For the 286 collectibles throughout the story, check near where survivors made their last stand since that's where most artifacts end up. Each seattle zone has collectibles tucked away in stores and buildings, with playing cards usually showing up in entertainment spots and kids' rooms. Starting in jackson, work through each days 1-3 section methodically, since items follow a pretty logical pattern - safes in secure areas, workbenches where maintenance happened, artifacts where story moments occurred.

The trick is looking for side paths and optional rooms, that's where the good stuff hides. Might be interesting to know coins often get stashed in cash registers or countertops while trading cards end up in lockers and bedrooms. When exploring, keep an eye out for supplements and parts near workbenches, since those spots usually have multiple collectibles grouped together.

Going room by room pays off better than rushing through, especially in commercial districts where items get scattered behind counters and on shelves. For upgrades and parts, maintenance areas and garages are your best bet since that's where survivors would've worked on equipment. Just remember to circle back to locked areas once you've found the right tools - some collectibles need specific items to access.