42.16.0|Mar 31, 2026
View on Steam↗Build 42.16.0 Unstable Released
5/5 Game-Changing
Build 42.16.0 introduces a massive overhaul to Occupations and Traits, a complete Tailoring skill rework, and significant firearm adjustments alongside critical multiplayer DDOS protection.
Key Changes
- 1Comprehensive balance pass for all Occupations with increased core skill points
- 2Major rework of Tailoring skill XP to reward crafting over grinding
- 3Implementation of DDOS protection and networking optimizations for multiplayer
- 4Firearms visual update and capacity buffs for MSR700/MSR788 rifles
- 5New traits added: Tinkerer (+1 Maintenance) and Target Shooter (+1 Aiming)
- 6Controller input system overhaul for improved aiming and UI interaction
- 7Animal trailer weight increased to 500 to prevent physics glitches
- 8Desensitized trait now grants immunity to Discomfort
- 9Fixed Single Player bug where Reloading skill did not affect reload speed
- 10Extinction game mode rebalanced to fix day Sprinters and erosion speed
All Changes
🛠️Occupations & Traits(33)
- buffOccupations: Generalized increase in skill points added for core profession competency across most occupations
- changePolice Officer: Rebalanced Occupation cost and adjusted included skills for Police Officer
- changePark Ranger: Rebalanced Occupation cost and adjusted included skills for Park Ranger
- changeConstruction Worker: Rebalanced Occupation cost and adjusted included skills for Construction Worker
- changeSecurity Guard: Rebalanced Occupation cost and adjusted included skills for Security Guard
- changeCarpenter: Rebalanced Occupation cost and adjusted included skills for Carpenter
- changeChef: Rebalanced Occupation cost and adjusted included skills for Chef
- changeRancher: Rebalanced Occupation cost and adjusted included skills for Rancher
- changeFarmer: Rebalanced Occupation cost and adjusted included skills for Farmer
- changeElectrician: Rebalanced Occupation cost and adjusted included skills for Electrician
- changeFishing Guide: Rebalanced Occupation cost and adjusted included skills for Fishing Guide
- changeDoctor: Rebalanced Occupation cost and adjusted included skills for Doctor
- changeNurse: Rebalanced Occupation cost and adjusted included skills for Nurse
- changeWelder: Rebalanced Occupation cost and adjusted included skills for Welder
- changeBlacksmith: Rebalanced Occupation cost and adjusted included skills for Blacksmith
- changeMechanic: Rebalanced Occupation cost and adjusted included skills for Mechanic
- changeFirefighter: Renamed Fire Officer to Firefighter
- changeFishing Guide: Renamed Angler to Fishing Guide
- newTinkerer: Added Tinkerer trait: +1 Maintenance
- newTarget Shooter: Added Target Shooter trait: +1 Aiming
- changeBushcrafter: Renamed Wilderness Knowledge to Bushcrafter
- nerfCat's Eyes: Increased cost for Cat's Eyes trait
- nerfWakeful: Increased cost for Wakeful trait
- buffFirst Aider: Decreased cost for First Aider trait
- buffIron Gut: Decreased cost for Iron Gut trait
- buffIlliterate: Increased point bonus for Illiterate trait
- buffReluctant Fighter: Increased point bonus for Reluctant Fighter trait
- nerfWeak Stomach: Decreased point bonus for Weak Stomach trait
- nerfOutdoorsey: Removed 'Start fire speed with Bow Drill' bonus from Outdoorsey
- buffBushcrafter: Added 'Start fire speed with Bow Drill' bonus to Bushcrafter and Former Scout
- buffDesensitized: Desensitized trait now provides immunity to Discomfort
- changeTailoring: XP granted reworked to reward crafting items rather than grinding patches
- buffTailoring: Increasing XP reward based on complexity of item crafted
🔫Firearms & Combat(11)
- changeFirearms: Weapon Attachment Visual Update with new models and textures
- buffMSR700: Increased magazine capacity for MSR700 and MSR788
- buffFirearms: Additional attachment availability for Double Barrel Shotgun, L94 Rifle, and MSR7 Tactical Rifle
- changeSawed-Off Shotgun: Sawed-Off Shotguns now have stocks removed and adjusted encumbrance to reflect smaller size
- removeFirearms: Removed Recoil Pad from Sawn-off Shotgun and M16 attachments
- removeJS-2000: Removed Scopes from JS-2000 attachment options
- fixMSR700: Fixed MSR700 icon and repositioned attachments for correct alignment
- newCombat: Added an option to throw corpses over fences and through windows
- fixController: Fixed sluggish cursor when unarmed or using melee with controllers
- buffController: PrecisionAim mode now places cursor in front of player even if aim stick isn't applied
- changeController: Tweaked aiming thresholds: 1% to activate aim, 99% to shoot
🌲Gameplay Systems(10)
- changeGame Modes: Minor Loot Spawn adjustments and decreased Erosion Speed in Apocalypse, Outbreak, and Rising modes
- changeExtinction: Removed Day/Night Speed Effect that was stopping day Sprinters in Extinction
- changeExtinction: Increased Erosion Speed and decreased Zombie Door Opening % in Extinction
- changeExtinction: Decreased Rally Group Size and increased Maximum Follow Distance in Extinction
- buffGameplay: Disabled Stress Gain from zombies thumping tall fences
- nerfFood: Added stress debuff to ice cream treats and candy
- buffSpade: Reduced Muscle Strain from digging furrows with a Spade
- buffAnimal Trailer: Increased the weight of animal trailers from 100 to 500 to prevent flipping
- buffHandiknife: Added kill animal item tag to the Handiknife
- newRaccoon: Raccoon kits can now be killed by hand
🌐Multiplayer & Networking(7)
- newMultiplayer: Implemented DDOS protection for servers
- changeNetworking: Decreased animal network traffic and optimized statistic traffic
- changeNetworking: Added network packet hash based cache and limited packet counts sent from client
- changeNetworking: Optimized PlayWorldSound, ChunkObjectState, and ZombieHitThumpable packet rates
- changePVP: Changed 'Firearms use damage chance' sandbox option to a drop-down to prevent PVP insta-kills at level 0 aiming
- fixMultiplayer: Fixed MP exploit allowing unauthorized user stats modification
- fixMultiplayer: Fixed unlimited endurance bug in multiplayer
🖥️UI & UX(6)
- newUI: Added new Game Mode UI menu
- changeUI: Campfires, BBQs, and Fireplaces now supported in revamped RMC system
- newUI: New highlight added when mouse-over container with same highlight as moused-over item in loot UI
- buffUI: Transfer liquid UI will default to maximum transfer amounts instead of 'none'
- buffUI: Vehicle Lightbar Control UI Panel can now be repositioned
- removeUI: Disabled Welcome Text Box
🐛Bug Fixes(8)
- fixCombat: Fixed Bluetooth-shoves while holding firearms
- fixVehicles: Fixed vehicles sinking into the ground
- fixAnimals: Fixed animals losing milk too fast leading to baby animal starvation
- fixReloading: Fixed Reloading skill having no impact on reload speed in Single Player
- fixGas Mask: Fixed Gas Mask and Respirator filters not draining when protecting from corpse sickness
- fixReloading: Fixed characters with high reloading skill not performing rack action after shooting shotguns
- fixSkill Books: Fixed XP boost provided by skill books granting only 2.7 points instead of 3
- fixBuilding: Fixed being unable to add escape ropes or sheet ropes to fences and window frames
Summary
Character & Progression Overhaul
This update features a comprehensive balance pass for nearly every Occupation and Trait. Most professions now receive increased skill points for their core competencies, while several traits have had their costs and bonuses adjusted to better reflect their gameplay value. A major rework to the Tailoring skill shifts progression away from grinding patches toward rewarding the crafting of complex items.
Combat & Firearms
Firearms have received a visual and mechanical update, including new models and textures. Specific rifles like the MSR700 and MSR788 have seen capacity increases, and attachment availability has been expanded for several weapons. Additionally, the controller input system has been revamped to improve aiming precision and UI interaction.
Multiplayer & Technical Improvements
Critical infrastructure updates include the implementation of DDOS protection and extensive networking optimizations to reduce traffic from animals and zombie synchronization. The update also addresses a massive list of bugs ranging from vehicle physics to UI scaling and crafting logic.