Killing Floor: Beginner’s Survival Guide

Welcome to Killing Floor. This game is unforgiving to new players who try to play it like Call of Duty or Left 4 Dead. Cooperation isn’t optional—it’s mandatory.

1. The Core Loop

The game is wave-based:

1. Kill Zeds: Survive the wave of monsters.
2. Trader Time: When the wave ends, you have ~60 seconds to run to the Trader (follow the red arrow/trail on the floor), buy ammo/weapons, and reposition.
3. Repeat: Waves get harder until the Boss Wave (Patriarch).

2. The Golden Rules of Survival

Stick Together

Splitting up = Death. Zeds spawn around corners and can trap isolated players instantly. Stay with the medic or the heavy hitters.

Don’t Enrage Big Zeds

If you see a Scrake (Chainsaw) or Fleshpound (Glowing chest lights), DO NOT shoot them with your pistol or weak assault rifle.

• Small damage makes them Rage (run fast and attack).
• Let the Sharpshooter, Demolitions, or Support handle them.
• Only shoot if the whole team is focusing fire.

Heal Your Teammates

Every player has a Medical Syringe (default key Q).

• Healing yourself is slow and gives 20 HP.
• Healing teammates is fast, gives more HP, and gives YOU money.
• Always heal others. It pays for your ammo.

Don’t Weld Every Door

Welding doors (Equip Welder, hold Fire) can create safe zones, but it can also trap your team in a death box.

• Good welding: Sealing a back door so you only have to watch the front.
• Bad welding: Sealing the Trader door or your only escape route.

3. The Trader & Economy

Give Money to Those Who Need It

Money (Dosh) is transferable (default key B).

• If you have tier-3 weapons and your Medic has a pistol, drop them cash. A Medic with a gun keeps you alive.
• If you joined late, ask for cash politely.

Weight Management

You have a weight limit (blocks represent weight).

• You cannot carry every gun.
• Sell your starting weapons (like the 9mm or Bullpup) before buying high-tier ones to free up weight.

Armor vs. Weapons

• Wave 1-2: Do not buy armor. Save for a better gun.
• Wave 3+: Prioritize a good weapon over full armor. Armor breaks fast; a good gun prevents damage.

4. Picking Your First Perk

• Field Medic: Best for beginners. You run fast, have better armor, and your job is simply to keep people healthy. You learn the maps while being useful.
• Support Specialist: Good firepower, shotguns are forgiving, and you can carry more ammo/weight.
• Commando: Great for seeing invisible Stalkers and health bars. Good for learning Zed health pools.

5. Common New Player Mistakes (How to not get kicked)

1. Blocking shots: Don’t stand in front of the Sharpshooter or Demolitions. Crouch if you are in the front line.
2. Raging Scrakes: Again, don’t shoot the guy with the chainsaw unless you can kill him.
3. Begging for money aggressively: Ask once (“Need 200 for shotgun pls”), but don’t spam voice chat.
4. Stealing weapons: If a teammate dies, their weapon drops. Do not sell it. Pick it up and give it back to them next wave. Stealing weapons is the fastest way to get banned or kicked.

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Ready to learn about the weapons? Check our Weapon Tier List to know what to buy.