One of the many different variants of zombies that were created by the zombie plague, this particular zombie is in some ways one of the weakest forms of undead that are found, but at the same time they can be some of the deadliest.

Physically these zombies appear as bloated, grey-skinned creatures. Unlike other zombies that have visible portions of their bodies missing (usually at any rate), these undead monsters appear to be physically intact. They move even more slowly than most other zombies, but still have the same urges as the others. They are always on the hunt for fresh victims to devour. Anyone bitten by the creature will have to save versus poison or become infected by the plague that they carry. One in five who succumbs to the plague will become like they are, the rest will become standard zombies. They will attack via bite or bashing, but only the bite will transmit the plague.

Chris Van Deelen is the author of the Skirmisher Publishing LLC sourcebook Creatures of the Tropical Wastes sourcebook, co-author of its Wisdom from the Wastelands game supplement and contributor to the 'Sword of Kos: Hekaton' Anthology.

No. Enc: 2d4
Alignment: Neutral
Movement: 60’ (20’)
AC: 7
HD: 3
Attacks: 1 bite 2 bashes
Damage: 1d6+2  / 1d4+1 / 1d4+1
Save: L3
Morale: N/A
Hoard Class: None

One of the many different variants of zombies that were created by the zombie plague, this particular zombie is in some ways one of the weakest forms of undead that are found, but at the same time they can be some of the deadliest.

Physically these zombies appear as bloated, grey-skinned creatures. Unlike other zombies that have visible portions of their bodies missing (usually at any rate), these undead monsters appear to be physically intact. They move even more slowly than most other zombies, but still have the same urges as the others. They are always on the hunt for fresh victims to devour. Anyone bitten by the creature will have to save versus poison or become infected by the plague that they carry. One in five who succumbs to the plague will become like they are, the rest will become standard zombies. They will attack via bite or bashing, but only the bite will transmit the plague.

What makes these creatures all that more dangerous is that if they are hit by any slashing or piercing weapons that cause more than six points of damage in a single hit, they will explode. The blast only causes 3d6 points of damage (save against energy for half). This radius of the blast is only twenty feet.

However, the explosion also creates a cloud of toxic fumes that acts as a class 5 poison, and anyone who comes into contact with the cloud must also save against poison a second time or become infected with the zombie plague. A third and final save is required against poison or the victim becomes instantly heavily fatigued and nauseated (see Wisdom from the Wastelands issue 8: Diseases or Wisdom from the Wasteland Issue 38: Radiation Sickness for more information). It should be noted that other rotters are immune to the explosive nature. When one explodes it will not cause a chain reaction, causing any other rotters that are in the blast radius to detonate.

One very strange effect that has been noticed is that sometimes when these creatures encounter other regular zombies, they will seek out and bite them. The toxins that are injected into the recently bitten zombie will then cause a physical transformation that takes place over a period of 3d12 hours. The regular zombie will begin to bloat and take on the characteristics of the rotter and once the transformation is complete, it becomes a rotter.

Another strange phenomenon is that these creatures always seem to travel in packs of no less than two individuals. If a pack drops to below four, they will actively seek out other zombies to replenish their losses. They are the only type of zombies that will actively seek out others and try to infect them a second time.

As if being turned into a zombie was not bad enough already.

Mutations: Toxic weapon

Source: State of Decay video game (2013)