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Killing Floor 3 Tips and Tricks to Survive the Zeds

  • from PLITCH
  • 28.07.2025

We had to wait nine years for one of the most gory and brutal shooter series to get the sequel it deserved. In our Killing Floor 3 tips and tricks, you’ll learn everything about the gunplay and the best team composition. We’ll also tell you how to use the multi-tool correctly, how to mod your weapons, and much more.

1) Start as a sharpshooter

A major new feature in Killing Floor 3 compared to its predecessor is the extensive perk system. At the start, you can choose from six classes, each of which can be upgraded to level 30 and offers numerous skills in branching skill trees. The most important question to ask yourself when starting the game is what your specialization will be.

First-person view in Killing Floor 3 showing a player holding a shotgun facing two attacking zombies in a dark outdoor setting with trees and a large vehicle

We recommend focusing on Sharpshooter first. This perk focuses on assault rifles and sniper rifles, making it easier to craft powerful combat gear early on. The customization options are versatile, and you’ll quickly be able to purchase higher-quality weapons.

Another advantage of this perk is its special ability. It enables you to fire a homing arrow that automatically targets and neutralizes enemies. The skill offers several upgrade options. Death’s Hand can be a helpful ally, especially when you need cover while reviving a teammate.

2) Find your play style

The progression system in Killing Floor 3 is class-specific: each class levels up independently. Additionally, your unlocked perks and upgrades are tied to the respective character. For instance, if you mainly play as a Sharpshooter, as recommended, you’ll improve in that role more quickly, while your Commando or Medic will stay at a lower level and be less effective in combat.

Monstrous creatures with glowing red chests and weapons advancing in a dark urban environment from the game Killing Floor 3

Still, you should focus on one class and master it over time. An exception is if you see that several players have already chosen your preferred class in a match. In such cases, it might be wise to switch for that round to help balance the team.

A useful feature is that you can still buy weapons from other classes between attack waves. This means that, for example, even as a Commando, you can get a med gun to support your team. And that’s true even though you don’t have the specialized medic skills.

3) Killing Floor 3 tips for team composition

The strategic allocation of roles within your team is crucial in Killing Floor 3. This applies not only to classes but also to the chosen weapons. Even if you’re playing in teams of three, it still makes sense to mix different classes.

Killing Floor 3 character screen showing a Commando class soldier in tactical gear holding a rifle, with stats and abilities including Hellion gadget and grenade options

For example, Medics, Firebugs, and Commandos work well together. This covers healing, area damage, and direct firepower. Each class has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the game is designed so that all perks are useful in their own way.

Even though you can buy weapons from other classes from the merchant between waves, your perks and abilities are tied to your currently selected class. So you’ll probably already have a loadout that’s optimized for a specific role. Therefore, it’s worth sticking with your main class and customizing your equipment accordingly.

4) Always go for headshots

The following of our Killing Floor 3 tips and tricks is probably the most important in the entire game: Get as many headshots as possible, especially against standard Zeds. This might seem obvious, but headshots are particularly effective in KF3.

First-person view in Killing Floor 3 showing a player holding a shotgun facing four attacking zombies

For one thing, headshots cause the most damage and help you eliminate enemies more quickly. Second, headshot kills fill the so-called Zed Time meter. And this is precisely where the strategic advantage lies.

Once the Zed Time meter is full, the game briefly slows down. This effect occurs simultaneously for all players. During this slow-motion phase, players can land precise shots, control waves of enemies, and target particularly dangerous Zeds.

5) The multi-tool is your best friend

Whether you’re on your own or part of a team, the multi-tool is one of the most essential items in Killing Floor 3. You can use it to activate automatic guns, operate zip lines, and open armor lockers. The latter are often crucial for surviving a wave and can only be opened with the multi-tool. Without this tool, this bonus remains inaccessible to you.

Multitool device with glowing yellow lights required to progress, seen from first-person view holding a futuristic gun in Killing Floor 3

However, carrying the multi-tool isn’t always necessary. For example, you can skip it if your team is nearly complete. Since you can’t activate an unlimited number of objects at once and they also have cooldown times, it may be tactically smarter to rely on other gear. If several teammates already have the multi-tool, it’s better to take ammunition or a med kit instead.

6) Mod your weapons

Modding is a key part of your progress in Killing Floor 3. Every weapon feels different, and it often takes a few rounds of play to find your favorites for each class.

Once you start completing matches regularly, you’ll earn resources. Instead of leaving these unused, you should invest them in weapons from your preferred classes and customize them in the armory. Then, you have two options for using them in the game. 1. You equip them right from the start with enough operational budget. However, this has the disadvantage that the price increases with each modification you make.

Assault rifle in Killing Floor 3 with max rank Armor Piercing Rounds mod increasing damage, accuracy, and penetration against armored enemies

The alternative is much more flexible: 2. Earn enough money during the game and simply buy your customized weapon from the dealer between two waves. If you’re not interested in creating your own builds, the dealer also offers ready-made, modified weapons. However, it’s worth familiarizing yourself with the different attachments and upgrades so you can pick weapons that match your play style.

7) Use the environment to your advantage

During intense battles in Killing Floor 3, it’s easy to forget how helpful the environment can be. By using it strategically, you can set up simple yet effective defenses. Many maps have interactive features like giant fans or watering cans that you can activate with your multi-tool, causing significant damage to the Zeds.

First-person view from Killing Floor 3 showing a gun firing at multiple zombie-like creatures in a dark industrial setting

Along with these activatable traps, there are many objects you can use directly in combat. Fuel tanks, barrels, and other explosive containers respond to a few well-aimed shots or grenades. If you’re low on cash or resources, be aware of the technical devices around you. Surveillance cameras, screens, and similar objects can be destroyed, and will give you extra materials.

8) Pay attention to your opponents’ weak points

Besides headshots, there are other ways to deal maximum damage to large opponents in Killing Floor 3, mainly by targeting vulnerabilities. The weak points of elite Zeds are located at their glowing spots. A good example is the Fleshpound, with its chest and energy core on its back being especially vulnerable.

Player aiming a futuristic assault rifle at a large, glowing red monster with spiked arms emerging from a portal in a dark, smoky laboratory setting in Killing Floor 3

Hits to the glowing spots cause damage similar to headshots. However, they have the advantage that the target areas are usually bigger and easier to aim at.

Survive the zombies with PLITCH!

Win your first matches using our Killing Floor 3 tips and tricks. You can customize the shooter even further with the Killing Floor 3 cheats from PLITCH. Increase your money to buy your favorite weapon from the dealer immediately or boost your movement speed.

The codes let you set your armor, grenades, or ammunition to unlimited. You can also set the amount of your healing items or tools to the maximum. With the trainer, you can make Killing Floor 3 both easier and more challenging.

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Happy gaming!