Start With Survival, Not a Finish Line
Apocalypse Rising 2 has no official final objective, so your early decisions matter more than racing toward a single endpoint. Learning how to play apocalypse rising 2 means building habits that help you survive, loot effectively, recognize threats, and decide what you want from each life.
You can make your own priorities. Some players focus on defeating other players and infected, some try to survive for as many days as possible, and others collect weapons, items, and accessories. Death is part of the loop: survive, loot, fight, die, respawn, and learn from the next attempt.
Before playing, review the settings that affect how comfortably you can react. Adjusting keybinds, aiming behavior, sensitivity, field of view, and sound can make the game easier to read. Do not assume another player’s settings will work for you; use a setup that you can operate consistently.
Sound deserves particular attention. Player movement, doors, vehicles, and other in-game sounds can warn you about danger. Headphones can help, but keeping the volume audible is useful even without them. Avoid distracting background audio when you expect nearby threats.
| Early priority | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Learn the map | It helps you identify your spawn location and navigate toward buildings. |
| Adjust controls | Familiar keybinds and suitable sensitivity can make movement and combat easier to manage. |
| Listen carefully | Diegetic sound cues can help you anticipate an ambush. |
| Stay mobile | Remaining in one location too long can make you easier to find. |
What You Have When You Spawn
A first spawn begins with limited equipment. Your starting firearm is a Snubnose revolver, described as one of the weakest firearms available, so an even fight is likely to be unfavorable. The Pocket Knife is also a slow melee option with limited range.
Treat your initial loadout as a way to get moving, not as a reason to challenge every player you see. Open the map, assess your surroundings, and work out where you are before committing to a route. Familiarity builds over repeated spawns.
| Starting item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Snubnose revolver | 1 |
| Speedloaders | 2 |
| .45 ACP ammunition | Box of 24 |
| Pocket Knife | 1 |
| Can of Beans | 1 |
| Energy Drink | 1 |
| Bandages | 2 |
Your first destination should generally be the nearest house or building. Search its containers, then move on once you have taken what is useful. Early looting should support survival and carrying capacity rather than fill every slot with random supplies.
Prioritize these finds:
- A better weapon, especially an automatic weapon when you get the opportunity.
- Food and drinks for continued travel.
- A backpack so you can carry more items.
- Ammunition and magazines only when they fit weapons you actually have.
- Medical supplies when you need them.
Avoid loading your inventory with every food item you find. Food can quickly clutter your inventory, making it harder to manage the supplies that matter. Choose a few useful items and leave or discard the rest.
High-traffic locations can be dangerous for a lightly equipped player. Ashland is specifically identified as an area where skilled players may camp, so do not rush there immediately after spawning. Build your equipment and awareness first.
Loot With a Clear Need in Mind
Looting works best when you decide what you lack before searching. If you already have enough medicine and ammunition but need food and drinks, look in places associated with those supplies instead of checking every possible container without a purpose.
Food and drinks may be found at gas stations, in house refrigerators, cardboard boxes, bins, and barrels. MREs are identified as the best food, while water is identified as the best drink. Military zombies may drop both, and they can also appear in green crates in military areas.
Medical items appear in multiple container types across the map. General buildings can contain med boxes, while military areas have green medical containers that can contain military med kits. Bandages and smaller medical items may appear in orange equipment cases, medical chests, and small cabinets.
| Need | Places or sources mentioned |
|---|---|
| Food and drinks | Gas stations, house refrigerators, cardboard boxes, bins, barrels |
| MREs and water | Military zombies; green crates in military areas |
| Medical supplies | Med boxes in buildings, orange equipment cases, medical chests, small cabinets |
| Military medical supplies | Green medical containers in military areas |
| NATO ammunition | Military ammo boxes, military-zone ground loot, military zombies, weapons using it |
| Soviet ammunition | Soviet ammo crates, related weapons, ground loot in Soviet locations |
Ammo should be collected with your current weapons in mind. Civilian ammunition types mentioned include 9 mm, .45 ACP, .44 Magnum, .30-06, and 12 gauge; they can appear in civilian cases or alongside compatible firearms. NATO ammunition is associated with military sources, while Soviet ammunition is associated with Soviet crates, matching weapons, and Soviet locations.
Some ammunition is only found alongside particular weapons. .357 Magnum is only found with the Python secondary or the Trappers Model 94 special weapon. .30 Carbine is only found with M1 and M2 Carbine rifles. This is a good reason not to dedicate inventory space to ammunition that does not support your gear.
| Ammunition type | Source guidance |
|---|---|
| Civilian calibers | Civilian cases or alongside compatible firearms |
| NATO ammunition | Military ammo boxes, military zones, military zombies, compatible firearms |
| Soviet ammunition | Soviet ammo crates, Soviet locations, compatible firearms |
| .357 Magnum | Alongside the Python or Trappers Model 94 |
| .30 Carbine | Alongside M1 and M2 Carbine rifles |
| Ammo cans and battle packs | Rare, location-specific storage options for corresponding ammunition |
Move Quietly and Manage Threats
The safest general rule is simple: reveal as little as possible. Do not announce your location in global chat unless you want a fight. If another player reveals your position, consider changing location rather than waiting for them to arrive.
Traveling continuously is valuable. Reach a location, take the supplies you need, and move onward. This reduces the time other players have to identify your position and plan an attack.
Use the map often. Spawn locations are positioned to support progression northwest toward better loot areas, but the map is also your basic tool for avoiding getting lost. Over time, you will recognize useful areas and choose routes based on your current needs.
Infected are threats, but they can also expose you if handled loudly. If zombies chase you, using a gun can waste ammunition and alert other players. Pull out your melee weapon instead. A backstab on an infected that is not aggro can kill it instantly.
Remember these environmental details while moving:
- Garage doors cannot be opened from outside.
- Windows can be broken with a knife or gunfire.
- Running uses Left Shift.
- Auto-run uses Right Shift.
- Melee can be selected with the
3key.
Groups can improve your odds, but they are not automatically safe. Joining unfamiliar players may reduce your chance of being killed in player-versus-player combat, and teammates might help recover your loot after death. In return, you must share found loot, and group members may not protect your interests.
FAQ
How do I start learning how to play apocalypse rising 2?
Start by opening the map, identifying your position, and looting the nearest buildings. Focus on a better weapon, food, drinks, and a backpack. Avoid high-traffic areas until you are better equipped.
Should I pick up every item I find?
No. Prioritize items that support your current weapons and immediate survival. Carrying every food item can clutter your inventory, and unused ammunition or magazines take space away from useful supplies.
Should I shoot infected that chase me?
The guide recommends using melee when possible because gunfire wastes ammunition and can alert other players. A backstab against an infected that is not aggro is an instant kill.
Is joining a group always safe?
No. A group can reduce your chance of dying in PvP and may help recover your loot, but you must share loot and unfamiliar teammates may loot you after death or attract unwanted attention.
What is the main goal of Apocalypse Rising 2?
There is no official end goal. You choose whether to prioritize survival, fighting players and infected, or collecting weapons, items, and accessories.