Minimum Viable Gear - All you need in as few slots as possible

[non-orthodox 27]

Back when I started playing DayZ, I would run straight to military buildings, searching for clothes with the biggest number of slots and mountain backpacks. But later on the game, I realized that I didn't need a third of the stuff I was carrying to reach my goal of playing the lone hero. So I came up with the idea of a minimum viable gear setup, which is basically the basic things I would need to survive, deal with bandits and still have slots for filling with food and other basic stuff to give to survivors I would find on the way. I wanted then to share with you all and also get to know your own setups. It follows:

 

Non-Orthodox's lone hero setup:

 

Minimum Required slots: 30

Time to acquire: Usually around 3 hours in a single full server

 

Firefighter Axe or Splitting Axe

AKM:

  PSO-1 Scope

  Atlas Bipod (with the plastic or railed handguard)

  Any stock

  75-rounds drum magazine

Slots (30):

  Medic Kit:

      2 Bandages

      Blood bag

      IV Kit

      Saline IV Kit/bag

  Small protector box:

      Amphibia S

          10-Rnd .22 pistol magazine

      Binoculars

  Small protector box:

      FNX45

          15-Rnd FNX45 magazine

          Pistol Flashlight (optional)

          FNX45 MRD  (optional)

      Compass

      Map (full map)

  300-rounds box:

      With akm ammo, .22 and .45 acp rounds

  Canteen

  Bag of Rice

  3 Wooden Sticks

  6 Rags

  Alcohol Tincture

  Handcuffs

  Handcuff keys

  10-Rnd .22 pistol magazine

  15-Rnd FNX45 magazine

  30-Rnd AKM magazine

 

Explanation:

 

This entire setup assumes that you play as a hero, staying away from military areas and usually hanging around small towns and around big cities (but not inside them). That is why it instead of using morphine (which you basically can only get in hospitals and prisons), I make splints and why the map and compass is good (lots of traveling).

 

Your main source of energy is from berries, apples or food you find around. Make sure you always have an energized status. When your hydrated disappears, time to hit a pond or a small city with a water source. Open cans with your axe, ~25% less food is ok for an extra slot. Don't consume your bag of rice, unless it is an emergency, as in, you got shot and need to recover your health quickly. When that happens, you can eat it all and as you always keep your energized status showing, your energized level should go straight to light green, then you only need to drink your canteen and wait for healing.

 

As the main type of buildings you will be visiting are civilian and farms, you will find alot of clothing around that you can tear and make rags with them. Always carry around at least 2 rags along with the bandages. Use the bandages for stop bleeding and the rags to make splints. If you got over 3 rags, use them to bandage instead. The good thing about rags is that you can keep them in your pants instead of your bag (which is the safest container, basically), and if they go ruined, the alcohol tincture will fix them.

Ammo will also be found in civilian/residential/farm buildings, so no worries there. As it is an AKM, you don't need to hit heli crash sites (once that is fixed), making it a perfect weapon for a hero, instead of the M4 or AK101. It is also a friendlier weapon than carrying a Mosin around, and still allows you to kill sniping bandits with the mighty PSO scope. I thought alot about getting the SKS, Sporter 22 or CK instead, but as you still need to visit military buildings to get their respective magazines, there is no advantage in doing that.

 

Why 2 pistols? Well, the Amphibia is GREAT to kill zeds without calling attention from bandits or snipers. This is specially true for 0.47, as it takes forever to drop a zed with your axe (hitboxes...). While the FNX will drop anyone unarmored fairly fast, as well as to stop the hordes of zeds that occasionally happen (in 0.47). If you are using more than two mags in a row, you are using the wrong gun for the job. When they implement the suppressor for the FNX, you won't need the amphibia anymore, assuming the FNX becomes really quiet.

 

Lastly, the binoculars get you a pretty good view of a city and its surroundings, allowing you to spot snipers before you get in danger. And the handcuffs is actually not something most ppl use, but it is great when you need to loot something but don't trust that freshspawn (following you around) enough and don't want to get knocked out when you do so. It is also rather useful when you manage to cuff a bandit and get his blood in a blood bag. I like to have a blood test kit too, but they are fairly easy to find, no need to carry one, so it is not included here in this setup.

 

Clothing:

 

Just a Hunting Backpack will fit everything you need above. It is actually the best choice, because bags are usually pretty safe containers (unlike pants that go ruined whenever you fall or jackets that turn to dust when you get hit by a few zeds). As you still need to go to military buildings to get mags or guns, you will very likely find one pretty fast. So with this setup and Hunting Backpack, you can use a tracksuit and nothing else, and you will be fine (except when reloading your AKM, make sure you have at least 2x2 slots open).

 

What I like most of it though is that you can use ballistic, press or anti-stab vests and not worry about those 8 fewer slots. I like to go around with cargo pants and a checked blue shirt, along with a cowboy hat, looking like a hero. But I also like using the gorka uniform with a boonie. Don't worry about ballistic helmets, you will still get unconscious if you get shot in the head, and as you are a lone hero, the second bullet will always come to finish you off. People are generally friendlier to non-military clothes.

 

Whatever slots I have free, I just fill them with items that might be useful for new-spawns, such as cargo pants, burlap sacks and hopes, or a compass and cans of food.

 

 

So, what is your usual minimum viable setup, and for what purpose?

Edited August 8, 2014 by non-orthodox

[Red_Ensign 990]

one axe in okay condition, 2 ropes, one arrow.

 

:-)

[frosti 2165]

My fists.

 

For player killing.

Edited August 8, 2014 by Frosti

[kakysas666 191]

m4 with infinity mag is all you need, actually.

[Rudette 435]

Give me an axe, a raincoat..Then lay-down some news paper and play some Huey Lewis and the News...

From there I pluck whatever I desire from the bodies.

[frosti 2165]

m4 with infinity mag is all you need, actually.

 

m4 with infinite mag is probably one of the coolest items in game.

 

Many will miss them when they get removed.

[non-orthodox 27]

one axe in okay condition, 2 ropes, one arrow.

 

:-)

I can never identify ashwood trees... I got rope lying around and an axe, but after cutting a bunch of different trees, none of them was the right one.

[svisketyggeren 662]

 

 

So, what is your usual minimum viable setup, and for what purpose?

 

Although it could have been a cool subject to discuss...but the reality is that u only need some cans of beans and a water source and ur set for a minimal viable setup in dayz.

 

In real life this subject is far more interesting...just look up minimalist backpacking/ultralight backpacking on you tube and ull find tons of videos concerning the subject.

Edited August 8, 2014 by svisketyggeren

[non-orthodox 27]

Although it could have been a cool subject to discuss...but the reality is that u only need some cans of beans and a water source and ur set for a minimal viable setup in dayz.

 

In real life this subject is far more interesting...just look up minimalist backpacking/ultralight backpacking on you tube and ull find tons of videos concerning the subject.

If you take that line, then you need nothing, ponds/water pumps and berries/apples will provide all you need. But then there are zombies that will kill you more often than not if your only defense is your fists, players that will shoot you from afar, and your fists or axe won't be enough, or that broken leg that will be the end of you.

 

There is indeed a need for a minimum viable gear setup, which, unless you get to it, random stuff that can happen will get you killed, or that will not enable you to accomplish your objective (like a sniper without a scope). This is literally the most value I can get from the fewest things I can carry.

[kakysas666 191]

m4 with infinite mag is probably one of the coolest items in game.

 

Many will miss them when they get removed.

 

when

[Red_Ensign 990]

I can never identify ashwood trees... I got rope lying around and an axe, but after cutting a bunch of different trees, none of them was the right one.

 

short round trees with white bark.  the branches go out in a V shape from the ground.  they seem common around water, lots near berezino and novo.

[Whyherro123 2283]

I run:

• Hoodie; good 4-slot shirts, can be found everywhere
• Cargo pants; again, good size, can be found everywhere
• improvised backpack; can be made with easily found supplies, good camo, reasonable size, can look over shoulder
• Blaze 95; probably the most efficient rifle in the game, hands down. Powerful (little will survive two 7.62x51mm rounds to the torso at 200 meters), pinpoint accurate up to 300 meters (which is well within the overwhelming majority of most of your shots), and ammunition is everywhere. I've killed more people with this bad boy than I can count.
• Magnum. God made men, Colt made them equal. Powerful and economical, this little beauty requires no magazines.
• Canteen; self explanatory
• Splitting axe
• Matches
• Knife

[blazinone 72]

Nix the wooden sticks, alcohol, IV kit, blood bag.

You can now find sticks at a moments notice by scrounging the forest floor, or with the axe.

Morphine can heal broken limbs and only takes one med slot (check in pubs houses and green kitchen houses)

I've never had to transfer blood to another player so those won't be used.

Also, I often ditch the handcuffs and keys too because I've never used them.

Good list though!

[non-orthodox 27]

• Blaze 95; probably the most efficient rifle in the game, hands down. Powerful (little will survive two 7.62x51mm rounds to the torso at 200 meters), pinpoint accurate up to 300 meters (which is well within the overwhelming majority of most of your shots), and ammunition is everywhere. I've killed more people with this bad boy than I can count.
• Magnum. God made men, Colt made them equal. Powerful and economical, this little beauty requires no magazines.

 

I really suck at the Blaze, died while holding one way too many times before managing to hit a single shot. But it is a matter of training, I guess. I don't come around ammo for it that much though, unless it is in military buildings.

 

The magnum is great, but damn, it is pretty loud...

 

 

Nix the wooden sticks, alcohol, IV kit, blood bag.

You can now find sticks at a moments notice by scrounging the forest floor, or with the axe.

Morphine can heal broken limbs and only takes one med slot (check in pubs houses and green kitchen houses)

I've never had to transfer blood to another player so those won't be used.

Also, I often ditch the handcuffs and keys too because I've never used them.

Good list though!

 

I died once by a gun on top of a police station who shot me 150m away and broke my leg. I didn't have a morphine, barely had anything, tried to hide, but he eventually found me. Sure, there were bushes close, and I had an axe, but there wasn't enough time for me to get to it before he got to me. But as I try to play the hero, the blood bag and saline bag is helpful when trying to save freshspawns from bandits. Only used them once though...

[Grimey Rick 3417]

I use whatever I pick up to troll other people as hard as internetally possible.

 

Yep, I just made up my own word.

 

DEAL WITH IT.

[Dagwood 680]

Improvised leather backpack is the biggest you should need (same number of slots as the taloon interesting enough). The ammo box is unnecessary if you're truly going for the minimalist approach. One six-stack of rags plus alcohol tincture in the bottom of your pack should suffice for bandages. Your medkit should only contain 1X morphine, 1X saline bag, 1X IV starter kit, and 1X blood bag if you have O- blood like my tune. I also carry antibiotics in my pack just for shits and giggles (epinephrine would be the more practical alternative to antibiotics).

A sidearm of your choice with one extra mag (2 total) and a loose stack of the corresponding ammunition should be plenty for a backup. Binocs, map and compass are also nice pieces to carry for exploration and scouting purposes.

With a vest and 6-10 slots of pant and shirt space, you'll have plenty of room for your removable optics, mags, and other accessories associated with your primary rifle setup.

I also carry a woodcutters axe, matches and machete for hunting and cooking purposes.

[hotcakes 348]

this thread is dumb because it isn't objective like BESS EQUIPMENTZ

[LeeVanSpliff 156]

Also, I often ditch the handcuffs and keys too because I've never used them.

But ... but ... how do you rob people?!?

[hells high 676]

Axe of any Kind

 

AKM

• 30rnd Metal Mag
• Flashlight (mine is on the wooden handguard due to an acknowledged bug)

Medical Kit

• Bandages/Rags
• Saline
• Morphine (less space than sticks)

Protector Box

• PSO
• Binoculars
• ETC random or RP items, like a book, or can opener or something)

CR75 or FNX (since .45 only seems to come in mags currently)

• Flashlight

Ammo Box

• AKM and .45/9mm

Spare mag for each weapon, maybe 2 for the AK depending on food but I tend to eat and drink things as I go. In all honesty the pistol doesn't get much use but I like to have it just in case. Can easily be dropped to reduce size.

 

 

Before the AKM was added I used to play my hardcore survivor like this and never had any issues staying alive.

 

Its fun to try out different loadouts, not going for completely loaded down with military gear can be fun. Its important to stay green though, people say that makes you a PVP player but thats ridiculous. I don't know about you but if I'm trying to survive in the hostile wilderness I'm going to want to blend is as much as possible.

[Calvin Candie 189]

To the OP:

Your set up is very good. But I would throw out the binocs and save 4 more slots as you have a decent scope on AKM anyway.

[Evil Minion 943]

The minimum viable setup for me is:

• an axe
• a knife
• a backpack
• any gun with some ammo (crossbow/shortbow counts as gun here)
• rags

As the axe and gun currently don't take up space the backpack could be replaced by clothes with a sufficient number of inventory slots (jeans+shirt would probably do it).

[hombrecz 832]

Improvised leather backpack is the biggest you should need (same number of slots as the taloon interesting enough). 

It's really 25 slot? Darn then it's really good.

My only problem was I could not find boar and if I did, I did not have knife or rope O_o.

 

I tried to do leather backpack from cow leather many times, but it just did not work.

Not sure why boar has magical leather allowing backpack to be created, but cow does not?

[q.S Sachiel 470]

because pig is unicorn.

 

minimum for me is :

start with shirt > rags 1x slot

fire axe / splitting 0x slot on body

rice 2x slot

water canteen 2x slot

matches 1x slot

knife 2xslot

optional weapon + ammo 0xslot on body + 1x / ammo

optional navigational tools

 

8slots

less 2 if knife is combat knife stored in boots.

that should leave you with ~4 for ammo or meat or stuff without a backpack.

Edited August 10, 2014 by q.S Sachiel

[The-MCV- 149]

Stone(4), axe(0-melee), matches(1), 2x6 bandage stacks (2), canteen/bottle(2), 40 SKS ammo (2), compass(1), SKS(0-weapon), knife/machete(2/3). 14/15 Slots - a bit over half a taloon. Of course I have like 45 slots full, but it's not needed.

Edited August 10, 2014 by DontGoToBalotaAlone

[nl 986]

The ashwood treelooks like this:

 

 

and, among other places, can be found along this road: