Unleash Your Inner Survivor: The Essential Project Zomboid Mods
Wondering how to make your Project Zomboid experience even more intense or convenient? Mods are the answer! Sandbox games like Project Zomboid truly shine with community creations, offering everything from massive game overhauls to subtle quality-of-life tweaks that can change everything.
Even though Project Zomboid launched back in 2013, this zombie survival game has seen a massive resurgence in popularity, with legions of players flocking back for the highly anticipated Build 42 update. To help you navigate the apocalypse with style, we’ve compiled a list of the absolute best Project Zomboid mods for both Build 41 and the new Build 42.
Here are our top picks for Project Zomboid mods:
Featured Project Zomboid Mods:
- ORGM Rechambered
- Way More Cars
- Last Stand Together
- Computer
- Water Pipes
- Bandits Creator
- SecretZ Pandemic
- Occupation Based Starting Gear
- Week One
- TV and Radio Reinvented
- They Knew
- Generator Time Remaining
- Skateboard!
- Automatic Gates
- Ain’t That a Kick in the Head
- Vehicle Repair Overhaul
- Braven’s Bicycles
- Vanilla Firearms Expansion
- Expanded Helicopter Events
- Unpack
- Common Sense
- Rain Wash
ORGM Rechambered
Version: B42
While relying on firearms can often lead to a swift demise in the apocalypse, the ORGM Rechambered mod might just tempt you. This mod completely revamps Zomboid’s gun mechanics, emphasizing realism, and introduces over 100 new firearms, giving you plenty of options to defend yourself – or get into more trouble.
Way More Cars
Version: B42
This wonderfully straightforward mod, ‘Way More Cars’, doesn’t just expand your options for finding a functional vehicle in the devastated landscape; it also cleverly weaves in a narrative element. The creator pondered the origins of the vast zombie hordes, adding depth to the game’s lore alongside its practical gameplay additions.
Last Stand Together
Version: B41
The ‘Last Stand Together’ mod brings multiplayer excitement to the classic wave defense experience. Gather a friend, fortify a house, and prepare to face endless waves of the undead until your inevitable, glorious defeat. Fun guaranteed!
Computer
Version: B42
The ‘Computer’ mod transforms a mundane PC into a fully interactive in-game item. Use it to combat boredom, reduce anxiety, and boost your mood. Throughout the map, you’ll discover disks that allow you to install new games onto your PC. Remember, though, your computer needs electricity to run, so keep those generators fueled!
Water Pipes
Version: B42
With the introduction of proper farming, you might be looking to automate some of your agricultural efforts. The ‘Water Pipes’ mod lets you build a sophisticated plumbing system that draws water from various sources like lakes and wells, channeling it directly to hydrate your crops. It can also fill water barrels, ensuring you always have a refreshing drink readily available.
Bandits Creator
Version: B42
Expanding on Slayer’s original ‘Bandits’ mod, the ‘Bandits Creator’ introduces new hostile human NPCs to Project Zomboid – as if the relentless undead weren’t enough to deal with! While the base mod provides fundamental hostile characters, ‘Bandits Creator’ takes it further, allowing you to assign specific traits to these humans. For instance, an electrician might damage your generators, while a mechanic could sabotage your vehicle. You can also customize their toughness, frequency of appearance, and other aspects, adding a fresh layer of challenge. Given that Slayer is also behind the excellent ‘Week One’ mod (detailed later), you know you’re in capable hands.
SecretZ Pandemic
Version: B42
This map enhancement mod, ‘SecretZ Pandemic’, introduces several military checkpoints, outposts, and even a few secret bunkers across the world. Use these locations to resupply, but be wary of what you might discover. You’ll find additional items that hint at a deeper conspiracy, suggesting the military knew more than they let on…
Occupation Based Starting Gear
Version: B42
The ‘Occupation Based Starting Gear’ mod provides each of Project Zomboid’s starting occupations with a unique set of items in their inventory at the beginning of a new game. It just makes sense: a police officer should have a standard-issue handgun and holster, and a chef would surely carry a can opener. This mod adds nuance to your initial career choice; for example, a nurse, often overlooked, now starts with an array of medical supplies, making it a potentially strategic choice for survival.
Week One
Version: B42
The standard Project Zomboid experience plunges you directly into the height of the zombie apocalypse. But what if you wanted to witness the initial chaos as events unfolded? With the ‘Week One’ mod installed, your game begins a full seven days before the outbreak.
This epic mod by Slayer is undoubtedly one of our absolute favorites. While ‘Week One’ may not be strictly canon, we’re certainly happy to embrace it as such.
TV and Radio Reinvented
Version: B42
You might not initially consider television or radio a crucial addition to Project Zomboid, but once you experience the ‘TV and Radio Reinvented’ mod, you won’t want to go back. This mod introduces more interactivity and detailed interfaces to the in-game television sets and radios, adding a new layer of immersion to the sandbox experience. Now, when your character tunes into ‘Life and Living’ to gain new skills, you can actually be entertained with real in-game television shows.
They Knew
Version: B42
Thanks to new medicine types introduced by the ‘They Knew’ mod, you can now cure yourself of the zombie virus, though you’ll need to do so each time you become infected. You also have the option to delay the virus’s progression, buying you more time to find a cure, and there’s even an infection prevention pill that provides 24 hours of immunity. While these additions already make for interesting gameplay, the creator has promised an expanded universe for the mod, featuring new zombies, items, and a unique NPC trading system. We’ll keep you updated on further developments for this exciting expansion.
Generator Time Remaining
Version: B42
It can be incredibly frustrating to not know precisely how long your generator fuel will last, especially since it’s one of your most vital resources for survival. The ‘Generator Time Remaining’ mod solves this by displaying the exact days and hours left after the fuel percentage. Unfortunately, the mod doesn’t yet provide the same detail for the generator’s condition, which is arguably just as important. Perhaps this feature will be added in future updates, but for now, the fuel timer offers a much-needed estimate for when to go scavenging for more.
Skateboard!
Version: B42
It might not be as fast as a car, but it’s infinitely cooler: the ‘Skateboard!’ mod introduces a ridable skateboard to Zomboid, allowing you to travel from point A to point B in undeniable style. Amazingly, you can press G to pop an ollie, and if your board takes too much damage, it can even be repaired. This is a definite must-have for any survivor.
Automatic Gates
Version: B41/B42
Several Project Zomboid mods exist to automate gates, and we’ve got options for both B41 and B42. ‘Automatic Gate’ for B41 does exactly what you’d expect, adding gates that open automatically – a small but significant change when you consider the constant threat outside your vehicle. ‘Automatic Gates’ for B42 offers similar functionality, allowing you to flash your car lights to open your gate. Both mods require you to construct the gate first, but they significantly reduce your risk of becoming zombie chow on your way home. Due to vehicle sizes, both mods limit automation to double doors, double metal pole gates, and double metal wire gates.
Ain’t That A Kick In The Head
Version: B41/B42
No longer just a classic tune, the ‘Ain’t That A Kick In The Head’ mod introduces a couple of new starting scenarios for your next playthrough, both inspired by the opening of Fallout New Vegas. This mod (ATAKITH for short) spawns you into the world with a bullet wound to the head, with the added twist that the round is still lodged in your cranium. You’ll need to find medical supplies, and fast!
Vehicle Repair Overhaul
Version: B41/B42
Project Zomboid mechanics have surely been frustrated by the limited options for fixing up their in-game rides. Well, that all changes with the incredible ‘Vehicle Repair Overhaul’ mod, designed with actual mechanics and welders in mind. Fix flat tires, salvage parts from old vehicles, and weld those components onto your car to get your favorite broken-down ride running again. You’ll happily lose countless hours tinkering in your garage, which is no bad thing in the apocalypse. ‘Vehicle Repair Overhaul’ is available for both B41 and B42, though the salvage option isn’t yet available in B42.
Braven’s Bicycles
Version: B41
A bicycle might not be your first choice for outrunning a zombie horde, but it’s certainly better than traversing on foot. The fantastic ‘Braven’s Bicycles’ mod adds a variety of bike types, each with unique stats, and you can even attach a trailer to haul your scavenged resources home. The obvious benefit of a bike is that it requires no gas or battery, but pedaling will tire you out and leave you more vulnerable to attacks.
Vanilla Firearms Expansion
Version: B41
‘Vanilla Firearms Expansion’ introduces a wide array of new weapons and also updates the textures of existing guns, creating a completely revamped arsenal. Blast zombies away with weapons like the semi-automatic SPAS-12 shotgun, Uzi SMG, or AK-47. New attachments offer alternative ways to customize your weapons, including magazines for faster reloads and stabilizing bipods. Perhaps the best addition from VFE is its rework of the jamming mechanic. Now, when you clear a jammed firearm, your lost round is returned if the gun is completely unloaded beforehand. The Vanilla Firearms mod is a community favorite for good reason, but it’s currently limited to B41. Tragically, a founding creator of the mod passed away in February 2025, which has understandably paused progress on its B42 update.
Expanded Helicopter Events
Version: B41
In the vanilla game, a single helicopter event occurs early in your playthrough, drawing hordes of zombies towards your location with its loud sirens. With the ‘Expanded Helicopter Events’ mod, these chaotic incidents become far more frequent and varied, featuring crashed choppers, multiple siren events, and much more. As one of the community’s most beloved mods, ‘Expanded Helicopter Events’ was a must-include on our list, but it’s important to note that it’s only compatible with Build 41 for now. One of the creators, Chuckleberry Finn, has indicated plans for a B42 update.
Unpack
Version: B41
We’re still eagerly awaiting an update for this mod to B42, but it’s so essential that we couldn’t omit it for those still playing Build 41. The ‘Unpack’ mod automatically moves and sorts items from your inventory into your home storage, saving you precious time and energy after a long day of scavenging. It’s an absolute game-changer.
Common Sense
Version: B41
The ‘Common Sense’ mod introduces several quality-of-life changes that, well, just make common sense. Being able to pry open doors with a crowbar, crafting makeshift spears from brooms, and opening cans with knives – these are all plausible actions, and with this mod, you can perform them in Zomboid too!
Rain Wash
Version: B41
The ‘Rain Wash’ mod adds a small but wonderfully immersive feature: your clothes will slowly become clean if you’re caught in the rain. Covered in blood? No problem! The blood will gradually transform into dirt, and then the dirt will slowly wash away, provided you remain exposed to the elements. While it might not replace a proper wash, it certainly does the trick in a pinch.
These are just a few of the fantastic Project Zomboid mods we’ve discovered, but we’ll continue to keep an eye out for more excellent additions to this list. Whether you’re new to this crafting game or returning for the latest build, be sure to check out how combat has been improved in Build 42, among many other significant changes.