Dead Island 2: All Zombie Types [Explained]

In the open world of Dead Island 2, there are many different zombies. In this guide we'll give you a brief overview on the different Zombie Types.

Zombie Types in Dead Island 2
Zombie Types in Dead Island 2

In this guide, learn about different Zombie Types available in Dead Island 2. There are as many as 31 different types of zombies in this open-world masterpiece, and there is quite a different approach to killing each of them; thus, it can be a little tricky the first time they’re introduced but fret not as after reading this guide, killing any zombies encountered will be a piece of cake for you.


Key Takeaways

  • Dead Island 2 is an open-world game featuring as many as 31 Zombie Types, including bosses.
  • The primary zombies are the Infected which are easy to deal with at any game stage.
  • Then we have the variants, which are Infected but with different buffs. Deal with them using weapons and speed accordingly.
  • Miscellaneous zombies throughout Dead Island 2 are helpful whenever the player’s in a pinch.
  • Apex zombies are the miniature version of the bosses you encounter throughout the game.
  • Becki, the bride, Nikki Gutti, Butcho, the clown, and Dillon must be fought at close range and with powerful weapons.
  • Alesis Hernandez, Specimen Noah, and Reubenator must be fought long-range, using your speed to avoid their attacks.
  • Players must use the best perks, curveballs, and weapons equipped throughout the game to ensure victory.
  • Moreover, use Fury mode in a pinch to make out alive during combat.

Shamblers (Infected)

Dead Island 2 Zombie-Type Shamblers.
Shamblers-Image captured by Gamesual                                                                             

Shamblers are the first zombies encountered at the start of the game. They are fragile and pretty slow, with brittle bones that are easily broken.

Use blunt or heavy-hitting weapons like a shovel or hammer to end them quickly. However, they are the weakest of the bunch, so they hardly pose any threat.

Walkers (Infected)

Dead Island 2 Zombie-type: walker
Walkers- Image captured by Gamesual

These zombies are a bit stronger zombie type in Dead Island than Shamblers but pretty weak overall. Their slow speed makes it easy to kill them with any weapon you have. It should be noted that they are weak but a big hassle to deal with when in a group, so you should kill them separately.

Runners (Infected)

Dead Island 2 Zombie-type: Runner
Runner-Image captured by Gamesual

Runners are more annoying compared to shamblers and walkers because they can dodge your attacks. However, they are pretty fast and evade your attacks, so it’s better to sidestep when they attack and hit them in the legs to immobilize them.

Doing this makes them an easy target, and you can quickly kill them. To efficiently deal with them, it’s better if you have “Bait” selected as your curveball.

Zombies With Heightened Defences (Variants)

These zombies are similar to their regular versions but have increased defense. Some are immune to any elemental damage, while others need you to finish up their defensive gear before you can kill them.

Riot Gear Walkers

Dead Island 2 Zombie-Type: Riot Gear Walkers
Riot Gear Walkers-Image captured by Gamesual

These zombies are still wearing their armor. To eliminate them, you have to break their defense. It’s better to stick to blades or swords to deal with these zombies rather than firearms or blunt weapons. You should save your explosives as they are immune.

Hazmat Walkers/Runners

Dead Island 2 Zombie-Type: Hazmat Zombie
Hazmat Zombie-Image captured by Gamesual.

These zombies are immune to acidic damage; even a massive amount of acid won’t harm them. It’s easier to deal with the walkers than the runners, but you would be alright if you hit the runners on the leg.

Firefighter Walkers/Runners

Dead Island 2 Zombie-Type: Firefighter Zombie
Firefighter Zombie-Image captured by Gamesual

These zombies are immune to any environmental damage you can inflict on them. However, your weapons can still take them down [non-environmental hits].

Zombies With Heightened Offense (Variants)

These zombies have their attacks boosted with effects, so they are deadlier than their regular counterparts.

Burning Walkers/Runners

Dead Island 2 Zombie-Type: Burning Zombie
Burning Zombie-Image captured by Gamesual

As understood by their name, they are covered in flames, so it’s better to avoid getting hit as it will cause you to get burn damage. The fire on them can be put out if there’s water nearby, but if not, they’re still killable with your weapons.

Spiky Walkers/Runners

Dead Island 2 Zombie-Type: Spiky Zombie
Spiky Zombie- Image captured by Gamesual

They are covered with sharp blades, so their attacks are pretty dangerous as they may cause you to bleed.

Insect Swarm Walkers

Dead Island 2 Zombie-Type: Insect Swarm Walkers
Insect Swarm Zombie- Image captured by Gamesual

These zombie types in Dead Island 2 are pretty frustrating to deal with since attacking them from close range causes a swarm of locusts to leave their body and drain your hp slowly till they disappear. To avoid this, it’s better to use your firearms to deal with them, as locusts can’t fly over long distances.

Explosive Zombies (Variants)

These zombies carry around explosives whenever hit or killed. You can use this to your advantage by using them to deal with other nearby zombies.

Combustible Walkers

Dead Island 2 Zombie-Type: Combustible Walkers
Combustible Zombie-Image captured by Gamesual

They carry around oil tanks that spread oil and engulf nearby things in flames. If used correctly, it can deal with several zombies simultaneously.

Grenadier Walkers

Dead Island 2 Zombie-Type: Grenadier Zombie
Grenadier Zombie-Image captured by Gamesual

These zombies are ex-military as they have grenades attached to their bodies. Use long-range equipment to fight them, as the grenades go off after one or two hits.

Electrified Walkers/Runners

Dead Island 2 Zombie-Type: Electrified Zombie
Electrified Zombie-Image captured by Gamesual

These are hard to deal with as they periodically send electric shocks that hurt you and nearby zombies. One way to use them is to ensure they’re around many zombies, lessening the amount you have to kill.

Caustic-X Walkers

Dead Island 2 Zombie-Type: Caustic-X Walkers
Caustic-X Zombies-Image captured by Gamesual

These zombies carry a container from which acid sprays out and covers a specific amount of ground once killed.

Miscellaneous Zombies

These zombies are very rare and spawn in particular locations. As a result, they’re unique, hence, don’t fit in any of the categories mentioned above.

Hydration Walkers

Dead Island 2 Zombie-Type: Hydration Walkers
Hydration Zombie-Image captured by Gamesual.

They’ve nothing special except that they carry water tanks on their backs. However, they can come in handy to cancel out the fire of burning zombies or amplify the shocks produced by electrified ones, so make sure to use them to your advantage whenever you can.

Eat Couriers

Dead Island 2 Zombie-Type: Eat Couriers
Eat Couriers-Image captured by Gamesual

These zombies carry a bag of food. Keep an eye out for them when in a pinch, as once killed, they drop protein bars and energy drinks, which can be used to replenish your health.

Crushers (Apex)

Dead Island 2 Zombie-Type: Crusher
Inferno Crusher-Image Captured by Gamesual

These zombies are pretty powerful than the regular variants, so they’re called apex zombies. Crushers are hard-hitting but very slow zombies. It would be best to look out for their ground smash as they knock you off balance.

However, dealing with them is pretty easy as you must evade their attacks and hit them to drain their hp. Its variant, the Inferno Crusher, has fire-based attacks. Using long-range weapons like pistols and rifles is one easy way to defeat them.

Slobbers (Apex)

Dead Island 2 Zombie-Type: Slobbers
Slobber-Image captured by Gamesual

These zombies are fat and slow. They spray out acidic flu from their stomach. One of their attacks is to spray acidic fluid around them, while the other is to use it as a projectile. 

Its variants include Firestorm Slobber, which uses the fire element, and Putrified Slobbers, which spits bile-like stuff as a projectile that explodes after a few seconds. Stick to long-range fights and constantly evade the gu he spits.

Bursters (Apex)

Dead Island 2 Zombie-Type: Bursters
Bursters-Image captured by Gamesual

These zombies are very unfortunate because they run toward you and explode. However, it would be best to look for them when fighting a horde of zombies, as they can be used as an advantage to clear out other zombies and avoid unnecessarily getting low on hp. If they are incredibly close, you can kick them away from you as they have no additional attacks other than exploding.

Screamers (Apex)

Dead Island 2 Zombie-Type: Screamers
Screamer-Image captured by Gamesual

Among the Zombie Types you’ll encounter in Dead Island 2, Screamers will be the most annoying. Their main attack is to let out a nasty scream that shoves you away from her and calls the nearby undead zombies to your location.

One of its variants, the Volttracksaic Screamer, uses electricity to zap you along with hears screech. The best way to avoid getting her calling zombies is to hit her as soon as she’s about to scream.

Butchers (Apex)

Dead Island 2 Zombie-Type: Butcher
Butcher-Image captured by Gamesual

These zombies are sadistic creatures whose sole purpose is to rip you apart. If you evade their jump and leap attacks, they get stunned, so hit them as hard as possible.

Unfortunately, one of their annoying traits is that they’ll run away after a certain amount of their hp has been drained to feed off a corpse and recover. To stop that, you have to attack them when they’re feasting. Its variant, the Vicious Butcher, inflicts bleed damage per hit.

Mutators (Apex)

Dead Island 2 Zombie-Type: Mutators
Mutator-Image captured by Gamesual

These zombies will show up at the game’s late stages and will be better off being minibosses. You can stun them by avoiding their attack combo, consisting of a ground smash and lunge attack. However, it’ll be better if you stick to close range fight with them as they periodically shoot spikes from their chest if given time, causing considerable damage if not dodged.

Becki The Bride (Boss)

Dead Island 2 Boss: Becki The Bride
Becki The Bride-Image captured by Gamesual

The first boss you’ll encounter in this game will be Becki the bride at the Halperin Hotel, and she’ll be a crusher type. However, it’s easy to deal with her if you stick to circling, attacking, and jumping periodically to evade her ground smash attacks.

However, these attacks drain her stamina; she’ll drop to one knee once her energy runs out. So during this timeframe, drain as much of her hp as possible. Fast-hitting weapons are preferred when circling her, and heavy weapons when she’s stunned.

Alesis Hernandez (Boss)

Dead Island 2 Boss: Alesis Hernandez
Alesis Hernandez-Image captured by Gamesual

When Michael goes missing, and you go to look for him, you’ll encounter this boss who will be the first Slobber you’ll discover in the Dead Island 2 campaign. Like any other Slobber, Alesis’ main attacking pattern uses acidic gu as a projectile and a protective covering around his standing area.

Use explosives and ranged weapons to deal with him. Periodically other zombies will show up, use the pyrotechnics and finish them.

Nikki Gutte (Boss)

Dead Island 2 Boss: Nikki Gutte
Nikki Gutte-Image captured by Gamesual

You’ll encounter this boss when you look for firearms with Sam and Ronni in Beverly Hills. She’ll be the first screamer you’ll discover in the campaign. She’ll use her scream to attract zombies and push you off-balance, so stop her before then.

There’ll be flame lamps in the vicinity, so make sure to use them to drain her hp and kill other zombies. Next, use curveballs and attack her to empty her stamina [her screams also drain her stamina], and once she runs out of stamina, hit her as hard and as much as possible.

Dillon (Boss)

Dead Island 2 Boss: Dillon
Dillon-Image captured by Gamesual

You’ll encounter Dillon in Venice Beach. At first, he’ll seem like an ordinary crusher, but a wall on this side will collapse, causing an oil tank to fall and burst, setting his arms up on fire and turning him into an Inferno Crusher. Due to his slow speed, it’ll be easy for you to get behind and damage him, but you should look out for his ground smashes, which will have a burning effect.

Firearms are preferred in this boss fight as they’ll make your job much easier. However, other zombies will join the fight occasionally, so use nearby structures to your advantage, like the spilled oil and oil tanks.

Butcho The Clown (Boss)

Dead Island 2 Boss: Butcho The Clown
Butcho The Clown-Image captured by Gamesual

You’ll encounter Bucho at Santa Monica while progressing through the main storyline. Like other butchers you’ll face later in the game, Bucho will be agile and have two blades instead of arms. He’s just like Runners but, unlike them, has more excellent stability. To deal with him, you’ll have to precisely aim for his limbs [especially legs] as they are his weak point and will allow you to drain his stamina.

Once down, you can use whichever weapon you like to drain his HP. One thing to look out for during your fight is his tendency to run away to feed from a dead zombie’s corpse to regain health whenever it’s low. You must shoot or throw a weapon at him while he’s feeding to stop him.

Specimen Noah (Boss)

Dead Island 2 Boss: Specimen Noah
Specimen Noah-Image captured by Gamesual

On your first encounter, he’ll seem harmless, and you’ll probably even pity him, but when he gets rid of his bindings, his chest will rip open, and he’ll obtain a colossal claw arm. To fight him, it’s preferred if you stick to long-range combat as if you accidentally get too close, he’ll grab you [you can escape with the help of the button prompts shown on screen].

Detonate any explosive barrels nearby and chip away at his stamina. Once stunned, use fury mode or hard-hitting weapons to inflict as much damage as possible [shotguns are ideal].

Reubenator (Boss)

Dead Island 2 Boss: Reubenator
Reubanator- Image captured by Gamesual

This is the last boss of the Dead Island 2 campaign, and he’s a mutator too. Look out for the projectiles launched from his chest, and evade them. Firearms and explosive curveballs come in handy in this fight as they can chip away at his hp and stamina from a distance.

During your battle, other variants and apex zombies will join the frame. Hazmat zombies will join in occasionally, and killing them will drop medkits. Finally, kill the Reubanator to finish the campaign.

Ending Remarks

You’ll face these 31 Zombie types and bosses during your Dead Island 2 campaign, and some advice on how to deal with them. You can find information on Zombie Types in Zompedia, but you’ll have to kill a certain amount.

So keep your weapons up to date and be on the lookout for more potent weapons. In addition, some side missions give you unique weapons which are very strong, so make sure to get them whenever you feel like you’re stuck.

If you found this guide helpful, also read the following:

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