Books

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Books are a category of item featured in The Last Stand: Union City and The Last Stand: Dead Zone.

Background

The act of recording information in writing is something unique to humans amongst all the species on Earth, allowing people who have never met the writer to benefit from their wisdom. Books are the latest incarnation of this, and have been a source of learning ever since their invention.

Seemingly a useless luxury in the midst of the zombie apocalypse, survivors must never forget that knowledge is power, an asset which they will need for their continued survival.

The Last Stand: Union City

A book dropped from a zombie. (TLS:UC)

They increase skills proportionally to the Smarts skill. Increases are +4 for up to 33, +5 for 34-69, +6 for 70-99 and +7 for 100 onwards (only achievable with the Intellect skill bonus).

1. Batter Up! - Increases Blunt Skill (4)
2. Be Prepared - Increases First Aid Skill (6)
3. Businessman - Increases Smarts Skill (3)
4. Defcon Force - Increases Automatics Skill (2)
5. Future Weaponry - Increases Special Weapons Skill (0; this book was only used in the alphas)
6. Glendale Hunter - Increases Long Guns Skill (2)
7. Handgun Owner - Increases Handgun Skill (2)
8. Jacked Up - Increases Fitness Skill (2)
9. Martial Masters - Increases Blades Skill (3)
10. Nightwatchmen - Increases Security Skill (5)
11. Where's Wilmo? - Increases Searching Skill (5)
12. Wild Man - Increases Survival Skill (2)

• The bracketed numbers show the total amount of said books throughout the game, not counting those found in Whistler's Forest, and not counting those obtained through skilled/lucky finds or drops.
• It is recommended that the Smarts skill be increased to 100 before using the skill books. The 3 Businessman books can help with this.

The Last Stand: Dead Zone

Description

There are a variety of ways to earn books in the Dead Zone. Books can be scavenged during missions in the Dead Zone, purchased from The Store, received as a prize in specific supply boxes and even as a bonus when purchasing Fuel. Books affect various things depending on their type and title, with wildly varying degrees of effectiveness and duration for those scavenged in the Dead Zone.

Permanent books usually provide a small bonus, but they can be used indefinitely, whereas Consumable books (indicated by a small stopwatch icon in the bottom right of the inventory slot) provide a large bonus, but will be used up after their duration expires. Challenge books can be either, and affect the game's difficulty (automated missions not included), usually to the player's detriment.

Up to 4 books can be active at any one time by slotting them into the slots in the upper left of the compound screen. Only 1 book per category can be slotted in at any one time, unless "How to Specialize in" books of the appropriate category are slotted in. Even then, books with the same title, even if they have slightly differing effects, cannot be slotted in.

Some Permanent books temporarily lock out a slot once slotted in, preventing its removal/replacement until a period of time passes. Consumable books cannot be removed once slotted in, and the player must wait for its timer to run out before they can slot in another book. If the timer expires during a mission or raid, its effects will remain active until the mission or raid ends.

There are five book categories:

• Combat
• General
• Mission
• Resource
• Survival

List

Item	Category	Description	Effect	Duration	Slot Lockout
Anatomy 101 File:01.png	Combat	Increases all damage vs infected	Timed: +1% to +34% Damage vs. Infected Permanent: +1% to +30% Damage vs. Infected	30 Minutes, 7 Days or Permanent	None
Crafting on the Cheap File:02.png	Resource	A guide to crafting with tips on saving money while doing so.	Reduces Crafting and Upgrading Costs by: - Timed: +20% to +50% - Permanent: +10% to +15%	1 Hour or Permanent	None or 1 Hour
Conserving Cloth File:03.png	Resource	A guide to finding useful cloth objects around the home.	Increases Cloth Drop Off rate by 5% to 100%	8 Hours or Permanent	None or 1 Hour
Scrappers File:04.png	Resource	A guide to finding useful metal objects around the home.	Increases Metal Drop Off rate by 6% to 100%	8 Hours or Permanent	None or 1 Hour
Driftwood File:05.png	Resource	A guide to finding useful wooden objects around the home.	Increases Wood Drop Off rate by 5% to 100%	8 Hours or Permanent	None or 1 Hour
Boost Your Experience File:06.png	Mission	A guide to combat experience and how to maximize your experience on the field.	+5% to +300% Mission XP	30 Minutes, 1 Hour or Permanent	None
White Flag File:07.png	General	"Establish that you want no part of conflict in whatever manner you can. Raise your white flag high."	Disables Player vs Player Raiding	Permanent	3 Days
Vacation from the Dead Zone File:08.png	General	Take a break from the humdrum of the every day in the Dead Zone. Holiday without concern!	Compound is placed in Vacation Mode Disables Player vs Player Raiding -100% Food Consumption -100% Water Consumption	14 Days	None
Camouflage in the Apocalypse File:09.png	General	Hides your compound from Infected attacks while equipped.	Disables Infected Attacks on Compound	3 or 7 Days	None
Baiting Your Home File:10.png	General - Challenge	"In order to attract attackers, simply provide the correct form of bait. Then wait. They will come."	Increases Infected Attacks by: - Timed: +26% to +90% - Permanent: +26% to +40%	1 Day or Permanent	None
They're Not Human File:11.png	Combat - Challenge	"The dead walk the earth as an unstoppable and insurmountable force."	+15% to +396% Infected Health +1% to +25% Mission XP	30 Minutes or Permanent	None
One Man's Trash File:12.png	Mission	"Learning to discern what is junk when picking will save you a lot of heartache later."	Decreases chance of finding Junk by: Timed: -25% to -60% Permanent: -11% to -20%	1 Hour, 4 Hours or Permanent	None
Top Tips for Sightseeing File:13.png	Mission	A sightseeing guide to the wonderful sites around Union City.	Increases Survivor Vision Range by 11% to 39%	4 Hours or Permanent	None
Shortening Your Lifespan File:14.png	General - Challenge	"Lowering your constitution by drinking unclean water and eating spoiled food is a great place to start!"	-11% to -60% Survivor Health +5% to +25% Mission XP	1 Hour or Permanent	None
How to Specialize in General File:15.png	General	A guide to specializing your abilities in the General field.	Allows you to equip 2 x General books	Permanent	None
How to Specialize in Resources File:16.png	Resource	Allows you to equip 2 Resource books	Allows you to equip 2 x Resource books	Permanent	None
How to Specialize in Survival File:17.png	Survival	Allows you to equip 2 Survival books	Allows you to equip 2 x Survival books	Permanent	None
How to Specialize in Combat File:18.png	Combat	Allows you to equip 2 Combat books	Allows you to equip 2 x Combat books	Permanent	None
How to Specialize in Missions File:19.png	Mission	Allows you to equip 2 Mission books	Allows you to equip 2 x Mission books	Permanent	None
Agriculture File:20.png	Survival	A basics guide to agriculture. Specifically food and water management and production.	+5% to +100% Food Production +5% to +100% Water Production	8 Hours or Permanent	None or 12 Hours
A History of Rationing File:21.png	Survival	Book about the rationing that took place during the Second World War.	-5% to -50% Food Consumption -5% to -50% Water Consumption	2 Days, 28 Days or Permanent	None or 1 Hour
Union City Shortcuts File:22.png	Mission	A map book filled with shortcuts around Union City. *Does not work on Automated Missions or Raids	Timed: -2% to -50% on Return Times for Played Missions Permanent (scavenged): -2% to -15% on  Return Times for Played Missions Permanent (The Store): -25%/-50% on  Return Times for Played Missions (costs 1,000/1,600 )	4 Hours or Permanent	None
The Long Way Home File:23.png	Mission - Challenge	A guide to the scenic routes throughout Union City. Take a Sunday drive.	100% to 289% to Return Times for Played Missions or Increases all Action Times by 235% to 277% Timed: +100% to +200% Mission XP Permanent: +100% Mission XP	30 Minutes or Permanent	None
Wifflebat for Beginners File:24.png	Combat - Challenge	A beginners guide to hitting things with a very soft touch.	-11% to -59% Melee Damage for Survivors +5% to +10% Mission XP	30 Minutes or Permanent	None
Rain Makers File:25.png	Survival	"Capturing rain water might just be our best and only hope in a changing world."	+10% to + 150% Water Production	8 Hours or Permanent	None or 1 Hour
Processed Foods File:26.png	Survival - Challenge	A guide to inedible processed foods.	-19% to -50% Food Drop Chance -17% to -40% Water Drop Chance +1% to +5% Mission XP or +5% to +50% Food Drop Chance +5% to +50% Water Drop Chance -5% to -50% Drop Chance -5% to -50% Drop Chance -5% to -50% Drop Chance -5% to -50% Drop Chance	1 Hour, 12 Hours or Permanent	None
80's Action Movies File:27.png	Resource - Challenge	Big Guns = More Fun	+25% to +98% Cost +5% to +10% Mission XP	30 Minutes or Permanent	None
Gunsmith Monthly File:28.png	Resource	Magazine covering all aspects of gun culture, including maintenance and modification.	Increases chance of Crafting bonuses by 1% to 9%	30 Minutes or Permanent	None or 1 Hour
Nighthunting File:29.png	Mission	"Spend time with your eyes closed or in a limited light situation before heading out for the night."	+25% to +79% to Survivor Night Vision	4 Hours or Permanent	None
Peak Oil - A Survivors Guide File:30.png	Resource	A prepper's guide to finding and storing petroleum products in the case of peak oil.	Increases Drops by - Timed: 10% to 50% - Permanent: 10% to 25%	22 Hours, 1 Day or Permanent	None or 2 Days
Martial Law in the Apocalypse File:31.png	Combat - Challenge	"All order will be lost. Increased police and military presence, through Martial Law, will see order return."	Increases Rare Infected by - Timed: 35% to 98% - Permanent: 16% to 48%	30 Minutes or Permanent	None
That Smarts File:32.png	Combat - Challenge	"Once they have risen, the driving force of the now dead may outshine that of what they were capable in life."	+80% to +190% Infected Damage +10% to 25% Mission XP	30 Minutes or Permanent	None
Ninjutsu: For Urban Ninjas File:33.png	Combat	"Move silently. Kill with precision. This is the way of the Ninja."	Reduces Noise from Survivors by 11% to 100%	30 Minutes or Permanent	None
Non Lethal Gun Mods File:34.png	Combat - Challenge	A comprehensive manual for reducing the lethality of firearms.	-11% to -60% Projectile Damage for Survivors +5% to +10% Mission XP	30 Minutes or Permanent	None
Blind Mice File:35.png	Mission - Challenge	"Big Blind Mouse said, 'I can't see a damned thing'."	Disables the HUD on Missions +2% Mission XP	Permanent	None
Three's A Crowd File:36.png	Mission - Challenge	"In almost all situations, three people is a bad idea. Especially when trying to go unnoticed."	Limits the number of Survivors on a Mission to 2 +10% Mission XP	Permanent	None
Ready. Aim. Zombies. File:37.png	Combat - Challenge	"Taking the time to aim your shots will ultimately better your survival over time."	Disables Automatic Targeting for Survivors +20% Mission XP	Permanent	None
Ammunition Annual File:38.png	Survival	A guide to this year's ammunition, supply and demand.	+5% to +34% Drop Chance	1 Hour or Permanent	None
Everyday Gardener File:39.png	Survival	A gardening guide about edible vegetables and care for plants.	+10% to +150% Food Production	8 Hours or Permanent	None or 1 Hour
Finding Reclaimed Timber File:40.png	Survival	A guide to finding useful wooden objects around the city.	+5% to +33% Drop Chance	1 Hour or Permanent	None
Leading From A Distance File:41.png	Mission	"Delegating your command to others can be risky but ultimately rewarding for your company."	+3% to +49% Automated Mission Success Chance	4 Hours or Permanent	None
Modern City Living File:42.png	Survival - Challenge	"In modern society over half of our cities food, water and building materials are imported. The imports stops, society stops."	-18% to -50% Resource Drop Chance +1 to +5% Mission XP	1 Hour or Permanent	None
Quantity Not Quality File:43.png	Mission - Challenge	"What you get isn't important, it's the quantity. The man with the most stuff wins."	Reduces chance of Finding Quality Items by 11% to 40% +5% to +10% Mission XP	30 Minutes or Permanent	None
Raising Spirits File:44.png	General	"In dire situations, knowledge about how to raise the morale of your friends and family can be invaluable."	+1% to +9% Morale	Permanent	2 Minutes or 12 Hours
Reprogram Your Motorskills File:45.png	Combat - Challenge	"Unlearn everything you think you know about your physiology. We have been taught WRONG!"	Increases Level Requirement for Weapons and Gear by 2 on Missions +10% Mission XP	Permanent	None
Searching Eyes Closed File:46.png	Mission - Challenge	A blind person's guide to locating objects around their home.	Reduces chance of Finding Items by 11% to 40% +5% to +10% Mission XP	30 Minutes or Permanent	None
Slow Motion File:47.png	Mission - Challenge	Take your time. It's fine.	Increases all Action times by 25% to 49% +5% to 10% Mission XP	30 Minutes or Permanent	None
Stepladder to Success File:48.png	Mission - Challenge	"Getting a job done quickly will push you to the top much quicker than if you'd taken your time."	Reduces Mission Time by 10% to 49% +1% to +10% Mission XP	30 Minutes or Permanent	None
Survivor Psychology File:49.png	General - Challenge	"Often times under duress the usual affects on a persons morale can be multiplied significantly."	Increases Morale Effects by 20% to 93% +2% to +5% Mission XP	1 Hour or Permanent	None
They Live Again File:50.png	Combat - Challenge	"Unstoppable and ravenous, they tore through our group in a matter of seconds. We stood no chance."	+50% to +196% Infected Damage +50% to +199% Infected Health +15% to +55% Mission XP	30 Minutes or Permanent	None
WALLOPED! File:51.png	Combat - Challenge	"Striking with such ferocity the infected now had the ability to decimate our survivors."	Infected can inflict Critical Damage +10% Mission XP	Permanent	None
Warzone Logistics File:52.png	Mission	A military logistics guide that may help you locate more Supply Boxes.	100% to 290% more Supply Boxes found	3 Days or Permanent	None
Whistler's Grove Handyman File:53.png	Resource	A simple guide to doing handy work around your home while efficiently using resources. Does not work with traps.	Reduces Repair Material Costs by: - Permanent: 11% to 15% - Timed: 31% to 40%	30 Minutes or Permanent	None or 1 Hour
Ammo Conservationist File:54.png	Combat	Ammunition enthusiast magazine, filled with good articles on ammo conservation.	-6% to -50% Cost in Missions	30 Minutes or Permanent	None
Call of the Clothier File:55.png	Survival	A guide to finding useful cloth objects around the city.	+5% to +39% Drop Chance	1 Hour or Permanent	None
Plastics - The Future File:56.png	Survival - Challenge	"By 2055 around 90% of all products, food, pets and possibly children, will be made of plastic."	-17% to -50% Drop Chance -16% to -50% Drop Chance -17% to -50% Drop Chance +1% to +5% Mission XP	1 Hour or Permanent	None
Bull in a China Shop File:57.png	Mission - Challenge	"When threatened it is important that you make as much noise as possible."	Increases the Effects of Noise by 26% to +98% +5% to +10% Mission XP	30 Minutes or Permanent	None
Modern Metal Finder File:58.png	Survival	A guide to finding useful metal objects around the city.	+5% to +34% Drop Chance	1 Hour or Permanent	None
Ooooh Shiny! File:59.png	Mission	"You have one goal. GO. FOR. THE. LOOT."	-41% to -80% Survivor Vision Range Increases chance of Finding Quality Items by: - Timed: 1% to 10% - Permanent: 1% to 4%	15 Minutes, 30 Minutes or Permanent	None
Vague Search File:60.png	Mission	"Search, like, around the area and stuff. You know, like, quickly."	Reduces all Action times by 7% to 20% Reduces chance of Finding Quality Items by 13% to 39%	12 Hours or 1 Day	None
Looter File:61.png	Resource	Who needs fuel when there's weapons and gear and books!?	Reduces Drops by 10% to 40% Increases chance of Finding Quality Items by 1% to 28%	15 Minutes, 20 Minutes or 1 Day	None
Trained File:62.png	Combat	A general guide to weapons and gear training. This should help our survivors with their equipment.	Reduces Level Requirement for Weapons and Gear by 2 (1 Day) or 4 (12 Hours)	12 Hours or 1 Day	None
Shoot Softly File:63.png	Combat	A guide to more accurate shooting. Increases the damage you can do with firearms while conserving ammunition.	-21% to -50% Projectile Damage for Survivors -7% to -30% Cost in Missions	1 Day or Permanent	None
Melee Effort File:64.png	Combat	"A warrior needs fuel. Fuel in equals damage out. Feed your warrior."	+50% to +75% Food Consumption +50% to +75% Water Consumption +20% to +30% Melee Damage for Survivors	4 Hours or 8 Hours	None
Quality Crafts File:65.png	Resource	"Spending more time with your tools will show a clear improvement in your crafting projects"	Increases chance of Crafting bonuses by 6% to 19% Increases Crafting and Upgrading Costs by 16% to 39%	30 Minutes or Permanent	None
Furious Search File:66.png	Mission	"By increasing your daily dietary intake, you can increase your activity level substanitally	+25% to +150% Food Consumption +25% to +150% Water Consumption Increases chance of Finding Items by 5% to 18%	2 Days	None
Organizing Your Home File:67.png	General	A handy guide to organizing your storage spaces around the home.	Increases Inventory Capacity by 5% to 40%	Permanent	None
Production Overdrive File:68.png	Resource	Throws the production of all your resources into overdrive. More food, water, cloth, metal, wood, and ammo!	+100% to +200% Resource Production	12 Hours or 3 Days	None
Hardcore File:70.png	General - Challenge	Only for true survivors.	+100% Infected Damage +100% Infected Health +100% Cost +100% Food Consumption +100% Water Consumption Increases the Effects of Noise by 100% Infected can inflict Critical Damage Increases Infected Attacks by 25% +25% Mission XP	Permanent	None
Quick Search File:71.png	Mission	A guide to ransacking a location. This might result in a little bit of extra noise.	Reduces all Action times by 9% to 20% Increases the Effects of Noise by 56% to 79%	12 Hours or 1 Day	None
DIY without a Timeline File:72.png	Resource - Challenge	A DIY book for retirees. The projects in here look like they take forever.	Increases Repair Time by 81%	Permanent	1 Hour
DIY without a Budget	Resource - Challenge	"Don't concern yourself with using too much material, there's always going to be plenty more."	Increases Repair Material Costs by 11% to 14%	Permanent	1 Hour
Blind Tony's Tinkering	Resource - Challenge	A visually impaired guide to crafting.	Chance to get negative Crafting bonuses	Permanent	1 Hour

Gallery

• Shoot soflty.png
• Cafting on the cheap.png
• DIY book.jpg
• DIY timeline.png
• BTT.png
• Rare Gunsmith Monthly that reduces the chance of a bonus.

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