Introduction
*7 Days to Die* is a thrilling game that masterfully blends first-person shooter elements, survival horror, tower defense, and role-playing mechanics into a single, addicting experience. Its open-world sandbox environment challenges players to scavenge, craft, build, and defend themselves against relentless hordes of zombies. For many players, the journey into this post-apocalyptic world begins on one map in particular: Navezgane. This map holds a special place in the hearts of *7 Days to Die* veterans, but more than just nostalgia, this crafted map offers the perfect starting place for new players
Navezgane, while pre-generated, allows a level of familiarity that a randomly generated map lacks. Understanding Navezgane’s layout, key locations, and resource distribution is crucial for early-game survival and progression in *7 Days to Die*. This guide will provide you with the knowledge needed to navigate this iconic map, find vital resources, and stand your ground against the undead.
What Navezgane Offers
Navezgane is far more than just a default map. It represents the original landscape offered in *7 Days to Die*, setting the stage for countless survival stories. The name itself is a portmanteau of “Navajo” and “Apache,” referencing the game map’s location in Arizona, and is one of the only pre-generated map in the entire game. This design choice makes the map a truly unique experience as the maps’s landmarks and areas are intentionally placed for the player.
What exactly makes this map perfect for newer players? The answer is relatively simple. The map acts as a perfect introduction to the game’s mechanics due to its diverse, but predictable landscape. While the zombie threat is the same, the player can learn how the game operates at a fair pace. Additionally, The balanced distribution of resources, the varied biomes within relatively close proximity, and the handcrafted design make Navezgane an ideal learning ground. You’ll quickly learn how to manage your character’s needs, craft essential tools, and build a secure base. Furthermore, the handcrafted element provides a distinct advantage: a well-defined landscape that is relatively easy to navigate, even without relying solely on the in-game map. This familiarity allows players to focus on learning core game mechanics instead of getting hopelessly lost in an unfamiliar, randomly generated world.
Delving into the Varied Lands of Navezgane: Biomes
Navezgane is divided into several distinct biomes, each with its own unique challenges, resources, and zombie types. Mastering each biome is essential for long-term survival.
Forest Biome
The Forest biome is the most common and arguably the most forgiving. Abundant wood resources make it ideal for early-game base building and crafting. You’ll find plenty of animals to hunt for food and a relatively balanced zombie threat. Expect to encounter typical zombies and the occasional zombie animal. This biome is an excellent starting point for new players looking to establish their first base and gather essential resources.
Desert Biome
Venturing into the Desert biome presents a new set of challenges. The relentless sun causes dehydration, necessitating a constant search for water. Resources are scarcer than in the forest, but the desert is rich in mining resources like sand, clay, and minerals. Be wary of vultures circling overhead and packs of zombie dogs that roam the arid landscape. Heat resistance skills and strategies are crucial for survival in the desert.
Snow Biome
The Snow biome is a frigid expanse where hypothermia is a constant threat. Food is scarce, and lumberjacks—tougher zombie variants—lurk among the snow-covered trees. Movement is often slowed by deep snow, making it harder to escape danger. However, the snow biome also offers opportunities for finding remote cabins and campsites, often containing valuable loot. Cold resistance perks and insulated clothing are essential for enduring the harsh conditions of the snow.
Wasteland Biome
The Wasteland biome is the most dangerous area of Navezgane. It’s heavily irradiated, populated by aggressive and mutated zombies, and riddled with difficult terrain. Despite the high risk, the wasteland offers the best loot, attracting experienced players seeking powerful weapons and rare resources. Radiation resistance and powerful weaponry are necessary to survive the wasteland’s perils.
Burnt Forest Biome
Finally, the Burnt Forest biome is a scarred landscape ravaged by fire. Resources are limited, and the constant threat of fires adds another layer of danger. Unique zombie types, resistant to fire damage, roam this desolate area. Fire resistance perks and careful navigation are essential for exploring the burnt forest.
Key Areas: Landmarks Worth Exploring
Navezgane is dotted with key locations and points of interest (POIs), each offering a unique blend of resources, challenges, and potential rewards. Knowing these locations can significantly improve your chances of survival.
Towns and Settlements
Diersville: This is a popular starting location due to its central location and variety of buildings. It offers a good balance of resources and zombie threat, making it ideal for setting up a starter base and looting essential supplies.
Gravestown: As the name suggests, Gravestown is a mining town. It’s a valuable location for obtaining ore and minerals needed for crafting and construction. Expect to encounter more zombies around industrial buildings and mining sites.
Perdition: Perdition is a larger town with a higher concentration of buildings and loot. However, it also attracts a larger and more dangerous zombie population. Proceed with caution and be prepared for intense firefights.
Other Notable Settlements: Explore other smaller towns and settlements scattered throughout Navezgane. Each location offers unique opportunities for looting and scavenging.
Unique Points of Interest
Shamway Factory: This massive factory is a high-tier loot location, offering access to advanced weapons, tools, and crafting materials. However, it’s heavily guarded by hordes of zombies and requires careful planning and execution to clear.
The Prison: A notorious location for high-risk, high-reward looting. The prison is teeming with dangerous zombies and requires a well-equipped team to conquer. Expect to find valuable weapons, ammunition, and other rare items within its walls.
Hospitals, Schools, and Military Bases: These large structures often contain valuable medical supplies, books, and military gear. Be prepared for intense zombie encounters and potential traps.
Hidden Locations
Caves: Explore the caves hidden throughout Navezgane. They offer opportunities for mining valuable resources like iron, coal, and lead. Be wary of cave-dwelling zombies and potential pitfalls.
Remote Cabins and Campsites: These secluded locations often contain smaller loot caches and offer safer havens for resting and crafting. They can be valuable resources for players looking for a temporary respite from the zombie hordes.
Resource Gathering in Navezgane
Efficient resource gathering is the foundation of survival in *7 Days to Die*. Knowing where to find essential materials can significantly impact your progress.
- Wood: The forest biome is the primary source of wood. Lumber mills scattered throughout Navezgane also offer abundant wood resources.
- Stone: The desert and cave biomes are rich in stone. Look for rock formations and outcroppings to mine.
- Iron: Iron can be found through mining ore deposits, scavenging in scrapyards, and looting certain POIs.
- Lead: Lead is primarily obtained through mining and looting specific POIs.
- Coal: Coal can be found in mining locations, caves, and the burnt forest biome.
- Food: Hunt animals in the forest biome or establish a farm in a suitable location. Farmland areas are ideal for growing crops.
- Water: Collect water from rivers, lakes, or melt snow in the snow biome.
The First Week: Early Game Strategies
Your first seven days in Navezgane are crucial for establishing a solid foundation for survival.
- Focus on Looting: Prioritize looting nearby houses and buildings for essential supplies like food, water, basic tools, and weapons.
- Secure a Base: Find a suitable building to reinforce as your first base. Look for locations with good visibility and defensible positions.
- Craft Basic Tools and Weapons: Craft stone axes, pickaxes, and wooden clubs to improve your resource gathering and combat capabilities.
- Understanding the Horde Night: The seventh night brings a relentless horde of zombies. Prepare your base with defenses and stock up on ammunition.
Base Building Tips
- Good Starting Locations: Diersville, due to its central location and readily available building materials, is great for new players.
- Defense Strategies: Reinforce walls with cobblestone or concrete, build barricades, and create kill zones to funnel zombies.
Leveling Up
- Early Skills to Focus On: Consider skills that improve resource gathering, crafting speed, and combat effectiveness.
- Efficient Leveling Strategies: Complete quests, clear POIs, and craft items to earn experience points quickly.
Advanced Tips and Tricks
Once you have the basics down, it’s time to start playing smart and exploiting the environment to your advantage.
- Strategic Looting: Be efficient about looting. Clear a building from top to bottom to avoid being caught off guard. Prioritize lootable items with high value.
- Exploiting the Terrain: Funnel zombies into narrow corridors, use cliffs and rivers as natural barriers, and create kill zones to maximize your defensive capabilities.
- Trap Setups: Learn to place landmines, barbed wire fences, and other traps to inflict damage on incoming zombies. Use them to your advantage during horde nights!
Concluding Thoughts: Mastering Navezgane
Navezgane is a map that rewards exploration, resourcefulness, and strategic thinking. By understanding its biomes, key locations, and resource distribution, you can significantly increase your chances of survival in *7 Days to Die*. While random maps provide an interesting experience, the pre-generated map is almost a guide itself on what to do next.
This map’s value as a learning environment cannot be overstated. The balanced challenges and diverse environments offer the perfect training ground for new players. And while the random map generator does provide some interesting scenarios, if you are a beginner, then this map is for you. Embrace the challenges, learn from your mistakes, and adapt your strategies to the ever-evolving threats of Navezgane. *7 Days to Die* is a challenging but rewarding game, and mastering the Navezgane map is a critical step towards becoming a seasoned survivor. Now, go out there and carve your own survival story in the heart of Arizona!
