Flesh Rot

Flesh Rot is a zombie skill available after the purchase of Brain Rot.

Taken from 14th October 2008 News update:

• A disturbing Flesh Rot is creeping across the bone and muscle of the older, decaying zombies, making them more resilient to attack. (This is the equivalent of having died with the Body Building skill and a flak jacket, and doesn't stack.)

Like Body Building, it increases maximum possible HP to 60HP.

• As the skills do not stack, the maximum possible value for HP is still 60HP.
• Flesh Rot HP does not carry over when revived.^[1]

Like a Flak Jacket, it grants a 20 percent damage reduction against attacks that deal 5 or more damage.

• In-game message: You fire your shotgun at the zombie for 10 damage. Their rotten flesh absorbs 2 points of that damage. They drop to 36 HP.
• This aspect is confirmed to cross over to survivor form when revived.^[2]
• Wearing a Flak Jacket and having Flesh Rot does not stack for double protection.

Like all zombie skills, it costs 100XP.

Benefits

Flesh Rot's most obvious benefit is the ability to withstand more damage before being "killed".

However, it also removes the need for career zombies to have to become a survivor in order to acquire Body Building and a flak jacket, something that can be extremely difficult if the zombie has Brain Rot.

It also is arguably beneficial to survivors, because a zombie with Flesh Rot and no flak jacket displays a distinct message when it is shot. If a survivor recieves this message, they know that the zombie must necessarily have Brain Rot and need not spend AP fruitlessly attempting to use a DNA Extractor or NecroTech Revivification Syringe.

References

• Note 1: Flesh Rot HP does not carry over when revived. (Barhah.com forum post, references Iwitness.)
• Note 2: Level 43 survivor with no flak jacket taking reduced firearms damage. (Iwitness.)