Build 42 Released — July 29, 2026

Project Zomboid Wiki

Your survival manual for Knox County. Occupation guides, trait planning calculator, crafting disciplines, dedicated server setup — every page shows when it was last verified.

Start the Build 42 Guide Plan Your Character

Start Here

Three Paths into the Infection Zone

Build 42 Quick Overview

What changed in Build 42 — map doubled, crafting system reworked, new livestock, weapon parts, aiming overhaul.

Open

Plan Your Character

26 occupations × 93 traits planner. Pick a profession, balance positive and negative traits, and generate a shareable build link.

Open

Crafting Disciplines

Blacksmithing, masonry, pottery, knapping, welding, glassmaking. Build 42's workstation-based crafting system explained.

Open

Beginner Survival

New to Project Zomboid? Start here — hunger, thirst, moodles, sleep, first combat encounter.

Open

Recent Updates

Browse all

build-42

Project Zomboid Build Versions — Buildcode History & How to Check Yours

Every Project Zomboid Build 42 release with exact build numbers and dates: 42.20 stable, 42.21 unstable, how to check your buildcode and switch Steam branches.

crafting

How to Build a Forge in Project Zomboid — Build 42 Blacksmithing Progression

Build 42 forge progression: Primitive to Simple to Advanced Forge, the crucible-to-anvil prerequisite chain, charcoal fuel, and which material lists conflict.

guides

Electrical Skill in Build 42 — Hotwiring, Generators & Real XP Methods

What Build 42's Electrical skill gates: hotwiring at level 1, the generator-unlock dispute, dismantling electronics for XP, and what stays unverified.

guides

Locking Doors & Safehouse Permissions in Build 42 — Keys, Keypads, Claims

How locking works in Build 42: per-building keys, keypad doors, padlockable crates, and the multiplayer safehouse permissions that protect your base.

guides

Panic & Mood in Build 42 — What Changed, What Drives It

Build 42 rebuilt the mood system: new stress and pain moodles, deleted personality traits, and how panic ties to heavy-armor discomfort.

guides

Build 42 XP Table — Every Skill Level Threshold & Fastest Method

The Project Zomboid Build 42 XP quick-reference: per-level thresholds, skill-book multipliers, trait XP modifiers, and the fastest verified grind per crafting skill.