Orientation

[Leogatus 1]

Hello everyone, I'm new to the forum and am starting to become a more active player on DayZ now that I am familiarizing myself more with the mechanics. I have my fun trying to be a Hero in a see of bandits who love KoS on new players, but I have one main problem that is prohibiting me from further enjoying the game and saving, at least, SOME time. I still can't figure how to figure out where I spawn. Half the time I'm in some God forsaken forest and run 20 minutes without finding anything. Are there any tips for figuring out where you are that some of you may be willing to share?

[doctajones 123]

Run towards cities, look at their names via the signs at the major roads leading in/out.  Then once you find that name, consult a map, I recommend http://dayzdb.com/map/chernarusplus.

 

If you can't find a city and you are inland, look for an overall downwards slope in the land.  This should take you towards the coast more often than not.  Once you hit the coast, it's quite easy to find your bearings.  Ocean on your left  means you are going South/West, ocean on your right means you are going East/North; it simply depends on what part of the coast you are on.

 

Always be using ALT to look around.  If you are in the middle of a forest, just run straight and you will eventually hit something, but if you happen to see a settlement while looking around, run there.

 

It's pretty intimidating in size at first, but the more you play, the more you will familiarize yourself with locations around you, landmarks and the spawns.  It just takes time.  Take me for example.  After ~150 hours (my current play time), I can navigate around Chernarus without even using a map with great confidence in me finding my way to whereever I want to go.

Edited July 11, 2014 by doctajones

[Leogatus 1]

That's good to know! I've become familiar with much of the north east coastal cities, as I have been put down repeatedly XD. I feel that once I learn where to find guns and ammo, my time here will be more competitive.

[karlkurtz32 59]

Download the iZurvive app

 

Look at the directions the clouds are moving

 

Check the sun positioning (sets in SW)

 

Check star locations at night

 

Listen for sounds of the ocean to tell if you're near water

 

When on the coast, look at the sun:

while looking at the sun, if the coast runs left and right (relative to your character) you're on the east coast

if it runs forward and backward, you're on the south coast

[poster 23]

This game took me a few days to memorize. A big part of it was that I was lucky and was found by a clan my first few minutes into the game itself. They had me join their teamspeak and from there I followed them, learning the names of the towns and the routes. Usually you'll learn the landmarks, Berezino has the smoke stack by the docks, Svet has the giant church in the middle with a huge statue, etc etc. It's a learning process that doesn't happen overnight unfortunately. If you look at iZurvive or DayzDB, you'll be able to pinpoint your landmarks or road shapes to the corresponding shapes on the map to see your exact location.

[GeorgieBest 7]

1. Spawns on the coast are the best, just run inland, you can work out your rough location by whether you hit a railroad or a road first.

 

2. Run along roads and use road signs to find out what town you are in.

 

3. The iSurvive map is in my opinion the best, it highlights some of the best buildings to loot. Police stations, Fire stations and Hospitals are a great place to visit for gear and supplies. Piano houses (large with green roofs) and corner pub buildings are also great for loot.