MythBusters · Video summary
Is An Axe Or a Gun More Effective Against a Zombie Horde?| MythBusters
MythBusters tackles the zombie apocalypse, testing which weapon is more effective against the undead: an axe or a gun. They also investigate whether a zombie horde can collectively break down a barricaded door.
Watch on YouTube ↗Key takeaways
- 🛡️Plastic face protectors and paintball guns were used to simulate headshots without harming the zombie volunteers.01:22
- 🪓The axe was found to be twice as effective as a gun in close-quarters combat against a zombie horde due to faster 'reload' time and broader impact.01:51
- 🧟♂️Michael Rooker, known as Merle Dixon from 'The Walking Dead', provided expert coaching on realistic zombie behavior for the volunteers.06:27
- 🧠The MythBusters confirmed that while zombies don't communicate, their common instinct for brains leads to collective action, which can be a significant force.14:45
- ♻️Corrugated sewer pipes were used as chest protectors for the zombie volunteers to safely measure the force exerted during the door-breaking experiment.16:58
- 🚪A well-constructed and properly reinforced door can withstand the collective, uncoordinated force of a zombie horde, debunking a common movie trope.26:27
Chapters
- 0:00Introduction to Zombie Myths
- 0:29Axe vs. Gun: Weapon Choice
- 0:53Preparing for the Zombie Test
- 3:30Adam's Axe Preparation
- 5:04Setting Up the Zombie Arena
- 7:13Zombie Rules and Expert Advice
- 11:58Axe vs. Gun: The Test Begins
- 23:52Zombie Horde Door Test Introduction
- 25:34Door Test Preparation and Safety
- 30:24Zombie Horde Door Test 1
- 35:04Zombie Horde Door Test 2
- 40:13Zombie Horde Door Test 3 (Final)
The digest
The zombie apocalypse is a staple of horror, but how much of the survivalist lore holds up to scientific scrutiny? The MythBusters team, Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman, put popular zombie movie tropes to the test, from weapon efficacy to the collective power of a horde.
Axe vs. Gun: The Ultimate Zombie Slayer?
In the grim reality of a zombie outbreak, choosing the right weapon is paramount. Conventional wisdom might lean towards firearms for their range and stopping power. However, a persistent myth suggests that a melee weapon, specifically an axe, is the superior choice. To settle this debate, Adam and Jamie devised a head-to-head challenge. They recruited 100 dedicated MythBusters fans, transformed into a shuffling, groaning zombie horde, and equipped them with protective gear. Adam wielded a custom-made, foam-padded axe that splattered green paint on impact, while Jamie opted for a paintball gun, aiming for headshots—the only fictional way to dispatch a fictional zombie. The arena was a vast, abandoned warehouse, marked with a 'human zone' for the MythBusters and a 'zombie zone' for the advancing undead. The rules were simple: engage the zombies only once they crossed the line of demarcation. Adam, with his axe, managed to take down 14 zombies on average across two rounds. Jamie's initial attempt with a single-action handgun proved less effective, only dispatching six zombies before being overwhelmed. Even with a pump-action paintball rifle and increased ammunition in a second round, Jamie's kill count remained significantly lower. The verdict was clear: the axe, with its faster 'reload' time and broader strike area, proved twice as effective as the gun in a close-quarters, horde-like scenario.
Keep reading in The Digest
The full 3-minute article, 2 more sections, and every new episode from MythBusters and the creators you follow.
- The Collective Power of the Horde
- Zombie Behavior and Survival Tactics
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