How to Cure a Zombie Bite in PEAK and Earn the Undead Encounter Badge

The latest ROOTS update for PEAK transforms its lush mountain biomes into a spore-ridden nightmare, introducing zombie-infected scouts and one of the most chilling new achievements yet — the Undead Encounter Badge. This guide explains exactly how to survive a zombie bite, where to find the cure, and how to unlock the badge (and its exclusive Pumpkin Hat reward).

In the ROOTS biome, zombies replace the usual friendly explorers with fungus-covered “Lookers” — orange scouts turned hostile by spores. When they bite you, a Spores meter appears beside your stamina bar, steadily increasing as the infection spreads. If the meter fills up and your stamina runs out, you’ll turn into one of them.

How to Get Bitten by a Zombie in PEAK (Safely)

If you’re aiming to unlock the badge, you’ll need to deliberately get infected. Zombies spawn primarily in Level 02 of the ROOTS biome and can be found lying motionless until you get too close. The moment you approach, they’ll lunge and bite.

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Once bitten, keep an eye on your Spores meter — that’s your infection timer. You’ll need to locate a cure before the meter maxes out or before your stamina drains completely. After that point, you can’t be saved, and your run will end.

How to Find the Cure for a Zombie Bite in PEAK

The good news is, PEAK offers several ways to counter the infection before it takes over:

1. Medicinal Root

Your most reliable option. It’s a common ground plant in the ROOTS biome, looking like a carrot with green leaves on top. Consuming it instantly cures your infection and halts the Spores meter.

2. Mandrake

Another potent cure that works just as well but comes with a twist — it screams when eaten. You’ll find it in similar spots to the Medicinal Root, but grab it quickly before it starts wailing.

3. Cure-All

If you’ve been carrying a Cure-All, it removes all negative status effects, including the zombie bite. It’s an instant fix for players who prefer to play safe.

4. Antidote

Acts as a secondary treatment option, working much like the Cure-All. It’s rare but can appear in the later stages of your expedition.

5. Red Shroomberries (Conditional)

The ROOTS update also added color-based Shroomberries with shifting effects per map. The Red Shroomberry can cure zombie infection — though developers may rotate this effect in future patches.

Once you consume any of these curatives, the Spores meter will drop to zero, signifying you’ve survived the infection.

How to Earn the Undead Encounter Badge in PEAK

As soon as you’ve cured yourself after being bitten, you’ll unlock the Undead Encounter Badge. It appears on your scout’s sash under Achievements → Accolades → ROOTS.

Badge Criteria: Cure yourself from a zombie bite
Reward: Pumpkin Hat cosmetic

This badge not only marks your survival but also adds a seasonal flair to your scout outfit — a pumpkin-themed hat to commemorate your close brush with undeath.

Avoid These Mistakes When Fighting the Infection

• No Cure After Transformation: Once a player turns fully into a zombie, they’re considered dead and cannot be revived or cured.
• Spores Spread Fast: The infection accelerates as stamina drops, so prioritize curing yourself early.
• Solo Tip: If you’re playing alone, don’t linger in combat — cure immediately to avoid permanent infection.

Curing a zombie bite in PEAK isn’t just about survival — it’s a rite of passage in the ROOTS expansion. Between hunting Medicinal Roots, dodging Lookers, and watching your Spores meter tick upward, this challenge captures PEAK’s blend of exploration and risk perfectly.

Related Guides You Might Like:

• PEAK Scorpions Guide: How to Avoid Poison and Cook Them for Food
• How to Use the Scout Cannon Glitch in Peak for Quick Speedruns
• PEAK All Cosmetics and How to Get Them: Outfits, Hats & Facial Features
• PEAK Looker Guide: Who the Looker Is, Where to Find It, and Lore Explained
• PEAK Scout Cannon Glitch Guide: How to Fly, Skip Levels, and Get the Speed Climber Badge
• How to Get and Use the Parasol in PEAK – Location, Uses & Tips

Complete it once, and you’ll walk away with not just your life, but the Undead Encounter Badge and its eerie Pumpkin Hat — proof that even in PEAK’s fungal apocalypse, you kept your head. Play Now!