With recent updates to Zero Sievert, the game’s skill systems have received a major overhaul that rewards your playstyle and gives you the tools to create specialized builds. Whether you’re a stealth sniper, a radiation-resistant explorer, or a full-auto maniac, the new Weapon Skill System and Hunter Perk System allow for deep customization and progression.

In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how both systems work, what they unlock, and which perks are worth grabbing.

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Weapon Skill System: Mastery Through Use

Introduced in Patch 0.52 and carried into 1.0, the Weapon Skill System levels up your proficiency with specific weapon types based on your in-game usage. The more you use a weapon category, the more effective you become with it.

Weapon Categories:

• Pistols
• Submachine Guns (SMGs)
• Shotguns
• Assault Rifles
• Designated Marksman Rifles (DMRs)
• Sniper Rifles

As you gain experience with a category, several stats improve depending on the weapon type. These can include:

• Reload speed
• Ergonomics
• Minimum range
• Recoil control
• Damage

At specific skill intervals (marked in yellow/gold on the skill bar), you’ll unlock perk points that can be spent on weapon-specific bonuses.

Note: Pistols, SMGs, Shotguns, and DMRs have four perk slots. Assault Rifles and Sniper Rifles have three.

Top Weapon Perks to Consider:

• Armor No Problem: +20% chance for shots to penetrate armor. Perfect for fighting tough enemies like Kiba.
• Prolonged Vision: Damaging an enemy makes them visible through barriers for 2 seconds—a huge tactical advantage when tracking enemies who retreat.
• Suppressive Fire: +15% damage when shooting full-auto for more than half a second. Excellent for aggressive, high-volume assault rifle builds.

Unique Perk Example:

• Reload Artist: Double Barrel (Shotguns only): Allows reloading both shells at once instead of one at a time. Great quality-of-life improvement.

💡 Perk Flexibility: You can swap out weapon perks freely while in the bunker. Just click the one you want to change—it replaces the old one instantly. No respec cost, no penalty.

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Hunter Perk System: Customize Your Hunter

While the Weapon Skill System improves your combat with specific weapons, the Hunter Perk System offers global enhancements that affect your movement, survivability, looting, healing, and more.

How It Works:

• Gain XP from kills, quests, and other activities.
• Leveling up grants you 1 perk point.
• Perks are divided into three tiers:
  • Tier 1: Choose 3 perks
  • Tier 2: Unlocks after tier 1 is full; choose 4 perks
  • Tier 3: Final tier; choose 3 perks

Total: 10 perks out of 21 available.

⚠️ Once you move past a tier, you can’t go back and choose more perks from earlier tiers. Choose wisely!

Tier 1 Example – Early Game

• Stalker:
  • -50% radiation absorption
  • -30% damage from anomalies
  • Great for aggressive players who sprint and don’t always spot hazards

Tier 2 Example – Mid Game

• Loot Goblin:
  • +50% looting speed
  • Reduces the time you’re exposed while searching containers
  • Also means more time fighting, less time menu-surfing

Tier 3 Example – Late Game

• Field Medic:
  • -50% med usage time
  • An absolute lifesaver in clutch moments when you need to heal mid-fight

📌 In-Raid Perk Application: If you level up during a raid, you can apply new perks on the fly via your PDA.

Respec Anytime (In Bunker)

• Open the Perks page on your PDA
• Click Reset in the bottom left corner
• Respec is free and unlimited

This makes it easy to tailor your build to your next mission, experiment with different styles, or fix a mistake.

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Final Thoughts

The addition of weapon-specific skills and Hunter-level perks massively expands the depth of Zero Sievert’s progression systems. These tools let you:

• Improve performance with your favorite weapons
• Tailor your character to your playstyle
• Adapt builds for different zones, bosses, or events

Whether you’re planning to tear through enemies with full-auto rifles or play carefully with radiation-resistance perks, these systems allow you to create a uniquely powerful Hunter.

Experiment, respec, and build your perfect wasteland survivor. And remember—every raid is an opportunity to level up.

Stay sharp out there, and happy hunting!