Hatchet Tips for Fledgling Axe Murderers

[zython (DayZ) 196]

Whether you want to axe murder zombies, or other survivors, I don't really care. Fact is most people don't know how to use the thing properly and I'm here to show you how it's done.

Most people treat the hatchet like a melee weapon and expect it to behave as such. As a result these people flail the axe wildly and don't hit anything. Often getting frusterated that it's "not working" or "glitching".

Actually, the axe is not a melee weapon. Arma2 has no melee weapons, so Rocket had to improvise.

The axe is really a VERY short range gun with an axe skin & animation, plus unlimited ammo.

Now that that's said and done, on to the tips:

-You MUST have the axe crosshair on your target in order to score a hit. It's not a slashing weapon with a wide AOF, it's a shooting weapon. This is what frusterates most people who try to use it, thinking that if they're within striking range the axe will automatically kill it.

-The axe has more range than you think. Play around with it and figure out how far away you can be until the axe can't reach. It's actually farther than what you'd think just by judging attack range by looking at the size of the axe.

-Reload your hatchet

-The axe is a one-hit kill on zeds and plays a distinct "hitting" sound when they've been hit. Due to the glitchy nature of zombies you should never assume it's dead until the loot icon appears on it, but if you hear the noise there's a pretty good chance it's dead.

-Zombies will flank you if you are moving quickly, running to the side of you before stopping to attack. That way they have time to attack as you go by. Predict this and aim accordingly.

-Engaging players with guns using a hatchet is ill-advised unless you have complete and utter element of surprise.

-Engaging players that have axes, with an axe, is is best done with hit & run tactics. As well, if they swing and miss, you have the oppertunity to move in and attack and back out before their animation finishes.

Happy hunting :)

Edited July 28, 2012 by zython