Zombie Bush

*"No one was surprised when the hereditary forester turned into this creature. They were surprised with what fierceness he began to protect nature from terrible people." Feature: Camouflage and good movement speed. Burn damage +100%."*

-Zombestiary description

The Zombie Bush is a special zombie type added in the 14.0 update. As its name and appearance suggests, this bizarre plant-zombie hybrid has undergone a significant mutation that has essentially turned it into a walking bush. With skin roughly the same color and consistency as wood, and with leaves growing out of its back, it uses these features to blend in to the woodland environment, waiting in ambush for unsuspecting passerby.

### Appearances

The Zombie Bush is first encountered in the Abandoned Railway Station area. One is found waiting on the first part of the path leading from the train station towards the houses on the hills. Afterwards, as the player progresses through the game, the number of Zombie Bushes encountered increases in each area. In the Dead City, two are found in the wooded areas alongside the road leading from the level crossing towards the town. Three are found in the Wilderness, hiding in certain points along the forest path leading to the crashed passenger plane. At least three are found in the Farmland Valley.

### Behavior and Combat

In contrast with the other zombie types, the Zombie Bush's behavior is more focused on stealth and ambushes. In addition to near-perfect camouflage, it has a high detection range which causes it to go aggro long before the unprepared player can spot it. Upon detection, it runs faster than the Zombie Broker (aka Zombie Runner) to close the distance, often from the side or behind the player, and shoots sharp wooden spikes from its hand. After shooting, it runs around the player while keeping out of melee range, making it difficult to hit. Although it may occasionally move up close to the player, it has no melee attack and will simply try to run through them. Lastly, the Zombie Bush possess considerably high health, capable of taking several shots from even the most powerful guns before going down.

The ideal method for killing the Zombie Bush is to use stealth and give it a taste of its own medicine. Although its camouflage makes it difficult for the unexperienced player to tell it apart from a real bush from a distance, crouching and sneaking around its general vicinity will give you time to spot it without aggro'ing it. Sprinting will drastically increase the player's chances of being detected. Unlike real bushes, only its back is covered by leaves, making it easier to spot from the front and side. However, even when crouched, the player cannot get within melee range without aggro'ing it, thus stealth kills can only be done with bows or guns. Interestingly, even when being shot while the player is undetected, it will not aggro as long as the player keeps their distance and does not sprint.

Furthermore, as a result of of its plantlike mutation, the Zombie Bush is extremely vulnerable to fire and will take more damage from it than other zombie types. Explosive barrels, grenades, and dynamite will be more effective against it than other weapons.