In the post-apocalyptic world of Project Zomboid, experience is something that you need to farm and actively seek out. You need to enhance many skills, so finding alternative sources of EXP is quite troublesome. Fortunately, there was a reasonably easy way of getting experience in Carpentry, Fishing, and Cooking at the outbreak’s start. The television is a great passive way of leveling these talents as long as you take advantage of the early days of the apocalypse.
The Television in Project Zomboid
There is little technology you can utilize during the early days of Project Zomboid, and one of the very first things you need to do is level up some of the most basic but essential skills. During the first nine days of the outbreak, you can still use the television and gain EXP from watching various helpful channels.
Depending on the time of the day, you can watch three different educational channels, which will reward you with decent experience for selected skills if you are looking for a reliable way to reach level three in Cooking and Carpentry. You can also gain a bit of progression in Fishing, Farming, Foraging, and Trapping.
The TV Channels
Several channels are available for viewing on the TV, but only one is relevant for upgrading your skills. Of the five choices, only Life and Living TV will provide you with EXP for watching it at certain times of the day. The others are generic news channels or provide more information about the game. They can help alleviate some of the status ailments afflicting your character. Here are the remaining channels you can check on the television in Project Zomboid:
- Triple-N
- WBLN News
- Turbo
- PawsTV
TV Schedule
If you want to gain experience via TV, you should know the scheduling of the channels. There will be different educational shows on specific time slots, so you must ensure you get it if you want to progress in a particular skill. Here is the 8-day schedule for the television:
Day One
- 12 AM – Fishing (75 XP)
- 6 AM – Cooking (12.5 XP)
- 12 PM – Carpentry (75 XP)
- 6 AM – Fishing (75 XP)
Day Two
- 6 AM – Cooking (75 XP)
- 12 PM – Carpentry (75 XP)
- 6 AM – Farming (75 XP)
Day Three
- 6 AM – Cooking (75 XP)
- 12 PM – Carpentry (100 XP)
- 6 AM – Fishing (75 XP)
Day Four
- 6 AM – Cooking (87.5 XP)
- 12 PM – Carpentry (75 XP)
Day Five
- 6 AM – Cooking (75 XP)
- 12 PM – Carpentry (112.5 XP)
- 6 AM – Foraging (50 XP)
Day Six
- 6 AM – Cooking (62.5 XP)
- 12 PM – Carpentry (100 XP)
- 6 AM – Foraging (112.5 XP)
Day Seven
- 6 AM – Cooking (87.5 XP)
- 12 PM – Carpentry (112.5 XP)
- 6 AM – Foraging (100 XP)
Day Eight
- 6 AM – Cooking (125 XP)
- 12 PM – Carpentry (37.5 XP)
Day Nine
TV Broadcasting lasts only until 6 AM on Day Nine. Afterward, there will be a total media blackout, and players can no longer access the educational channels. The most notable thing about this is that the TV focuses more on Cooking and Carpentry. You can reach level three of both skills just by watching. The cable features different educational channels that will provide XP for various fields, which changes depending on the day.
How to Use the TV in Project Zomboid
Fortunately for players, operating the television is as easy as flipping a switch. After you turn on the TV, you can choose different options via the control panel. You can use the controls to on/off the appliance to see if there is power. In addition, you can adjust the TV’s volume or mute it entirely to avoid attracting hordes since loud sounds can invite unwanted attention from zombies.
The last option allows players to tune in to the channel they want to watch. It should be noted that all of these actions take time to finish as there is an animation while performing the tasks. Interrupting the sequence might abandon the effort you are trying to accomplish.
Things to Remember:
- Traits will affect how strongly you are influenced by watching the Life and Living TV channel. For example, Slow Learner would reduce the amount of EXP you gain, while Fast Learner would significantly increase it.
- Watching the educational channel at too high a volume or living it on after you are finished watching will attract a horde of zombies. Make sure to lower the volume or turn off the TV after using it.
- After nine days, you can no longer watch anything on TV that would be helpful for you. However, you can still improve your skills by reading or engaging in activities related to particular fields.