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Introduction
Welcome to "Raiding a Store". This article will teach you the basic steps as well as the "do's and don'ts" associated with raiding an abandoned store. It applies to a wide variety of stores including delis, supermarkets, and shopping centers. This article will attempt to cover all of the details for raiding different sized locations, and types of stores. You, the reader, are going to have to take the information given to you in this brief learning experience, and adapt it to work in whatever situation you may encounter in our bleak future. Unfortunately, that means you have to do a bit of thinking on your own.
Important: Always remember if there is a large concentration of infected at a given location, it generally means that it has already been raided, and in many cases the raiders failed. It is up to you to find a suitable location to pillage for goods.
Important: Whenever possible, do your research before raiding a location. Examine the area for signs of past conflict. Dead bodies, blood, bullet holes, ammunition casings, and broken windows are all possible signs that someone has met with resistance before, and the area may still be unsafe. Observe from a distance before committing.
Important: Know what you're doing before you do it. Go to the appropriate location to acquire the appropriate items. Never head into a location in the "hopes" of finding what you are looking for. Go where you "know" it will be. Example of what not to do: "let's go in that store, maybe it has some food". You are just setting yourself up for disappointment, and you or other members of your party may react poorly to situations out of desperation.
Method 1: The easy way
Overview
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A Looted Store.
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The procedure for collecting supplies and food depends on many different variables. The first thing to look at is what exactly you are there to get. You should always have a premeditated list of everything you need. You never want to overload yourself or leave with anything you weren't planning on taking. Exactly what you need and how much depends upon your particular situation. There is a wide variety of booty that can be gathered and some different suggestions and tips will be listed later on in this article. The best thing to do is use a backpack. This way, if you do encounter any resistance at the location or while leaving the location you have your hands free to defend yourself.
Step 1: Where are we going?
Once you know what you need, it's just a matter of knowing where to get it. Several stores out there nowadays are all encompassing. Some perfect examples of this are chain stores such as Walmart, and Target. Wholesale clubs such as BJ's, Costco, and Sam's Club, tend to stock everything in existence, and in mass quantity including firearms. It is generally important to know where to go to get what you need. It is common sense in most cases, but don't go looking for building supplies at Bed Bath and Beyond, and don't go looking for Ammunition at Radio Shack. They aren't going to have it.
Step 2: I'm here, now what?
The main factor in gaining access to a location is stealth. You want to go in and out as quickly and quietly as possible. Gathering supplies is an incredibly difficult task when you are being attacked by hordes of zombies. We suggest scouting by day, and raiding by night. Dress in the proper attire as to avoid detection. Remember, you are trying to avoid detection not only by zombies but other survivors as well who may pose an even greater threat. Use little to no light or very low light LEDs as this will have the least impairing effects on your natural night vision. If you have an authentic NVD "Night Vision Device", by all means use it to your advantage. When you arrive at your planned location (hopefully unnoticed) you should have a plan for getting into the building as quietly as possible. For all you cretins out there, that means do not smash windows, kick doors open, or anything of the sort. In the rare case that there isn't already a door or window broken open, the most you should be doing is prying a door open assuming you have no other more quiet means of entering the building. Remember sealed locations may be more trouble than they are worth, and you may choose to find another location to acquire your supplies.
Step 3: Is it safe in here?
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There's a zombie in
that store!
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When you have successfully gained entrance to your location of choice the first thing you should do is check for any zombies that may be inside. If you find yourself terribly outnumbered leave immediately. Fighting indoors in a limited space that you are not familiar with is never a good idea. You always want to use melee weapons in this situation. Unless your life absolutely depends on it, using firearms is only going to give away your position both by sound and muzzle flash. Silenced weapons are of course quiet and have a smaller muzzle flash but any light may put you in danger of attracting some unwanted company. While you're checking the area for undead you always want to be scanning for alternate exits. There is always that chance that you have been seen going into the building and the way you came in is not going to be as friendly on the way out. If you have the extra man power, it is suggested that you post at least on lookout at your point of planned exit. This lookout is responsible for keeping an eye on your escape route and ensuring that you are able to leave the location safely. Once the area is clear of any threat and has been checked out you can proceed to the all-important stage of gathering what you need.
Step 4: Get the Shit
Hopefully you have the common sense to find what you need without much assistance. It's up to you to know what you need and where exactly it will be located. Again, make a point of trying to keep anything you take out of your hands. Use a backpack or something similar. Don't burden yourself trying to carry excess supplies. Take only as much as you can comfortably.
Step 5: Get Out
Once you have what you need you should be good to leave, assuming you had a smooth entrance. Worst-case scenario, you try leaving and find your path blocked by a legion of flesh eaters. If that does happen to you, do not panic. Even small shops should have at least one back door or emergency exit. If it doesn't then you chose a horrible location and you get to be zombie chow. Assuming you had a lookout posted at the exit, this person now has another important job; head count. The lookout should be the last person to leave the location, and is responsible for ensuring that everyone that entered the location safely exited. Think of the lookout as similar to the bus driver on a school trip.
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