Explosives

Explosives are thrown or placed devices that blast, burn, smoke or make noise. The five bombs are the Pipe Bomb, the Aerosol Bomb, the Fire Bomb, the Smoke Bomb and the Noise Maker. Firecrackers and the Molotov Cocktail round out the group. Each bomb can also take a timer, a motion sensor or a remote trigger. Explosives can blast a crowd or lure it away from a base. Nearly all of them are crafted rather than found. The Engineer is the best occupation for explosives. It can make traps and explosives from the start.

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Best Explosives

The top pick for each role, by the game's own figures.

For	Name	Image	Stats	Spawn ID
Lightest	Firecrackers		0.1 weight	/additem Base.Firecracker
Heaviest	Aerosol Bomb		1.5 weight	/additem Base.Aerosolbomb

Mechanics

A plain bomb is thrown like a weapon. The tooltip says to equip it and perform a basic attack to throw it. Each bomb weighs 1.5. Firecrackers weigh 0.1.

Each bomb has its own effect. The Pipe Bomb explodes. The Aerosol Bomb explodes and has a chance to start a fire. The Fire Bomb bursts into flames. The Smoke Bomb releases smoke and makes some noise. The Noise Maker makes a long, loud noise that draws zombies to it.

Two throwables need a flame. The Molotov Cocktail and Firecrackers both need a lighter in the other hand. The Molotov Cocktail starts a fire where it lands. Firecrackers make a very loud bang that carries far.

The Noise Maker can be picked up and used again. It can also be placed on the ground instead of thrown. That makes it a lure for leading a crowd away.

Timers, Sensors and Remotes

Any of the five bombs can be upgraded. Add Timer to Bomb fits a Timer - Crafted. The bomb then goes off a short while after it is placed or thrown. The upgraded bomb takes a name such as Pipe Bomb with Timer.

Motion sensors turn a bomb into a trap. Three recipes fit a Motion Sensor to a bomb. Add Short-Range Motion Sensor to Bomb needs 2 Scrap Electronics. Add Medium-Range Motion Sensor to Bomb needs 3. Add Long-Range Motion Sensor to Bomb needs 4. The bomb then waits until something comes within its sensor range. The long-range sensor has the widest trigger area.

Remote triggers give full control. Add Remote Trigger to Bomb fits a Crafted Trigger and needs Electrical 2. The result, such as the Remote Pipe Bomb, waits until a remote controller sets it off. Every upgrade also needs a Duct Tape.

Crafting

The base bombs come from simple parts. Make Pipe Bomb needs an Iron Pipe, 20 Gunpowder, 3 Scrap Electronics and Twine. Make Aerosol Bomb needs an aerosol can, a Box of Sparklers, aluminum and Duct Tape. Make Fire Bomb fills a bottle with Gasoline and adds a Rag.

The others are just as easy. Make Smoke Bomb uses a Cold Pack, a Rag and newspapers. Make Noise Maker needs 7 Scrap Electronics and an Amplifier, plus Electrical 3. Make Firecracker uses paper, Glue, Gunpowder and Twine. Make Molotov Cocktail fills a glass bottle with Rubbing Alcohol, Gasoline or strong liquor, and adds a Rag.

Gunpowder comes from spare ammo. Gather Gunpowder takes apart one round with pliers and gives 1 Gunpowder.

Most of these recipes must be learned first. The Engineer occupation knows the bomb recipes from the start. Its description says it can make traps and explosives. Anyone can make a Molotov Cocktail from the start.

Triggers and Magazines

The electronic parts are crafted too. Make Timer turns a Timer or an Alarm Clock into a Timer - Crafted at Electrical 1. Make Remote Trigger turns a Receiver, a Radio Receiver or a Cordless Phone into a Crafted Trigger at Electrical 2. Both use Scrap Electronics and Glue.

Remote controllers come in three ranges. Make Remote Controller (Short-Range) needs Electrical 2. Make Remote Controller (Medium-Range) needs Electrical 4. Make Remote Controller (Long-Range) needs Electrical 6. Each one starts from a TV Remote, a Cordless Phone or a Pager. The Electrician occupation knows all three.

Magazines teach these recipes to anyone. Magazine: The Cheapskate's John Spiral - Homemade Explosives teaches the Aerosol Bomb, the Fire Bomb and the Pipe Bomb. Magazine: The Cheapskate's John Spiral - Chemical Warfare teaches the Smoke Bomb. Magazine: Real Spy Secrets - June 1993 teaches the Noise Maker and the Firecracker. Magazine: Like Clockwork teaches timers. Magazine: Home Security Monthly teaches motion sensors. Magazine: Zapper! teaches remote triggers and controllers.

Locations

Ready-made bombs are rare. Pipe Bombs, Aerosol Bombs, Fire Bombs, Noise Makers and Molotov Cocktails all turn up in survivor safehouse trap stashes. Smoke Bombs and Molotov Cocktails are the most common there.

Firecrackers are the easiest explosive to find. They sit in gas station specials, tobacco counters, carnival prize stalls and school lockers. Motion Sensors come from engineer and electrician tool boxes. TV Remotes fill living room side tables and electronics stores.

Notes

• Never stand close to a Pipe Bomb or a Fire Bomb when it goes off.
• A Noise Maker with a sensor makes a reusable alarm for a base perimeter.

All Explosives