How to Survive Every Encounter in Days Gone: A Complete Guide

26 September 2025

If you’ve ever been stranded in the desolate apocalypse of Days Gone, you know one thing is true: surviving isn’t just about what you carry; it’s about how you think. It’s about strategy, instincts, and sometimes sheer dumb luck. But hey, we’re not leaving your survival in the hands of luck today. Nope! This guide will give you all the tools—and I mean ALL the tools—you need to walk out of every encounter alive, whether you’re facing a horde of Freakers, a group of Marauders, or even a sneaky wolf that decides you look like dinner.

So, grab your controller, load up your saddlebags, and let’s dive into the wild, unpredictable landscape of Days Gone. Here’s your complete guide to surviving every encounter like a pro.

Understand Your Enemy

Before you can deal with any encounter, you need to know what—or who—you’re dealing with. This isn’t your typical run-and-gun game where everything dies with enough bullets. Every enemy type in Days Gone has its quirks, strengths, and weaknesses. Think of them like flavors at an ice cream shop: all different, but all potentially lethal if you don’t pick wisely.

1. Freakers (The Undead, But Not Quite)

Freakers aren’t just mindless zombies. They’re faster, stronger, and eerily strategic when they’re grouped up. You’ll run into different types of Freakers, from the standard Swarmers to the terrifying Breakers, and don’t even get me started on the Screamers—they’ll ruin your day in a heartbeat.

The key to surviving Freakers? Patience and stealth. Freakers hunt by sound and sight, so crawling through bushes, throwing rocks to distract them, or silencing your guns with suppressors is your ticket to survival. And let’s not forget molotovs. A single molotov can wipe out a cluster of Freakers faster than you can say, “I should’ve crafted more.”

- Pro Tip: Freakers are nocturnal hunters, so they’re more aggressive at night. If you’re clearing a nest or exploring Freaker-heavy zones, daytime is your best bet.

2. Marauders and Rippers (The Human Threat)

Humans in Days Gone can be just as dangerous—if not more so—than Freakers. Marauders will ambush you when you least expect it, and Rippers (cultist fanatics, basically) are out of their minds. Humans are smarter than Freakers, so they’ll try to flank you, use cover, and even set traps.

Here’s the trick: always use cover and scout the area before engaging. Binoculars will be your best friend in spotting enemy locations. Oh, and don’t be afraid to use Freakers to your advantage. Lure a horde into a Marauder camp and let them do the dirty work for you.

- Pro Tip: Headshots are your bread and butter for human enemies. A single clean shot to the head saves ammo and keeps things tidy.

3. Animals (Because Nature’s Still Wild)

Don’t underestimate the wildlife in Days Gone. Wolves will chase you like you owe them money, bears are absolute tanks, and cougars? They’ll leap out of nowhere like a horror movie villain.

The key here is to always be aware of your surroundings. Listen for growls, howls, or rustling in the bushes. If you’re on your bike, don’t stop. If you’re on foot? Aim for the head, stay mobile, and don’t let them corner you.

- Pro Tip: Animals are surprisingly vulnerable to melee attacks if you time them right. Got a bear charging at you? Hit it with a molotov first to weaken it, then finish the job with a few well-placed shots.

Master Your Gear

The apocalypse is no place for hoarders. Your gear should be as versatile as a Swiss Army knife. Let’s break it down.

1. Weapons: Choose Wisely

You’ve got three main weapon slots: Primary, Secondary, and Special. Each one serves a different purpose, and you’ll want to tailor your loadout to your playstyle.

- Primary: Assault rifles and shotguns are great all-around choices, but shotguns really shine in close-quarters combat. Perfect for Freakers.
- Secondary: Pistols and SMGs are quick, reliable, and perfect for human enemies.
- Special: Sniper rifles and crossbows are lifesavers for stealthy situations. The crossbow, in particular, is a personal favorite thanks to its silent kills and reusable bolts.

- Pro Tip: Keep your guns loaded and your suppressors intact. Nothing ruins a stealthy approach faster than an unexpected “BANG!”

2. Melee Weapons: Your Last Line of Defense

When the ammo runs dry, it’s you and whatever blunt object you’re carrying. Upgrade your melee weapons whenever possible—nobody wants to be stuck swinging a rusty 2x4 when a machete’s on the table.

- Pro Tip: Craft spiked bats as soon as you unlock the recipe. They’re the apocalypse equivalent of a cheat code.

3. Bike: Your Lifeline

Your bike isn’t just transportation—it’s your lifeline. Keep it fueled, keep it repaired, and always upgrade it whenever you have the resources. Faster bikes help you outrun Freaker hordes, and nitrous boosts can get you out of some seriously sticky situations.

Learn to Love Stealth

Stealth isn’t optional in Days Gone. It’s practically a survival skill. Walking into an enemy camp guns blazing will almost always end with you staring at the “Game Over” screen.

1. Use the Environment

Bushes are your best friends. Crouch in them to remain hidden and scout out enemy locations before making a move. Rocks are great for distracting enemies—throw one to lure them away from your path or into a strategically placed trap.

2. Silencers and Crossbows

Suppressors let you take out enemies without alerting the entire camp. And crossbows? They’re the silent assassins of the apocalypse. Use them to pick off enemies one by one, and you won’t have to deal with reinforcements.

3. Night vs. Day

Nighttime means more Freakers, but fewer humans. Daytime flips that script. Plan your attacks around the type of enemies you’re facing.

- Pro Tip: If you’re sneaking into a Freaker-infested area, always crouch. Freakers are hyper-sensitive to noise, and the last thing you want is an accidental sprint alerting the horde.

Craft and Collect Like Your Life Depends on It

In Days Gone, your inventory is your survival kit. The more prepared you are, the higher your chances of living to see another Freaker-infested sunrise.

1. Stockpile Resources

Never leave anything behind. Scrap, kerosene, rags, and beer bottles can all be crafted into weapons or tools. That pile of junk you almost ignored? It could be the difference between surviving a fight and becoming Freaker fodder.

2. Molotovs and Pipe Bombs

If you’re not crafting molotovs and pipe bombs, you’re doing it wrong. These are your go-to items for dealing with groups of enemies or destroying Freaker nests.

- Pro Tip: Save your napalm molotovs for hordes. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later.

3. Traps and Proximity Mines

Freakers may be fast, but they’re not smart. Setting up traps in choke points can turn the tide of a fight in seconds. Proximity mines are especially effective against hordes—they thin out the group so you’re not completely overwhelmed.

How to Handle Hordes Without Losing Your Mind

Ah, hordes. The ultimate test of your survival skills. Facing hundreds of Freakers at once can be terrifying, but it’s not impossible if you stick to a plan.

1. Scout the Area

Before you engage, look for chokepoints, narrow paths, and high ground. These give you a tactical advantage when the horde starts chasing you.

2. Use the Terrain

Lead the horde into bottlenecks where they can’t surround you. Sprint through buildings, jump over obstacles, and slow them down whenever possible.

3. Hit and Run

Don’t stay in one place for too long. Fire off a few shots, toss a molotov, then move to the next position. Rinse and repeat until the horde is manageable.

- Pro Tip: Keep an eye on your stamina bar. Running out of stamina while being chased by a horde? Yeah, you don’t want that.

Final Thoughts

Surviving in Days Gone isn’t just about fighting—it’s about thinking. It’s about staying one step ahead of your enemies and knowing when to fight, when to run, and when to just sit in the bushes and wait for the chaos to blow over. No matter how tough things get, remember: it’s you against the apocalypse, and you’ve got everything you need to come out on top.

So, get out there, stay sharp, and make Deacon St. John proud. The Freaker apocalypse isn’t going to survive itself.