100 Waves Later Beginner’s Guide

100 Waves Later (formerly Zombie RNG) is a high-intensity, wave-based survival game on Roblox where players face nonstop undead hordes and escalating difficulty. Its core loop blends RNG-driven weapon drops with permanent progression: Scrap is used to unlock powerful Classes and upgrade weapons up to 5-star tiers, shaping long-term growth alongside moment-to-moment combat.

Each wave ends with a choice of random upgrades—such as Bullet Pierce, Gun Damage, or Reload Speed—forcing players to stack synergies and craft a viable build capable of pushing toward the ultimate goal: Wave 100. Strategic decision-making is as critical as mechanical skill.

Players can hold the line solo using the Engineer’s automated turrets or coordinate in teams with support roles like the Medic. Every 10 waves introduces a Boss encounter that rewards Crate Keys and rare loot, while environments grow progressively more punishing.

As of the January 2026 update, the meta leans toward high-damage Shotguns and scaling Classes like the Wastelander, emphasizing both burst damage and late-game growth. Overall, the game rewards a careful balance of tactical combat, RNG management, and long-term planning.

Beginner’s Guide

Starting out in 100 Waves Later can feel punishing because of RNG-heavy weapon drops and the steep difficulty curve in the early waves. This beginner guide outlines exactly what to prioritize during your first few hours to build momentum and avoid common mistakes.

The Lobby & Preparation

Before queuing into a match, take time to set yourself up properly in the lobby:

  • Class Selector You begin with either no class or the basic Soldier. Your first major goal should be saving 20,000 Scrap to unlock the Soldier (if you don’t already have it), then working toward the Wastelander, which scales extremely well into later waves.
  • Upgrade Booth This is where Scrap is spent to raise a weapon’s Star Rating. Even low-tier guns become dramatically stronger at higher stars—an upgraded Pump Shotgun at 5 Stars can carry early and mid-game runs.
  • Daily Rewards Log in every day. On Day 7, you unlock the Engineer class for free. It’s widely considered the best beginner class thanks to its Auto-Turret, which provides passive damage and crowd control without extra effort.
Daily Rewards
Daily Rewards

Your First Few Waves

When a run begins, you’ll almost always be stuck with a weak Pistol, so the early waves are about playing smart, not playing fast.

Conserve Ammo

Don’t spray blindly into the horde. Your early-game ammo capacity is very low, and wasting bullets will get you overwhelmed quickly. Aim for headshots to maximize damage per shot and reduce how often you need to reload. Fewer reloads also mean fewer moments where you’re vulnerable.

Choose Skills Wisely

After Wave 1, you’ll get your first random skill choice. For beginners, the safest priority order is:

  • Move Speed first, so you can kite zombies and reposition when things get messy.
  • Gun Damage next, to improve kill speed and ammo efficiency.
  • Reload Speed after that, to avoid getting caught mid-reload in tight situations.
    Avoid niche or defensive skills early on unless they clearly synergize with your current weapon.

Identify High-Priority Targets

Not all zombies are equal.

  • Suicide (Explosive) zombies should always be killed from a distance. Letting them get close can chunk your health or outright end a run.
  • Necromancers (the glowing units) are top priority. If you ignore them, they will continuously heal nearby zombies, turning an easy wave into a never-ending swarm.

The “Shotgun” Strategy

The current meta strongly favors Shotguns over almost every other weapon type.

As soon as a Pump Shotgun drops, pick it up immediately. Even at low star levels, it outperforms most early-game weapons. Shotguns have built-in multi-hit, meaning each blast can damage several zombies at once. When you stack the Bullet Pierce skill on top of that, a single shot can wipe out an entire line of enemies.

Avoid using Miniguns or LMGs early on. They feel powerful at first, but they slow your movement, burn through ammo incredibly fast, and force long reloads. All of that makes you vulnerable, especially when you don’t yet have enough upgrades to support those weapons.

Managing Resources

Scrap (Screws)

Don’t spend Scrap upgrading every weapon you find. This is one of the biggest beginner mistakes. Pick one or two main weapons—ideally a Shotgun or a Sniper—and focus all your Scrap on pushing them to 5 Stars first. A single fully upgraded weapon is far stronger than three half-upgraded ones.

Crate Keys

You earn a Crate Key every 10 waves. These crates take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours to open. Always keep at least one crate running in the lobby so you’re earning passive rewards in the background while you play.

Don’t Punch

Melee damage is extremely weak for beginners. Unless you’re using the Boxer or Warrior class, punching zombies is almost never worth it. Stay at range, keep moving, and rely on your guns to do the work.

Weapons System

In 100 Waves Later, weapons are the foundation of your survival. Unlike traditional shooters, you don’t start with a fixed loadout or guaranteed gear. Instead, the game revolves around an RNG (Random Number Generation) drop system, meaning every run can feel different depending on what weapons you find.

You must scavenge for guns during a match and adapt your strategy around whatever drops you get. Then, back in the lobby, you use Scrap to permanently upgrade those weapons by increasing their Star Rating, making them stronger in all future runs. This system ties short-term luck with long-term progression, forcing you to balance what you pick up in the moment with what you invest in for the future.

Weapon Rarity & Tiers

Weapons in 100 Waves Later are divided into rarity tiers that determine their drop rates, base stats, and how well they scale. While any weapon can become strong with enough upgrades, higher-tier weapons start with better performance and grow much faster as you invest Scrap into them.

Common (White)

Basic tools like the Pistol or Machete. These are fine for the first few waves and help you get through the opening minutes of a run, but their low damage and poor scaling make them fall off hard later.

Rare (Blue)

Standard firearms such as the Pump Shotgun or Assault Rifle. These are the real “workhorse” weapons of the mid-game and can carry you comfortably through a large portion of a run, especially if you push them to higher star levels.

Epic (Purple)

High-impact, specialized weapons like the Flamethrower or Sniper Rifle. These offer strong damage, unique mechanics, or excellent crowd control and become major power spikes when they drop.

Legendary (Gold)

Extremely rare weapons such as the Plasma Shotgun or Gatling Laser. These have exceptional base stats and scaling and are often required to push deep into the endgame, especially beyond Wave 70+.

Weapon Categories & Meta

  • Shotguns (S-Tier): Currently the strongest weapon class in the game. Guns like the Double Barrel and Plasma Shotgun dominate because each shot can hit multiple enemies at once. When you stack the Bullet Penetration skill, a single blast can wipe out entire corridors of zombies, making shotguns unmatched for crowd control and wave clearing.
  • Automatic Rifles (A-Tier): Weapons such as the Assault Rifle and LMG offer reliable, consistent DPS. They shine against Bosses and tougher elites thanks to their sustained fire. However, during dense waves they chew through ammo extremely fast, which can leave you dry at the worst possible moment if you don’t manage reloads and ammo drops carefully.
  • Snipers (B-Tier): These deal massive single-target damage. While they’re poor for clearing hordes, they’re incredibly valuable for deleting high-priority threats like Necromancers and Explosive Zombies from a safe distance. A good sniper can prevent dangerous situations before they even start.
  • Special Weapons: Tools like the Flamethrower focus on Area of Effect (AoE) damage over time. They’re especially useful for kiting—leading a pack of zombies in a circle while burning them down. While not always optimal for burst damage, they provide strong crowd control and sustained pressure in longer waves.
100 waves Later Weapons
100 waves Later Weapons

Critical Weapon Skills

Here’s your content rewritten in a clear list format:

  • Bullet Pierce: Essential for all non-explosive guns, allowing shots to hit enemies behind the front line.
  • Fire Rate: Increases DPS significantly, but requires more frequent reloading.
  • Ammo Capacity: Crucial for high-fire-rate weapons like the Minigun, preventing you from getting caught reloading in the middle of a horde.

Weapon Tier List

SPlasma ShotgunLegendaryShotgunUltimate late-game survival and boss melting.
SAuto ShotgunEpicShotgunBest for aggressive wave clearing.
SGatling LaserLegendaryHeavy/LaserInfinite fire for holding down lanes.
APlasma LaserEpicLaserPrecision kills with high natural piercing.
AGreatswordEpicMeleeCrowd control and high knockback.
ASniper RifleEpicSniperLong-range elimination of Necromancers.
BPump ShotgunRareShotgunHigh burst damage for early-to-mid game.
BAssault RifleRareRifleAll-rounder weapon for general survival.
BChainsawRareMeleeFuel-based crowd clearing for early waves.
CMinigunEpicHeavyHigh DPS but restricts movement speed.
CFlamethrowerRareSpecialBurn damage; useful for kiting slow hordes.
DPistol (All)CommonHandgunStarting gear; very poor damage scaling.
DMacheteCommonMeleeWeakest melee option; very short range.

Important Weapon Combat Stats

When checking your in-game weapons, pay attention to these three core stats to decide whether a weapon is valuable for long-term use.

Damage per Pellet/Bullet: Indicates the impact of each shot—crucial for dealing heavy damage to Bosses.

Pierce (Penetration): Shows how many zombies a single bullet can pass through. Combining shotguns with high Pierce can secure victories in Wave 100.

Reload Speed: In later waves (80+), slow reloads leave you vulnerable to fast-moving “Charger” zombies.

Upgrade Priority Strategy

Don’t Scatter Your Scrap: One 5-Star weapon is far more valuable than three 2-Star weapons.

Prioritize Shotguns: With the current game balance favoring Shotguns, using your Scrap to 5-star a Plasma Shotgun or Auto Shotgun should be your top priority.

Star Scaling: Upgrading a weapon to 5 stars typically multiplies its damage by 2× to 3× compared to the base version.

Classes

Classes form the backbone of your strategy in 100 Waves Later. Each class has three unlockable perk levels that can drastically alter your playstyle. Picking the right class—and pairing it with the optimal Bonus Perk—is crucial for surviving beyond Wave 50.

Class Tier List

TierClass NameUnlock CostPrimary RoleKey Perk / Benefit
SWastelander80,000 ScrapScaling50% chance to upgrade 2 Skills at once (Level 3).
SPathfinder60,000 ScrapLuck/EliteGuaranteed 2 Super Skills on Boss Waves (Level 3).
SEngineerFree (7 Day)Solo/DefenseStarts with an upgradeable, immortal Auto-Turret.
ABoxer50,000 ScrapMelee/Tank50% chance to regen 10% health on melee hits.
AJuggernaut45,000 ScrapTankMassive HP and resistance to Fire/Explosions.
ASoldier20,000 ScrapDPSDirect buffs to Gun Damage and Reload Speed.
BMedic40,000 ScrapSupportStimshots and 2x faster revive (S-Tier in Teams).
BPyro35,000 ScrapAoE/DoTBullet hits can set zombies on fire; Fire Bomb skill.
CScavenger25,000 ScrapFarmingDouble Scrap drops and Mystery Box rerolls.
DSharpshooter30,000 ScrapPistol OnlyHigh Pistol crit chance (Weak due to Pistol /meta).
100 waves Later classes
100 waves Later classes

Detailed Class Perks

Class NameLevel 1 PerkLevel 2 PerkLevel 3 Perk
Wastelander+1 Hotbar Slot (3 Weapons)+25% Ammo for all weapons50% chance to upgrade 2 skills at once
Pathfinder10% Chance for Super Skill10% Chance for 2 Super SkillsBoss waves always offer 2 Super Skills
EngineerPlaceable Auto-TurretTurret Upgradeable to Level 2Turret Upgradeable to Level 3
BoxerHigh Fist Damage/Speed50% Chance Melee Hit = 10% HPCharge Fists for “Super Punch”
SoldierIncreased Gun DamageIncreased Base Reload SpeedMove Speed boost when below 25% HP
MedicStart with StimshotReduced Stimshot CooldownRevive players 2x faster
JuggernautSignificantly increased HPResistance to Fire & ExplosionsResistance to Radiation damage
ScavengerIncreased Mystery Box dropMystery Boxes reroll duplicatesZombies drop double Scrap (Random)
PyroStart with Fire BombImmunity to Fire DamageBullets have a chance to ignite enemies

Wastelander

  • Level 1: +1 Hotbar Slot (allowing 3 weapons to be equipped).
  • Level 2: All weapons gain +25% Ammo Capacity.
  • Level 3: 50% chance that each wave upgrade grants 2 Skills instead of 1.
  • Strategy: The double-skill upgrade lets you become twice as powerful as other classes by Wave 100.

Super Skill

  • Level 1: 10% chance for a Super Skill to appear each round.
  • Level 2: 10% chance for 2 Super Skills to appear.
  • Level 3: Boss waves (every 10 waves) always grant 2 Super Skills.
  • Strategy: Super Skills deliver huge stat boosts, far stronger than regular skills, giving you a major advantage.

Engineer

  • Level 1: Start with a placeable Auto-Turret.
  • Level 2: Upgrade the turret to Level 2, improving Health and Damage.
  • Level 3: Upgrade the turret to Level 3, unlocking Dual Barrels and AoE attacks.
  • Strategy: Ideal for solo players, the turret serves as a stationary ally, drawing enemy fire and giving you breathing room.

Bonus Perk Strategy

Bonus Perks: Upon reaching Level 3 in a class, you can often select a Bonus Perk from another unlocked class, allowing powerful cross-class synergies.

Meta Combos:

  • Wastelander + Boxer (Level 2): High health regeneration while wielding a Greatsword.
  • Soldier + Wastelander (Level 1): Extra gun damage plus an additional weapon slot.
  • Pathfinder + Engineer (Level 1): Deploy a turret while hunting for Super Skills.

Class Tier List

TierClass NameUnlock CostMeta RoleWhy it’s Ranked Here
SWastelander80,000 ScrapLate-Game ScalingThe 50% chance for double skill upgrades is broken for long runs.
SPathfinder60,000 ScrapSuper Skill HunterGuarantees the most powerful upgrades (Super Skills) on Boss Waves.
SEngineerFree (7-Day)Solo DefenseThe Auto-Turret is an immortal teammate; best for beginner solo runs.
ABoxer50,000 ScrapMelee LifestealHigh health regen on hit makes you nearly unkillable with a Greatsword.
ASoldier20,000 ScrapPure Gun DPSSimple but effective buffs to damage and reload speeds for gun mains.
BMedic40,000 ScrapTeam SupportEssential for groups; Stimshots keep teammates alive during chaos.
BJuggernaut45,000 ScrapTankHighest base HP; great for players who struggle with dodging.
CScavenger25,000 ScrapResource FarmingGreat for getting Scrap fast, but provides zero combat buffs.
DSharpshooter30,000 ScrapNiche/PistolOnly buffs Pistols, which are currently the weakest weapons.

Active Codes

CodeRewardStatus
WAVE1005,000 Scrap & 1 Gold KeyActive
REBIRTH20262x XP Boost (30 Mins)Active
PLASMA1 Plasma CrateActive
ZOMBIERNG2,500 ScrapActive
FIXES3 Silver KeysActive

How to Redeem Codes

  1. Launch 100 Waves Later on Roblox.
  2. Locate the Twitter (Bird) Icon or the Settings Gear on the left side of the screen.
  3. Click the “Codes” button.
  4. Enter the code exactly as shown (codes are usually case-sensitive).
  5. Press Redeem to claim your rewards.
100 Waves Later Codes
100 Waves Later Codes

Where to Find More Codes

Finding New Codes: If the codes above expire, check these official sources:

  • Developer’s Twitter: Access via the “Social Links” on the Roblox game page.
  • Official Discord: Look in the Announcements or Codes channels.
  • Game Milestones: New codes are often released when the game reaches key milestones, like 50K Likes or 100K Favorites.

Enemy Types

In 100 Waves Later, mastering enemy behavior is essential for surviving the horde. While zombies grow faster and tougher with each wave, their fundamental abilities stay consistent.

Enemy TypeRarity / ThreatPrimary AbilityBest Strategy / Counter
Normal ZombieCommonBasic melee attack; low HP.Any weapon; great for farming early Scrap.
Fast ZombieCommonHigh movement speed; low HP.Move Speed skills to keep distance; Shotguns for easy hits.
Tank / BruteUncommonMassive HP pool; slow movement.Armor Piercing or high-DPS weapons like the Minigun.
ExplosiveRareDetonates on death or contact.Kill from a distance with a Sniper to damage nearby zombies.
ChargerRareBriefly sprints at extreme speed.Sidestep or use Knockback weapons like the Greatsword.
NecromancerEliteHeals nearby zombies and summons minions.Target Priority #1: Focus all fire here before they heal the horde.
Toxic ZombieUncommonLeaves a damaging cloud on death.Avoid standing in the purple/green puddles they leave behind.
Lava ZombieRareDeals fire damage over time (DoT).Use the Pyro class for immunity or keep your distance.

High-Priority Targets

  1. Necromancers: Eliminate first—if left alive, they constantly heal the horde, making them nearly invincible.
  2. Explosives: Use them strategically—triggering explosives in dense groups can instantly take out 10–20 zombies, conserving ammo.
  3. Chargers: These fast enemies often cause early deaths by closing gaps during reloads—take them down quickly.
  4. Tanks: Focus on last, after faster and more dangerous enemies are cleared.

The Boss System

Every 10 Waves, a unique Boss spawns with a dedicated health bar at the top of the screen.

  • Wave 10 Boss: Typically a giant Tank. High health, but easy to kite.
  • Wave 50+ Bosses: Feature unique mechanics, such as summoning Fast Zombies or firing long-range projectiles.
  • Reward: Defeating a Boss is the main way to earn Crate Keys, essential for unlocking high-tier weapons listed in the Weapon Table.

General Boss Mechanics

  • Health Scaling: Boss health grows exponentially every 10 waves. A Wave 50 Boss has far more armor than a Wave 10 Boss.
  • The Minion Horde: Bosses rarely fight alone—they’re usually accompanied by Necromancers and Chargers.
  • Arena Control: Many bosses use AoE attacks that force you to reposition, preventing you from camping safely.

Boss Strategy

Step 1

  • Problem: Necromancers spawn with the Boss and can instantly heal it to full health.
  • Solution: Use a Sniper or Plasma Laser to eliminate all Necromancers first. Once the healing stops, you can safely damage the Boss.

Step 2

  • Avoid running in straight lines—circle around the arena’s perimeter.
  • This keeps the Boss centered while you maintain a safe distance.
  • Engineer Tip: Place your turret in the center to distract the Boss while you attack from the edges.

Step 3

  • Wait for the Boss to perform a Heavy Attack (smash, roar, etc.), during which they are usually stationary for 1–2 seconds.
  • Use this window to unleash high-burst weapons like the Plasma Shotgun or Auto Shotgun.

Major Boss Archetypes & Counters

Boss TypeCommon WavesSpecial AbilityBest Counter
Mega Tank10, 20Ground Slam (Stun)Stay back and use Assault Rifles.
Summoner30, 40Spawns endless Fast ZombiesUse Shotguns with Bullet Pierce to hit minions and Boss at once.
Toxic Goliath50, 60Leaves acid trails everywhereRequires Movement Speed upgrades to navigate the arena.
The Overlord90, 100Projectile Barrage & ShieldUse Gatling Laser to break the shield, then Plasma Shotgun for damage.

Recommended Loadouts for Bosses

  1. The “Boss Melter” (Solo):
    • Class: Wastelander (for extra ammo).
    • Weapon: 5-Star Plasma Shotgun.
    • Skill Focus: Gun Damage + Reload Speed.
  2. The “Safe Sniper” (Team):
    • Class: Pathfinder (for Super Skills).
    • Weapon: 5-Star Sniper Rifle.
    • Skill Focus: Critical Hit Chance + Bullet Pierce.
  3. The “Tank & Spank” (Melee):
    • Class: Boxer.
    • Weapon: 5-Star Greatsword.
    • Skill Focus: Max Health + Melee Speed (Use the health regen to ignore the Boss’s smaller hits).

Pro Tip

Wave 100 Boss: At this stage, the Boss has immense health, making normal bullets nearly useless. You should have 5–10 Gun Damage upgrades and a 5-Star Legendary weapon. Running out of ammo is deadly—manage your ammo drops carefully during the fight to avoid being cornered.

Loot System

Scrap

Scrap (Screws/Bolts): Dropped by every zombie you defeat.

  • Usage: Spend Scrap to unlock new Classes or upgrade weapons to 5-Star at lobby booths.
  • Farming Tip: Play as the Scavenger if Scrap is low—its Level 3 perk gives zombies a chance to drop double the amount.

Crate System

You don’t get new weapons by killing zombies; instead, they come from Crates, which require Crate Keys to open. Crate Keys are earned every 10 waves or by defeating a Boss, making them essential for acquiring high-tier weapons and progressing effectively in the game.

Crate TypeRarityUnlock TimeTypical Rewards
Rusty JunkCommon30 MinutesCommon weapons (Pistols), small amounts of Scrap.
Metal CrateRare2 HoursRare/Epic weapons (Pump Shotgun, Assault Rifle), moderate Scrap.
Tactical CaseEpic8 HoursEpic/Legendary weapons, High Scrap, Class XP.
Plasma CoreLegendary24 HoursGuaranteed high-tier weapon (Plasma Shotgun, Gatling Laser).

Mystery Boxes

During a match, zombies may occasionally drop a Mystery Box.

Instant Rewards:
These boxes grant immediate, temporary benefits for the current run, such as:

  • Max Ammo refill
  • Nuke, which clears the screen of zombies
  • Temporary weapon drops

Scavenger Synergy:

  • The Scavenger class increases the drop rate of Mystery Boxes.
  • It also allows you to reroll if you receive a weapon you already own.

Loot Management Strategy

Always Be Unlocking:

  • You can only unlock one crate at a time.
  • Always make sure a crate is on the “timer” before starting a match, so you’re earning rewards while you play.

Key Hoarding:

  • Don’t waste keys on low-tier Rusty Crates if you have Metal or Tactical Crates available.
  • Always prioritize unlocking the highest-tier crate in your inventory.

The Day 7 Reward:

  • The Engineer Class is a “Login Loot” reward.
  • Log in for 7 consecutive days to claim it—it’s the most valuable free loot in the game.

Skill Stackin

The “God-Tier” Core Skills

No matter what weapon you use, these three skills are nearly mandatory for surviving a deep run:

1. Bullet Pierce (+1 Target):

  • The most important skill in the game.
  • Allows a single bullet to pass through multiple zombies.
  • Without it, the front line of the horde will quickly overwhelm you.

2. Gun Damage (+%):

  • Scales exponentially with your weapon’s Star Rating.
  • Maximizing this ensures your weapons remain effective as waves progress.

3. Reload Speed (+%):

  • Late-wave zombies move extremely fast—every second counts.
  • A 3-second reload can be fatal.
  • Boost this as high as possible to stay in control.

Meta Stacking Combos

Shotgun God

Focus: Turning a single shot into a devastating wall of death.

Primary Skills:

  • Bullet Pierce
  • Spread Tightness
  • Gun Damage

Why It Works:

  • Shotguns fire multiple pellets. If each pellet pierces 3 zombies, one shot can eliminate 20+ enemies.
  • Tightening the spread ensures all pellets hit the Boss or key targets when needed.

Infinite Laser

Focus: Hold down the fire button for maximum destruction.

Primary Skills:

  • Ammo Capacity
  • Fire Rate
  • Heat Sink (if using lasers)

Why It Works:

  • High fire rate normally drains your magazine too quickly.
  • Stacking Ammo Capacity lets you sustain fire and maintain a continuous “wall of lead.”

Speed Demon

Focus: Outspeed zombies on fast-paced maps like the Fighting Pit.

Primary Skills:

  • Movement Speed
  • Stamina Regen
  • Agility

Why It Works:

  • If zombies can’t touch you, your health is irrelevant.
  • This build lets you kite the horde indefinitely, picking them off safely as you move.

Super Skills

Super Skills are rare, gold-colored upgrades. If you spot one, always grab it!

Key Super Skills:

  • Double Tap:
    Every shot has a chance to fire twice for free, doubling your damage output.
  • Explosive Rounds:
    Bullets create small explosions on impact.
    Pair with Bullet Pierce for massive area-of-effect damage.
  • Lifesteal:
    A portion of the damage you deal is returned as health.
    Crucial for non-Medic players to stay alive during long waves.

Skill Priority Table

PrioritySkill NameBest Paired With…
1Bullet PierceShotguns, Snipers, Lasers
2Gun DamageEverything
3Reload SpeedPump Shotgun, RPG, Sniper
4Max HealthBoxer Class, Juggernaut
5Fire RateGatling Laser, Assault Rifle

Strategy Warning

Don’t focus on just one stat.

  • Example: +200% Fire Rate without enough Ammo Capacity means you’ll spend 90% of the match reloading.
  • Always balance Damage with Utility (Reload Speed, Ammo Capacity) to maximize your “Up-Time” in combat.

Contribution & Feedback

This guide was compiled by the community to help survivors reach Wave 100.

If you discover new strategies, hidden loot spots, or stronger weapon combos, share them and help the community grow.

Good luck—and see you at the Extraction!

    Leave a Comment