[Guide] Surviving as a Lone Wolf

[StayAlive (DayZ) 169]

Been playing as a Lone Wolf in Dayz and wanted to share with you some of my tips. First of all i want to say that this is probably the most unforgiving way to play the game. There is nobody to help you out and nobody to watch you back. Military formations at your disposal is slim, which means you will most likely die in an ambush. There is nobody to heal you or give you food/water. If you get hurt, there is a high risk you will die. Basically, you are on your own. That said, there are ways to survive and prosper.

 

• Be Silent. Get an fire axe or any other sharp/blunt object and use it when absolutely needed. Remember not to use it in a cramp space; If you hit the wall, you make a lot of noise. Don't eat/drink or make other sounds that attracts attention when you are in a city. Do that outside.

 

• Zombies are you best friend. If you see zombies, you know the place is safer than without. Don't kill them, but use them as your own alarm. When you hear the zombies start making noises, you know there is a chance that someone is lurking around.

 

• Keep hidden and have a safe spot. You are not supposed to run around in the open field, follow the railroads or wires. You are trying to travel with something to blend in with and which can be used for your own protection. A tree, a wall in a city, under a bridge, high vegetation, etc. Also try to see to it that you have your back and sides covered at all time. No one else is doing it for you. You [ALT] is you very best friend.

 

• Surviving is dying. Don't get to attached to your gear, because you will eventually die. Learning by dying.

 

• Water/food/bandages is you primary source of survival. After that you can get a backpack and a gun. As a Lone Wolf you will eventually need a Mosin with a scope. You are not supposed to be running around spraying bullets. you are using your weapon for scoping. The Mosin will work as your secondary weapon, while your fire axe will be your primary weapon, hopefully for all encounters with the enemy. A sidearm is something you won't be needing. Less bullets is less sound.  Be quick in and out of buildings and just take what you need for survival. Also listen for any gunfights or look for any people that have just been looting in the surroundings. There might just be a chance you can pick up some dropped supplies or even some from a dead player. Some people also get rid of stuff they don't need by dropping them inside clothes, so you might want to look there to.

 

• Scope the area out. You are spotting the other players, not the other way around. If you really need to go to the cities, which you should only do if you want some extra excitement, or death, remember to start scoping the high buildings and move your aim downwards. Remember, as a Lone Wolf, you already know what you a looking for, which reminds me of my next segment.

 

• Know the map. You should know every nook and cranny of the map. This will take a very long time, but at the end, you will die less. Always carry a compass and use the guides out there to otherwise get you bearings. After a while, you can rely on your own instincts as to where you are on the map. After all, nobody else needs to know you position.

 

• Move to a better position. Never be to stuck at one position for to long. Change where you rest, scope and eat/drink.  If you see a player or a group of players moving towards your location, move a bit further away from them and find a better position. If you have a very well hidden position, you can off course try your luck and let them walk past by you. But keep in mind, larger groups might have a spotter somewhere hiding in the bushes.

 

 

Hope you found some of it useful. Stay safe out there!

Edited February 3, 2014 by StayAlive

[frosti 2165]

Never go to airfields, big cities or military loot spawn area and don't stay on the coast.

[Geckofrog7 1168]

Do the absolute opposite of what I do.

 

1. Do not wear a bright orange raincoat.

2. Do not eat rotten fruit.

3. Do not panic and hide in a bush when see another player in town. (You will get mauled)

4. Do not drop your weapons and put your hands up after someone has already fired 3 shots at you.

 

5. Is the exception. Using Solid Snake soundboards to say "I WANT THE LIES TO END NAO" somehow increases trust.

Edited February 3, 2014 by Geckofrog7

[zaphodity (DayZ) 41]

That's quite true. When i'm scoping out a town I always check the zombie numbers. Lots of zombies means no humans. Also means there's usually plenty of loot.

 

Soon as possible get the hell out of, or away from, Cherno and Elektro. Only thing you'll find in the popular towns are camper snipers.

 

When you are moving, always stop every couple of minutes, crouch down and look around, especially behind you.

 

Use the landscape (hills etc) to your advantage.

 

I use the prone position to creep up to stuff all the time.

 

Try to avoid running out in the open where possible, stick to trees and wooded areas.

 

And yes, water, food and bandages are more important than M4's or Mosins in regards to survival. Your most valuable weapon is your brain, try using it for a change.

Edited February 3, 2014 by zaphodity

[Brok21k 38]

Nice post.

But you can pick all them skills up after 10 hrs of game inland.

Moving through busy areas, while trying to survive teachers you so much more.

Just playing that PvE style is too forgiving (currently).

Nothing like, moving round main loot spots and trying to hold up player (if needs be).

As in life, you learn far more when rolling with the punches.

[DeatHTaX 1217]

If this is a survival guide why does it involve preparations for when you die?

[Problematic 71]

Because the trick about being the ultimate survivalist is not dying.

[StayAlive (DayZ) 169]

Do the absolute opposite of what I do.

 

1. Do not wear a bright orange raincoat.

2. Do not eat rotten fruit.

3. Do not panic and hide in a bush when see another player in town. (You will get mauled)

4. Do not drop your weapons and put your hands up after someone has already fired 3 shots at you.

 

5. Is the exception. Using Solid Snake soundboards to say "I WANT THE LIES TO END NAO" somehow increases trust.

 

A Solid Snake sounboard could be fun:)

 

Nice post.

But you can pick all them skills up after 10 hrs of game inland.

Moving through busy areas, while trying to survive teachers you so much more.

Just playing that PvE style is too forgiving (currently).

Nothing like, moving round main loot spots and trying to hold up player (if needs be).

As in life, you learn far more when rolling with the punches.

 

it will be more interesting when you eventually can build your own house, set camp, hunt for food, infiltrate bases,  scavenge for materials, etc.

I'm mostly not that interested in being where the action is, i like to watch it from a distance. Let other people throw the punches;)

Edited February 4, 2014 by StayAlive

[Play Pretend 6]

I often wish that my friends would play this game, they don't like it, so I am forced to play lone wolf. One key piece of advice I can give is, don't even try to make friends on this game it will only end badly. 

[doctorbadsign 645]

Dress your default char in green/brown/beige

[AK84 0]

Here are my guides to survive as a lone noob.

 

- Wear brightly color clothing.

- Brighten your skin color for your starting character.

- Surprise people every time can like: Discharge a firearm near a person, jump a corners, pointed a weapom at a person for a long time, Following a person without them knowing, sucker punch people, etc...

- Do not replay via chat/type if people ask if you are friendly.

- Talk trash over chat or just being annoying. 

- KOS!!! No prisoner!

- Make lots of noise whenever you enter a populated city (gunshot, punching woods, etc...)

Edited February 5, 2014 by AK84

[YassirX 54]

Never go to airfields, big cities or military loot spawn area and don't stay on the coast.

 

Sounds boring.

[Jock McScottish 216]

Sounds boring.

 

You kidding me? I love sneaking around the north of the map filling my survivor up with food and drink, gearing him up and looting 'til my hearts content. If you play with survival as your main goal, it changes the way you look at what is fun and success in the game. To me, bumping into another survivor means you have let your guard down, and put all of your hard work at risk. In fact, I have became so adept at surviving, I haven't seen a player in weeks! Just the way I like it :D

 

Just knowing at any point I am one mistake away from a bullet or an axe in the head means I am never truly bored. Its that fear that drives me on!