https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-YpWckq1Jk3AH2Nyx_STntXmJwe2chrqBbEauXHQ_k8/edit?usp=sharing

NMRiH has a deceptively nuanced melee combat system that I found very little information on starting out in this game. So, to help out newbies and veterans alike, I put together a spreadsheet featuring information on melee weapons the game and most online sources don’t explicitly mention.

Most notably, the sheet has information on the 500HP and 1000HP breakpoints for Classic and Nightmare difficulties, respectively. (Breakpoints are how long you need to charge a weapon’s power attack in order to oneshot most zombies at the given difficulty.) Using the health_and_stamina_disp v1.1.2 plugin, I found that most weapons fully charge after roughly 5 seconds (except for the FUBAR, which charges in 6 seconds), increasing damage output to 3 times the base damage number. For the purposes of my calculations, I assume that each weapon charges in 5 seconds, except for the FUBAR.

Keep in mind that the numbers on this sheet reflect the time between when the mouse is clicked and the time the breakpoint is actually reached*.

*Except for FUBAR (see note on spreadsheet)

I also included a stamina efficiency column, which shows how much damage a weapon does per stamina point expended on Quick Attacks. Mostly this just gives an idea of how quickly you’ll be winded while killing zeds as quickly as possible.

And for those who don’t want to take a deep dive into a bunch of numbers and are just looking for quick weapon recommendations, Hatchet, Machete, and Pickaxe are some of the strongest for Classic, and in Nightmare Machete, Fireaxe, Sledgehammer, Pickaxe, and Hatchet are solid picks. (Hachet can’t reach the 1000hp breakpoint but retains some utility in Nightmare due to resembling Machete in its versatility and having amazing weight)

Sorry for the wall of text, but I hope this all still helps. And if someone has done this research before, I apologize as I have wasted 2 hours of my life and a couple minutes of your time. Anyways, happy gaming and for Christ’s sake, leave the FUBAR where you found it.