A wise gym coach once said, “the best defense is a strong offense.” He may have been talking about dodgeball, but coach’s words also provide some profound survival wisdom. When making your way through the world after the fall of man and the rise of the dead, the last thing you want to do is let the zombies back you into a corner. Aside from stockpiling food rations, one of the best things you can do in preparation for the end of times is to hone in on your zombie killing abilities.

While it might be tempting to think that you’ll be blowing brainless monsters to kingdom come with automatic weapons, It’s not a wise move to be dependent on firearms for zombie protection during the end of days. Since ammunition supplies during the apocalypse will be limited, you can be sure the growing zombie population will outlast your supply of bullets - it will only be a matter of time before your guns can only be used as bludgeons.

While it won’t hurt to have a few guns in your armory, to ready yourself for a lifetime of post-apocalyptic battle, you will also need tools for ongoing zombie killing. Here are 3 must-haves for end-of-the-world weaponry:

1. Crossbow - Unlike a gun’s bullets, crossbow ammunition can be reused ad infinitum. Once the kill shot is fired through an undead aggressor, simply retrieve the arrow and return it to your quiver for future zombie hunts. Crossbows, like guns, are great for slaying zombies from a distance, allow you to to protect the homefront without the risks of hand-to-hand combat.

2. Axe - When venture out of camp to find food and supplies, arm yourself with an axe in case you bump into any walkers along the way. A staple tool for your melee weapon collection, axes are perfect for dealing a death blow in hand-to-hand zombie combat. Also great for throwing, axes can be a lifesaver without having to get up close and personal to hungry zombies.

3. Machete - Zombies often travel in packs, and often the only way to clear a path through their rotting flesh is to chop through them like blades of grass. That’s where your machete comes in - properly arming you to take a stand against the undead masses.

When building your weapon collection for the dawn of the dead, the more the merrier! Stocking up on axes, swords, and arrows is easy with affordable apocalypse gear from Armory Replicas. Unlike gym class, if you find yourself backed up against the wall by a bunch of zombies, you’ll be prepared to fight your way out. Just remember, aim for the head!