Dominating NERF HvZ: Unleashing Fury With the Perfect Blaster Battle Loadout

MAGAZINE DARTICLE: HvZ Loadouts

By David Schaap

Selecting the perfect Nerf blaster battle loadout for Humans vs. Zombies (HvZ) games can be the difference between sweet success or mission failure. It's important to consider factors such as range, accuracy, ammo capacity, and mobility when choosing your ideal loadout. For example, a large high-capacity blaster like the Nerf Rival Prometheus may be great for mowing down a zombie horde, but a smaller blaster like the Nerf N-Strike Elite Disruptor may be more suitable for fast-paced missions that require being quick on your feet. In this article, Foam Base shares its tips and tricks on how to select and fine tune your perfect custom loadout for surviving the zombie apocalypse:

Step 1: Safety First

Safety gear is essential when playing HvZ games. Most often, the event hosts will supply the necessary safety equipment to play, but this is not always the case, so be prepared. It would be a shame to go all the way out to an event, and be turned away for lack of safety gear. Consider bringing eye protection, gloves, sturdy shoes, and maybe elbow and/or knee pads if your game is hosted outdoors. If your games tend to run long into the night, consider bringing a flashlight or headlamp. A vest, backpack, or tactical gear to hold your ammo, magazines, and blasters will certainly come in handy, and help prevent property loss. It's always better to be safe than sorry, so make sure to take the necessary precautions before starting the game, and always check with your local game host(s) for any possible additional safety requirements or equipment limitations.

Step 2: Understand the Rules

Before selecting your loadout, it is essential to understand the rules of the game. HvZ game rules can vary greatly from region to region, including restrictions on certain blaster types, limits on ammo, *FPS caps, or limitations on the number of players allowed on each team. Make sure to read the game rules to get an idea of what blaster types are allowed, as well as any other regulations that could impact your loadout choices. Some games designate "super zombies" that can only be taken down with specific ammo types. Familiarize yourself with mission objectives to decide if you need heavier fire power, or lighter equipment for speedier runs.

*'Feet Per Second'-referring to the speed at which a dart travels upon leaving your blaster

Step 3: Determine Your Playstyle

The next step in selecting the perfect HvZ loadout is determining your playstyle. Are you a defensive player who prefers to hold down a position and fend off zombies? Or are you an offensive player who likes to move around the game map and actively hunt zombies or tackle missions? Does running seem like a painful and mundane chore? Or do you need to constantly burn off energy like a foster dog doing zoomies? Do you just want to have the most ridiculous custom blaster build and conduct a live field test in your unicorn onesie? While no single playstyle can be considered the "best," knowing your playstyle can help you select the blaster and ammo type(s) that will best suit your needs.

Step 4: Choose Your Primary Blaster

Once you've determined your playstyle, it's time to choose your primary blaster. Your primary blaster will be the one you rely on the most during the game. With some games running as long as 12 hours, being happy with the form and function of your primary is important. There are a variety of blaster types and sizes to choose from, so dialing your primary blaster in to your playstyle can help you become a more effective player. If you need to be light on your feet, you might consider a smaller, lighter primary blaster that's quick to reload. If you like to provide lots of suppressing fire, and lay down cover fire for your squad between missions, you might consider something fully automatic or hopper fed for larger ammo capacities. If your game has an ammo cap, consider a blaster that is front or drum loaded for easy reloading while scavenging darts. Some players also like to keep a few empty magazines on hand, and fill them up as they scavenge, as a means to resupply their magazine fed blasters. The way you play should help determine which primary is best for you.

Step 5: Select Your Secondary Blaster

After selecting your primary blaster, it's time to choose your secondary blaster. Your secondary blaster will come in handy if you run out of ammo in your primary blaster, or you need a backup weapon in case of an emergency or primary weapon failure. Pistol-sized blasters are the most common type of secondary blaster, but you might also consider a melee weapon like a foam sword for a means of non ammo-reliant protection. It's generally more effective to have a secondary that performs an alternative function (fully automatic, fires multiple ammo types, non ammo-reliant, etc.) in case you encounter some pesky super zombies, or large hordes. Making your loadout multi-faceted means you're ready for any challenges the horde, or other factions, may throw at you.

Step 6: Stock up on Ammo

No matter what blaster(s) you choose, having the right amount of ammo is crucial. HvZ games can last for hours, so make sure to stock up on darts or other ammo types that are allowed for your game. Consider carrying a few spare magazines, drums, or a dump pouch to reload quickly during the game, or to effectively collect scavenged ammunition in games with ammo caps. Additionally, don't forget to consider the type of ammo you'll be needing based on your blaster selections, and bring extra as generally some ammo is always lost or damaged during gameplay. Most hosts will supply used ammo available for use during the event, but checking with your host ahead of time is always a good idea.

Step 7: Always Have a Back-Up

It's always wise to bring a backup blaster(s) in case your primary runs out of ammo or malfunctions. If you use a battery operated blaster, bring a manual springer as a back up. There's nothing worse than having electronic issues that prevent you from being able to participate, so always pack a contingency plan (Also, is it just us, or is "Contingency Plan" a great name for a custom blaster?).

Hopefully these quick tips and tricks have helped you consider all aspects of the game to finish planning your next event loadout. With a thorough pack-out list, and some planning and forethought, you're now ready to fend off the zombie horde and emerge a survivor. Stay alert, stay alive, and stay aligned to Foam Base for more content like this.

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