Hatchet as a secondary?

[Keudn 8]

One thing that really bugs me about DayZ right now is the fact that a hatchet is considered a primary weapon. Unless the hatchet is a full on axe with 3 feet or more of handle then it should be considered a secondary as it is not hard at all to hang a small hatchet from your belt. it would make it much easier to clear out zombies as you could put your gun on your back and pull your hatchet out from your belt to kill zombies with quietly. A hatchet as a secondary wouldn't even be a good advantage because it would mean you cannot keep a pistol with you too meaning you would still have a choice between a handgun or a hatchet.

[Sgt.Asshat 607]

That would be like MW2

Having 2 Primarys equiped (M4A1+Spas12 on MW2) also its a big axe lol

[colekern 1364]

I'd like to see a separate melee slot. This is probably one of the only things that almost the entire the community agrees on.

[Keudn 8]

how would it be having two primarys equipped? this isnt mw2, its dayz. even if you had a gun and a full size axe the axe wont do any good unless the player is right in front of you, and you still have to pull it out which takes time, its not like having two snipers you can switch between in half a second

[The Stoned Wolf 491]

I'd like to see a separate melee slot. This is probably one of the only things that almost the entire the community agrees on.

I agree, this would make the most sense and would also be the least annoying (in my opinion). Still, I personally find no real use for melee weapons except for getting fire wood and silently breaking hospital glass >.<

[plrsniper 87]

I'd like to see a separate melee slot. This is probably one of the only things that almost the entire the community agrees on.

I don't agree with that. So that's one less in your "almost entire community" clause.

And i don't agree with the OP either, the hatchet is OP against zombies. So the only way this would work is if the hatchet is as weak as the crowbar.

That said, you would now be forced to use pistols to kill zombies and the hatchet would become utterly useless for fighting with.

As you would have to use a pistol you would once more be at the mercy of all zombies hearing you as well as other players.

[colekern 1364]

I don't agree with that. So that's one less in your "almost entire community" clause.

And i don't agree with the OP either, the hatchet is OP against zombies. So the only way this would work is if the hatchet is as weak as the crowbar.

That said, you would now be forced to use pistols to kill zombies and the hatchet would become utterly useless for fighting with.

As you would have to use a pistol you would once more be at the mercy of all zombies hearing you as well as other players.

What would you propose? As of now, melee weapons are practically useless if you have a rifle.

Edited December 31, 2012 by colekern

[plrsniper 87]

What would you propose? As of now, melee weapons are practically useless if you have a rifle.

No they are not, you can have a rifle in your backpack. And the hatchet can be carried in the toolbelt slot.

Even if you don't have room in your backpack you always have the possibility to drop your gun somewhere and use the hatchet for a while.

[Testwd3r235 2810]

No they are not, you can have a rifle in your backpack. And the hatchet can be carried in the toolbelt slot.

Even if you don't have room in your backpack you always have the possibility to drop your gun somewhere and use the hatchet for a while.

Plus it's really quiet, zombies and players find it hard to hear.

Edit: It's also useful if you run out of ammo.

Edited December 31, 2012 by MacabreLlama99

[colekern 1364]

No they are not, you can have a rifle in your backpack. And the hatchet can be carried in the toolbelt slot.

Even if you don't have room in your backpack you always have the possibility to drop your gun somewhere and use the hatchet for a while.

I know, but that takes up a lot of time.

[colekern 1364]

Plus, the currently easiest way to kill zombies with a hatchet is to go in a building where they will be forced to walk. In standalone, zombies running indoors should balance the hatchet out.

[DragoKnight 5]

Some of you think hatchets are as big as an axe but they aren't. The hatchets in DayZ are axes not exactly hatchets, I have an hatchet at my place and it is only around 30-50 cm bigger then a M1911 so it should be axes are primary and hatchets are secondary.

[plrsniper 87]

I know, but that takes up a lot of time.

A lot of time? It takes 3 seconds to drop your gun, another 2 to right click the hatchet in your gear to bring it up as a weapon and then 2-3 seconds to reload it. A total of 7-8 seconds which is pretty quick in my eyes and you normally have time to make the switch when indoors.

Some of you think hatchets are as big as an axe but they aren't. The hatchets in DayZ are axes not exactly hatchets, I have an hatchet at my place and it is only around 30-50 cm bigger then a M1911 so it should be axes are primary and hatchets are secondary.

It's about game balance, not about weapon size. The hatchet is a superb zombie killer but you are at the mercy of other players if you run into one with a hatchet in your hand.

Putting the hatchet in the pistol slot would make you dead silent around zombies all the time and still have really quick access to your primary weapon. That would make the hatchet too good and it would need to be nerfed.

[JESUSARIUS REX (DayZ) 163]

A lot of time? It takes 3 seconds to drop your gun, another 2 to right click the hatchet in your gear to bring it up as a weapon and then 2-3 seconds to reload it. A total of 7-8 seconds which is pretty quick in my eyes and you normally have time to make the switch when indoors.

It's about game balance, not about weapon size. The hatchet is a superb zombie killer but you are at the mercy of other players if you run into one with a hatchet in your hand.

Putting the hatchet in the pistol slot would make you dead silent around zombies all the time and still have really quick access to your primary weapon. That would make the hatchet too good and it would need to be nerfed.

What if you're an experienced player who always carries two weapons. Or what if you have an as50. You really wouldn't want to drop it...

Also dayz is realistic. I think they need to add sounds of bone smashing to attract zombies in a small radius. And you could easily carry a hatchet, pistol, and a primary.

[plrsniper 87]

What if you're an experienced player who always carries two weapons. Or what if you have an as50. You really wouldn't want to drop it...

Also dayz is realistic. I think they need to add sounds of bone smashing to attract zombies in a small radius. And you could easily carry a hatchet, pistol, and a primary.

Let me spell it out for you since you don't seem to read very well...

B A L A N C E

bal·ance

[bal-uh ns] noun, verb, bal·anced, bal·anc·ing.

noun

1.

a state of equilibrium or equipoise; equal distribution of weight, amount, etc.

That is, you have a state of equilibrium through the distribution of the weapon systems. You can carry an AS50 in your backpack while you use your hatchet. Taking out the AS50 will take slightly longer than if you where using a pistol and that is the downside to using the hatchet.

You could just as well carry a Bizon and have the AS50 in your backpack or wise versa. You can carry a pistol OR a flashlight but not both. If you find a G17 it has a flashlight attached to it but finding the G17 requires that you take a risk and go into the military structures around chernarus to find one. (Though, since they can be found in deer stands the risk vs reward aspect is debatable)

You can have an alice pack on you but it's going to make you stand out more in tall grass etc.

You can bring lots of food and drink with you but then you won't have as much room for other items. Of course you can always eat and drink your food when you need the space but then you don't have lots of food with you.

You can use an M9SD pistol to silently kill zombies but you need to hit them in the head to be the most efficient and you only have so many rounds. this of course allows you to have your sniper/assault rifle handy in case another player comes over to do something stupid.

The hatchet is designed to be a one shot zombie killing weapon without much effort and it has unlimited ammo too. If you where to make it a sidearm (realistic as it may be) it doesn't do well for game balance if it stays as powerful as it is now. So in other words, you either nerf the hatchet so much that people won't want to use them even when it's a sidearm or you leave it as is because it is "balanced" that way.

Though, i don't really think the hatchet is balanced right now. Even in the primary slot it should at times take to strikes to kill a zombie with it. As it is now i can stop in the middle of a field and split zombie head after zombie head as long as they don't lag or glitch too much. It is already super effective (at the obvious cost of not having your weapon ready) and if i could carry it in my sidearm slot then i would never bother picking up a pistol and DayZ would just be one step closer to regular ArmA Free-for-all with a hunger system and weapon spawnpoints.

Edited January 1, 2013 by X0TCadde

[kaiga12 22]

The hatchet is designed to be a one shot zombie killing weapon without much effort and it has unlimited ammo too. If you where to make it a sidearm (realistic as it may be) it doesn't do well for game balance if it stays as powerful as it is now. So in other words, you either nerf the hatchet so much that people won't want to use them even when it's a sidearm or you leave it as is because it is "balanced" that way.

Though, i don't really think the hatchet is balanced right now. Even in the primary slot it should at times take to strikes to kill a zombie with it. As it is now i can stop in the middle of a field and split zombie head after zombie head as long as they don't lag or glitch too much. It is already super effective (at the obvious cost of not having your weapon ready) and if i could carry it in my sidearm slot then i would never bother picking up a pistol and DayZ would just be one step closer to regular ArmA Free-for-all with a hunger system and weapon spawnpoints.

Agreed. If the hatchet became a secondary as is I'd never pick up a pistol. MORE ROOM FOR M203 ROUNDS!

[Steak and Potatoes 13480]

TITLE: Hatchet As A Secondary?

One thing that really bugs me about DayZ right now is the fact that a hatchet is considered a primary weapon. A hatchet as a secondary wouldn't even be a good advantage because it would mean you cannot keep a pistol with you too meaning you would still have a choice between a handgun or a hatchet.

You hitting me with reverse psychology?

Edited January 1, 2013 by Steak and Potatoes

[smore98 225]

I would go for the melee slot for sure, as it seems to be the most economic idea to keep inventory in check.

However, the hatchet was probably considered as a primary due to it's relative weight and size in the real world. DayZ stretches that just a bit to make it an effective zombie killer, while in a real situation, it would be better as a situation weapon, such as trapped in a corner with 2 zeds. Should knock 'em away pretty good.

[SiiriXX 159]

Melee slot? Why not just a big gun that shoots hatchets? ^_^

[Mos1ey 6301]

No they are not, you can have a rifle in your backpack. And the hatchet can be carried in the toolbelt slot.

Even if you don't have room in your backpack you always have the possibility to drop your gun somewhere and use the hatchet for a while.

You can sling your primary on your shoulder while you hold your secondary and you can holster your secondary while you hold your primary. You should be able to shoulder your primary, holster your secondary and hold the hatchet or a torch. Would be done by going in to your gear menu and right clicking the tool you want to use. (To simulate getting it from wherever your tools are stored.)

[colekern 1364]

You can sling your primary on your shoulder while you hold your secondary and you can holster your secondary while you hold your primary. You should be able to shoulder your primary, holster your secondary and hold the hatchet or a torch. Would be done by going in to your gear menu and right clicking the tool you want to use. (To simulate getting it from wherever your tools are stored.)

That would be cool! Also, I'm kinda working on a weapon equip concept. Should be up tomorrow.

[Sutinen 635]

I would like to see a smaller toolbelt and access for every tool you have without dropping any weapons. If you have a toolbelt, it doesn't make any sense that you would have to drop your primary weapon to get something from your toolbet.

And I do think that they need a nerf in range and damage. Maybe 2 hit kill for a zombie if it's not a headshot. I also want to see new melee weapons.

Edited January 1, 2013 by Sutinen