How to Dominate Every Machine in Generation Zero

New to the ravaged world of Generation Zero? Or maybe you’re a seasoned veteran looking for new tactics? This comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge to dismantle every machine threat, from the skittering Ticks to the fearsome Apocalypse Class.

We’ll cover optimal strategies, positioning, and weapon choices for every stage of the game:

Early Game: 1-3 Crown Weapons, Low Skill Points
Mid Game: 3-4 Crown Weapons, Medium Skill Points
Endgame: 5 Crown and Experimental Weapons, Max Level

Let’s dive in!

Small Machines: Quick and Deadly

Ticks: Small but Troublesome

Strategy: Ticks rarely change their tactics. You’ll encounter them in bunkers or deployed by Hunters.

Bunkers: Equip a shotgun with birdshot ammo (an SMG works too). Allow the Tick to spot you, wait for it to turn, then unleash a point-blank barrage.
Deployed: Your best bet is to create distance and let their battery deplete. If you must engage, a shotgun remains effective.
Ultimate Weapon: The Experimental 12 Gauge, with its devastating secondary explosion.

Apocalypse Variant: The same strategies apply, but exercise extreme caution to avoid their amplified attacks.

Seekers: Eliminate on Sight

Strategy: Seekers are best handled with swift and decisive action.

Any Range: Use any weapon at your disposal.

Canine Threats: Speed and Ferocity

Runners/Dogs: Agile and Aggressive

Early Game:

Priority: Evade their charge attack, which inflicts significant damage and stuns you. Listen for the audio cue, sidestep, and retaliate with focused fire on their fuel canisters.
Range: Target Prototype Dogs’ unarmored bodies with hunting rifles.

Mid Game:

Increased Durability: You can now withstand charges more effectively.
Close-Range Assault: Use ARs, SMGs, or shotguns to unleash a barrage of damage to their sides.

Endgame:

Overkill Efficiency: The Experimental PVG, while powerful, might be excessive.
Group Annihilation: The Experimental KVM with 2x red dot sights shreds through packs of Runners.
Close-Range Dominance: Execute a devastating maneuver with the Experimental Sledgehammer: sprint past the Runner on the left, swing, and aim for the fuel tank for an instant kill.

Apocalypse Variant: Maintain distance and stay mobile. Their radiation damage over time is not to be underestimated.

Hunter Class: Cunning and Deadly

Hunters: Masters of the Bow

Early Game:

Positioning: Keep a medium distance and be wary of their leaping lunge attack.
Weak Points: Aim for the fuel canister above the legs from behind, or the head from the front.
Weaponry: ARs and shotguns prove most effective.

Mid Game:

Long-Range Encounters: Sniper and Gas Mortar Hunters demand a different approach. Utilize hunting rifles and maintain perpendicular movement to avoid sniper fire. ADS only when firing.
Enhanced Vision: Equip IR vision modules on your binoculars for easier tracking. Tech View is a suitable alternative.

Endgame:

Mid-Range Powerhouse: The Experimental KVM or a Gold AI-76 reign supreme.
Long-Range Precision: The Experimental PVG delivers devastating accuracy.
Staggering Force: The Experimental 12 Gauge can momentarily disable Hunters.

Apocalypse Variant:

Extreme Caution: Apocalypse Hunters possess exceptional range and a deadly flamethrower.
Long-Range Tactics: Employ sniper rifles and be prepared to relocate frequently due to their increased resilience.

Harvester: The Gathering Force

Harvesters: Armored and Imposing

Early Game:

Exploit Weaknesses: Rockets and armor-piercing rounds are crucial. Attack from the rear and be mindful of their stomp attack.
Evasive Maneuvers: Strafe to avoid missile barrages.
Opportunity Strikes: When a Harvester deploys Hunters, use the distraction to deal damage, but be ready to engage the reinforcements.

Mid Game: Strategies remain largely unchanged from the early game.

Endgame:

Armor Piercing Powerhouse: The Gold AI-76 with AP rounds remains effective.
Hunter Elimination: Switch to the Experimental KVM with chain lightning to swiftly dispatch deployed Hunters.

Apocalypse Variant:

Predictable Patterns: Utilize cover; Apocalypse Harvesters repeatedly target the same location with their missiles.
Environmental Hazards: Be cautious of radioactive pools left behind by their missiles.
Hunter Threat: The primary danger lies in their Hunter escorts. Refer to the Hunter section for effective countermeasures.

Tank Class: The Iron Behemoth

Tanks: Slow but Devastating

Early Game:

Don’t Be Intimidated: Tanks may appear invincible, but their predictable behavior is their downfall.
Armor Penetration: Use AP rounds or rockets to breach their frontal armor from medium range.
Exploit Weaknesses: Switch to FMJ rounds on SMGs, ARs, and hunting rifles, or hollow-point rounds on pistols, targeting the exposed areas.
Constant Movement: Tanks alternate between machine gun and missile attacks. Sidestepping at long range, or sprinting sideways at close range, will render you nearly untouchable.

Mid Game:

Maintain Mobility: Sideways movement remains paramount.
Mortar Awareness: Tanks equipped with mortars require constant vigilance. Don’t get tunnel vision on their front; be aware of their surroundings.
Force Charges: You can trigger a charge by shooting off their weapons. Removing the machine gun is often preferable, as their missiles are easily avoided.
Grenade Barrage: While entertaining, grenades alone are unlikely to destroy a Tank.

Endgame:

Long-Range Dominance: Disable Tanks from afar with the Experimental PVG.
EMP Assault: Land a satisfying and effective EMP blast using the Experimental Sledgehammer.

Apocalypse Variant:

Avoid Cover: Contrary to conventional wisdom, steer clear of cover, especially forests. Their proximity mines are difficult to spot on uneven terrain.
Enhanced Weaponry: Their incendiary machine gun boasts increased bullet speed and fire rate. Sprint sideways when under fire, regardless of distance.
Shocking Solution: The Experimental Klauke with shock ammo is surprisingly effective. Spam their body until they fall.

Soviet Machines: Advanced and Ruthless

Lynx: The Swift Hunter

Mid Game:

Vulnerable Core: Assault rifles, with their rapid fire rate, are ideal for targeting the Lynx’s ball.
Explosive Force: Rockets aimed at groups of Lynx can prove devastating.

Endgame:

Instant Elimination: The Experimental PVG will obliterate a Lynx in a single shot.
Close-to-Medium Range Power: The Gold AI-76 or Experimental SMG excel at these distances.

Wolves: The Pack Hunters

Mid Game:

Opportunistic Strikes: Exploit battles between Wolves and Swedish machines in the Farmlands. Wait for both sides to weaken, then launch a surprise attack from the flank.
Target Prioritization: Focus fire on the rocket pods in tank form, or the head in walker form. The chaingun is too difficult to hit reliably.
Lynx Escorts: Be mindful of any accompanying Lynx.

Endgame: Strategies remain similar to the mid game.

Firebird: The Aerial Menace

Mid Game:

Long-Range Assault: Engage Firebirds from a distance, as they possess exceptional vision.
Cripple Mobility: Target the thrusters on their arms to hinder their movement.

Endgame:

Spetsnaz Threat: Spetsnaz Firebirds are among the most formidable foes. Their autocannon can shred through health and penetrate walls with splash damage.
Seek Strong Cover: Find sturdy cover, such as a building or truck, and stock up on advanced medkits.
Hacker Advantage: If you specialize in Hacking, successfully hacking a Firebird provides incredibly powerful aerial support. This is one of the few instances where Hacking truly shines.

Conclusion

Armed with this knowledge, you are well-prepared to face the mechanical terrors of Generation Zero. Remember to adapt your strategies, exploit weaknesses, and never underestimate the machines. Good hunting!