The ROOTS update for PEAK brings a brand-new, haunting biome totally infested with fungal life — and death. It’s here that scouts can become infected, turning into a zombie if left untreated. One of the new achievements introduced with this update, called the Undead Encounter Badge, challenges you to survive the infection by curing a zombie bite. Here’s how to get bitten, how to cure yourself, and what you’ll earn for doing it.
How to Cure Zombie Bites in PEAK
To cure a zombie bite, you’ll need to consume either a Medicinal Root or a Mandrake — both natural remedies that grow across the ROOTS biome.
These items are easily identifiable:
- Medicinal Root looks like a carrot with leafy greens sprouting from the top.
- Mandrake has a twisted shape and screams if you take too long to eat it.
Once consumed, your Spores meter, which sits next to your stamina bar, will begin to deplete until it’s gone. At that point, you’ve successfully cured the zombie bite and stopped the infection in its tracks.
How to Get Bitten by a Zombie
If you wish to trigger the infection yourself, you’ll want to venture into the ROOTS biome solo. Continue to explore until you encounter The Looker – a gross orange scout covered in fungus.
When the Looker attacks, it’ll bite and infect you, causing your Spores meter to climb. If untreated, the infection will drain your stamina to zero — at which point your scout will turn into one of the infected.
Undead Encounter Badge Reward
Once you have cured your zombie bite, you will automatically receive the Undead Encounter Badge. This adds a new patch to your sash and unlocks the Pumpkin Hat, a cosmetic reward that’s perfect for showing off your survival skills.
| Item/Goal | Effect / Purpose | How to Acquire |
| Medicinal Root | Cures zombie infection | Found throughout the ROOTS biome |
| Mandrake | Cures zombie infection; screams if delayed | Found throughout the ROOTS biome |
| Undead Encounter Badge | Achievement for curing a zombie bite | Eat Medicinal Root or Mandrake while infected |
| Pumpkin Hat | Cosmetic reward | Earned with the badge |
