Debunking the Myth of "Lucky" HottieZ Spawns in Project Zomboid
You found a HottieZ magazine in a hidden plank stash and now you think you’re some kind of loot goblin extraordinaire? Hold your horses, survivor. Let’s break down the actual rarity of these coveted magazines in Project Zomboid and separate myth from reality.
Understanding the Odds
The chance of finding a HottieZ magazine varies depending on where you’re looking. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown:
Zombies:
Each of these zombie types has a dismal 0.1% chance of carrying a HottieZ:
- Green Camo Zombie
- Desert Camo Zombie
- Ghille Zombie
- Redneck Zombie
- Rocker Zombie
- Varsity Zombie
(Perhaps a commentary on the magazine’s target demographic?)
Containers:
Containers offer a mixed bag of probabilities:
- High Chance (10%-100%):
- Plank Stash: This is where the confusion arises. While not guaranteed, Plank Stashes have a whopping 20% chance (rolled 8 times!) and another 10% chance (rolled 8 times!) of containing a HottieZ. This significantly increases your odds compared to other locations.
- Medium Chance (0.5%-2%):
- Gas Station Counter, Janitor Shelves, School’s Storage Counters, Zippee Mart Storage: 1% chance (dice rolled 4 times)
- Magazine Racks: 0.5% chance (dice rolled 4 times)
- Low Chance (0.01%-0.1%):
- Bathroom Shelf, Bedroom Crates, Closet Crates, Garage Crates (80%), Kitchen Crates, Living Room Crates, Storage Unit Crates (80%): 0.1% chance (dice rolled 4 times)
- Mechanic’s Shelf (40%): 0.1% chance (dice rolled 4 times)
- Post Office Shelves and Crates: 0.1% chance (dice rolled 4 times)
- Prison Cell: 0.01% chance (dice rolled 4 times)
Vehicles:
- Mail Step Van: Offers a flat 1% chance (dice rolled 4 times) of finding a HottieZ in the trunk.
Foraging:
- Deep Forest: Foraging in the Deep Forest offers a 1/13 chance of finding a "Forest Rarity" item, which itself has a 1% chance of being a HottieZ. This chance is further modified by:
- +10% if you are a Park Ranger
- +5% if you are a Veteran
- +5% if you have the Lucky trait
- -5% if you have the Unlucky trait (minimum chance not specified)
The Verdict: Plank Stashes vs. The Rest
Finding a HottieZ in a hidden plank stash, while exciting, is statistically not as lucky as finding one in almost any other location. The multiple rolls on the plank stash significantly skew the odds in your favor.
So, the next time you stumble upon this adult magazine in a less obvious spot, consider yourself lucky! You’ve beaten some incredibly low odds.
