Running Skill

Running

Class	Skills
Type	Skill
Skill Group	Physical
Max Level	10
Total XP	32,775
Best Occupation	Fitness Instructor (+2) Security Guard (+2)

The Running Skill governs how fast a character runs. It raises speed while jogging and sprinting, including running while sneaking. It belongs to the Physical group.

Speed is the best escape from a horde. A fast runner can outpace a crowd, reach a car or cross open ground before zombies close in. Running also helps on long supply trips, cutting the time spent exposed outdoors. The Fitness Instructor and Security Guard each start with the most Running skill. The Firefighter starts with a smaller head start, and the Runner trait adds one level.

How to Level Running

Running experience comes from running. Experience arrives at random intervals while the character jogs or sprints.

A run around a safe area trains the skill as well as a chase does.

An overexerted or overloaded character may slow to a power-walk instead of running. Experience still comes in during that power-walk.

Running also gives Fitness and Strength experience at random intervals. Each time Fitness and Running share the gain, the game picks one of them. Long runs therefore train several physical skills at once.

The Fast Learner trait raises the experience rate to 130 percent. The Slow Learner trait lowers it to 70 percent.

Training needs no zombies at all. A loop around a cleared block or a fenced yard works as well as any chase. Both jogging and sprinting give experience.

Endurance limits every session. A tired character slows down and recovers before running again. A higher Fitness level drains endurance more slowly and refills it faster, so the two skills support each other. A fit runner can train for far longer in one go.

Noise is the other cost. Jogging makes much more noise than walking, and sprinting makes more still. Run in cleared areas, and walk when zombies are close.

The XP each Running level asks for, with the running total from level 0.

Level	XP Needed	Total XP
1	75	75
2	150	225
3	300	525
4	750	1,275
5	1,500	2,775
6	3,000	5,775
7	4,500	10,275
8	6,000	16,275
9	7,500	23,775
10	9,000	32,775

Running Level Effects

Each level adds speed to running and sprinting. The bonus is added straight onto movement speed rather than multiplied. That means it may stack in unexpected ways with other effects.

Sprinting is faster than jogging, but it carries risks. A sprinting character can trip by running into a tree or other obstacle, leaving them open to attack. Stopping from a sprint also takes a moment.

The skill also speeds up running while sneaking. A sneaking character who needs to move quickly covers ground faster at higher levels.

Speed pays off most in open ground. A fast runner can break away from a crowd, reach a vehicle or a door and get inside before the zombies arrive. Heavy loads slow every runner, so a light pack makes the most of the skill.

Running pairs well with the stealth skills. Lightfooted and Nimble make each running step quieter, so a fast runner draws fewer new zombies while escaping.

Running Starting Levels

The Fitness Instructor and Security Guard each begin with two levels of Running. The Firefighter begins with one level. The Runner trait adds one level at character creation.

A faster start makes the first escapes much safer. It also shortens every trip between houses on the first days.

The Fitness Instructor brings Running together with Fitness and Strength boosts. That mix makes a character who runs far, fights hard and recovers quickly. The Security Guard pairs Running with Lightfooted and Short Blunt, which suits a quick, quiet style.

These occupations and traits start a character with levels in Running.