Zombie Survival Garry's Mod Guide: Controls to learn before wave one
About
OverviewZombie Survival Garry's Mod is a cooperative shooter where a group of survivors must fight off a zombie horde across six waves. You build barricades, buy weapons, and keep each other alive long enough to reach the end. This guide covers controls, wave strategy, teamwork, and what to do when things go wrong.
What is on this page
Contents
Controls to learn before wave one
Check
The game gives you six keys that cover everything you will do in a run.
- M opens the menu, where you can review controls at any time.
- B opens the shop so you can spend your starting money on a weapon.
- E lets you interact with broken walls and other objects to build barricades.
- F toggles the flashlight turn it on early in dark areas.
- T opens chat so you can coordinate with your team.
- CTRL makes you crouch, which is useful for keeping a low profile at a defensive position.
Wave-by-wave survival plan
StepThe run spans six waves in total. Each wave ends and gives you a window to prepare before the next one begins. Zombie numbers and strength increase as you progress.
- Open the shop spend your starting money on a weapon before the first wave launches.
- Build barricades use the Carpenter's Hammer with E on broken walls to block zombie paths.
- Spend your earnings use money gained from each cleared wave to upgrade or buy better weapons.
- Reinforce between waves repair any damaged barricades during every preparation window.
Teamwork roles that keep everyone alive
TipsThe game is designed around cooperation. Assigning jobs at the start of a run helps keep the barricades from collapsing.
- Designate at least one player to watch and repair barricades while others focus on shooting.
- Keep Medkits available and use them on teammates to heal each other.
- Use chat to coordinate with your team.
- When a Mini-Boss appears, have the whole team concentrate fire on it together.
- If a teammate falls, someone nearby must fill the gap in the defensive line immediately.
Troubleshooting a wave you cannot beat
CheckWhen your team wipes on the same wave repeatedly, run through this list before the next attempt.
- Check your barricades a breach lets zombies pour in directly and can collapse the whole run.
- Check for a Mini-Boss if one is on the field, redirect all fire to it.
- Check teammate health a player near zero health should receive a Medkit right away.
Glossary
Glossary- Wave
- One of six rounds of zombie attacks; each wave ends with a preparation window before the next begins.
- Barricade
- A defensive structure built by pressing E with the Carpenter's Hammer on broken walls to slow zombie advances.
- Mini-Boss
- A tougher zombie that requires the whole team to concentrate fire in order to bring it down.
- Medkit
- An item used to heal teammates.
- Shop
- The menu opened with B where you spend in-game money on weapons and items.
- Carpenter's Hammer
- The tool used together with the E key to build and repair barricades.
Common questions
FAQCan barricades be rebuilt after they are destroyed?
Yes. Use the Carpenter's Hammer with E to repair or rebuild them.
Do you need to spend real money to finish the game?
No. All weapons and items are purchased with money earned inside the game. There is no real-money purchase system.
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