Project Zomboid

Project Zomboid: Best Melee Weapons (Ranked)

Posted on Oct 27, 2023 by justin

(Estimated Read Time: 10 minutes)

Nothing beats smashing zombie brains in Knox Country up close with a melee weapon. Although Project Zomboid has many melee weapons, some perform better than others, and even come with incredible utility as well. So here, we'll rank the best melee weapons in Project Zomboid.

Top 10 Best Melee Weapons in Project Zomboid

It’s important to mention that the following list of the best melee weapons in Project Zomboid might not be for every type of player. Nonetheless, the weapons below typically have superior stats and better performance than others.

10. Crowbar

The Crowbar is more than a weapon in Project Zomboid, as you can also use it as a tool. In particular, use the Crowbar to pick up flooring and windows or pry wooden barricades from doors and windows. But unlike other melee weapons, you can’t repair the Crowbar. So, it disappears from your inventory when its durability depletes. Thankfully, it’s a reasonably common tool-slash-weapon, so you’ll usually have a spare lying in storage. Where to Get: Generally found in sheds and warehouses. It may also spawn in bedrooms, lockers, and grocery stores.

Base Stats

Weight: 2
Maximum Condition: 15
Weapon Type: Blunt
Attack Speed: 3
Range: 0.61 to 1.25 tiles
Damage: 0.6 to 1.15
Knockback: 0.5
Knockdown: 0

9. Pickaxe

Another tool-slash-weapon to grace this list is the Pickaxe. As a tool, it’s an effective way to chop trees and break down doors. But unlike the Crowbar, you can repair the Pickaxe to restore its durability. However, this item is relatively rare since it only spawns in a handful of locations. Where to Get: Typically spawns in construction vehicles and tool stores. It may also appear in hardware stores of Riverside and West Point.

Base Stats

Weight: 3
Maximum Condition: 13
Weapon Type: Axe
Attack Speed: 3
Range: 0.61 to 1.5 tiles
Damage: 1 to 2.2
Knockback: 0.3
Knockdown: 2

8. Crafted Spear

As its name implies, the Crafted Spear can’t spawn on any container in Project Zomboid. Instead, you must craft it using specific items. As a weapon, the Crafted Spear has a reasonably long reach, reducing the risks of lacerations and infections. You can also use it to catch fish if you don’t have the Fishing Pole. However, the Crafted Spear has low durability. On the plus side, attaching it with certain items can improve its damage capabilities. The items you can combine with a Crafted Spear are the following:

Bread Knife
Butter Knife
Fork
Letter Opener
Scalpel
Spoon
Scissors
Hand Fork
Screwdriver
Knife
Hunting Knife
Machete
Ice Pick

Note: All combinations require 2x Duct Tape to complete. Where to Get: Use a blade (e.g., Kitchen Knife or Hunting Knife) on a plank or tree branch to make the Crafted Spear.

Base Stats

Weight: 1.7
Maximum Condition: 5
Weapon Type: Spear
Attack Speed: 2
Range: 0.98 to 1.4 tiles
Damage: 1 to 1.5
Knockback: 0.3
Knockdown: 0

7. Garden Fork

The Garden Fork is the only non-craftable spear in Project Zomboid. Despite this shortcoming, it has the highest durability in its melee weapon class. It also has a charging ability, allowing you to pierce and kill zombies with one blow. Where to Get: This melee weapon rarely spawns in residences but is more commonly found in warehouses, storage units, and farming stores.

Base Stats

Weight: 1.5
Maximum Condition: 10
Weapon Type: Spear
Attack Speed: 2
Range: 0.67 to 1.37 tiles
Damage: 1 to 1.5
Knockback: 0.3
Knockdown: 0

6. Sledgehammer

The Sledgehammer has the highest maximum damage among all weapons in Project Zomboid. It’s also an effective tool in breaking doors, chopping trees, and destroying tiles. However, it still ranks relatively low in practicality since the Sledgehammer has a long windup before striking. But if a successful swing can crush three zombies at once. Where to Get: Search inside warehouses, construction sites, hardware stores, and industrial facilities for a chance to find the Sledgehammer.

Base Stats

Weight: 6
Maximum Condition: 10
Weapon Type: Blunt
Attack Speed: 4
Range: 0.7 to 1.35 tiles
Damage: 2 to 3
Knockback: 1
Knockdown: 3

Note: Using the Sledgehammer on things other than zombies will reduce its durability as of Build 26.

5. Kitchen Knife

Aside from being a pre-requisite tool to cook dishes in Project Zomboid, the Kitchen Knife can also be a great weapon to slice zombies. If timed correctly, its attack can kill a zombie with one hit. However, it’s not as helpful when surrounded by the undead. You can also use the Kitchen Knife to break down doors and chop trees. But the damage done to these elements with this melee weapon is minuscule. Where to Get: Generally spawn on kitchen counters, general stores, and male corpses.

Base Stats

Weight: 0.3
Maximum Condition: 10
Weapon Type: Blade
Attack Speed: 2
Range: 0.61 to 0.9 tiles
Damage: 0.3 to 0.6
Knockback: 0.3
Knockdown: 0

4. Machete

If you’re trying to level up your Long Blade skill, the Machete is one of two weapons to help you achieve that goal. This bladed melee weapon has a fast-swinging animation and deals more damage than most weapons in its class. But one of its biggest drawbacks is its rarity since it doesn’t spawn as frequently as other zombie-killing items. Where to Get: Look in hardware stores, pawn shops, military surplus stores, and barricaded buildings. Sometimes, a Machete is stuck on a zombie after Day 20.

Base Stats

Weight: 2
Maximum Condition: 13
Weapon Type: Long Blade
Attack Speed: 4
Range: 0.61 to 1.23 tiles
Damage: 2 to 3
Knockback: 0.3
Knockdown: 2

3. Katana

The Katana is the other melee weapon to level up your Long Blade skill. This two-handed melee weapon is comparable to the Sledgehammer regarding damage output. Plus, it has good durability and range. However, use the Katana sparingly since you can’t repair it. Additionally, it shares its rarity with the Machete for being one of the rarest weapons in the game. Where to Get: The Katana can rarely spawn in houses, gun shops, and pawn shops. It may also appear stuck in a zombie’s body after Day 60.

Base Stats

Weight: 2
Maximum Condition: 10
Weapon Type: Long Blade
Attack Speed: 3
Range: 0.61 to 1.4 tiles
Damage: 8
Knockback: 0.5
Knockdown: 0

2. Spiked Baseball Bat

Although the Spiked Baseball Bat is a good weapon for dealing with the undead, it is less durable than its standard counterpart. Despite its compromise, the damage output is reasonably consistent, reducing a player’s reliability on RNG for survival. You can also use the Spiked Baseball Bat to destroy doors. Alternatively, swing it on a Watermelon to produce 5x Watermelon Chunks. Where to Get: Craft the Spiked Baseball Bat by combining a Baseball Bat and 5x Nails with a Hammer or any of its variants.

Base Stats

Weight: 2
Maximum Condition: 15
Weapon Type: Slash
Attack Speed: 3
Range: 0.61 to 1.5 tiles
Damage: 1 to 1.5
Knockback: 0.5
Knockdown: 2

1. Axe

Several players hailed the Axe in Project Zomboid as the best melee weapon in Project Zomboid. It’s an effective tool in breaking down doors and chopping trees. Plus, you can use it to chop a Watermelon to produce 10x Watermelon Slice. As a weapon, the Axe is an unparalleled force in the right hands. One timely swing can kill two zombies. Additionally, it can kill a walking corpse with one hit if timed correctly. Where to Get: The Axe generally spawns in warehouses, fire stations, hardware stores, and storage facilities, albeit quite rarely. It might also appear wedged at the back of a zombie after Day 15.