Smart Ones and tool usage

[YetAnotherBloodyCheek]

Hi everyone,

I cannot find a suitable explanation why at least the smart ones did not use any prepared tools during the ambush on the colony. This might be just a very minor detail. However, I do not consider Ink's and Randy's was to conquer an intact new fortified colony, their foremost goal seemed to ... umm ... harvest the human ressources inside the colony. Well, but would it have been totally improbable for the smart ones to use simple tools and weapons like Molotow cocktails? In my perspective, the application of these and similar tools would have played a supporting role in conquering the colony. So, what do think, would have the smart ones been able to use these weapons / tools?

[HardKor]

I doubt we're ever going to see the regular zombies using any kind of tools. The regular "biters" have never been shown as smart enough to use any kind of tools and even the so-called "smart ones" have never been anything more than kinda of clever (ex. knowing to take cover in the lobby of the Tower).
The only zombies that have shown any signs of some sort of higher intelligence have been the little ones and Ink, and the little ones don't really need any tools, they're the pinnacle of zombie "evolution," as close to a perfect killing machine as zombies can get.
But we do know (or it's at lease been hinted at) that Ink/TOWTM does use tools. He was around both times the zombies set up ambushes and I'm willing to bet he was the one that moved the cars into position. And then there was that whole workshop in the basement of the hospital with the homemade tattoo gun.

[scbubba]

I doubt we're ever going to see the regular zombies using any kind of tools. The regular "biters" have never been shown as smart enough to use any kind of tools and even the so-called "smart ones" have never been anything more than kinda of clever (ex. knowing to take cover in the lobby of the Tower).
The only zombies that have shown any signs of some sort of higher intelligence have been the little ones and Ink, and the little ones don't really need any tools, they're the pinnacle of zombie "evolution," as close to a perfect killing machine as zombies can get.
But we do know (or it's at lease been hinted at) that Ink/TOWTM does use tools. He was around both times the zombies set up ambushes and I'm willing to bet he was the one that moved the cars into position. And then there was that whole workshop in the basement of the hospital with the homemade tattoo gun.

I agree that most, if not all, Zeds will go "tool-less". One note, you say Ink used tools but we don't actually know that. For all we know, the tattoo work & any other things like that in the Hospital could have been done by captives. We have evidence that Ink can have his minions take captives instead of eating/turning them (the Arena, Failed Tanya kidnapping).

And I think that might actually come back into play before the end....

[nikvoodoo]

I disagree we haven't seen zombies use tools. Datu fell into a trap made by zombies. Regardless of who created the trap, be it TOWTM or smart ones they've created something disguised well enough that humans fell victim to it. If nothing else, smart ones are waiting at the bottom of the trap to take Datu to the arena. I may be stretching but I'd say that's making use of a tool.

[Cabbage Patch]

I wondered who lit the fires that Datu reported burning in the Arena.

[YetAnotherBloodyCheek]

I like to add that my question originated from playing Don't Starve, which is a quite an interesting survival game. The bottom line of this game is "If you can't beat it, burn it." That is why I mentioned Molotow cocktails. Does Ink really need the intact colony or just the people inside? Especially now, as there are in my opinion enough personnel available to operate the security measures which were installed to protect the colony. Can the watching posts and the other neuralgic defensive measures be run by what is left in the colony?

[LiamKerrington]

I disagree we haven't seen zombies use tools. Datu fell into a trap made by zombies. Regardless of who created the trap, be it TOWTM or smart ones they've created something disguised well enough that humans fell victim to it. If nothing else, smart ones are waiting at the bottom of the trap to take Datu to the arena. I may be stretching but I'd say that's making use of a tool.

This. And don'T forget: They drove cars to create ambush sites ...
Also remember the zombie which started using the rope spanned between The Tower und dhe neighbouring building in order to get to The Tower. Ok, this may not apply as a tool in a classical sense - but technically ... a tool, granted: prepared by humans.

So Smart Ones and tools ... Yes, is established on the show. But probably (certainly?) not so much for regulars.

Best wishes!
Liam

[Witch_Doctor]

I wondered who lit the fires that Datu reported burning in the Arena.

Martin says that one lits them and others just moved them around. I have an idea who, but the question still stands.

[Witch_Doctor]

I agree that most, if not all, Zeds will go "tool-less". One note, you say Ink used tools but we don't actually know that. For all we know, the tattoo work & any other things like that in the Hospital could have been done by captives. We have evidence that Ink can have his minions take captives instead of eating/turning them (the Arena, Failed Tanya kidnapping).

And I think that might actually come back into play before the end....

I disagree we haven't seen zombies use tools. Datu fell into a trap made by zombies. Regardless of who created the trap, be it TOWTM or smart ones they've created something disguised well enough that humans fell victim to it. If nothing else, smart ones are waiting at the bottom of the trap to take Datu to the arena. I may be stretching but I'd say that's making use of a tool.

Manipulations objects, manipulation others. Sounds tool-like to me.

[YetAnotherBloodyCheek]

Yeah, I concur to all replies thus far. However, why has there been this "bruce force" attack on the colony? Where was the cunning strategy in order to minimize zombie losses? Bottom line, are the smart ones just not so smart? Are are they only intelligent yet not creative? Or they are simply drones who have to rely on a orchestrating boss like Ink / Randy?