CreateDebate


Debate Info

Debate Score:47
Arguments:62
Total Votes:47
More Stats

Argument Ratio

side graph
 
  (45)

Debate Creator

Debater345(170) pic



Best zombie apocalypse weapons , melee and ranged .

Pick one melee weapon and one ranged weapon and say why you think they are the best . The zombie attributes are normal , limp and slow with no ability to reason . Also , their body fluids cause infection if the make skin contact .

Add New Argument
1 point

Melee : Spear

In order to kill a zombie you need to get at the back of the brain where the motor skills are . Shut that down and the zombie practically dead . You cannot kill a zombie by attacking the frontal lobe where the logic and memories are because that will not kill them . So , if a zombie attacks from the front and you need to hit the back of the brain this eliminates all blunt weapons as being useful . An effective weapon also needs to be light so you don't get fatigued , also it needs to require a simple motion to kill . This eliminates slashing weapons like axes , they are to heavy and even the light ones will cause fatigue because of the motion needed to make them deadly . So , we are left with light , stabbing , bladed weapons . This leaves the knife , machete , and spear . The spear has the biggest range so you can stop more zombies before you get overrun , increasing your chances of survival . The only two disadvantage of spears is their rarity , but they are easy to get before the apocalypse so better stock up . The other is their superior range makes them useless if a zombie is really close , so I would suggest keeping a short machete close by .

Ranged : Pistol , more specifically the glock 19

Zombies follow noise so really loud weapons are out , like shotguns . Also , the glock 19 uses 9 mm ammo which is easy to find . The rarity of ammo rules out rocket launchers , flame throwers , and any .50 caliber weapon . Mag capacity , fire rate , and quick reload rule out sniper rifles , hunting rifles , bows , and crossbows . So that leaves assault rifles , submachine guns , and pistols . I would rule out assault rifles as they are heavy and clunky . I would also rule out submachine guns because they burn through ammo quickly and that is not a pleasure you have in an apocalypse . Based on the criteria above it came down to glock 19 because it is reliable , has a good enough size caliber , has common ammo , quiet , has a high mag capacity , portable , easily concealed , and accurate . The only problem is range , but if they are so far away that I need a range better than that of a pistol I probably have enough time to run . And if they are that far and I still get boxed in an assault rifle won't help me .

Jace(5222) Disputed
2 points

Whatever your weapon of choice is you train and condition with it, meaning that a spear is not necessarily going to be more efficient than other melee alternatives. Spears can actually be heavier than some alternative melee weapons. Additionally, the spear is less versatile than other alternatives that allow both slashing and stabbing (e.g. sword)... which is not only more adaptive, but also permits the wielder to alternate between muscles groups without having to change weapons mid-combat.

If zombies are drawn to noise then any firearm will be problematic, unless you accompany it with a silencer. More importantly, ammo will run out fairly quickly and the capacity of production will be severely diminished. Conversely, many neurotoxins are naturally occurring in plants and animals which can be found in the wild or cultivated in small, personal quantities with few resources. Means of administration will also be most versatile, with the potential even that the same weapon can be used in both melee and range situations. This eliminates the need to carry around multiple weapons, most of them cumbersome (e.g. spear).

Debater345(170) Disputed
1 point

I don't care if a machete is more versatile , the slashing aspect is a bad idea as a slash will cause a high chance of you contaminating your self so I still stand by my choice . Also the length gives me even more protection . Also , you gas instead a melee weapon because your weapon don't make physical contact . It's is a ranged weapon you are using up close . Also , just because you can find a bunch of plants and makes your neurotoxin you still could gas yourself while making it or using it as a weapon . Also , any " melee weapon " you need to reload is bad idea . Also , my spear isn't cumbersome , it's light weight and easily carried . It also has a head shaped like a screw driver , which makes it more like a melee javelin but whatever . This shape allows it to go in and out easily .

ProLogos(2793) Disputed
1 point

The spear requires complex maneuvers and will cause fatigue and therefore is a terrible weapon for a zombocalypse.

Debater345(170) Disputed
1 point

I clean thrust in and out of the throat isn't a complex maneuver . Also , mine weighs about two pounds and I have tested it and I can perform the action 110 times in a row easily with out fatigue . Also , like your whip blade is better . Also , way to dispute my argument when you can't even support your own .

1 point

My melee weapon of choice would be a blade whip. It's easy to carry around, an effortless swing provides a 360 degree attack radius so that I can strike all the enemies around me if I happen to get surrounded, it has a long melee attack range and functions as a close range weapon as well. I've mastered the art of spinning my self at a high velocity , which will add a lot more power to the strikes. The blade whip is a perfect match for my elegance with melee weaponry .

(Disclaimer: I am not gun savvy)

My range weapon of choice would be an M16 with a 30 round clip.

It's powerful enough to shoot through multiple heads. Maybe 2 or 3.

And has a enough accuracy from a long range so that I can kill zombies at a safe distance.

I don't think there is a best weapon. It just depends on what you can handle, since every person doesn't have the same set of skills and build.

Debater345(170) Disputed
1 point

Your melee weapon sounds good in theory but how long is the blade ? Also if it is a slashing weapon it will be harder to get to the spinal cord or the back of the brain where the motor skill are so I'm not quite sure how well it would work out in practice . For your ranged weapon being a rifle it is good but it us also clunky so your screwed in a close quarters gun battle but I understand you not being gun savvy .

ProLogos(2793) Disputed
1 point

The weapon is approximately 4 feet long.

The blade whip has a sharp blade tip, exactly like a sword.

If I were to swing my arm in a horizontal motion with a slight vertical angle and then "snapping" my wrist and forearm up and down quickly, it will generate enough force so that the blade whip can thrust through the front of the neck and to the back of it, taking the zombies head off.

The whip is also flexible enough to fully caress the neck of a zombie.

With a gentle swing to whip the blades around the neck and then a quick and forceful tug, I can sever the spinal cord.

What do you mean by "clunky"?

Melee: katana or machete. In terms of pure killing ability, the katana is undoubtedly my choice. Practically unrivaled as the most deadly melee weapon ever, the katana is lethal and effective. It is light, easy to use, and will slice through a body like a hot knife through butter. For more general purposes, I think the machete would be a better choice. While it would still be able to hack through a half decayed body relatively easily, it is useful for many other things as well like hacking through a tree branch for fire wood, or smashing the lock off a rusted supplies box.

Ranged: any decent semi auto/select fire rifle. Contrary to popular believe, a shotgun is probably not the best choice of firearm when facing off against the horde. Instead of using a pump-action spas 12 in a failed attempt to blow zed into pieces, a single, well-placed rifle bullet will do the trick. Same reason why you wouldn't need a fully automatic gun. Unlike Call of Duty, one bullet to the head is a kill. Ammo conservation is a major factor in keeping your life, so accuracy is key, seeing as bullets don't show up in crates you randomly find. Rifles are the most accurate firearm, so this would be a good choice. While pistols can be just as accurate in close range, there could be many situations where you would need to pick off zombies from far off. Also rifles have bigger mags, so you would spend less time reloading, more time shooting.

Debater345(170) Disputed
1 point

I would have to disagree with the katana , katanas tend to dull quickly unless they are made of really high quality metal and extremely well made and they still need to be sharpened regularly to maintain their edge . Machetes are pretty good though . And a single shot rifle won't help in you have to cut down around 20 zombies . Kill one , take at least 5 seconds to reload and time is never on your side in an apocalypse . Also , rifles are kinda big and will weigh you down , not by much but enough to at least cause fatigue . Also if you run into survivors you won't be able to conceal your weapon , they will see the gun and automatically think you are hostile and that will not go well . Rifles are a good second pick for me but I am still going with the glock 19 . Pretty much everything else you said I totally agree with , you have really thought this out well .

The Phantom(453) Disputed
1 point

And a single shot rifle won't help in you have to cut down around 20 zombies . Kill one , take at least 5 seconds to reload and time is never on your side in an apocalypse .

Yeah that was a mistake. A select fire rifle can still have a higher rate of fire plus a bigger mag than a pistol so less reloading.

Also , rifles are kinda big and will weigh you down , not by much but enough to at least cause fatigue .

Eh depends on what they're made of. I'd be willing to cary a bit heavier weapon than to be unable to kill a zombie out of pistol range if I needed to. But really it just depends on strength and endurance so I'm not saying rifles are better across the board.

Also if you run into survivors you won't be able to conceal your weapon , they will see the gun and automatically think you are hostile and that will not go well .

Not necessarily. And even then you don't have to carry it around 24/7. I agree, though, that a pistol would be a great choice, but either weapon could have pros and cons depending on the circumstances.

1 point

With the specifics mentioned, and the risks known I'd have to go with Shotgun for long range, and bat or club for short range. Here's why:

Depending on the level of decomposition, a bat can quickly knock the head clean off of a zombie, and if not that much damage at the very least it'll smash it's face in nice and good.

As for the shotgun, I'm going with that because it does not require much precision, it can spread it's damage. Also for the times where you can't get your hands on ammo, that other weapons need specifically, you can make your own for a shotgun that has no special rifling inside.

Debater345(170) Disputed
1 point

If you hit a zombie with a bat it will hit the frontal lobe ( my comment at the top tells how to kill a zombie ) . Unless you have really big muscles the force needed to knock a movie's head clean off you be to much . You get fatigued very quickly and easily overrun as you could not many zombies effectively . As for the shotgun it makes to much noise . Also if you have to pump it your wasting precious time .

Supporting Evidence: Zombie Weapons That Will Get You Killed (www.cracked.com)
DrawFour(2662) Disputed
1 point

Yea that's all bull hockey. It depends on the person, and someone like me, generally very healthy, and generally athletic, could swing a light metal, hollow bat around all day. Trust me, I have. As for the shotgun, that'd be my last ditch attempt.

I wouldn't be going around hunting zombies, i'd be looking for food, water, and shelter. If I encountered a zombie, I'd walk away. Using the zombie archetype you gave, escaping it would be no challenge for me, and if I had to I'd drop the bat in a second, making my escape even easier. If I did manage to find myself surrounded, I'd clear a path with my shotgun's spread, and quickly run through the opening before those slow zombies could get me.

1 point

Melee: Rapid acting, aerosolized neurotoxin or gas agent. Minimal objective of sudden incapacitation without risk of bodily fluid contamination, with optimal outcome of death through neurological failure.

Ranged: Concentrated neurotoxin delivered by any penetrative range device capable of administering minimally incapacitating but ideally fatal dosage. While bodily fluid contamination is not an immediate personal risk, diminishing risk of exposure to other persons in greater proximity limits transmission.

Debater345(170) Disputed
1 point

Gases wouldn't work on zombies because I'm pretty sure they don't have to breath .

Jace(5222) Disputed
1 point

They do, and within the parameters of the very argument you advanced. You wrote: "In order to kill a zombie you need to get at the back of the brain where the motor skills are." This establishes that there is brain function. Brain function is dependent upon oxygen. Ergo, zombies breath.

Any argument that oxygen is not needed for brain function leads to the formulation of an entirely implausible zombie made possible only by "magic". Forgive me, but I find that a meaningless and arbitrary pursuit defensible only by assertion.

Well, I also thought that I would use a bow and arrow. I think in the long run it is better than a gun because arrows are reusable and easier to make than bullets.