save Backup · Multiplayer hub · Server settings

• Needs Testing
  The community Multiplayer reference distinguishes an in-game host, a dedicated server, and a managed host as different administration and availability models.

  Source · Build 42 multiplayer reference; current server behavior needs verification · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  A February 1, 2022 Steam discussion recommends adding hosted-server mods through both the Steam Workshop and Mods settings and testing conflicting combinations, but it predates Build 42 and cannot confirm the current interface.

  Source · Pre-Build 42 community discussion · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  PZwiki documents SteamCMD command app_update 380870 validate for downloading or updating the Project Zomboid dedicated server; the page is version-marked 42.20.0.

  Source · Page marked 42.20.0; current stable shown as 42.21.0 · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  PZwiki lists UDP ports 16261 and 16262 as the default required dedicated-server ports; the page is version-marked 42.20.0 and warns that current 42.21 information may differ.

  Source · Page marked 42.20.0; current stable shown as 42.21.0 · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  PZwiki identifies servertest.ini, servertest_SandboxVars.lua, servertest_spawnpoints.lua, and servertest_spawnregions.lua under the user's Zomboid/Server folder, with world data under Zomboid/Saves/Multiplayer; the page is version-marked 42.20.0.

  Source · Page marked 42.20.0; current stable shown as 42.21.0 · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans Build 42.19 backup reference treats the live Zomboid save folder, server configuration, Workshop and Mods records, copy date, and a separate restore check as distinct backup fields.

  Source · PZFans page labelled Build 42.19; current Build 42.21 server paths and restore behavior require verification · checked 2026-10-01.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans Multiplayer Troubleshooting page uses logs, backups, and symptom-led diagnosis as the starting records for multiplayer server failures.

  Source · PZFans server reference labelled Build 42.20.4; diagnostic steps require current-server verification · checked 2026-09-30.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans Server Settings page separates server configuration layers such as INI and SandboxVars records, giving the operator a field inventory before editing a live server.

  Source · PZFans server reference labelled Build 42.20.4; exact defaults and paths require Build 42.21 verification · checked 2026-09-30.

Open the guide · Dedicated server · The Indie Stone Forums · Project Zomboid Discussions · How do mods in B42 MP work? · Server and Save Backup · Multiplayer troubleshooting · Server settings

• Needs Testing
  PZwiki documents SteamCMD command app_update 380870 validate for downloading or updating the Project Zomboid dedicated server; the page is version-marked 42.20.0.

  Source · Page marked 42.20.0; current stable shown as 42.21.0 · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  PZwiki lists UDP ports 16261 and 16262 as the default required dedicated-server ports; the page is version-marked 42.20.0 and warns that current 42.21 information may differ.

  Source · Page marked 42.20.0; current stable shown as 42.21.0 · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  PZwiki identifies servertest.ini, servertest_SandboxVars.lua, servertest_spawnpoints.lua, and servertest_spawnregions.lua under the user's Zomboid/Server folder, with world data under Zomboid/Saves/Multiplayer; the page is version-marked 42.20.0.

  Source · Page marked 42.20.0; current stable shown as 42.21.0 · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  PZwiki's dedicated-server mod section distinguishes Mods= entries from WorkshopItems= entries; the page is version-marked 42.20.0 and requires a 42.21 verification pass.

  Source · Page marked 42.20.0; current stable shown as 42.21.0 · checked 2026-09-29.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  In a March 29, 2026 Steam Support discussion, a response from Beard says server mods must be enabled in both the Steam Workshop and Mods sections; the original poster still reported that the expected mod functionality did not appear.

  Source · Build 42 multiplayer report · checked 2026-09-29. Cross-checked: official_wiki_volunteer_maintained · steam_support_discussion.

• Needs Testing
  A user report on the official forum describes a Build 42.20.4 Linux dedicated server intermittently failing to boot when multiple mods were loaded, with an attempted-index 'biomes' error in WorldGenOverride.lua.

  Source · Build 42.20.4; Linux dedicated server · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  Replies in a Steam discussion about Build 42.21 mod failures suggested disabling half of a large mod list at a time and narrowing the failing batch; this is a community troubleshooting method, not an official fix or independently reproduced result.

  Source · Build 42.21 community troubleshooting discussion · checked 2026-09-30.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans server troubleshooting reference starts a server stuck on initializing diagnosis with the console output and first error before changing the save or settings.

  Source · PZFans server reference labelled Build 42.19; diagnostic workflow requires current-server verification · checked 2026-09-30.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans Build 42.19 backup reference treats the live Zomboid save folder, server configuration, Workshop and Mods records, copy date, and a separate restore check as distinct backup fields.

  Source · PZFans page labelled Build 42.19; current Build 42.21 server paths and restore behavior require verification · checked 2026-10-01.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans Server Settings page separates server configuration layers such as INI and SandboxVars records, giving the operator a field inventory before editing a live server.

  Source · PZFans server reference labelled Build 42.20.4; exact defaults and paths require Build 42.21 verification · checked 2026-09-30.

Open the guide · PZWiki · The Indie Stone Forums · Project Zomboid Discussions · Multiplayer hub · Server settings · Server mods

• Needs Testing
  The community Multiplayer reference lists loot, zombie speed, time, water shutoff, and PVP among server-level settings groups and distinguishes preset from custom configuration.

  Source · Build 42 multiplayer reference; exact defaults need verification · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans Server Settings page separates server configuration layers such as INI and SandboxVars records, giving the operator a field inventory before editing a live server.

  Source · PZFans server reference labelled Build 42.20.4; exact defaults and paths require Build 42.21 verification · checked 2026-09-30.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans server settings reference identifies the server INI, SandboxVars file, and multiplayer save directory as separate records under the Zomboid profile.

  Source · PZFans server reference labelled Build 42.19; current server branch paths require verification · checked 2026-09-30.

• Needs Testing
  PZwiki identifies servertest.ini, servertest_SandboxVars.lua, servertest_spawnpoints.lua, and servertest_spawnregions.lua under the user's Zomboid/Server folder, with world data under Zomboid/Saves/Multiplayer; the page is version-marked 42.20.0.

  Source · Page marked 42.20.0; current stable shown as 42.21.0 · checked 2026-09-29.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  In a March 29, 2026 Steam Support discussion, a response from Beard says server mods must be enabled in both the Steam Workshop and Mods sections; the original poster still reported that the expected mod functionality did not appear.

  Source · Build 42 multiplayer report · checked 2026-09-29. Cross-checked: official_wiki_volunteer_maintained · steam_support_discussion.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  In the default Apocalypse sandbox, both the water shutoff and the electricity shutoff are set to 0-2 months: the utilities can die on any day inside that range, and the game does not announce which day. Sinks, toilets, and other fixtures still hold a limited amount of water after the shutoff.

  Source · Sandbox defaults as documented while current stable is 42.21; custom sandbox can change the range · checked 2026-10-06. Cross-checked: collector page.

• Verified by official source
  The official 42.21 patch-notes topic says existing Build 42.20.4 saves should not be affected, but recommends manually backing up an existing save before testing it on the 42.21 Unstable branch.

  Source · Build 42.20.4 to 42.21 Unstable testing · checked 2026-09-30.

Open the guide · Dedicated server · How do mods in B42 MP work? · Hosted server mod configuration discussion · Project Zomboid Workshop · The Indie Stone Forums · Project Zomboid Discussions · Multiplayer troubleshooting

• Needs Testing
  A user report on the official forum describes a Build 42.20.4 Linux dedicated server intermittently failing to boot when multiple mods were loaded, with an attempted-index 'biomes' error in WorldGenOverride.lua.

  Source · Build 42.20.4; Linux dedicated server · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  A Steam user reported that updating from 42.20 to 42.21 made a game using the PZ Optimisation mod fail to launch; the post proposes a PowerShell command that downloads and executes an install.ps1 script from GitHub.

  Source · Build 42.20 to 42.21 user report · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  A Steam user with 127 installed mods reported post-42.21 menu, inventory, and trap-state problems and asked how to identify incompatible subscribed mods; the thread excerpt does not establish a verified root cause.

  Source · Build 42.21 user report · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  A Steam user reported checksum verification blocking some vanilla Build 42.21 clients from joining a server and proposed manually creating three local files based on server files; this is not an official fix or independently reproduced result.

  Source · Build 42.21 user report · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  A Steam user reported that one subscribed Build 42 mod appeared in the mod list while another subscribed mod did not; the captured opening post provides a symptom, not a verified resolution.

  Source · Build 42 user report · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  Replies in a Steam discussion about Build 42.21 mod failures suggested disabling half of a large mod list at a time and narrowing the failing batch; this is a community troubleshooting method, not an official fix or independently reproduced result.

  Source · Build 42.21 community troubleshooting discussion · checked 2026-09-30.

• Needs Testing
  PZwiki's host setup section says Steam Workshop items and Mods are configured in separate server-settings sections, but that section is explicitly marked as copied from an older page and not verified or tested.

  Source · Page marked 42.14.0; current stable shown as 42.21.0 · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  PZwiki's dedicated-server mod section distinguishes Mods= entries from WorkshopItems= entries; the page is version-marked 42.20.0 and requires a 42.21 verification pass.

  Source · Page marked 42.20.0; current stable shown as 42.21.0 · checked 2026-09-29.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  In a March 29, 2026 Steam Support discussion, a response from Beard says server mods must be enabled in both the Steam Workshop and Mods sections; the original poster still reported that the expected mod functionality did not appear.

  Source · Build 42 multiplayer report · checked 2026-09-29. Cross-checked: official_wiki_volunteer_maintained · steam_support_discussion.

• Needs Testing
  A February 1, 2022 Steam discussion recommends adding hosted-server mods through both the Steam Workshop and Mods settings and testing conflicting combinations, but it predates Build 42 and cannot confirm the current interface.

  Source · Pre-Build 42 community discussion · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans server troubleshooting reference starts a server stuck on initializing diagnosis with the console output and first error before changing the save or settings.

  Source · PZFans server reference labelled Build 42.19; diagnostic workflow requires current-server verification · checked 2026-09-30.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans Multiplayer Troubleshooting page uses logs, backups, and symptom-led diagnosis as the starting records for multiplayer server failures.

  Source · PZFans server reference labelled Build 42.20.4; diagnostic steps require current-server verification · checked 2026-09-30.

Open the guide · The Indie Stone Forums · PZWiki · Project Zomboid Discussions · Admin commands · Server and Save Backup · Multiplayer troubleshooting · Multiplayer hub

• Needs Testing
  The community Multiplayer reference treats ordinary account access and administrator privilege as separate server records and recommends checking normal login before granting a role.

  Source · Build 42 multiplayer reference; current server behavior needs verification · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans Admin Commands page organizes server administration around command syntax, roles, and permission boundaries that should be checked before granting access.

  Source · PZFans server reference labelled Build 42.20.4; command syntax requires current-branch verification · checked 2026-09-30.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans administrator reference documents setaccesslevel, removeadmin, and banuser command examples and lists admin, moderator, overseer, gm, and observer access levels.

  Source · PZFans server reference labelled Build 42.19; command syntax requires current-branch verification · checked 2026-09-30.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans Build 42.19 backup reference treats the live Zomboid save folder, server configuration, Workshop and Mods records, copy date, and a separate restore check as distinct backup fields.

  Source · PZFans page labelled Build 42.19; current Build 42.21 server paths and restore behavior require verification · checked 2026-10-01.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans Multiplayer Troubleshooting page uses logs, backups, and symptom-led diagnosis as the starting records for multiplayer server failures.

  Source · PZFans server reference labelled Build 42.20.4; diagnostic steps require current-server verification · checked 2026-09-30.

• Cross-checked with community sources
  In a March 29, 2026 Steam Support discussion, a response from Beard says server mods must be enabled in both the Steam Workshop and Mods sections; the original poster still reported that the expected mod functionality did not appear.

  Source · Build 42 multiplayer report · checked 2026-09-29. Cross-checked: official_wiki_volunteer_maintained · steam_support_discussion.

Open the guide · The Indie Stone Forums · Project Zomboid Discussions · Project Zomboid Workshop · Server and Save Backup · Dedicated server · 42.21 Stable Released · Multiplayer hub · Multiplayer troubleshooting

• Needs Testing
  The community Multiplayer reference treats a server backup as a set containing the save, configuration, mod IDs, date, and a separate restore test rather than a copied folder with no proof.

  Source · Build 42 multiplayer reference; current server behavior needs verification · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans Build 42.19 backup reference treats the live Zomboid save folder, server configuration, Workshop and Mods records, copy date, and a separate restore check as distinct backup fields.

  Source · PZFans page labelled Build 42.19; current Build 42.21 server paths and restore behavior require verification · checked 2026-10-01.

• Needs Testing
  PZwiki identifies servertest.ini, servertest_SandboxVars.lua, servertest_spawnpoints.lua, and servertest_spawnregions.lua under the user's Zomboid/Server folder, with world data under Zomboid/Saves/Multiplayer; the page is version-marked 42.20.0.

  Source · Page marked 42.20.0; current stable shown as 42.21.0 · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans server mod reference separates numeric WorkshopItems, internal Mods identifiers, and Map folder identifiers in the server configuration.

  Source · PZFans server reference labelled Build 42.19; current multiplayer activation requires verification · checked 2026-09-30.

• Verified by official source
  The official 42.21 patch-notes topic says existing Build 42.20.4 saves should not be affected, but recommends manually backing up an existing save before testing it on the 42.21 Unstable branch.

  Source · Build 42.20.4 to 42.21 Unstable testing · checked 2026-09-30.

• Needs Testing
  The PZFans Multiplayer Troubleshooting page uses logs, backups, and symptom-led diagnosis as the starting records for multiplayer server failures.

  Source · PZFans server reference labelled Build 42.20.4; diagnostic steps require current-server verification · checked 2026-09-30.

Open the guide · Project Zomboid News · 42.21 Stable Released · 42.20: The Big Glow Up · The Indie Stone Forums

• Verified by official source
  The official Project Zomboid blog announced Build 42.21 Stable on 2026-09-28.

  Source · Build 42.21 Stable · checked 2026-09-30.

Open the guide · 42.21 Stable Released · The Indie Stone Forums · Project Zomboid Discussions · Project Zomboid Workshop

• Verified by official source
  The official Project Zomboid blog announced Build 42.21 Stable on 2026-09-28.

  Source · Build 42.21 Stable · checked 2026-09-30.

• Verified by official source
  The 42.21 release post says the worst zombie duplication issues in multiplayer and zombie disappearance after chunk re-entry in single-player and multiplayer were addressed, while some instances remained for a later update.

  Source · Build 42.21 Stable · checked 2026-09-30.

• Verified by official source
  The 42.21 release post says XXL tree cutaway behavior was changed for players in vehicles, overhanging houses and furniture, and overall transparency; the work was still described as in progress.

  Source · Build 42.21 Stable · checked 2026-09-30.

• Verified by official source
  The 42.21 release post says the loadstring and loadstream Lua methods, disabled in 42.20.4 during security investigation, were re-enabled after further investigation.

  Source · Build 42.21 Stable · checked 2026-09-30.

• Verified by official source
  The official 42.21 patch-notes topic says existing Build 42.20.4 saves should not be affected, but recommends manually backing up an existing save before testing it on the 42.21 Unstable branch.

  Source · Build 42.20.4 to 42.21 Unstable testing · checked 2026-09-30.

• Needs Testing
  A Steam user reported that updating from 42.20 to 42.21 made a game using the PZ Optimisation mod fail to launch; the post proposes a PowerShell command that downloads and executes an install.ps1 script from GitHub.

  Source · Build 42.20 to 42.21 user report · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  A Steam user with 127 installed mods reported post-42.21 menu, inventory, and trap-state problems and asked how to identify incompatible subscribed mods; the thread excerpt does not establish a verified root cause.

  Source · Build 42.21 user report · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  A Steam user reported that one subscribed Build 42 mod appeared in the mod list while another subscribed mod did not; the captured opening post provides a symptom, not a verified resolution.

  Source · Build 42 user report · checked 2026-09-29.

• Needs Testing
  Replies in a Steam discussion about Build 42.21 mod failures suggested disabling half of a large mod list at a time and narrowing the failing batch; this is a community troubleshooting method, not an official fix or independently reproduced result.

  Source · Build 42.21 community troubleshooting discussion · checked 2026-09-30.