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I've managed to install the ARMA2/CO mod DayZ and play around in it but I'm always dead in a matter of minutes because I run into some zombies without anything to defend myself with.

The official beginners guide explains the controls thoroughly, but it doesn't explain much about how I should start playing the game without getting killed.

Supplies seem to be a bit of a catch-22 in DayZ. I've heard that I should stay away from buildings and roads because those are frequent zombie locations (I've experienced it too, it's the truth) but I've also read that supplies are found there. What are some tactics for finding supplies without running into zombies?

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In an effort to avoid asking my own question which will surely be considered a duplicate of this one... Is it possible to loot stuff from downed zombies? =D –  Fluttershy Jul 23 '12 at 19:27
Yes, but typically military zombies are the only zombies worth looting. Sometimes you get lucky and find food, but mostly tin cans. –  Domocus Jul 23 '12 at 19:31
mimicking Clippy You seem to be asking two questions in one. Could you make it more clear what you really want to know? –  DrFish Jul 25 '12 at 10:19

2 Answers 2

up vote 10 down vote accepted

Finding Supplies

Early on, there are two main types of locations you should rely on for supplies: Barns and the coastal cities.

  • Barns: Barns will normally only have a small number of zombies, and will normally contain a shotgun and some ammo. There are quite a few of them spread around the map, including near the coast where you spawn. Since they are also located in the woods you are also less likely to run across other players, which can make them a lot safer than cities most of the time.

    The problem with barns is that if there are a sizable amount of zombies around one it can be very hard to impossible to get inside. Either way it's going to be a slow process. The key is to first observe the entire area, look for any opens, and slowly make your way through, only moving when you're certain it's safe to do so.

  • Deer stands: Deer stands are relatively safe and have a good chance of giving you a good primary weapon and/or ammo. And since they are often isolated and with their backs to forrests, they can be looted quite securely, with only 2-3 zombies around.

  • Cities: The coastal cities (Chernogorsk, Elektrozavodsk, and Berezino) have a better chance of spawning supplies than Barns, but also contain more zombies, making it much more dangerous and difficult to navigate through. They also tend to be a hotspot for other players (especially bandits), so there's a greater chance of you getting attacked by other players. This also means there is more competition for supplies and you're more likely to just miss out on weapons which another player grabbed just shortly before you.

Avoid Getting Caught

There are a few things you should do (and avoid doing) in order to maximize your chances of survival, whether or not you have a weapon:

  • Stick to the Woods: Zombies (at least currently) don't spawn in the woods. They will only get there by following another player. Due to this you're very unlikely to come across zombies in the woods, making the woods a much safer option than traveling on the streets and through every random town you come across.

    The woods also offers additional protection from other players, and for a few reasons. The first reason is that it's harder for players to see you due to all the trees and bushes. When players do find you it's also easier hide from them for the same reason. The size of the woods also makes it less likely for you come across other players, and also escape when you come across them. If you're running down the middle of the road then you're going to bump into everyone else running across that road.

  • Move Silently and Slowly: The quickest way to get caught, either by zombies or players, is sprinting through every city at full speed. When you're exploring a town or a city you need to move slowly, by moving while either crouched or prone. This makes you harder to see and harder to hear. Something else to take note of is that zombies have better vision than they do hearing, so crouch running is actually a fairly safe and efficient way to travel.

  • Be Aware of Your Surroundings: No matter how slowly you're moving, if you're not paying attention to what's around you you're going to die. Before crossing openings or entering building stop, look, and listen. Never proceed forward until you're certain it's safe to do so.

  • Use Quiet Weapons: When you finally do acquire some weapons, you'll want to get your hands on some silent ones. These are ideal for picking off lone zombies in order to avoid attracting a hoard. The best weapons for stealth kills as of now are the Crossbow and the Axe.

  • Lure Zombies into Buildings: You may have noticed this already, but zombies won't run inside of building. This makes buildings the ideal way to deal with or escape zombies. If you're able to defend yourself, then it will give you more time to attack them before they reach you. If you're unarmed, then luring them through a building will slow them down, allowing you to put more distance between you and them.

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Avoid getting caught was quite nice-to-have, but your answer covers the necessary bases. –  DrFish Jul 25 '12 at 10:17

Day Z is definitely a game of experience. That said, it will take awhile to learn all the little tricks.

As a survivor in Day Z, maps play an extremely important role. This map (http://dayzdb.com/map) will show looting locations, as well as vehicle spawns, and can be used to navigate throughout Chernarus by using landmarks.

Looting: Stick to Barns/Residential Locations/Deer Stands while beginning your looting trips. These will provide weapons and even food/water. By sticking to smaller cities and heading north, you will typically avoid player contact completely. Before heading north, however, make sure you have a decent amount of water and food. Speed runs (also deemed suicide runs) into Cherno/Elektro can net you a decent amount of equipment, including the invaluable Map, GPS, Matches, Hunting Knife.

Note: If you have a map, you can Shift+Left Click to set a waypoint. This will show you the direction and distance from the target. This doesn't work on all servers, however.

Prepare to die. A lot. It's a steep learning curve to go from beginner to expert, but it's noticeable when you start to progress.

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If you set a waypoint it is available to every other player with a map. So be careful where you put them... –  Sir Ksilem Jan 6 at 10:18

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