
Surviving in 7 Days to Die poses a relentless challenge as the world continues to grow increasingly perilous. To bolster your chances against undead hordes and other threats, enhancing your character with effective perks is crucial. Absent these advantages, players can expect a tough journey in this hostile environment.
Having played 7 Days to Die since its Early Access debut, I’ve identified key perks that I prioritize unlocking first. These perks not only enhance your defenses against zombies but also significantly improve your survivability in a world filled with dangers.
While numerous perks offer valuable benefits over time, a select few should be prioritized early in your gameplay. With the introduction of a progression system linked to magazines by the developers, opting for the right perks to augment your character becomes even more essential.
Below, we delve into the 10 best perks in 7 Days to Die to help make your next adventure in Navezgane more manageable.
10 Charismatic Nature
Buff Your Friends So Everyone Kicks More Zombie Butt
Skill Level Level Name Effect Description Intellect Needed Buy 1 Inspirational Allies regenerate lost health 50% faster. 5 1 PT 2 Team Leader Allies gain 20% more Block and Melee Damage. 7 1 PT 3 Motivational Speaker Allies take 10% less damage from all sources and stop bleeding twice as fast. 8 1 PT 4 Captain Allies find 10% better loot. 9 1 PT 5 General Allies find 20% better loot and gain +1 to all attributes. 10 1 PTIf you’re playing cooperatively, unlocking the Charismatic Nature perk should be a priority. This perk provides a significant boost to all allies in your party, enhancing health regeneration, looting efficiency, and overall damage output. However, it’s important to note that this perk doesn’t stack; hence, it is best if at least one player has it, rather than having multiple players invest in it.
9 Advanced Engineering
Avoid Bottlenecks And Craft Crucial Traps
Skill Level Level Name Effect Description Intellect Needed Buy 1 Blacksmith Gain 15% XP from electrical trap kills; items craft 20% faster in the forge. 1 1 PT 2 Tinkerer Gain 30% XP from electrical trap kills; items craft 20% faster at workbenches. 4 1 PT 3 Craftsman Gain 45% XP from electrical trap kills; all forge recipes cost 10% less. 6 1 PT 4 Inventor Gain 60% XP from electrical trap kills; crafting costs reduced further. 8 1 PT 5 Advanced Engineer Gain 75% XP from electrical trap kills; crafting costs greatly reduced. 10 1 PTI often find myself serving as the builder and farmer in 7 Days to Die, while my partner excels in crafting. The Advanced Engineering perk is vital for her gameplay, enabling us to overcome crafting bottlenecks and accelerate our production process.
This perk minimizes the time required for smelting in the forge and lowers the material costs for crafted items, which is invaluable when preparing for an impending zombie onslaught. Additionally, it enhances the effectiveness of electrical traps, crucial for stunning zombies and defending against waves during crucial Blood Moon events.
8 Master Chef
Fight The Hunger Pangs And Eat Well
Skill Level Level Name Effect Description Strength Needed Buy 1 Bachelor Use 20% less of a recipe’s main ingredients; cook 40% faster. 1 1 PT 2 Dumpster Diver Adds a chance to find salvageable food in dumpsters; cook 60% faster. 4 1 PT 3 Army Cook Use 40% less main ingredients; cook 80% faster. 7 1 PTSurvival in 7 Days to Die goes beyond fending off zombies; players must contend with basic survival needs like hunger. Relying on pre-packaged food can quickly become untenable. This makes unlocking the Master Chef perk critical for reducing hunger pangs and ensuring a diverse, sustainable food supply.
With this perk, you not only cook meals faster but also conserve essential ingredients, which is particularly beneficial when feeding a group. Access to new cooking recipes through magazines also becomes more manageable, enhancing your ability to thrive in the game.
7 Well Insulated
Survive The Cold And Heat No Matter What The Weather Throws At You
Skill Level Level Name Effect Description Fortitude Needed Buy 1 Mild Weather Tolerant Gain 10 insulation against both heat and cold; lose 15% less food and water when compromised. 1 1 PT 2 Intense Weather Resistant Grants 20 insulation against both heat and cold; lose 30% less food and water. 4 1 PT 3 Extremely Weather Hardened No severe temperature effects; never suffer from Sweltering or Freezing. 7 1 PTIn addition to zombies, players must contend with unforgiving weather conditions, which can be equally deadly. Exposure to extreme temperatures without proper gear can lead to dire consequences. Therefore, the Well Insulated perk proves invaluable, providing a broad-spectrum defense against environmental challenges.
This perk significantly reduces food and water drain linked to temperature fluctuations, allowing you to venture outdoors without concern for freezing or overheating. Overall, it presents one less obstacle to manage while scavenging for resources.
6 Treasure Hunter
Ideal For More Than Just The Loot Goblins
Skill Level Level Name Effect Description Perception Needed Buy 1 Plunderer Decrease treasure search radius; find 10% more items in Buried Treasure. 1 1 PT 2 Marauder Find 20% more items in Buried Treasure; radius is further reduced. 4 1 PT 3 Treasure Hunter Find 30% more items in Buried Treasure; radius reduction further improved. 7 1 PTThe Treasure Hunter perk is undeniably one of the most advantageous perks in 7 Days to Die. It streamlines the process of locating treasure chests while simultaneously enhancing the overall yield from looting. This perk becomes particularly invaluable during treasure hunting quests offered by local traders.
Without this perk, you’re likely to find yourself digging aimlessly for buried treasure, all the while managing zombie attacks, making it imperative to maximize your efficiency in finding these coveted rewards. By fully unlocking the Treasure Hunter perk, locating treasure becomes a swift, minimally obstructed endeavor.
5 Parkour
No Longer Fall Prey To Fall Damage
Skill Level Level Name Effect Description Agility Needed Buy 1 Tumbler Increase safe fall distance by one meter; reduce stamina cost of jumping by 10%. 1 1 PT 2 Stuntman Increase safe fall distance by 2 meters; jump height increased. 4 1 PT 3 Adrenaline Junkie Increase safe fall distance significantly; never suffer broken legs from falls. 6 1 PT 4 Parkour Master Maximize jump height and fall safety; avoid sprains entirely. 8 1 PTWhile 7 Days to Die may not reach the acrobatic heights of other games, the Parkour perk remains invaluable in navigating the world. Fall damage can often result in dire consequences, making this perk essential for escaping tricky situations.
This perk dramatically reduces stamina costs associated with jumping and allows for greater jump heights without risk of injury. Fully unlocking the Parkour perk means you will no longer suffer from broken legs when falling from heights, allowing you to evade hordes of zombies with ease.
4 Healing Factor
Shrug Off Zombie Bites And Embrace Your Mutant Genes
Skill Level Level Name Effect Description Fortitude Needed Buy 1 Fast Metabolism Boost healing; health regenerates faster. 1 1 PT 2 Quick Healer Health regenerates even faster. 3 1 PT 3 Animal Significant regeneration boost. 5 1 PT 4 Regeneration Super fast health regeneration. 7 1 PT 5 Mutant Genes Extreme regenerative abilities; live longer. 10 1 PTUltimately, health loss is an inevitable part of 7 Days to Die, whether from zombie encounters, accidents, or the consumption of spoiled food. The Healing Factor perk significantly accelerates your health regeneration, allowing for quicker recovery times.
This perk is essential when contending with high-stakes scenarios, such as the Blood Moon challenges or infested buildings. Rapid healing minimizes the risk during dangerous encounters, making it an invaluable skill for anyone aiming to survive.
3 Animal Tracker
Watch Out For Animal Enemies And Make Hunting Easier
Skill Level Level Name Effect Description Perception Needed Buy 1 Trail Finder Track small animal leg prints; animals marked on compass/map. 1 1 PT 2 Quick Healer Health regenerates faster. 4 1 PT 3 Big Game Hunter Detect predators such as bears and mountain lions. 7 1 PTAs an avid hunter in 7 Days to Die, I prioritize the Animal Tracker perk. It enables tracking of animals through their footprints on your HUD, making hunting less tedious.
This perk simplifies the process of locating food sources while also highlighting nearby threats, allowing you to make informed decisions when confronting dangerous animals.
2 Lucky Looter
Don’t Settle For Mediocre Loot
Skill Level Level Name Effect Description Perception Needed Buy 1 Slim Chance Chance to find improved loot. 1 1 PT 2 Potluck Improved luck for finding better items. 2 1 PT 3 Good Fortune 15% boost to loot; looting speed increased. 3 1 PT 4 Blessed Exceptional luck for superior loot. 5 1 PT 5 Lucky Looter Your luck is astonishing; the dice are loaded. 7 1 PTThe Lucky Looter perk is indispensable for those who prioritize finding top-tier loot. This perk is especially critical during the early stages of gameplay when scavenging is essential for survival.
Unlocking the Lucky Looter perk elevates your chances of acquiring more and higher-quality loot from containers you personally open, reflected in the following bonuses:
- 5% Increased chance
- 10% Enhanced luck
- 15% More rewards
- 20% Advantageous findings
- 25% Elite loot chances
The speed of looting containers is also improved, allowing for quicker searches, which is crucial during frantic moments:
- 10% Faster looting
- 20% Significant speed boost
- 40% Instant access
- 60% Rapid retrieval
- 80% Lightning quick
If you want to maximize your loot collecting efficiency, the Lucky Looter perk should be a top priority when allocating skill points.
1 Pack Mule
Carry All The Things Without Zombies Catching Up To You
Skill Level Level Name Effect Description Strength Needed Price 1 Disorganized Miscellaneous organization habits. 1 1 PT 2 Bag Lady Increased comprehension of your inventory. 2 1 PT 3 Neat and Tidy Efficient handling of collected items. 3 1 PT 4 Shipshape Optimal organization of inventory. 4 1 PT 5 Pack Mule Increased inventory capacity; seems you’re part mule! 5 1 PTOne common frustration in 7 Days to Die is inadequate inventory space, which can severely hinder your ability to gather items. The Pack Mule perk enhances your carrying capacity, granting access to additional inventory slots.
This perk is critical because it simplifies various tasks, including relocating items, rushing home after looting, or completing quests, by increasing the number of slots available to you:
- 3 added slots
- 6 added slots
- 10 added slots
- 14 added slots
- 18 added slots
Regardless of your playstyle—be it looting, fighting, farming, or building—equipping your character with these perks will certainly enhance your chances of surviving in the unforgiving world of 7 Days to Die.
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