Left 4 Dead special infected counters: Hunter, Smoker, Boomer, Tank and Witch
Quick answers for stopping pins, avoiding vomit and surviving the original infected roster.
Edition covered
The original Left 4 Dead, with its official PC campaigns and updates. Steam header art says Game of the Year Edition. Sequel-only melee weapons, Spitters, Chargers and Jockeys are excluded.
Rescue disabling attacks before doing anything else
A pinned or dragged survivor cannot solve the problem alone. Stop a Hunter or Smoker attack promptly, even if a common horde is nearby. Shove at close range when appropriate, then eliminate the attacker and restore the team’s formation.
| Infected | Threat | Response |
|---|---|---|
| Hunter | Pins one survivor | Free the victim and kill the attacker |
| Smoker | Drags and constricts a survivor | Interrupt the tongue attack |
| Boomer | Vomit draws common infected | Create distance before killing |
| Common infected | Surround and slow movement | Shove, clear a path and keep together |
Keep the Boomer’s splash away from the team
A Boomer’s vomit or nearby death can coat survivors and draw common infected. Push it away before firing if it gets close. If someone is covered, protect that player and control the horde instead of scattering into separate rooms.
| Situation | Team response | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Tank in a corridor | Move to an open retreat route | Getting cornered |
| Tank near a car | Keep away from movable objects | Using the car as cover |
| Witch blocks a route | Look for a wide bypass first | Rushing past without warning |
| Rescue arrives during pressure | Move together and free pinned survivors | Splitting between fighting and escaping |
Give a Tank space and a clear escape loop
Fight a Tank with room to move. Avoid cars and other objects it can launch, and do not back into an unscouted dead end. A Molotov can help, but the group still needs to keep moving and rescue anyone who falls.
Avoid disturbing a Witch unless passage requires it
The Witch announces herself through crying and can often be bypassed. Give her space, reduce avoidable disturbance and warn teammates before rounding a corner. Point-blank shotgun techniques exist, but beginners should not gamble the entire run on a single attempt.
The Witch announces herself through crying and can often be bypassed.
References
| Reference | Website |
|---|---|
| Left 4 Dead — publisher listing | store.steampowered.com |
| Left 4 Dead Wiki: campaigns | left4dead.fandom.com |
| Left 4 Dead Wiki: weapons | left4dead.fandom.com |
| Left 4 Dead Wiki: special infected | left4dead.fandom.com |
| GameFAQs: original Survival mode | gamefaqs.gamespot.com |