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.
Resource management and crafting determine how quickly your power scales. This guide covers what to prioritize, where to farm, and how to avoid wasting resources on the wrong upgrades.
Crafting Priority List
The order you should invest resources:
| Priority | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Primary weapons | Biggest damage increase per resource spent |
| 2 | Core build gear | Enables your role's key combinations |
| 3 | Defensive upgrades | Survivability for boss fights |
| 4 | Secondary weapons | Situational options for specific content |
| 5 | Consumables | Temporary boosts for hard content |
Resource Farming by Area
New York
Key resources: Early weapon unlocks, first class levels, safe practice against Bulls and Lurkers Farming efficiency: Low value per run, but safe and consistent
Focus on gathering materials for Keris V10 Advanced SMG upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Jerusalem
Key resources: Sniper and battle rifle practice, wide fortification positions, high special zombie density Farming efficiency: Good early-game farming spot
Focus on gathering materials for Keris V10 Advanced SMG upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Moscow
Key resources: Close-quarters weapon experience, tight defence phases, heavy Lurker spawns Farming efficiency: Best mid-game farming, worth revisiting
Focus on gathering materials for Keris V10 Advanced SMG upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Tokyo
Key resources: Exterminator and Slasher progression, vertical fights, Gasbag-heavy encounters Farming efficiency: High-value materials for late-game upgrades
This is where you farm materials for ARK-103 Assault Rifle max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Rome
Key resources: Aftermath-only progression, Vanguard shield practice, the largest defence phase in the campaign Farming efficiency: Best resources in the game, requires strong build
This is where you farm materials for ARK-103 Assault Rifle max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Upgrade Path
Early Game (New York to Jerusalem)
- Upgrade your starting weapons to functional level
- Craft basic defensive gear
- Save specialty materials, since you'll need them later
- Focus on Keris V10 Advanced SMG once accessible
Mid Game (Moscow)
- Push Keris V10 Advanced SMG to mid-level upgrades
- Start collecting materials for ARK-103 Assault Rifle
- Craft situational consumables for boss fights
- Upgrade build-specific gear pieces
Late Game (Tokyo to Rome)
- Max out ARK-103 Assault Rifle. This is your top priority
- Complete your build's core gear set
- Craft endgame consumables
- Optional: upgrade secondary weapons for variety
Crafting Mistakes to Avoid
- Spreading upgrades across multiple weapons: Focus one weapon to max before diversifying.
- Hoarding materials: Use them. The game provides enough if you farm efficiently.
- Upgrading the wrong gear: Check our builds guide before investing.
- Ignoring Moscow farming: This area has the best resource-to-time ratio in mid-game.
- Crafting consumables too early: Save specialty materials for late-game recipes.
Resource Efficiency Tips
- 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.
- Farm Moscow during mid-game for the best return on time
- Check the walkthrough to know when each resource becomes available
- Match your farming route to your build. Some classes farm faster in certain areas
More World War Z Guides
- World War Z World War Z Overview
- World War Z Best Builds
- 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 Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy World War Z, check out these related guides:
- Helldivers 2 Crafting Guide: action game with similar mechanics
- Black Myth: Wukong Crafting Guide: action game with similar mechanics
- Monster Hunter Wilds Crafting Guide: action game with similar mechanics
