Revivification

A survivor possessing the Lab Experience skill can use a Revivification Syringe to revive a zombie, bringing it back to life.

It costs 10 AP to revive a zombie, and the process uses up a syringe. A successful revive earns the reviver 10 XP.

A zombie must be standing to be revived, and must stand up again (as a member of the living) after the revivification. A newly revived character stands with half their normal Hit Points, i.e. 30 HP for those with Body Building, 25 HP for those lacking the skill. If a character was infected by a zombie bite before dying, they will remain infected after revivification. This can be avoided if a FAK is used to cure the infection before the revivification is performed.

Zombies possessing the Brain Rot skill cannot be revived normally, and can only be successfully revived inside a powered NecroTech facility, and only by a technician possessing the NecroNet Access skill. Attempts to revive a brain rotted zombie anywhere else will fail and waste the syringe; only 1 AP will be expended, however, as opposed to the 10 AP for a successful revive.

Some player groups operate specific revivification points where revives can be performed in an organised manner. The Sacred Ground Policy is a well-known and widely accepted protocol which establishes all cemeteries in Malton as designated revive points. It is generally understood that a zombie saying "Mrh?" wishes to be revived.

A common, albeit controversial, practice is the use of syringes to Combat Revive a zombie. This practice is frowned on by many "career zombies", and it is strongly discouraged by many survivors who assert that combat reviving is the main source of zombie "spies", generator killers and Death Cultists. The Let the Dead be Dead Campaign is one response by zombie players intended to convey their distaste for this tactic. However, many groups claim that the combat revive is both an legitimate tactic -- especially in the defence of NecroTech facilities -- and a valid in-character action. Some notable examples of pro-combat revive policies and groups include Fertilize the Land, COMBAT REVIVE, C.R.A.P. and The Big Prick. As well, Dual Naturists and Opportunists support combat reviving as realistic role-playing. They assert that organised revive points are unrealistic and that in a "real" zombie infestation all revives would be combat revives of hostile zombies.

Common slang terms for revivification that you will likely hear around Malton include: "rez" (or "rezz"), "poke", "stick" and "jab". All these terms can be used as a noun or a verb and are understood to refer to the process of revivification -- and sometimes, less commonly, to the revivification syringe itself. There is no single standard form, but Zombies using Death Rattle will often say "rahbab", "rab!b", "mrh-bang" or some variation thereof when referring to revivification.

Flavor Text

A survivor successfully using a syringe on a zombie

Following standard procedures, you press the syringe into the back of the zombie's neck and pump the glittering serum into its brain and spinal cord.

There is a thin pneumatic hiss, and the zombie staggers forward, limbs shuddering, before slumping to the floor as if dead. [Name]'s skin shivers for a moment, and the contents of the syringe begin their slow, molecular work.

A survivor successfully using a syringe on a Brain Rotted zombie inside a powered NecroTech building

Green LEDs flash along the side of the syringe as it connects to the wireless NecroNet - you push the needle into the back of the zombie's neck and pump the glittering serum into its corrupted brain and spinal cord.

There is a thin pneumatic hiss, and the zombie staggers forward, limbs shuddering, before slumping onto the tiled floor as if dead. [Name]'s skin shivers for a moment, and the contents of the syringe begin their slow, molecular work.

A survivor unsuccessfully using a syringe on a Brain Rotted zombie in an unpowered NecroTech building

Working without NecroNet access, you press the syringe into the back of the zombie's neck and pump the glittering serum into its brain and spinal cord.

The zombie's head lolls forward momentarily, and the LEDs along the sides of the disposable syringe flash red. The brain must be damaged.

A survivor unsuccessfully using a syringe on a Brain Rotted zombie

Following standard procedures, you press the syringe into the back of the zombie's neck and pump the glittering serum into its brain and spinal cord.

The zombie's head lolls forward momentarily, and the LEDs along the sides of the disposable syringe flash red. Nothing happens. The brain must be damaged.

A recently revived zombie stands up

You stand up, a buzzing in your ears fading away as you do so. Adrenaline rushes unsteadily through your bloodstream.

A survivor unsuccessfully using a syringe on a zombie in an unpowered building

While priming the needle, you happen to lose track of the zombie in the dark.

See also

• Giving and getting revives