🗺 World — Knox County and Louisville
Project Zomboid is set in the state of Kentucky, USA, in 1993. The map is huge — covering cities, rural areas, forests and farms. World system data extracted from game definition files.
Use the website pzmap.crash-override.net for the complete interactive map with all locations marked. Indispensable for withdrawal planning.
Knox County — Main Map
Knox County is the game's classic area — where most players start. Several cities interconnected by roads, surrounded by forests and farms.
Muldraugh
Medium Danger
Classic starting town. Good balance between resources and danger. Supermarket, school, police station.
Loot: General supplies, weapons (police station), food (supermarket)
Riverside
Low Danger
Smaller city on the banks of the river. Good for beginners. Fewer zombies, fewer resources.
Loot: Tools (hardware store), fishing (nearby river)
Rosewood
Low Danger
Quiet suburban town. Highly recommended for beginners. Hospital, fire department, police station.
Loot: Doctor (hospital), tools, weapons, supplies
West Point
High Danger
Biggest and most dangerous city. Lots of zombies but excellent loot. Huge supermarket.
Loot: Food (supermarket), weapons, miscellaneous supplies
Ekron
Low Danger
Small rural community. Few houses. Good farms around.
Loot: Farming tools, rural food
Dixie
Low Danger
Rural area with gas stations and small establishments.
Loot: Fuel, snacks, basic tools
Louisville — The Metropolis
Louisville is the largest city in the game — a complete metropolis with hundreds of buildings, wide streets and a huge density of zombies. Added in Build 41.
Louisville = Extreme Danger. Tens of thousands of zombies. Don't go without a reliable vehicle, adequate weapons, and a clear escape route. Recommended for experienced survivors only (month 2+).
Louisville Downtown
Extreme Danger
City center. Skyscrapers, offices, shopping centers. Unparalleled zombie density.
Loot: Electronics, office items, clothing, specialized equipment
Louisville Suburbs
High Danger
Residential neighborhoods around the center. Less dense than downtown but still very dangerous.
Loot: Household supplies, weapons in houses, vehicles
Louisville Waterfront
High Danger
Area on the banks of the Ohio River. Docks, warehouses and industrial areas.
Loot: Industrial equipment, food (warehouses), heavy tools
Louisville Airport
Extreme Danger
Airport with terminals, runways and hangars. Open area with visibility but lots of zombies.
Loot: Military items, specialized tools, aviation fuel
Regions Guide
| Region | Danger | Best For | Starting Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rosewood | Low | Beginners, home base | Excellent — hospital nearby |
| Riverside | Low | Beginners, fishing | Good — river allows immediate fishing |
| Muldraugh | Average | Intermediate players | Good — balanced resources |
| West Point | High | Veterans, heavy loot | Hard — lots of zombies starting |
| Ekron | Low | Sustainable rural base | Good — close to farms |
| Louisville | Extreme | Veterans — elite loot | Not recommended — no base established |
| March Ridge | Average | Alternative base | Acceptable — quiet small town |
| Fallas Lake | Low | Retreat, hidden base | Good — forested, difficult access |
| Fort Knox | Extreme | Elite military loot | No — infested military facility |
| Irvington | Medium | Expansion area | Acceptable — medium city |
🌿 Foraging
The foraging system allows you to find plants, mushrooms, stones and other resources in an open area. The Foraging skill determines what you can find.
What Can Be Foraged By Level
0
Rocks, Tree Branches, basic Wild Berries, worms (fishing bait)
1
Basic Medicinal Plants, Chipped Stone, plus Berries
2
Common Mushrooms, Plantain, Wild Garlic, Comfrey (medicinal herbs)
3
Clay, plus Mushrooms, Rare Berries, Bark
4
Worms, identifiable rare and dangerous mushrooms, more herbs
5
Reliable identification of mushrooms, rare plants, high-quality resources
6+
Maximum efficiency — finds resources faster and in greater quantities
Foraging Locations
| Location Type | Common Features | Special Features |
|---|---|---|
| Dense Forest | Twigs, mushrooms, berries, medicinal herbs | Rare mushrooms, special medicinal plants |
| Riverside | Worms, stones, sand | Clay, special stones |
| Lawn / Field | Herbs, plants, earthworms | Field mushrooms, medicinal plants |
| Urban Area | Very little — focus on looting buildings | Rarely — invasive weeds |
Herbalist Trait: Unlocked by the Herbalist trait or the herbal medicine recipe book. Allows you to recognize and use advanced medicinal plants — Plantain Cataplasm, Comfrey Cataplasm, etc. Very useful in long games.
🌱 Agriculture
Agriculture is the only source of food that is truly sustainable in the long term.
Cultivation Process
- Prepare the Soil: Use Shovel or Garden Hoe to dig the bed (Dig Plot). The soil needs to be prepared to accept seeds.
- Plant: With seeds in inventory, right click on the seedbed → "Plant". Make sure you have adequate space.
- Water: Use Watering Can or bucket with water. Keep the soil moist daily.
- Fertilize (optional): Add Fertilizer (commercial) or Compost (organic) to accelerate growth and increase yield.
- Monitor Pests: Fly or disease may appear. Treat immediately with Pesticide or Remove Plant Disease.
- Harvest: When fully ripe ("Ready to Harvest" state), harvest by hand.
- Collect Seeds: From some harvested vegetables, extract seeds for the next planting.
Culture Table
Planting months are based on the in-game month (1 = January).
| Culture | Time (h) | Sowing Months | Water (level) | Harvest Level | Special |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barley (Barley) | 432h | 8–10 (Aug–Oct) | 40 | Farming 6 | Cold Hardy — grows in the cold |
| Bell Pepper | 292h | 4–6 (Apr–Jun) | 70 | Farming 3 | Needs heat |
| Broccoli | 280h | 3–5 (Mar–May) | 60 | Farming 3 | Resistant |
| Cabbage | 320h | 3–6 (Mar–Jun) | 50 | Farming 2 | Cold Hardy |
| Carrot (Carrot) | 432h | 2–7 (Feb–Jul) | 45 | Farming 2 | High durability harvested |
| Cauliflower | 290h | 3–5 (Mar–May) | 60 | Farming 3 | Similar to broccoli |
| Corn | 432h | 3–5 (Mar–May) | 80 | Farming 4 | High calorie, animal feed |
| Cucumber (Cucumber) | 280h | 4–6 (Apr–Jun) | 80 | Farming 3 | High hydration |
| Eggplant (Eggplant) | 310h | 4–6 (Apr–Jun) | 65 | Farming 3 | Good durability |
| Garlic (Garlic) | 360h | 9–11 (Sep–Nov) | 30 | Farming 2 | Insane shelf life |
| Lettuce (Lettuce) | 180h | 3–5 (Mar–May) | 50 | Farming 1 | Shortest cycle in the game! |
| Onion (Onion) | 380h | 3–5 (Mar–May) | 50 | Farming 2 | Long shelf life harvested |
| Potato (Potato) | 432h | 3–6 (Mar–Jun) | 55 | Farming 3 | High calorie, cut seeds |
| Pumpkin | 500h | 4–6 (Apr–Jun) | 65 | Farming 4 | Exceptional durability (60 days) |
| Radish (Radish) | 200h | 3–6 (Mar–Jun) | 50 | Farming 1 | Fast cycle, low calorie |
| Strawberry | 220h | 4–6 (Apr–Jun) | 70 | Farming 2 | Reduces unhappy, perennial |
| Tomato | 280h | 4–6 (Apr–Jun) | 70 | Farming 3 | Very versatile in cooking |
| Wheat | 432h | 8–10 (Aug–Oct) | 40 | Farming 5 | For flour, animal feed |
Planting Strategy by Season
🌱 Spring (Mar–May)
Grow most vegetables. Focus on: Lettuce (quick), Tomato, Cucumber, Carrot, Onion, Potato. It is the most productive season.
☀ Summer (Jun–Aug)
Spring harvests. Replant for second harvest. Corn and Pumpkin still accept planting.
🍂 Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Plant Cold Hardy crops: Barley, Wheat, Garlic. Harvest and store everything before winter.
❄ Winter (Dec–Feb)
Almost nothing grows. Live off the stock! Keep the Freezer and preserves. Plan for spring planting.
🎣 Fishing
Fishing is a passive and reliable source of protein. It does not depend on electricity, feed or season.
How to Fish
- Find water: Lake, river or any body of water. Riverside and the Ohio River are ideal.
- Take rod and bait: Fishing Rod + Worm (or Lure, or other small fish as bait).
- Right click on the water: "Fish Here". The character starts fishing.
- Please wait: The Fishing skill determines the success rate and size of the fish.
- Cook or preserve: Raw fish spoils within 2 days. Cook immediately or freeze.
Fish Available
| Fish | Size | Calories | Protein | Where to Find It |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bass | Medium | 82/100g | 18.9g | Lakes, rivers |
| Catfish | Medium-Large | 95/100g | 16.4g | Rivers |
| Pike | Large | 88/100g | 19.3g | Deep Lakes |
| Perch | Small | 91/100g | 19.4g | Lakes, rivers |
| Trout | Medium | 119/100g | 20.0g | Clean rivers |
| Carp | Large | 127/100g | 17.8g | Lakes |
| Bluegill | Small | 97/100g | 20.5g | Any lake |
Fishing Skill Progression
1
Basic fishing — small fish, low success rate. Create improvised stick.
3
Bigger fish start to appear. Increased success rate.
5
Very good efficiency. Create improvised baits. Fast and reliable fishing.
7+
Elite fishing. Create passive fishing nets. It rarely fails.
🏠 Base Construction
A secure base is essential. It can be an existing structure reinforced or built from scratch.
Criteria for Choosing Base
🔒 Security
Few entrances, high windows (difficult for zombies to reach), away from busy streets. Neighborhood already clean or capable of being cleaned.
💧 Water
Next to a body of water or with space for Rain Collector Barrels. Water is the most critical resource after the collapse of the public network.
🌱 Agricultural Space
Arable land nearby for plantations. Large patio/yard for flowerbeds. Fundamental in the medium term.
🛣 Access
Clear exit route for vehicles. Don't get trapped. Close to the highway but with the option of alternative routes.
📦 Storage Capacity
Space for crates, shelves, freezers. A base without adequate storage limits play.
⚡ Infrastructure
Space for generator, fuel tanks and radio antenna. Firm floor for heavy equipment.
Best Types of Location for Base
| Type | Advantages | Disadvantages | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suburban House | Common, easy to find, reasonable space | Basic structure, without natural protection | ⭐⭐⭐ Good for the beginning |
| Rural Farm | Huge agricultural space, far from urban hordes | Distant from urban resources, isolated | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent medium-long term |
| Gas Station | Fuel on property, access to roads | Dangerous initially, smaller structure | ⭐⭐ Alternative with guaranteed fuel |
| School / Gym | Huge, courts like a courtyard, many rooms | Difficult to clean, lots of entries | ⭐⭐⭐ Excellent for large groups |
| Hospital | Medical equipment, good structure | Lots of zombies initially, lots of entrances | ⭐⭐⭐ Great for medicine-focused games |
| Construction from Scratch | Perfect location, ideal layout | Requires Carpentry 5+, huge amount of materials | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Perfect but late |
Base Security Priorities
- Immediate Barricade: Barricade all ground floor windows with boards (Board up Window). Zombies come in through windows!
- Reinforced Doors: Swap fragile doors for solid wood doors. Add extra locks.
- Perimeter: Build a wooden or metal fence around the property. Prevent silent approach.
- Vehicle Gate: Allow vehicles to enter with a wide metal gate.
- Visibility: Clear surrounding vegetation — zombies hide in tall bushes.
- Perimeter Alarm: Install alarms at secondary inputs (Electrical 3).
📅 Seasons
Seasons affect temperature, planting, animal behavior and survival strategies. The game starts in July by default.
| Season | Temperature | Planting | Threats | Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Amena | Great | Frequent rain | Plant everything you can. Maximum agricultural production. |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Hot–Very Hot | Good | Hyperthermia in heavy clothing | Light clothes. Drink water frequently. Harvest crops. |
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) | Fresh–Cold | Limited | Increasing cold | Plant cold hardy crops. Intensive stock for winter. |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Cold–Very Cold | Almost none | Hypothermia, food shortage | Heating, living off stock, repairing and building on base. |
🎒 Loot Guide
Where to find the most important items in the game.
| Item Wanted | Best Location | Alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Firearms | Police Station, Gun Stores | Homes (rare), military |
| Ammunition | Gun Stores, police stations | Houses with weapons, military |
| Antibiotics | Pharmacies, hospitals | Homes (bathroom) |
| Construction Materials | Hardware Stores | Construction sites, warehouses |
| Tools | Hardware Stores | Garages, sheds |
| Mass foods | Supermarkets | Restaurants, houses |
| Protective Clothing | Industrial, military warehouses | Clothing stores |
| Generators | Hardware Stores, warehouses | Construction sites |
| Fuel (Jerry Can) | Gas stations | Garages, hardware |
| Skill Books | Libraries, bookstores | Schools, homes |
| Seeds | Hardware, Garden Centers | Supermarkets (rarely) |
| Electrical Components | Electronics, stores | Dismantling appliances in homes |
| Welding Equipment | Building sites, hardware | Industrial warehouses |
| First Aid Kit | Ambulances, hospitals | Pharmacies |
Loot Time: During the day it is easier to see but it is also easier to be seen by zombies. At night there are fewer active zombies but visibility is very reduced (use a flashlight). Dawn is usually best — still cold (slow zombies) and already light.