Automate Wood with Zombies in Graveyard Keeper
This guide explains how to set up a zombie-powered wood production line in Graveyard Keeper, so you can get a steady supply of firewood and timber without spending your own time chopping. You’ll need to have unlocked the Zombie Technology tech and built a zombie, plus have access to a woodcutting zone.
What You’ll Need
- Zombie Technology unlocked (requires 50 red, 20 green, 20 blue tech points).
- A zombie (crafted at the Zombie Lab, requires 1 corpse, 1 Simple Iron Parts, 1 Simple Wooden Parts, 1 Simple Circuit).
- A Woodcutting Zone (found in the forest, near the lumber mill).
- Materials to build the zombie workstation: 8 Simple Wooden Parts, 8 Simple Iron Parts, 4 Simple Circuits, 4 Iron Ingots, and 2 Complex Wooden Parts.
- Fuel for the zombie: any food item (e.g., bread, carrots, or rotten meat).
- Access to the workbench to craft the workstation (Zombie Workstation).
Step-by-Step
- Unlock the Zombie Technology – Open your Tech Tree (T key) and navigate to the “Zombie Technology” node under the “Crafting” branch. Spend 50 red, 20 green, and 20 blue tech points to unlock it.
- Build a Zombie Lab – Craft a Zombie Lab at the workbench (requires 5 Simple Wooden Parts, 5 Simple Iron Parts, 2 Simple Circuits, and 1 Iron Ingot). Place it in your yard.
- Create a Zombie – Obtain a corpse (from the graveyard or by digging up graves). Place the corpse in the Zombie Lab and add the required components (1 Simple Iron Parts, 1 Simple Wooden Parts, 1 Simple Circuit). Wait for the zombie to be created.
- Build a Zombie Workstation – At the workbench, craft a Zombie Workstation (requires 8 Simple Wooden Parts, 8 Simple Iron Parts, 4 Simple Circuits, 4 Iron Ingots, and 2 Complex Wooden Parts).
- Locate a Woodcutting Zone – Go to the forest area near the lumber mill (northwest of the church). You’ll see a stump with a saw icon – that’s the woodcutting zone.
- Place the Workstation – With the Zombie Workstation in your inventory, approach the woodcutting zone and press E to place it on the designated spot.
- Assign the Zombie – Interact with the workstation and select “Assign Zombie.” Choose your zombie from the list. The zombie will immediately start working.
- Choose the Output – In the workstation menu, you can toggle between “Firewood” and “Timber” (log). Firewood is used for fuel, timber for crafting. Select the one you need (you can change it anytime).
- Feed the Zombie – Zombies need food to keep working. Check the workstation’s fuel meter. When it runs low, add any food item (e.g., bread, carrots, or even rotten meat) to the workstation’s inventory slot.
- Collect the Output – The zombie will produce wood over time. The produced items will appear in the workstation’s output slot. Collect them regularly to keep production going (the output slot has a limited capacity).
Common Mistakes
- Not unlocking the right tech – You must unlock Zombie Technology before you can build the Zombie Lab or Workstation. Double-check the tech tree.
- Placing the workstation on the wrong spot – The workstation must be placed on the woodcutting zone, not just anywhere. Look for the saw icon on the ground.
- Forgetting to feed the zombie – Zombies stop working when they run out of food. Always keep a stack of food in the workstation.
- Choosing the wrong output – If you need firewood for the furnace, don’t leave it on timber. Check the output setting before leaving.
- Not collecting output – The output slot fills up and production halts. Check back periodically to empty it.
Tips
- Use rotten meat or other low-quality food to feed zombies – it’s cheap and works just as well.
- Set the output to firewood if you need fuel for the furnace or for the church’s heat. Switch to timber when you need materials for crafting.
- Build multiple workstations if you need a large supply – each zombie can work at one station.
- Zombies work faster if you upgrade the workstation (requires additional materials, but worth it for high demand).
- Keep a chest near the workstation to store excess wood, so you don’t have to run back and forth.
Troubleshooting
- Zombie isn’t working – Check if the zombie is assigned. If not, interact with the workstation and assign it. Also ensure the zombie has food – if the food meter is empty, the zombie will idle.
- Workstation not producing – Make sure the workstation is placed on the woodcutting zone. If it’s misplaced, pick it up and place it again.
- Can’t build the Zombie Lab – You might be missing the Zombie Technology. Re-check the tech tree and ensure you’ve unlocked it.
- No wood appears – The output slot might be full. Collect the wood and wait for the zombie to continue.
- Zombie keeps stopping – This is almost always due to lack of food. Add more food to the workstation’s inventory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I automate other resources with zombies?
Yes, once you unlock the relevant techs, you can build zombie workstations for stone cutting, farming, and even alchemy. Each requires a specific workstation and location.
Do zombies need to be fed regularly?
Yes, zombies consume food over time. The food meter drains slowly, but you’ll need to refill it periodically (roughly every in-game day).
Can I have multiple zombies working on wood?
Yes, you can build multiple woodcutting workstations, each with its own zombie. However, you’ll need to create more zombies and build additional workstations.
What’s the difference between firewood and timber?
Firewood is used as fuel for furnaces and the church’s heat. Timber (logs) is used for crafting wooden items and building materials. Choose based on your current needs.
How do I get more zombies?
You need to obtain corpses (from the graveyard or by digging up graves) and process them in the Zombie Lab. Each zombie requires the same components.
Does the zombie’s work speed improve?
Yes, you can upgrade the workstation using the ‘Workstation Upgrade’ tech, which increases production speed. Also, zombies with higher quality corpses (e.g., from better graves) work faster.
Related
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