Sheet Rope
rope
Hung from a window to descend from floor 2+. Your emergency exit when the ground floor falls.
Variants
| Variant | Tier | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Sheet Rope | — | — |
About the sheet rope
A sheet rope is a climbable line tied to an upper-floor window that lets your survivor descend to the ground without using the stairs. In base design it's the standard emergency exit for a second-story safehouse, giving you a way down and out when zombies have breached the ground floor or blocked your usual route.
Placement & defense tips
- ▸Anchor a sheet rope on the side of the building away from the main horde approach, ideally over a fenced yard or quiet alley, so you don't climb down into danger.
- ▸Keep the window the rope hangs from free of full barricades or metal bars, since you need to be able to climb out of it.
- ▸Add a second sheet rope on a different face of the building so a breach on one side doesn't trap you with only a dangerous descent.
- ▸On a true second-floor fortress where you destroy the stairs, the sheet rope becomes your only way down, so verify it's solidly attached before relying on it.
- ▸Place a sleeping spot and key supplies near the rope window so a panic exit doesn't require crossing the whole floor.
Choosing a variant
- ▸There's a single sheet-rope type, but you generally need sheets plus a means to secure it, so stockpile spare sheets so you can re-rig escape routes at new bases.
- ▸Because the rope itself is your lifeline, favor anchoring it at windows over quiet ground rather than putting it where it looks neat but drops into a crowd.
Common mistakes
- ✕Barring or fully barricading the very window the sheet rope hangs from, making it unusable in an emergency.
- ✕Having only one rope, so a zombie crowd directly below your single exit leaves you stuck upstairs.
- ✕Forgetting to climb down can cost time and stamina, so panicking and jumping or fighting through the stairs instead of using the rope you built.
Frequently asked
How far down can a sheet rope reach?
A sheet rope lets you descend the height of the floor it's attached to; for taller buildings you chain ropes between floors. Each segment hangs from its own window.
Can zombies climb up a sheet rope?
Zombies do not climb sheet ropes, so the rope itself is safe. The risk is the zombies waiting at the bottom when you reach the ground.
Do I need both hands free to use a sheet rope?
Climbing works best when you're not overloaded and not exhausted, since low stamina or heavy weight makes climbing slower and riskier. Keep your exit window clear and your character rested for emergencies.