Dead Island 2 Zombie Types: Full List of Zombies and How to Kill Them

Dead Island 2 zombies and Apex creatures will give you a run for your money in Hell-A. Whether you’re going solo or playing co-op with friends, you’re bound to battle with decrepit and decaying creatures. Below, we provide a full enemies list, including different zombie variants and Apex foes like Crushers and Butchers. We also provide tips for beating them. 

How to Defeat All Zombie Types in Dead Island 2

The enemies in Dead Island 2 can be classified into two categories: zombies and Apex creatures, each with its own subgroups depending on types. We list these enemies down below based on their groupings. You’ll also nab some DI2 trophies and achievements as you defeat them.

Regular Zombie Types: Shambler, Walker, and Runner

The three regular zombies in Dead Island 2 are fairly easy to take out:

• Shamblers are extremely slow and won’t pose a threat.
• Walkers are slightly faster, and have a three-hit melee combo.
• Runners are more annoying since they like dodging your strikes, but a quick sidestep, followed by a weapon smash to their legs, will leave them immobilized. Alternatively, you can dodge their lunge, then counterattack for an easy execution.

Screenshot by GameSkinny

Defense-Boosted Zombies: Riot Gear, Firefighter, and Hazmat variants

These types of Dead Island 2 enemies have additional defenses, making their bodies sturdier or outright immune to certain types of damage:

• Riot Gear Walkers: These former SWAT team members are still wearing their armor. You have to keep attacking them to destroy their armor and deal damage. Slashing/bladed weapons are better compared to blunt weapons or firearms. They’re also fairly resistant to explosives.
• Hazmat Walkers/Runners: These foes are immune to caustic (i.e., acid) damage. Even the blighted pool in Halperin Hotel won’t do anything to them.
• Firefighter Walkers/Runners: Firefighters are immune to all types of elemental damage (i.e., fire, shock, and caustic). They can still be taken down with non-elemental hits.

Screenshot by GameSkinny

Offense-Boosted Zombies: Burning, Spiky, and Insect Swarm

These undead foes have additional offensive capabilities that make them deadlier compared to regular variants:

• Burning Walkers/Runners: As the name implies, Burning Walkers/Runners are shrouded in flames. You can try putting out the fires if there’s a source of water nearby, or just bring them down with normal hits.
• Spiky Walkers/Runners: Spiky undead variants are covered in sharp protrusions, making their melee attacks extremely dangerous.
• Insect Swarm Walkers: Insect Swarm Walkers are fairly frustrating to deal with since locusts will start flying toward you to start nibbling, thereby draining your health. You’re better off shooting the target from a distance, causing the locust cloud to dissipate.

Screenshot by GameSkinny

Explosive zombies: Incendiary, Grenadier, Shocking, and Caustic-X

These types of Dead Island 2 enemies tend to carry objects that get destroyed whenever the targets are hit or killed. You can use their quirks to your advantage since other hostiles can also get damaged by the explosions:

• Incendiary Walkers: Incendiary Walkers carry tanks that spread oil and engulf others in flames.
• Grenadier Walkers: Grenadiers are deadly if you’re not careful since their charges will detonate after a hit.
• Shocking Walkers/Runners: Shocking variants are even more dangerous. Electric currents will spike out of their bodies periodically, which will shock you and others nearby.
• Caustic-X Walkers: Lastly, Caustic-X Walkers have a biochemical tank that will spread acidic goo on the ground.

Screenshot by GameSkinny

Utility-Type Zombies: Hydration and Eat Couriers

These are special types of zombies that don’t really fit in any of the above categories. They’re fairly rare and seem to appear in specific locations. 

• Hydration Walkers: Hydration Walkers don’t really have any offensive or defensive boosts. However, their water tanks will explode once hit, which can affect/trigger other hazards (i.e., fire getting put out, acid getting washed away, or electric currents spreading all over).
• Eat Couriers: These mischievous undead creatures carry bags of snacks. Kill them to pick up Protein Bars and Energy Drinks.

Screenshot by GameSkinny

Apex: Crushers

The Apex zombie you’ll encounter in Dead Island 2 is the Crusher. These foes pack a punch, but they’re typically slow. They have a lunge that you can dodge, as well as ground pound attacks that you’ll have to jump over. A variant, the Inferno Crusher, has fire-based attacks.

Screenshot by GameSkinny

Apex: Slobbers

Slobbers are fat blokes that regurgitate untold filth from their bodies. The basic Slobber has an acid spit and acid breath.

The Firestorm Slobber, meanwhile, uses the fire element. Lastly, there’s the Putrified Slobber, whose spit attack creates a Bile Blob that explodes after a few seconds.

Screenshot by GameSkinny

Apex: Bursters

Bursters are hapless creatures that simply run toward you before exploding. Beware whenever they’re around, and get ready to kick them away from you.

Screenshot by GameSkinny

Apex: Screamers

Screamers are probably the most annoying enemies in Dead Island 2. They have a nasty screech that pushes you away, while also calling on more undead to emerge.

The Voltaic Screamer variant even uses electricity to zap you and its ilk. You can prevent a Screamer’s screech by doing a heavy strike with your melee weapon or a single shot with a firearm.

Screenshot by GameSkinny

Apex: Butchers

Butchers are sadistic foes that are all too eager to rip you apart. They have four-hit melee combos that you need to dodge. Moreover, if you can evade their lunge and leaping attack, they’ll get temporarily stunned.

Butchers will also attempt to run away and eat nearby corpses to regenerate their HP. Likewise, the Vicious Butcher variant inflicts extra bleed damage per hit.

Screenshot by GameSkinny

Apex: Mutators

Mutators are enemies that you’ll encounter late in the campaign, almost akin to minibosses in their own right. Their three-hit combo ends in a ground pound, which you must dodge to stun them. You can also do this when it attempts a lunge.

What you must avoid, though, are medium-to-long-range engagements. Mutators will shoot spiked projectiles from their chests, which can cause tremendous damage if you’re unable to avoid them.

Screenshot by GameSkinny

And there you have it. These are the zombie enemies that you’ll face in Dead Island 2, as well as some tips and tricks for killing them. For more information about your trip to Hell-A, you can visit our Dead Island 2 guides hub.

Featured image via Deep Silver.