Has this been done? Weapons for fighting Zombies http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418 divaskychick Unless maybe you're in Texas, the average Jane or Joe isn't carrying a weapon around with them and most of us don't have one in our houses or apartments. What do you have in your house RIGHT NOW that you could use to protect your family if sirens were suddenly screaming all around you and someone was moaning and pounding on your door? No points for responding with "my phone." No one who can help is answering. Sat, 29 Oct 2011 15:09:58 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_285369 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_285369 Cassiel My collection of canes, spades and rakes in the shed, knives in the kitchen (though I'd want protective gear on my arms if I was getting that close), curtain rods, the top of the toilet cistern (as seen in Zombieland), various brooms and other thinner polearms around the place, heavy wooden objects; bookstops and the like, heavier metal kitchen appliances; toasters and stuff, hedge trimmers if I have them. I think that's about all. Oh, and the decorative swords I have around. They may not be sharp, but there's certainly a lot of weight behind them (certainly enough to smash a zombie's skull) Sat, 29 Oct 2011 16:47:53 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_287034 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_287034 divaskychick Wow, I need to shop. We don't even have a decorative baseball bat. And we're in a condo so no gardening tools. Kitchen knives if I had to get close. Brooms, mops... stuffed animals? Tupperware? Crap, we're dead. Sat, 29 Oct 2011 18:19:42 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_288321 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_288321 irrevenant Damn, all the powertools are in the shed. From the kitchen I'm thinking knives are probably fairly useless vs zombies but there are some heavy pots and pans that would make good bludgeoning weapons. Depending on the type of zombie they might not like flyspray in the eyes either. Hmm, is that stuff actually flammable like in the movies...? Sat, 29 Oct 2011 18:46:03 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_288551 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_288551 Stidyr The Skillet! :) Big. Cast Iron. Contrary to what you've seen, it won't flatten a face, but the feel of it when you swing it... Sat, 29 Oct 2011 19:20:51 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_288757 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_288757 AtomicCafe Definitely go for the skillet! :-) I think I'd also use some of my posters from research conferences... their tubes have a nice reach and could possibly break a skull if needed. Beyond that, I think my lamp would be my only other good option. I live in a tiny studio apartment with few good zombie-killing weapons. Sat, 29 Oct 2011 22:46:46 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_290456 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_290456 mertzenicha Seeing how I'm living in a college dorm, I don't have very many things to use against zombies. I have a steel trash can, stereo speaker set, some chairs... I suppose I could disassemble my bed and play whack-a-mole with the pieces! Sat, 29 Oct 2011 22:55:18 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_290601 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_290601 J. B. Next to the front door is a coat rack. It's kinda flimsy, but it might work. The chairs at the kitchen table are pretty solid and might buy me some time to get to the knives/pots/pans or, in the other direction, the fireplace where I have an iron poker and shovel. Hm, I don't have much else bludgeon-y that would cause enough damage. I mean, I could run them over with the vacuum or start throwing books... To be honest, I feel like in the zombie apocalypse I would either die immediately or hide in the attic and slowly starve to death. Sat, 29 Oct 2011 23:08:47 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_290809 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_290809 451 Paper Thoughts In my parents and I's house we have: some hunting guns, an ax, a stapler gun (not sure if that would really help much but when you're desperate you gotta try everything), power tools, garden shears, countless buckets of paint that we could use for bludgeons (some of the metal ones would make a good dent, I think), some plywood that could cover some of the main doors and windows, pretty heavy and big metal dog food bowls, decorative sword, heavy furniture to block doors if possible, blanket rack that's light enough to use as a bludgeon but heavy enough to at least knock a zombie back, standard kitchen knives, scissors, the wok and other heavy pots and pans, the legs can be broken of the chairs and tables to create jagged ended spikes of sorts (if there was enough forewarning for this, also if there was more forewarning the legs could be sharpened to a point), handrails on the stairs have the same possibilities as the long furniture legs, my brother's weight lifting thing (the bar and individual weights could cause some damage) and the books if worst comes to worst. Sun, 30 Oct 2011 09:33:42 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_296645 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_296645 Alcar It occurs to be that one could theoretically have fun with, say, perfume dipensers. And the contents of the cabinet under the sink, with bleach and other such things. Also, depending on a novel setting, drugs. What would lsd or marijuana and crystal meth do to zombies? Surely someone would try and find out. Sun, 30 Oct 2011 11:14:53 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_298206 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_298206 Mischief Managed. My laptop is pretty heavy, so I could use it to throw at a few. There's also several guitars/basses, and two heavy keyboards in my room alone, as well as my cornet and trumpet, both in hard cases. However, there's hardly anything in the rest of the house.We've got some knives for cutting meat and stuff in the kitchen, and I'm pretty sure if you aimed a few of my dog's toys at zombies, you'd be able to do some damage. Sun, 30 Oct 2011 11:59:47 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_299014 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_299014 nikolaj-kj Not much around here that would be practical, I'm afraid. Heavy items for (awkward) throwing: stereo speakers, printer, laptop, tea pot, Play Station, tv. Other than that, I guess wine bottles could work as clubs, and perhaps my electronic keyboard, though swinging that thing would not be very practical... There's also the possibility of filling a bag with the heaviest of books, but you probably couldn't kill many, if any zombies in that way. Sun, 30 Oct 2011 12:05:18 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_299107 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_299107 criley008 Zombies are very difficult to kill but notoriously slow movers. Could something be quickly rigged up using electricity? A nice electrified floor might stop them for a while. Possibly for long enough to set them on fire. We have petrol in the shed for the lawnmower and I'm sure there's quite a lot of inflammable substances around the home. Of course then you have to escape from a burning building. Sun, 30 Oct 2011 12:21:10 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_299369 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_299369 divaskychick Okay, I feel reassured that most of your asses are going down with me. Electrified floor! Sun, 30 Oct 2011 12:49:00 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_299845 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_299845 BrianZW My set of Ninja stars might finally come in handy! Besides that and the normal things like kitchen knives and brooms, I am screwed. Sun, 30 Oct 2011 15:13:32 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_302499 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_302499 S O L A R O S E *cough*TSoD*cough* No but seriously, I have a wooden practice sword, knives, cast iron skillets, chairs... And I know some hand-to-hand if necessary. Also, I have a dog that'll smell them coming. Sun, 30 Oct 2011 17:09:07 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_304957 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_304957 SammyWrae Well - I have an electric fan. If I take the cover off that, I am pretty sure it would be quite useful (if somewhat limited in range). The usual assortment of knives and frying pans (and trust me - whacking a zombie with a frying pan is fun!), my girlfriend's cans of hairspray along with a gas lighter to create a portable flame thrower, a coffee table and some chairs to hurl at people, and one or two network cables I can use as garotting wires. Suffice to say, I have put a lot of thought in to a possible zombie attack, and have planned accordingly :) Sun, 30 Oct 2011 17:38:51 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_305587 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_305587 zeromig I'm living in Japan. I have two wooden swords, which my character will use. Mon, 31 Oct 2011 09:59:28 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_321815 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_321815 Burnt Sushi criley - the movement of zombies has been widely debated. Some are fast, some are slow...it varies. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:34:50 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_343053 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_343053 Burnt Sushi Is it bad that we're already anticipating the Apocalypse, and have several go bags ready, with bottled water, MRE's, supplies, and weapons? Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:37:23 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_343108 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_343108 js_africanus In an average household, I would guess that a carving knife would be good: cut the muscle groups that close the jaw. A character who works as a butcher, in rendering meat, or meat packing could probably render a zombie harmless in six cuts: one for each side of the jaw, one each for the muscles to close the hand, and one for each Achilles tendon. Tag line: IN THE LAND OF THE ZOMBIES, THE MEAT PACKERS ARE KING As for what is at hand, it's not fair in my case. I have a samurai sword (a cheap, but effective one) and a 12" khukuri. (Note, whoever writes for cracked.com has no idea what a samurai sword is capable of, just in case you've read the latest zombie article.) By the way, if you are doing a zombie uprising, it's worth noting that cutting is a skill that must be learned. I don't think one can just grab a machete and effectively disable a human body that is lurching at oneself. FWIW. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 02:31:20 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_345299 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_345299 VampireAngel13 Mag light (one of the big ones), zombie-hook (I think it's for ice or hay...it was never really determined, but I have it and I will use it), sword. Other than that I think I'm doomed. I don't even have hairspray! D: Tue, 01 Nov 2011 09:10:28 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_352216 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_352216 ZombieJoe If you want to get an idea of common place weapons and techniques for fighting the zombies, check out the Zombie Combat Manual by Roger Ma. Has some pretty awesome stuff in it. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:13:49 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_357287 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_357287 divaskychick Cool, thanks for the tip! Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:38:43 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_361975 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_361975 derogatorynonsense A handy screwdriver is invaluable to have around. Lemme think... paperclips, a lamp, old ski equipment. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:22:23 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_363474 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_363474 AlienEeeter I always figured that zombie's heads have gone all mushy and when you hit them they kind of explode like overripe tomatoes. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:18:52 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_371888 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_371888 Speaker of Stones lol. me too! Tue, 01 Nov 2011 22:46:39 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_377050 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_377050 Chipmnk I have my guitar, but I'm not sure I could sacrifice it. At worst, I'd try to unscrew the legs on my desk. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 22:48:44 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_377118 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_377118 Speaker of Stones Oddly enough I keep a big wrench next to the front door of my apartment. When the landlord asked what it was for I told him: “Zombie apocalypse or unruly neighbor, whichever one comes first.” He laughed, but no one has bothered me since… Tue, 01 Nov 2011 22:52:20 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_377230 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_377230 sikbblgum Katana. Butcher Knife. Dagger. Really heavy and thick walking stick. Cast iron skillet. Metal baseball bat. Wooden baseball bat. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 23:00:13 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_377516 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_377516 V A Hill We have two rifles, a shotgun and two pistols in the house. Also plenty of knives and one sword, though personally blades would be my last choice in weapons for dealing with the undead. Generally you need to destroy the brain to fully take them down. If you're getting close enough to stick a knife into the brain you are within biting range. Also a good potential for blood flying around when blades are in use. Often blood in an open wound or in the eye is enough to infect you. I'd rather go with a clubbing weapon than a blade. Unfortunately, no conveniently club type objects in the house. Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:49:58 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_445286 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_445286 Rose M. Welch "Unless maybe you're in Texas, the average Jane or Joe isn't carrying a weapon around with them and most of us don't have one in our houses or apartments." What? Normal people don't own knives, hammers, power tools, guns, mace, or tasers? You mean in your fictional world, right? Because normal people totally have all of the above. Sat, 05 Nov 2011 09:34:43 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_490126 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_490126 Loriba We have kitchen knives, the power tools and hammers are in the garage, and we don't own any guns, mace or tasers. Assuming we're trapped in the house, that's one out of six from your list. I think it depends on which part of the world you live in as to what 'normal' people have. :-) Bear in mind also that power tools are only useful if the power is still on. Sat, 05 Nov 2011 14:22:02 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_496592 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_496592 divaskychick You mean a rifle and a shot gun are not the same thing??? Damn. Do they look alike? Sat, 05 Nov 2011 18:25:32 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_503448 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_503448 SammyWrae (This is based purely on watching NCIS, playing Dead Rising and Dead Rising II, so I might be wrong on a few details) A shot gun generally fires pellets of some type, and is generally only good at a short range (because of the scatter effect of the pellets it fires). Rifles fire single bullets, and usually have longer barrels and are generally better over longer ranges. Think about sniper rifles and hunting rifles for an example. So - yeah - rifles and shot guns are different :) Sat, 05 Nov 2011 18:38:07 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_503806 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_503806 Rose M. Welch 1. Normal people != Everyone. 2. "What? Normal people don't own knives, hammers, power tools, guns, mace, or tasers?" <- Note the 'or' not an 'and'. 3. The OP specified houses or apartments. Apartments don't have garages, so all items are indoors. 4. Whoosh! That's the sound of my point flying over your head and landing firmly in your post, which proved my point. The OP specified Texas as a place where 'normal people' (which is not the same as 'everyone') might carry weapons. My point is that all normal people everywhere own and carry weapons, because pretty much everything can be a weapon. The 'part of the world' is irrelevant. 5. Many power tools are batter operated. Sun, 06 Nov 2011 02:40:21 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_516253 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_516253 divaskychick [quote=SammyWrae] (This is based purely on watching NCIS, playing Dead Rising and Dead Rising II, so I might be wrong on a few details) A shot gun generally fires pellets of some type, and is generally only good at a short range (because of the scatter effect of the pellets it fires). Rifles fire single bullets, and usually have longer barrels and are generally better over longer ranges. Think about sniper rifles and hunting rifles for an example. So - yeah - rifles and shot guns are different :) [/quote] I'm pretty sure I've been using the word interchangeably. Oh well, one more thing to edit later... Sun, 06 Nov 2011 07:39:44 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_519460 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_519460 BlindinfOrchid Well we have a few things around the house that can be used as weponds, a mag light, a few speackers, book ends, my brothers violin, and the varing knives around the house Sun, 06 Nov 2011 19:07:21 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_536077 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_536077 BlindinfOrchid When I get my own place I will do this. Sun, 06 Nov 2011 19:11:41 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_536193 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_536193 ZombicornsForLife I included gardening shears, a baseball bat, bug spray and a lighter and rope in mine. Something to stab with, something to hit with, something to burn with, something to choke with (Also good for traps.). All things people generally have. Maybe not the bat, but a broomstick perhaps? With the sweeping end taken off. Scarves or belts if you can't find rope. Hair spray instead of bug spray. Knives or scissors instead of the shears. The possibilities are endless. Sun, 06 Nov 2011 19:31:43 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_536744 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_536744 SammyWrae Given the choice, I would rather have an arsenal of shotguns rather than rifles, if that is any help. Sun, 06 Nov 2011 20:05:46 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_537670 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_537670 V A Hill I have grown up in a family of hunters and firearms enthusiasts. So if anyone has any gun questions let me know and I'll do my best to help. The primary difference between shotguns and rifles is that shotguns have a smooth bore (that's the inside of the barrel) and rifles have rifling (spiral grooves) inside the bore. SammyWrae is correct that shotguns can and often are used to shoot "pellets" these are generally called shot. A number of shot pellets are encapsulated in a shell that is loaded into the shotgun. Shot varies in size. Shells can contain dozens of tiny birdshot or just eight or so buckshot. Also, shotguns can fire slugs which are solid rounds of lead much like the bullets fired from rifles. It is also true that shotguns are generally used at shorter distances. If I were using shot against a zombie I would want it to be buckshot because birdshot is most likely just going to wound them unless they are very close to you. Within the family of shotguns there are a wide variety of different guns, they are divided primarily by gauge (how large the barrel diameter and thereby shells used are) and type of action (how you load the shells into the gun). Again, SammyWrae is correct that rifles are used to fire a single bullet. The bullet refers to the lead projectile that is fired from the weapon. The ammunition that is loaded into a rifle is referred to as a cartridge or round. Rifles come in as great or possible a greater variety than shotguns. They vary by caliber (size of barrel/ammunition), type of action, and have subgroups such as "assault rifles", machine guns, sniper rifles, hunting rifles, etc. (some of these categories are well defined, others are somewhat subjective). The barrels can vary in length, it is therefore not accurate to say that rifles have longer barrels than shotguns. The better accuracy, while partially due to barrel length, is very much due to the rifling in the barrel. Rifling causes a projectile to spin and thereby gain stability in it's trajectory. And then of course there are hand guns which are a whole different story. That's probably way more than you wanted to know, but guns are something I really enjoy. And when I'm reading a novel one thing that really irritates me is when an author writes something totally inaccurate about firearms. If your characters aren't familiar with them it's not a big deal to refer to them generically as a gun. But any character with a little firearms knowledge is going to know the difference between a rifle and a shotgun. And if you have a character that is supposed to be familiar with their firearm it would probably be a good idea to pick a particular gun for them to be using, as gun enthusiasts have very particular preferences. Hope this helps and sorry if it's an overload of info. Let me know if you have any gun related questions. That goes for anyone. Feel free to NanoMail me. :) Sun, 06 Nov 2011 20:56:20 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_539100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_539100 Laraqua My knives are all pretty blunt and I wouldn't attack anyone with most of the stuff I've got. I did think of climbing up into the roof crawlspace (Aussies don't have real attics) and then waiting there with a 6kg weight and if any zombie tried to climb up I'd crack them over the skull with it a couple times. Probably the closest thing to a real weapon I have. Sun, 06 Nov 2011 21:22:17 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_539776 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_539776 SammyWrae Wow - NCIS and Dead Rising taught me a lot of useful stuff apparently :) Mon, 07 Nov 2011 08:35:05 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_548883 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_548883 V A Hill Most shows and games get the basic stuff right. But I definitely recommend doing more research if you're going to be dealing with firearms in your novel. Sometimes they tweak stuff in shows/games to make things more dramatic. For example I recall an episode of CSI in which two men were racing cars and one driver shot across his passenger seat and through the other drivers window with a pistol and killed the other driver. In reality, to accomplish that shot you would have to be an amazing marksmen or incredibly lucky. The character had no real firearms experience, I think he stole the gun in fact. Mon, 07 Nov 2011 09:20:30 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_549561 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_549561 jrnygirl Golf clubs, baseball bat, pool sticks, fireplace pokers. These are all fairly lightweight objects which are found in most households. Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:57:15 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_555898 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_555898 CadaeicCicada All the tools we own are kept in the house, so that opens up crowbars, hammers, screwdrivers, etc. Knives in the kitchen, though only a couple I'd actually go with. Heavy frying pans. A particularly heavy plastic yardstick. Two heavy, metal flashlights. A metal keyboard stand. It's a little unwieldy, but it could work. I think that's about it. Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:00:21 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_559005 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_559005 elphia Where I live even mace and tasers are illegal :( It totally sucks. I think the toolbox is my best bet :) Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:53:24 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_586209 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_586209 NeysaDestine I <3 my mini-crowbar. And my block full of large kitchen knives, and my honking big cast iron skillets. Oh and my honey's sword collection that hangs on the living room wall. Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:05:34 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_587695 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_587695 Negasi I don't think I know a single person who owns a taser... Sun, 11 Dec 2011 14:28:22 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_962709 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_962709 Red Queen I have been thinking about situations like this long enough to turn basically anything into a weapon. I have a glass vase which is stable enough to smash some heads with it, several heavy hard cover books to throw at someone, two long and sharp kitchen knives, a hammer, a bunch of screwdrivers, a jar filled with screws and nails (good for throwing, but also for making a nail gun, if I happen to be trapped with MacGyver), the legs of my kitchen table, and several folding chairs to swing around. And I know from personal experience that even plastic bottles filled with water can deal a good amount of damage. And, provided the zombies didn't enter the house yet (I live in an apartment building), there is all the fun stuff in my basement compartment. Power tools, a second hammer, a crowbar, and a spare curtain pole made of metal. Also, I could disassemble the shelf there and use the wooden poles to smash some skulls. Huh. I'm pretty well equipped, now that I think of it. Thu, 15 Dec 2011 08:25:38 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_974993 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_974993 WriterWithFire this is why I keep lots of alchohol and rags on hand... Molotov cocktails - when fighting regular zombies just isn't challenging enough light them on fire! Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:42:41 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_975610 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_975610 Red Queen That's why I LOVE Left 4 Dead... "Tank!" - "Woohoo, cocktail party!" :D Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:54:01 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_975627 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_975627 BurtonAndSlash i have two samurai swords hanging up on my wall, i have a HUGE meat cleaver in the kitchen, along with an axe in the garage and two pick axes in my room.... all would get the job done well! Fri, 16 Dec 2011 19:54:53 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_978608 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_978608 Birdy Edwards I have a hammer in my sock drawer. XD And hairspray and a lighter. Most people I know have at least a gun hidden somewhere for intruders or something. Must just be the area I live in. Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:42:53 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1082578 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1082578 awesomeo In the house: -Two old rabbit rifles (.22 LR). Not so great for taking down living man-sized things, but perfect if the zombies are slow enough to let me line up headshots. Thouse a .22 will bounch off skull depending on where you hit. And that one has not had a proper cleaning in a while so I would only use it in a pinch. -Double-barreled shotgun. Old style .10 guage. Will take a head clean off at close range. On a few dozen shells though. Need to check see if the powder is still good in those. It's a family heirloom of sorts. An uncle used the thing back in the Korea War. -Baseball bat. Old good quality wood that won't splinter easily. Designed for home defense not sports. -A machete (rusted). Seriously need to throw that thing out. Used to do land-scaping. -Various hammers for beating metal into shape. -My vicious wiener dog. Really if you think about it the mindless zombie apocalypse secenario is silly. Anyone could lock themselves in their houses and wait it out while the military and police clean up the infected. They actually mentioned that in Sean of the Dead. The only one that made sense was the original Night of the Living Dead, where a background news report mentions the Earth is passing through a radiation belt (one possible source of the undead). Thus EVERY SINGLE CORPSE on the planet is affected at the same time. No virus to quarantine or burn itself out. It's never even shown that the people who died from zombie bites did so from anything other that staph infections, with rising from the dead being completely unrelated. Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:28:38 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1087869 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1087869 saving.ophelia The airfreshener bathroom spray in the cleaning supply closet, and my brother's lighter. HELLO ZOMBIE FLAMES. Or my cousin's hockey stick. Or my laptop charger/coat hanger/pots and pans/my uncle's gold clubs. I'm pretty much as prepared as I can be, and chilled about the zombie situation. Sun, 29 Jan 2012 12:56:41 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1099963 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1099963 saving.ophelia *golf clubs Sun, 29 Jan 2012 12:59:02 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1099966 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1099966 Anne Lessing Depending on the interpretation: A zombie's nervous system is dead. Tasers have no effect. The only way you could use electricity as a weapon would be an extremely powerful surge that would destroy the brain. Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:41:30 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1160293 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1160293 Alaskan_Adventurer Any appliance, or anything with a cord could be swing quickly as a bludgeon. Example, can opener. Wed, 22 Feb 2012 23:20:07 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1163537 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/horror-supernatural/threads/14418?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1163537