With so many zombie survival games out there, there's bound to be one that offers a refreshing and realistic take on the zombie apocalypse. This is where DayZ truly excels as a game, especially with the survival aspects of the game.
Rarely do you see a video game that lets you live the life of a normal person amidst the zombie apocalypse. There are so many factors that contribute to your demise in the game apart from getting torn apart by zombies, and this can be quite daunting for new players.
New players are often vulnerable, and it can be frustrating to play the game if you get killed a few seconds after spawning. Here are some beginner tips that you can apply to the game to help you survive the first few hours when playing.
- Get Used To Dying A Lot
- The Hunger Games
- Understand How Zombies Move
- People Are The Worst
Get Used To Dying A Lot
If there is one thing that new players need to know and get used to in playing DayZ, and that is that you are going to die a lot, and then you will die even more. DayZ is one of the most hostile and most challenging zombie survival games that you can play.
There are also many ways that you can die in this game, but the most common method is getting ripped apart by zombies. Getting killed in this game means you also get your loot stolen by other players, so be sure to learn how to detach yourself from using the same weapon and items repeatedly.
Many new players always want to attack the first zombie that they can see, but it is wiser for you to just run around them if you can and save your energy for later.
With so many objectives in the game, it can be very easy to get wrapped up in the game, which can cloud your judgment. Again, be prepared to die a lot, so condition your mind.
Learn How To Start A Fire
Fire is everything in this game. Fire gives you warmth at night when it is cold, and it can also be instrumental to exploration and combat. You also cook your food when you have a nice fire going.
Many players might think that starting a fire in this game is pretty easy; they are not wrong. There are many ways to start a fire in this game, but you shouldn't always rely on your matches to create one.
One of the most basic methods is also used in prehistoric times - striking two stones to create sparks and then fire. Gather sticks and tree bark from the area around you and start building a fire using this method. Master this technique in building a fire, and you should be fine for the rest of the game.
The Hunger Games
Now that you have learned how to start a fire, it is time to learn how to gather food and cook them. Starvation is one of the most prevalent causes of death from new players in DayZ.
Often, new players are too afraid to go out in the open for fear of getting shot by other players or getting eaten by the zombies. However, hunger can be resolved by eating food, and food can be found everywhere.
All you need to do is look closely around you, and you will find something to eat. Check out the nearest greenhouse around you and see if there are some plants or trees that bear fruit.
You can fend off your hunger by eating fruits, but once you have enough energy, it is always best to hunt for meat to keep your hunger at bay. And no, human and zombie meat does not count.
Treat Infection with Food
DayZ functions much like in real life, where you also feel hungry or thirsty, and sometimes, you also get sick. Getting sick is something that you should always be careful with as it can lead to death if you just let the infection fester.
The best way to approach an infection is by eating food and drinking water. Keeping yourself healthy through multivitamins is also an excellent way to fend off the infection. You can find most of these items by scavenging around medical buildings or in residential areas.
Take one pill as the effects do not amplify if you take more. You'll only be wasting your multivitamins and medicine if you take them all at once. Check the small icon at the lower right side of the screen and if it disappears, go ahead and drink another one until you feel better.
Understand How Zombies Move
Zombies are the most common enemy that you will encounter in this game. They can sometimes come in hordes, and there are times when there are just one or two zombies around.
An ideal scenario would be to have a single zombie standing in your way towards an objective but dealing with five or more zombies can be a pain in the neck. However, there are still certain things that new players need to understand about the zombies in DayZ.
They are relatively slow when moving, and they won't be able to hear your footsteps if you crouch while walking or sprinting. Zombies are attracted to sound, so dropping an item near a zombie would attract them to you.
A zombie scream can also signal other zombies to your area, so make sure to avoid them at all costs. If you find yourself getting cornered, find the nearest door and go inside the room. Zombies won't be able to open or destroy doors in this game.
Dealing With Zombies
Many new players immediately think of attacking zombies the moment they see one. It would be very wise to avoid doing so, especially if you think that they are alone. Chances are, they're not, and hearing them scream would only cause other zombies to swarm around you.
If you find yourself in a pickle, this is the best time to bust out the melee weapon and start killing zombies. Melee weapons are highly effective against zombies as it often kills them with just one blow.
Knives, shovels, crowbars, and even a baseball bat should do the trick, but they often require a few more hits than sharper blades. New players often use hammers and screwdrivers, but they are a death wish, so avoid using them against zombies.
People Are The Worst
If you think that zombies and other creatures are the deadliest in the game, you haven't met other players just yet. You will run into them at one point in the game, so you need to prepare yourself when the time comes that you get to meet an aggressive player.
There will be times when players end up killing each other, and you will have to fight them or be killed by them. You will need to arm yourself with weapons such as guns apart from the melee weapons you carry with you.
It's pretty hard for new players to gauge other players on whether they are aggressive or not. Some low-level players would want to camp on spawning sites to kill new players, while others tend to ambush you to loot your items.
Always be on the lookout for other players and avoid trusting them as much as possible.
Hit And Run
Whenever you do get into a fight with another player, make sure that you try your best to make quick work of the other player. Using guns can cause you to attract zombies as they can hear the gunshots from afar.
The next time you pull out your gun towards an enemy player, kill them immediately and move out of the area before you get cornered by zombies and head over to the nearest building. Ensure that you shut the door behind you and start healing any wounds or damage you have taken from the fight.
Don't go out to deal with the zombies if you are still bleeding or low on health. Rest and heal up first before you kick the door open and spray them with bullets. The sound of your gunshots can attract even more zombies and can sometimes also attract other players that might take this chance to blindside you.
Conclusion
DayZ is often called one of the most challenging zombie games out there, but you can survive the first few days in the game with the right amount of information. This is enough time for you to learn more about the game and master the art of survival amidst the zombie apocalypse.
Remember all these beginner tips, and you should be safe for a while. DayZ is currently available for download on PC via Steam and can also be played on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
