New player.long story and a few questions

[JMurph2809 4]

I have been playing for about a 6 weeks now, although not solidly. So far I have avoided crowded servers in the main, just so I have a chance to equip without being killed. Most of my characters died or were murdered within a day or two but my latest char has lasted for about three weeks.

 

I started on the North East coast (overlooking Rify). After scouting Rify (I found a shotgun and ammo on the top deck) I headed West to Khelm. On the way here, at least I think it was at this point, I spotted and killed a deer with the shotgun. It didn't have any loot, not sure if this was a glitch or not? I was starting to starve...

After Khelm I headed to the NW airfield via Krasnostav. I found enough supplies to keep me alive, plus some clothes, a backpack, a splitting axe and a pistol (no ammo)

I then headed to Svetlojarsk via Olsha. In Svet I found a blaze 95 for which I had already found quite a bit of ammo.  I got cocky with the gun and was nearly overwhelmed by zombies. My pants were ruined , along with all the contents. Some of my other clothes were badly damaged too.

 

I had run away into the hills towards Berezhki.  By the time I had reached Berezhki I was cold (trouser less) and hungry. I had crafted a fishing rod and proceeded to try and fish from the jetty. Not sure if you are able to do this yet? it didn't seem to work and I ended up falling in. I made a camp fire which sorted my cold/wet condition. I left Berezhki and headed to Turovo. I was getting desperate as I was nearly starving to death so I was sprinting and not worrying about any potential threats. I had,had to kill a couple of z's before I reached the lake there. Here, I was able to use the rod and caught a fish but when I "prepared it"  I was only left with the guts? I cooked the guts (I think) and ate them.. I felt good, I was no longer starving. I found a few more supplies and some new pants etc and headed to Novodmitrovsk.

 

My plan was to then visit all 11 Military bases mentioned here: http://dayz.gamepedia.com/Military_Bases

 

On route to Novo I got the shits I guess? food poisoning. I quickly googled it (cheating I know!) and found that I needed charcoal tabs. I actually loved that this could happen! To speed this long story up....I found some and fixed myself up. I then made my through the military bases, one by one. I replaced my Blaze 95 with an sks. I also found a ton of ammo and a short range scope.

 

I logged on today in Vybor and found my first truck. I drove the truck to the nearby military base. After looting the base I planned to go to the next base at green mountain. on return to my truck I found a zombie, which was sort of on top of it. I killed it but the truck would no longer start so I headed off on foot via the nearby hill. I then spotted a deer in the fields to the south east, it was quite a way off and I think I rushed the shot a little. I did hit it with the 1st (I saw blood) but it ran off. I fired off another 5-6 shots but it disappeared.  This is when my first human kill happened...

 

After firing off the shots, I checked to see how many players were on the server. There had been one last time I checked but there were 5 or 6 now. I headed South sticking to the bushes and trees and stopped to check my map. As I did this I heard the sound of a vehicle. I shit myself to be honest, closed my map and span around with my sks scanning the area. A jeap, had somehow flipped and had landed on his side about 100 meters from me. I zoomed in on the doorway. I thought to myself that I would only shoot if he came out armed. It had crossed my mind that he may have been hunting me and every other player I had met had killed me on sight up to this point.

 

He did come out armed...So I fired all 10 rounds. I'm not sure how many hit, I think 3, but he went down. I approached the body with my splitting axe. I had planned to land a couple of blows to the head, just to be safe but I considered this a bit too barbaric and decided not to and to just loot him/her. The corpse had the most amount of weapons and ammo I had ever seen, including an Aug, which I immediately equipped. The second i did this he got up and I sprayed him with my new found toy!

I took everything I could and that was not ruined....That's where I've got up to so far. Loving the game a few questions now though

 

1>Should you be able to fish from the sea shore with a rod? Or are there any plans to be able? I have since read that you can build sardine traps with a plastic bottle and worms, so i will try this. I reckon it would be good if you could fish for crabs and bigger fish,maybe seaweed and cockles,limpets etc

 

2>I have only ever killed a couple of chickens and a deer but have never got any loot from them. I have also caught 2 fish but only ever get guts. I know that there should be fillets or steaks etc. Am I being unlucky with a percentage chance or is this a bug? Also-I have never seen a boar/pig/cow or anything else other than deer and chickens?

 

3>I'm not sure If my survival skills have just improved but some servers seem to have more loot/food. I never pick a server which says "high loot" or anything as I'd rather play the game as it's meant to be played. Is there a way to insure that I play on a main game server, an unmodified one?

 

Thanks to anyone who bothers to read all that crap and thanks for any replies

Edited May 15, 2015 by JMurph2809

[sachad 1016]

-snip-

 

1. Never tried fishing in the sea, but I see no reason why it would not be possible. If not now, then down the line.

 

2. You need to skin animals before you can loot them. A simple stone knife is enough, but basically any bladed weapon (except axes I think?) will do the trick. The better the condition, the more meat you'll get. Bones, hides, and guts have practical uses nowadays as well.

 

3. Servers that advertise things like "500% loot", "no PvP" or stuff like that are full of crap anyway. If you want my two cents, go for a private hive. That will at least eliminate the swarms of server hoppers picking dry all the good spots on public servers.

[ebrim 998]

Great story!

 

So...

 

1) Currently as you read, you can only get sardines from the sea and sadly these aren't quite working right now. You get the sardines but you can't prepare them like you used to for cooking. Eating them almost always leads to food poisoning and very little nutrition. I think there is a model for a sea fish in the game files but it hasn't been implemented yet so only fresh water fish right now.

 

2) Make sure you have your knife if your hands when you approach killed animals, you'll get the option to skin and prepare it. Once you've done that action, you'll get lots of bits and pieces from meat to bones to guts, all with different possible uses. As for the fish only giving you guts, sadly that's something that is happening in 0.55 stable, it will be fixed in the upcoming version and you get fillets, properly. Boar/pigs/cows/goats/etc. are definitely on the map, over time you'll start to learn where to look for animals more.

 

3) Those servers are lying and should probably get closed down as they are just trying to attract traffic but not actually able to deliver on the promise. The only loot difference between servers has to do with public or private hive and these have separate loot economies. Arguably there's no difference in quantity of loot between them but private hives cut out the ability to server hop like you could with public.

[JMurph2809 4]

Hello, thanks for the skinning advice!  As for servers..I've been thinking of trying to join a private hive at some point soon. 

[JMurph2809 4]

Thanks for the advice Bean king. I guess my survival skills have improved dramatically. When I logged off today, I had quite a bit of food and drink with me and full health etc.I used to starve to death..i feel almost invincible right now!!  and a little guilty for killing that player

[ebrim 998]

Thanks for the advice Bean king. I guess my survival skills have improved dramatically. When I logged off today, I had quite a bit of food and drink with me and full health etc.I used to starve to death..i feel almost invincible right now!!  and a little guilty for killing that player

 

Yeah, I know that feeling well. Yesterday, I had had a lot of success as a newspawn getting up and running, then out in basically the middle of nowhere on a hill I was foraging for some berries when some dude ran up to me and started punching me in the head. Taken totally by surprise I couldn't interrupt the animation and soon was unconscious on the ground where I imagine he just continued punching me till I died. The moral of the story is: you're never safe, you're never invincible no matter how experienced you are or what gear you're carrying. :)

Edited May 15, 2015 by Ebrim

[JMurph2809 4]

Yeah, I know that feeling well. Yesterday, I had had a lot of success as a newspawn getting up and running, then out in basically the middle of nowhere on a hill I was foraging for some berries when some dude ran up to me and started punching me in the head. Taken totally by surprise I couldn't interrupt the animation and soon was unconscious on the ground where I imagine he just continued punching me till I died. The moral of the story is: you're never safe, you're never invincible no matter how experienced you are or what gear you're carrying. :)

Hahaha...that's mental.........Punched to death while picking berries. He could have just said hi! 

 

I plan to at least try and help the next person I see, especially if they look like newspawn

[ebrim 998]

Hahaha...that's mental.........Punched to death while picking berries. He could have just said hi! 

 

I plan to at least try and help the next person I see, especially if they look like newspawn

 

Yeah, it's funny, that death actually bothered me. I mean, it seems even worse than getting shot like you did to that guy. Killing him as you describe was basically a momentary decision and took moments to carry out. At any point during punching me which takes far longer, this guy could have decided to be less of a douche and just steal whatever he wanted from me while I was unconscious. Killing me for him basically gave him nothing, was completely unnecessary, unless he planned on cannibalizing - which maybe he did. 

[tobias winfro 305]

Thanks for the advice Bean king. I guess my survival skills have improved dramatically. When I logged off today, I had quite a bit of food and drink with me and full health etc.I used to starve to death..i feel almost invincible right now!!  and a little guilty for killing that player

Don't feel bad about killing the other player, a lot of people have the kill or be killed mentality. Glad to hear you've found your groove when it comes to the surviving/scavaging but don't get to used to the invincible feeling. Dayz can be a cruel mistress, zeds and other players have a knack of throwing a monkeywrench into everyone's plans.

[☣BioHaze☣ 7337]

Don't feel bad about killing the other player, a lot of people have the kill or be killed mentality. -snip-

 

And a lot of people don't.

 

OP you should feel guilty if you have any developed sense of immersion or morality to project upon your character.

 

Maybe they were a neutral player who spent many hours scouring the map for his gear?

 

I don't fire unless fired upon or being advanced upon by a player who just runs at me with a melee weapon and doesn't talk.

 

It is MUCH MUCH more of a challenge to try to confirm friendly or rob someone without killing them than it is to shoot at someone who doesn't see you.

 

Anyway, so much of how people are playing DayZ in general is going to change drastically in the next 2 years of continued development that it really makes what we are playing here "not DayZ" and as such is being skewed towards certain play styles.

 

KoS will not go away but it will become far less common mark my words.  < This is not a "carebear" statement if you know the changes that are coming to DayZ.

[tobias winfro 305]

And a lot of people don't.

 

OP you should feel guilty if you have any developed sense of immersion or morality to project upon your character.

 

Maybe they were a neutral player who spent many hours scouring the map for his gear?

 

I don't fire unless fired upon or being advanced upon by a player who just runs at me with a melee weapon and doesn't talk.

 

It is MUCH MUCH more of a challenge to try to confirm friendly or rob someone without killing them than it is to shoot at someone who doesn't see you.

 

Anyway, so much of how people are playing DayZ in general is going to change drastically in the next 2 years of continued development that it really makes what we are playing here "not DayZ" and as such is being skewed towards certain play styles.

 

KoS will not go away but it will become far less common mark my words.  < This is not a "carebear" statement if you know the changes that are coming to DayZ.

I agree with you 100% Biohaze, I hope someday Dayz changes from the current loot n' shoot game it has become. I'm excited to see the changes that are instore for us and yes it rewarding to not have to kill another player. However that player was kitted out with a Steyr Aug and may not have had friendly intentions toward the OP, once again I'm not trying to argue with you but sometimes players value their gear over your life so making contact may not have turned out too well.

[☣BioHaze☣ 7337]

-snip-

 

but sometimes players value their gear over your life so making contact may not have turned out too well.

 

Their logic makes for a sad state it's true.

 

I was a little surprised at your initial response as I often fully agree with what you have posted in the past.

 

As for factors impacting KoS..... Only time will tell.

 

Times they are a changin'!

 

Maybe one day soon, that initial volley of SKS will draw a horde....

[Coheed_IV 381]

OP you should feel guilty if you have any developed sense of immersion or morality to project upon your character..

I completely agree, I can't be a psychopath no matter how hard I tried. I used to look at that as a disadvantage, now I dont.

Last night I came upon an apple picker last night, I was starting to starve, i was armed, it would have been easy, but I just can't do it.

But, I've come to respect these low life's, without them dayz wouldn't be as scary.

[tobias winfro 305]

Their logic makes for a sad state it's true.

 

I was a little surprised at your initial response as I often fully agree with what you have posted in the past.

 

As for factors impacting KoS..... Only time will tell.

 

Times they are a changin'!

 

Maybe one day soon, that initial volley of SKS will draw a horde....

True, so very true. I'm just waiting for the devs to reintegrate CLE, that will be the day that I call off at work, just to listen to all the pro Dayz players whine and bitch because they can't get their PvP on because they have no clue where to look for ammo or a gun.

My initial response to the OP about not feeling guilty came after a rough session, was trying to be a medic/trader and armed with a ashwood stick and paramedic clothes when my character decided to take a dirt nap. Wasn't dead yet but the nice gentleman who came to relieve me of my loot ripped me from one end to the other on my selection of gear and how horrible I was at the game because I possessed no firearms or anything useful to him.

Chalk it up to me being frustrated with peoples behavior and a slow growing feeling of notgiving2shitsaboutanyone. Sadly, whenever presented with a situation such as the OP had, I find it very difficult to pull the trigger. I am not a fan of KoS, its just hard to justify killing unaware or players who pose no threat but players with high end weapons, more often than not aren't interested in anything other than your demise.

[☣BioHaze☣ 7337]

-snip- but players with high end weapons, more often than not aren't interested in anything other than your demise.

 

Man, that's a super shitty story and I don't blame you for losing some faith there.

 

After a KoS encounter I usually go back out and make an initial effort to find a friendly/neutral player to try to actively resist the dark side of the force.

 

It's really difficult to try to play this game as a neutral character with the current loot tables and player habits but I think I have only killed 3 players since the release of the SA, all of which gave me no choice.

 

I definitely think the CLE will (when working properly) level the loot chances for the hard earned, well traveled player, and hurt the asshole hoppers and people who can't loot without a preset spawn pattern to run over.

 

Just try not to prejudge based on load out.

 

My friend and I roll full military gear when we can and that's just for zombie purposes and protection/the best chance against KoS players.

[JMurph2809 4]

Hi guys.  Let me just say that I am not one of those people who takes great pleasure in killing other players. I have had other chances to kill or shoot at others and have not taken them. This time I felt like I was in danger and my gut instincts tell me I was right to shoot first..this guy had an automatic rifle,two pistols, a land mine, a large box of ammo, about 10 clips and full military gear. He was headed right at my position in a jeap. I guess the only reason I survived was because he flipped it at the last minute and I had moved behind a tree and was leaning out. I guess he couldn't get a sight of me before I fired.

 

Even so, there is the nagging feeling that it may just be complete coincidence that he was headed straight at me, and that I had just killed someone who must have spent hours and hours finding all the stuff he had. I am going to go out of my way to help the next newborn I find and I will post here what happens....a sort of trial by fire! :)

Edited May 16, 2015 by JMurph2809

[sachad 1016]

Hi guys.  Let me just say that I am not one of those people who takes great pleasure in killing other players. I have had other chances to kill or shoot at others and have not taken them. This time I felt like I was in danger and my gut instincts tell me I was right to shoot first..this guy had an automatic rifle,two pistols, a land mine, a large box of ammo, about 10 clips and full military gear. He was headed right at my position in a jeap. I guess the only reason I survived was because he flipped it at the last minute and I had moved behind a tree and was leaning out. I guess he couldn't get a sight of me before I fired.

 

Even so, there is the nagging feeling that it may just be complete coincidence that he was headed straight at me, and that I had just killed someone who must have spent hours and hours finding all the stuff he had. I am going to go out of my way to help the next newborn I find and I will post here what happens....a sort of trial by fire! :)

 

Word of advice, never feel like you have to justify killing someone for any reason. Never feel sorry for doing it either. Especially not to people running around with a small base worth of weapons and ammo :P

[tobias winfro 305]

Thank you Biohaze, your words of encouragement help me soldier on. I logged in last night and had a far more positive experience helping a group of newish players. Spawned in Kamishovo and found myself in the middle of a firefight between 2 groups. Armed with a sporter and a 30 round magazine, I took my chances and found 3 guys in the police station. All were in need of medical assistance and needed some food, got em all fixed up and went about my business feeling good about my day. So thank you for the positive outlook on the situation