The new optimal newbie strategy

[ForcefulCJS 16]

Run

7.1 was supposed to encourage greater use of stealth? Wrong

Run

As long as zeds spot crouch-walkers from 30m+ out, stealth-based exploration and scavenging is simply not that efficient for new players. Once you have enough gear/supplies built up that charging across the wasteland is risky, then you can start keeping your head down... but for those of you looking for your first weapons/supplies, just run.

Spawn and then run to the nearest loot spot (barn, fire station, warehouse, anything with 2 doors, etc.) and sprint the whole way, lure every Zed into the 2-doored building, watch them all slow up because for some reason Zeds can't run indoors, and then enjoy your new bag/weapon/phat loot, walk out the back door scot free.

Got aggro away from a cheese-building? Just run into the treeline and go around any curves/crests/big trees to break LOS and have the chasers lose interest.

A fresh character went from an interesting management of limited resources as you explored zombie-infested towns to an USAIN BOLT SCAVENGER HUNT SIMULATOR 2012. Just run, nothing can hurt you if you just run. 1.7's attempt to encourage stealth just ruined it. 1.7 was supposed to cure fresh players from running into the nearest town Makarov blazing, but now it just encourages them to run to the nearest big building and sprint around like a madman. Pre-1.7 was more interesting for new characters, this is just silly.

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Did another run, I'm having trouble finding an inverted time server but I'm still a rookie at this, I'm sure a pro would have no problem abusing the hell out of this once they learn all the locations.

Spawned outside a gas station/village that's gotten me killed a few times. First 4 times I had to start lying prone from the moment I spawned but would inevitably draw aggro when I shifted to crouching. This time I just booked it to the gas station, ran them through a building and Viola! Easy looting and an early weapon that would've been impossible to get through stealth.