For those that aren't aware, in L4D1 the autoshotgun is extremely powerful and the best weapon to use in survival mode due to its high damage, good range, fast reload, and penetrating shot. Specifically, to compare the weapon stats, see Kev's weapon damage sheet https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ELPj5xuC6CjjcT-ISfhtd0ehM5u2KxOt_tmiaeq6N60/edit?pli=1

auto shotgun:
dmg per magazine: 2860
shots required to kill a tank: 15 or 1.5 magazines

assault rifle:
dmg per magazine: 1650
shots required to kill a tank: 125 or 2.5 magazines


hunting rifle:
dmg per magazine: 1350
shots required to kill a tank: 45 or 3 magazines

The challenge now is to try survival without using the autoshotgun, leaving the choice of weapons to the hunting rifle and M16. This will present more challenges for survival mode. It will perhaps introduce L4D1 players to the L4D2 survival style of play, since ranged weapons are predominant in L4D2. Tactics may have to change to allow for longer range, more evasion of tanks and dodging rocks instead of trying to shoot them. Here are some considerations:

- More mobility may be required to give the survivors extra time to deal with tanks.
- Long range and open maps like Gas Station and Street will probably suffer very little changes in strategy. Some close range maps like blood harvest bridge and hospital will become considerably more difficult.
- M16 will likely be a better choice for dealing with commons and tanks, but the M16 will deplete ammo fast. The hunting rifle can be good for ammo conservation but the small clip size and long reload time will make it difficult.
- Strategy for dealing with smokers and hunter may change. Less reliance on shooting them out of the air (skeeting) since it is more difficult with ranged weapons. Dodging rocks instead of skeeting them may become more important.
- Pistols may be useful for conserving ammo.

This challenge is another one for experienced players to make the game more fun. For some people, L4D1 survival games can last a very long time and ranged weapons challenge will definitely cut down the length of survival rounds. For those who are new to L4D1 survival, this might be a difficult challenge to start off with, and perhaps you should get familiar with the strategies and using the shotgun first!

Post any new times here.