Beginner Tips
People get overwhelmed or underwhelmed when starting this game.
A lot of people want to learn the gameplay first before really taking on challenges.
So here's a simple guide to starting out for the beginner who's still maybe a little confused about what to do. This is assuming zombies count isnt ridiculously high and otherwise settings are close to default. Additionally, this is assuming no negative traits as this is for beginners.
Arm yourself. You can use the push option to shove lone zombies to the ground and step on them to preserve the condition of your weapon or tool.
Dont kill zombies that you dont need to kill. Its unnecessary risk and there's no reward to killing a bunch of 'em unless they're near your base or they're in between you and something you need.
find a reliable car with keys. Drive slow. Dont use it mow down zombies as theyll ruin your hood and windshield. Trucks are great. Step-vans are best. Collect mechanics relevant tools as you see them. Your car will be your lifeline if you live long enough. Dont be afraid to check out other towns, theyre not as a hard to get to as it seems for a new player.
Find a fanny pack or chest rig and find yourself a handful of bandages, alcohol bottles/wipes, painkillers, and antibiotics. Raiding pharmacies will get you everything you need.
if you set the playthrough such that power will go out before it gets cold or before the cold is over, you'll need a base early on. Somewhere with a furnace, fireplace, or concrete floor that you can build a campfire on.
food is easier than you'd think. Dont load up too much until youve found a base worth stocking up for long term.
if you find a sledgehammer, grab it at all costs. Theyre rare and infinitely valuable.
guns are tough but useful. I suggest learning mechanics of the game using melee weapons first. Hunting small game with guns is good practice at first.
eventually, if you live long enough (you wont), youll need to hunt, fish, farm, or ranch. Food supply will, at some point, be on you. Dont hyperfocus on this yet unless you wanna do a bear grylls style playthrough. Once your base is settled and stocked, you can confidently play with other mechanics.
have a plan. Winging it results in death quicker than sticking to objectives. It honestly doesnt hurt to write it down. In fact, you can find diaries in-game that you can use to track your own custom objectives, so-to-speak (i like the rainbow unicorn one).
Otherwise, go wild. Explore.
Add useful simple tips here! Maybe this can get pinned so when people search, theres a master file of aggregated basic tips for new players?