Saber Interactive's four-player co-op shooter runs on the Swarm Engine, which pours hundreds of zombies down stairwells and lets them climb over each other into living ramps. The Aftermath release of 21 September 2021 folded in first-person mode, the Vanguard class and two extra episodes set in Rome and Kamchatka. Eight classes, a three-tier weapon system and difficulty steps that run up through Extreme, Insane and Extinction sit on top of missions that take roughly 25 to 40 minutes each.
Picking the right build determines how your experience plays out. These builds are ranked by overall effectiveness, factoring in damage, survivability, gear requirements, and how well they scale into endgame. New to the game? Start with our beginner's guide first.
Quick Rankings
| Role | Tier | Playstyle | Core Gear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gunslinger | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Hellraiser | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Medic | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Fixer | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Vanguard | A | Balanced | Best available |
For detailed meta rankings, see our World War Z tier list.
A-Tier: Gunslinger
Gunslinger is a top-performing option in World War Z.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | ARK-103 Assault Rifle | A Tier 2 rifle with heavy stopping power that stays controllable in long bursts. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Swarm Engine zombie pyramids | The engine tracks hundreds of zombies at once and lets them stack into ramps that reach balconies and rooftops within seconds. |
How to Play Gunslinger
Gunslinger focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this role works: ARK-103 Assault Rifle does the damage and Swarm Engine zombie pyramids keeps it running, which is why this sits at the top of the list. See our weapons guide for detailed weapons breakdowns.
Pros:
- Highest overall performance
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Popular pick, resources may be contested
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Hellraiser
Hellraiser is a strong option in World War Z.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | Keris V10 Advanced SMG | The Tier 3 submachine gun modelled on the KRISS Vector, with a fire rate rated at 90 and the magazine to back it. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Eight classes with perk trees | Gunslinger, Hellraiser, Slasher, Medic, Fixer, Exterminator, Dronemaster and Vanguard each hold a separate progression track. |
How to Play Hellraiser
Hellraiser focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this role works: Pair Keris V10 Advanced SMG with Eight classes with perk trees and the build stops depending on a good start, so it holds up across most content. See our weapons guide for detailed weapons breakdowns.
Pros:
- Most versatile option
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Lower peak damage than S-tier
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Medic
Medic is a strong option in World War Z.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | S890 Combat Shotgun | A Tier 2 pump that removes Lurkers in a single shell and knocks back anything that gets inside five metres. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Weapon tiers and Advanced User | Guns run from Tier 1 starters such as the Gal 9 Compact SMG up to Tier 3 pieces like the Keris V10 and HW416, with heavy weapons in a bracket of their own. |
How to Play Medic
Medic focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this role works: Weapon tiers and Advanced User covers the gap S890 Combat Shotgun leaves open, so the build stays usable even when a fight goes badly. See our weapons guide for detailed weapons breakdowns.
Pros:
- Best survivability
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Slower clear speeds
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Fixer
Fixer is a specialized option in World War Z.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | Thumper GL Grenade Launcher | A heavy weapon that clears an entire pyramid in one shot and staggers Bulls. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Defence phase fortifications | Most missions end in a hold where the team sets barbed wire, electric fences, mounted guns, sentries and mortars into fixed emplacement slots before the swarm arrives. |
How to Play Fixer
Fixer focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this role works: This one leans on Defence phase fortifications rather than raw numbers, and Thumper GL Grenade Launcher is what makes that trade pay off. See our weapons guide for detailed weapons breakdowns.
Pros:
- Strong in group/team content
- Straightforward gearing path
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- Weaker solo performance
- Requires deep game knowledge
A-Tier: Vanguard
Vanguard is a specialized option in World War Z.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | Mk110 Sniper Rifle | A Tier 2 scoped rifle that kills Gasbags and Infectors before their attacks land. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Special zombie roster | Bulls in riot gear charge and pin, Lurkers hide and tackle, Screamers drag the horde onto your position, Gasbags leave a poison cloud when killed and Infectors spit corrosive fluid from range. |
How to Play Vanguard
Vanguard focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this role works: Mk110 Sniper Rifle and Special zombie roster pull in the same direction here, which separates this from the safer picks above. See our weapons guide for detailed weapons breakdowns.
Pros:
- Unique, rewarding playstyle
- Straightforward gearing path
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- High skill floor, punishing when misplayed
- Requires deep game knowledge
Build Progression Path
- Start with Hellraiser: the most forgiving option for learning the game
- Transition to Gunslinger once you understand core mechanics and have access to ARK-103 Assault Rifle
- Keep a Medic setup for content that keeps killing you
- Try Vanguard for a fresh experience once you've mastered the basics
Follow our walkthrough for the optimal progression path through each area.
Gearing Tips
- Invest in your primary weapon first, since it gives the biggest power spike. See our weapons guide for rankings.
- Aim at the bottom of a climbing pyramid rather than the zombies already at the top. Removing three or four bodies at the base drops everything above them, while headshots on the upper layer just get replaced by the next climber.
- Learn the audio cues before the visuals. A Screamer's shriek, a Bull's roar and the wet click of a Lurker all arrive before the model does, and calling the type out loud lets whoever has the shotgun turn to face it.
- Don't spread upgrade resources across multiple builds until endgame
More World War Z Guides
- World War Z World War Z Overview
- World War Z Tier List
- World War Z Walkthrough
- World War Z Beginner's Guide
- World War Z Tips & Tricks
- World War Z Weapons Guide
- World War Z Combat Guide
- World War Z Boss Guide
- World War Z Maps & Locations
- World War Z Crafting Guide
- World War Z Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy World War Z, check out these related guides:
- Helldivers 2 Builds: action game with similar mechanics
- Black Myth: Wukong Builds: action game with similar mechanics
- Monster Hunter Wilds Builds: action game with similar mechanics
