join us now on Arma2-the Dayz Mod

If this is your first time playing DayZ, you will die. Just accept it.

Playing DayZ is a lot like making a hardcore character on Diablo, you know it’s only a matter of time before you meet your inevitable end, but you try to prolong that time as long as possible. DayZ is also all about helping other players experience this end before you, by shooting them.

Keep in mind that the mod is still an Alpha, and many features are subject to change on a weekly basis,

GENERAL TIPS and TRICKS:

- Familiarize yourself with the map of Chernarus, it’s pretty huge and it can be easy to get lost when you start playing. Once you become more acquainted with the landmarks and areas you will know where to loot, and where other players like to PvP.

- Learn how to avoid zombies and conserve ammo. Not only can fighting be dangerous without a good weapon, the gunshots WILL alert other players, most of whom will be only too happy to come and take the loot of your dead body.

- Orient yourself with the specific types of buildings and areas that spawn loot. Different buildings will have a higher or lower percentage of spawning different loot types, and some things like Military grade weapons can only be found in specific areas.

- Don’t trust anyone. The decision of trusting other players is entirely up to you, but be warned, unless you know them, chances are they may be looking for the first opportunity to shoot you in the back.

-Don’t be a hero. If you attract attention to yourself with rambo style tactics, you WILL die.

- Once you get the general feel for the game, avoid the South like the plague. Most of the best loot in the game is in the North, with less players that will grief you for a can of beans.

- If you don’t want to die, it’s usually advisable to stay out of Chern, Elektro, Stary Sobor, Balota, and the NW Airfield. These areas are usually full of players, some of which will be hostile.

- Always keep 1 can of food, 1 soda/full waterbottle, morphine, bandages and painkillers on you at all times. Bandages and morphine are especially important.

WEAPONS:

- As a general rule, your sidearm is better for killing zombies and your main weapon is better for fighting off players. This is more because sidearm ammo is easier to find and zombies only take 1 headshot to bring them down.

- Get a feel for which guns are loud and which ones aren’t. Pistols are generally very quiet, except for the Revolver, and most main weapons such as rifles are extremely loud and will attract a lot of attention. As a general rule, always avoid using louder weapons.

- Smoke Grenades can be VERY useful for luring zombies away from an area, or into a bunch. Most zombies will run straight at the smoke. HE Grenades will lay waste to anything in the game, just be careful you don’t kill yourself!

- Ammo is often interchangeable between similar weapons. M16′s and M4′s use the same ammo, all variants of the AK-74 use the same magazines as well. You can also use G17 mags and MP5 mags in a PDW, ect. However, SD (silenced) ammo is the only ammo you can use in silenced weapons.

- Deer Stands are an excellent way of getting military grade weapons without the risk of going into the military areas. Check out the map and hit up as many as you can.

ITEMS:

- A Map and a Compass are essential for navigating around Chernarus, they can usually be found in most high level civilian spawns. Castles such as Rog are usually a great way to get these as well.

- A Hatchet, Hunting Knife, and Matches are excellent to have, since they allow you to kill, gut, and cook animals, which is much easier to do than looting cans of food from zombie infested areas.

- Binoculars are great to have, since you can spend time scoping out a location before moving in, which minimizes the chances of running into hostile players.

- GPS and Night Vision Goggles are both difficult to find, and are arguable the best items in the game.