Summary

  • 7 Days to Die's long early access period resulted in a well-balanced game with few bugs, standing strong after a decade.
  • Pipe Shotguns are beginner-friendly, with the ability to take down zombies in one shot if aimed at the head.
  • The Auto Shotgun is a powerful endgame weapon, perfect for clearing high-level missions efficiently.

7 Days To Die spent a record 11 years in Early Access. As a result of this, the game was released with great balancing and few bugs. In an era when zombie survival games are two for a penny, it is a testament to the developers that 7 Days To Die still stands up so well after a decade.

Points Of Interest in 7 Days To Die
7 Days To Die: 5 Best POIs During The Early Game

Searching POIs in 7 Days to Die can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Here are the best ones to check out during the early game.

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The game features a full range of weapons, from simple bats to advanced sniper rifles. However, shotguns seem to fit the zombie-killing trope well. They are fun to use, easy to craft ammo for, and can literally blow zombies apart when used up close and personal, such as during a blood moon while protecting a player-built base.

4 Pipe Shotgun

Make Sure Of A Headshot

Pipe Shotgun In 7 Days To Die
  • Weapon States (Tier 6):
    • Damage per pellet: 10.1
    • Number of pellets per shell: 10
    • Magazine size: 1
    • Effective range: 4
    • Max durability: 200
    • Target stunned for: 4 seconds

  • Crafting Requirements (Tier 5):
    • Short Iron Pipe: 12
    • Glue: 6
    • Wood: 18

The Pipe Shotgun has only one use in 7 Days To Die:killing a single zombie in one shot. However, it comes with two caveats: It has to be a standard zombie, and the player has to score a headshot at close range. If the zombie is still alive after firing the lone shell this gun can load at a time, the player is in trouble. That being said, this is one of the best early-game beginner weapons.

7-Days-To-Die-Best-Builds-For-Damage
7 Days To Die: Best Builds For Damage

If you're hoping to maximize your damage and create a stellar build in 7 Days to Die, check out these great builds to deal with the zombie hordes.

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Veteran players of 7 Days To Die may remember the old blunderbuss weapon. The Pipe Shotgun is very similar, and can be used in the same way. Craft 2 or 3 of these shotguns, put them on the quick bar, load them each with a single shotgun shell, and switch from one to the next, shooting one shell from each.

This build is intended to do as much single-target damage as possible with the single shell the Pipe Shotgun can load. It is capable of killing most normal zombies in a single shot, as long as the player targets the head, and is within 2–3 meters.

  • Shotgun Choke Mod (tightens pellet spread)
  • Weapon Flashlight Mod (weapon-mounted light source)
  • Cripple Em Mod (slows down zombies on hit)

3 Double Barrel Shotgun

Totally Gangster

Double Barrel Shotgun In 7 Days To Die
  • Weapon States (Tier 6):
    • Damage per pellet: 13.8
    • Number of pellets per shell: 10
    • Magazine size: 2
    • Effective range: 4
    • Max durability: 400
    • Target stunned for: 4 seconds

  • Crafting Requirements (Tier 5):
    • Shotgun Parts: 5
    • Forged Iron: 50
    • Duct Tape: 10
    • Scrap Polymers: 50
    • Spring: 10

The Double Barrel Shotgun in 7 Days To Die is a surprisingly capable weapon. It is best used as a pair, with two separate weapons on two separate hot bar buttons. This somewhat overcomes the 2-shot capacity, doubling that number to 4, which is plenty to take down a couple of standard zombies.

A split image of trading Items in 7 Days To Die
7 Days To Die: Best Things To Sell To The Trader

For those looking to make some easy money in 7 Days to Die, here are some of the best things to sell to traders.

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It needs to be fired by aiming down the iron sights for the best results, and this needs to be done from very close range; melee range, ideally. The general tactic for a group of zombies is to move in, unload both barrels from both weapons, and then back up whilst reloading. Then rinse and repeat.

This build is intended to be used up close, and maximize headshot damage whilst aiming down the iron sites of the Double Barrel Shotgun, looking for as many headshots as possible.

  • Shotgun Choke Mod (tightens pellet spread)
  • Weapon Flashlight Mod (weapon-mounted light source)
  • Cripple Em Mod (slows down zombies on hit)
  • Rad Remover Mod (removes zombie radiation effect)

2 Pump Shotgun

Redneck Zombie Control

Pump Shotgun In 7 Days To Die
  • Weapon States (Tier 6):
    • Damage per pellet: 18.8
    • Number of pellets per shell: 10
    • Magazine size: 8
    • Rounds per minute: 60
    • Effective range: 4
    • Max durability: 700
    • Target stunned for: 4 seconds

  • Crafting Requirements (Tier 5):
    • Shotgun Parts: 5
    • Forged Iron: 75
    • Duct Tape: 15
    • Scrap Polymers: 100
    • Spring: 15

The Pump Action Shotgun, in the right hands, can be used for all the content in 7 Days To Die, even the endgame. With the right build and skills, this is a devastating weapon. The player has the option of using armor-piercing slugs in the later stages of the game, but this is entirely optional.

Another great use of the Pump Action Shotgun is to load it with breaching charges to open locked containers and safes. This saves the player the time needed to find a steady source of lockpicks.

This is designed as a mission running or POI clearing build. It maximizes damage at a suitable range, and increases the number of shells the weapon can have loaded.

  • Shotgun Choke Mod (tightens pellet spread)
  • Shotgun Tube Extender Mod (increases magazine size)
  • Cripple Em Mod (slows down zombies on hit)
  • Rad Remover Mod (removes zombie radiation effect)

1 Auto Shotgun

Massive DPS

Auto Shotgun In 7 Days To Die
  • Weapon States (Tier 6):
    • Damage per pellet: 25
    • Number of pellets per shell: 10
    • Magazine size: 16
    • Rounds per minute: 70
    • Effective range: 4
    • Max durability: 1100
    • Target stunned for: 4 seconds

  • Crafting Requirements (Tier 5):
    • Shotgun Parts: 5
    • Forged Iron: 150
    • Duct Tape: 15
    • Scrap Polymers: 200
    • Spring: 20

The Auto Shotgun is an absolute monster of a weapon in 7 Days To Die. There is no other weapon that can clear endgame POIs and run level 5 and 6 trader missions so efficiently. It is best used with a sidearm, as the reload is a little slow, so a good sidearm means the player can switch weapons and issue a coupe de grace when needed.

7 Days To Die Every Pistol, Ranked
7 Days To Die: Every Pistol, Ranked

5 weapons are classified as pistols in 7 Days To Die, and each has a place in the game.

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The real secret to using this weapon effectively is making sure it is equipped with a drum magazine mod. This basically doubles the ammo count.

This is an endgame, huge DPS build that works well for everything, even late game blood moon defense. It really shines when used indoors though, and can rip apart whole groups of zombies in seconds.

  • Shotgun Choke Mod (tightens pellet spread)
  • Drum Magazine Mod (increases magazine size)
  • Cripple Em Mod (slows down zombies on hit)
  • Rad Remover Mod (removes zombie radiation effect)
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7 Days to Die Tag Page Cover Art
7 Days to Die
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Released
June 28, 2016
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
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Developer(s)
The Fun Pimps
Platform(s)
Linux, macOS, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One
Genre(s)
Survival, Horror
7-Days-to-Die-Screenshots (3)
5 Images