Mickey Wilkerson is the oldest of the Wilkerson brothers, but despite his seniority, he is also the most hot-headed. He is highly territorial and does not take kindly to strangers approaching the Wilkerson Farm. Known for his short temper and aggressive nature, Mickey is quick to resort to brute force to assert dominance and make it clear that he is not to be trifled with.
Though his redneck attitude remains a prominent aspect of his character, Mickey has been shown to express compassion on certain occasions. For instance, during a mission where the player is tasked with escorting a survivor home after he has been roughed up by the brothers for not being able to keep up their deal, Mickey calmly reminds the player to make sure he gets home safe. It is then further revealed by the survivor that Mickey was the one who actually called off the beating, holding back Job when the latter wanted to continue with the punishment.
“Back in the day, my family basically ran this whole valley. My brother Job had a sayin' he liked to use when folks, uh, 'complained.' 'The meek only get to inherit the Earth only when I'm good and done with it.'”
Roughly a year later, Mickey is still alive and plays a role in several missions in Trumbull Valley alongside a small group of survivors, including Ursula Hoffmann and Isabella Reyes. However, his family has completely fallen apart.
After driving accross the bridge to the Ranger Station, Mickey spots the player and communicates harshly over the radio. Despite his hostility, Doctor Hoffmann reassures him that they’ll be fine and that their help is needed for an important project. While Mickey is suspicious of newcomers, Hoffmann assures him that Isabella carefully vets everyone who enters Trumbull Valley and has deemed them trustworthy.
Upon meeting Mickey, Hoffmann, and Isabella, the player is asked to assist in retrieving a CLEO device from a military factory. Begrudgingly, Mickey is sent along, as he knows Trumbull Valley better than anyone, having lived there for a long time. After successfully completing the mission, Mickey acknowledges the player’s competence and mentions that he might have more work for them later.
At one point, Mickey overhears Lily Ritter contacting Ray Santos over the radio. Hoping to reconnect, he decides to reach out to her. However, Lily immediately shuts him down, making it clear she wants nothing to do with him.
She coldly tells him she doesn't want to hear from him and sarcastically suggests he "go rob somebody or something", a sharp reminder of the Wilkerson family's reputation and the sins of his past.
The Wilkerson Reckoning: Homestead
Some time later, Mickey reaches out to the player for aid, but makes it clear he doesn’t actually need help, just that their group of survivors "seem like all right folks." After meeting him at the Old Sawmill, Mickey explains that he needs to gather supplies to keep "the nerds" at the Ranger Station working. He suggests searching his old home, the Wilkerson Ranch and wants to recover some of his personal belongings and supplies.
On the way to the Wilkerson Ranch, Mikey suggests taking a shortcut through the hills, mentioning his late brother, Job Wilkerson. He recalls how his family once controlled Trumbull Valley and repeats one of Job’s favorite sayings:
"The meek only get to inherit the Earth when I’m good and done with it."
Before reaching the ranch, Mikey remembers an old family stash nearby and suggests a detour. He explains that the Wilkersons kept hidden caches all over the valley, and this one might still have something useful. Behind some rocks, tucked inside an wheelbarrow, they uncover a few bottles of Wilkerson Private Reserve, some luxury alcohol, and Eli’s Mighty Socket Wrench, a relic of Eli Wilkerson.
As they near the ranch, the player asks Mikey why he left. He explains that the Army bombed the place, destroying everything. Many of his kin grew up on that land, but now it’s just a ruin. When asked why the military attacked, Mikey suggests it was because the Wilkersons had run Trumbull Valley for so long, and the Army didn’t like sharing. He also speculates that his Aunt Nat wouldn’t have let them take the land without a fight.
Arriving at the ranch, Mikey takes in the devastation. His old home is nothing more than a burnt-out shell. But something seems off. He notices that the military vehicles at the site are transport trucks, not assault vehicles, and suggests they take a closer look. After fighting off a horde of zombies, some still in military gear, Mikey begins piecing things together. He notices that the military trucks are riddled with bullets, but there are no shell casings, meaning the Army didn’t fire back.
Searching the bodies of the soldiers, they uncover official orders stating: "Peacefully detain Nat Wilkerson, ringleader of the Wilkerson gang. Violence is to be avoided at all costs." Mikey is confused, they weren’t sent here to destroy the ranch, but to capture Nat alive. He knows something isn’t right.
The player searches the ruins of the house, finding little left, until they discover a page from Nat Wilkerson’s journal. It describes a massive explosive trap she had set up, designed to kill anyone who tried to enter the ranch. A chilling note reads: "I’ll wipe this place out before I let those traitors set one foot inside my house."*
Mikey stares at the journal in disbelief. He knew his aunt was tough, but this? This was something else entirely. The revelation hits him hard. The Army didn’t destroy his home... his own family did.
When asked if he’s okay, Mikey lashes out, saying he once wore the Wilkerson name like armor, proud of what it meant. But now? That name had cost him his brothers, his daughter, and his entire family. Frustrated and disillusioned, he tells the player to take whatever they can find, he can’t stay here any longer. Without another word, he walks away, leaving the player behind to scavenge what remains as the mission comes to an end.
Unlocking the Character[]
In Breakdown, Mickey Wilkerson can be unlocked from level 4, by scoring 25 headshot streaks.
Special: Sharpshooting[]
After the player completes the mission Nervous Survivor, the radio command Sharpshooting is unlocked. In the DLC Breakdown, having Mickey Wilkerson in the community gives access to this radio command.
Missions involving the character[]
State of Decay 2: Homecoming:[]
The Wilkerson Reckoning: Homestead
The Wilkerson Reckoning: Buried treasures
The Wilkerson Reckoning: Memories
The Wilkerson Reckoning: A new coalition
Notes[]
Mickey Wilkerson
Mickey can be seen as the brawns instead of brains of the Wilkerson "operation/business." He can seem over-confident with his abilities, although this is easily understood with his impressive skills with firearms.
When the Wilkerson's inventory has new items, Mickey is heard on the radio telling the player that they just so "happened to find" some military grade weapons.
Mickey makes an appearance in the DLC Heartland for the sequel game State of decay 2.
Mickey Wilkerson potrait in State of Decay 2: Heartland DLC
Mickey Wilkerson appearance in State of Decay 2: Heartland DLC
