For new and returning survivors, learning how to play DayZ can feel daunting. This DayZ guide will walk you through the fundamentals of survival, from your first steps after spawning to core mechanics and crucial tips. As the first in our series of DayZ survival guides, this article will help you start your journey on the right foot.
What is DayZ?
DayZ is an open-world survival game set in a post-apocalyptic country overrun by infected (zombies) and other survivors. You spawn with minimal supplies and one goal: stay alive as long as possible[1]. There are no checkpoints or extra lives – if you die, you lose everything and must start over. Along the way, you must manage hunger, thirst, injuries, and shelter while facing threats from the environment and other players. Every decision matters, and every encounter with another player could end in cooperation or conflict, making DayZ a uniquely tense and challenging experience[2].
First steps after spawning
Your first minutes in DayZ are critical. Here’s what to do immediately after you spawn to improve your chances of survival:
- Check your status and stop any bleeding: Upon spawning (usually near the coast), immediately check your status icons (hunger, thirst, blood, health). If you see you’re bleeding, use the bandages or rags in your starter kit to stop it (you can tear your shirt into rags if needed)[3].
- Scavenge for food and supplies: Search nearby houses and sheds for anything useful. Prioritize finding food (canned goods, fruits) and drinks, as well as better clothing or a backpack for extra storage. Even a simple melee weapon (like a shovel or knife) or a few rags can make a big difference early on.
- Arm yourself or craft basic tools: Try to find a melee weapon to defend yourself (a bat, pipe, or hatchet works well). If you can’t find one, craft an improvised stone knife by combining two small stones from the ground. A stone knife lets you cut up clothes for rags, open canned food, and is better than fighting empty-handed.
- Find water and stay hydrated: Thirst can kill you quickly, so locate a water source. If there’s a well or water pump in town, drink your fill early. If not, look for bottled drinks or even eat some fresh fruit from trees (apples and pears can hydrate you a bit)[4]. Avoid drinking directly from ponds or rivers without purification (you’ll risk getting sick).
- Move carefully and stay unseen: Avoid sprinting down open roads or making noise. Crouch or walk to reduce noise when near infected, and use trees or buildings for cover when moving between areas. Keep an eye out for road signs to help figure out your location, but stay alert – you never know if a zombie (or another player) is around the next corner.
Core survival mechanics
Survival in DayZ hinges on managing a few core needs and conditions. Neglecting these can be just as deadly as any enemy – dehydration or starvation can kill you just as surely as a zombie attack[5].
| Challenge | How to Survive |
|---|---|
| Hunger (Energy) | Eat regularly to keep your energy up. Scavenge for non-perishable foods (canned goods are ideal) or hunt animals for meat when you can. Fruits from orchards can help in a pinch. Don’t wait until your hunger icon turns red – eat whenever you find food, and try to stay “well-fed” to build an energy reserve. |
| Thirst (Hydration) | Drink safe water often. Use wells and water pumps (found in most towns) for clean drinking water, and fill containers when possible. If you must drink from a pond or river, purify the water first using chlorine tablets (water purification tablets) or by boiling it over a fire. Never ignore a flashing thirst icon – dehydration can be lethal. |
| Bleeding & Injuries | In fights or accidents you may start bleeding, which drains your blood level. Always carry bandages or rags and bandage wounds immediately to stop bleeding. If you have alcohol or disinfectant, clean the wound to prevent infection. Keep an eye on your Blood level in the HUD – if it gets too low you can fall unconscious even if your health is high. |
| Sickness | Eating rotten food or drinking dirty water can make you sick. Common illnesses include food poisoning and cholera. Treat sickness with the correct medicine (for example, use charcoal tablets for food poisoning or tetracycline antibiotics for infections). To avoid getting sick, keep your hands clean (wash if you have bloody hands) and only consume safe food and water. |
| Temperature (Cold & Heat) | Keep an eye on the thermometer icon. If you’re wet and cold (blue thermometer), you risk hypothermia. Stay dry by taking shelter from rain and wring out wet clothes. Wear warm clothing and start a fire to raise your temperature if needed. Conversely, in hot climates (red thermometer), remove layers or rest in shade to avoid overheating. |
| Stamina & Exhaustion | Your stamina bar determines how long you can sprint or fight. Running with heavy gear will exhaust you quickly. Manage your inventory weight and only sprint when necessary so you have energy to escape threats. If you run out of stamina, stop and catch your breath – pushing to zero stamina will slow you to a walk when you might need to run. |
Essential tips for beginners
Now that you know the basics, keep these tips in mind to improve your survival odds:
- Stealth and caution: Move quietly and avoid drawing unnecessary attention. Sneaking (crouch-walking) past zombies is often safer than fighting. Gunshots and loud noises will attract infected (and alert other players), so use firearms sparingly[6].
- Inventory management: Always keep a few medical supplies on you (bandages or rags to stop bleeding, painkillers, etc.) and make room for food and water. Find a backpack to increase your carrying capacity, but don’t hoard useless items – extra weight will tire you out faster and slow you down.
- Avoid high-risk areas early: Military bases and big cities have high-end loot (weapons, armor, medical kits) but also more enemies and players. As a new player, build up your gear in smaller towns first. Once you have decent equipment and supplies, you can consider venturing into higher-risk zones, but always proceed with caution.
- Basic crafting skills: Learn a few simple crafting recipes to help you survive. For example, combine two small stones to make a stone knife (great for cutting and self-defense), or make a hand drill kit (stick + bark) to start a fire if you lack matches. Crafting can provide crucial tools when you have none.
- Cautious player interaction: Be very careful when approaching other players. If you decide to communicate, use voice chat from behind cover and gauge their response. Never let your guard down – it’s often safer to avoid others altogether until you’re confident in handling a possible fight.
- Close doors behind you: When you loot a building, close the doors on your way out. This keeps zombies from wandering in after you, and also prevents other players from easily tracking your movements (open doors are a sign someone has been there). It’s a simple habit that can save your life.
Common mistakes to avoid
Many DayZ newcomers learn the hard way what not to do. Avoid these common mistakes:
- Trusting strangers blindly: Assuming another player is friendly can be fatal. Plenty of players will betray or kill you for your gear. Until you’re well-armed and experienced, it’s usually best to steer clear of unknown players (or be prepared for a fight if you do approach)[7].
- Drinking untreated water: Never drink directly from ponds or streams without purifying it. Dirty water can cause cholera or other illnesses that may kill you quickly[8].
- Eating raw or spoiled food: If you eat raw meat or rotten food, expect to get sick. Cook all meat thoroughly and avoid anything that looks spoiled or has gone bad[9].
- Making too much noise: Sprinting everywhere or using guns carelessly will attract unwanted attention[10].
- Constantly holding your gun: Running with a gun in your hands slows you down and makes you an obvious threat[11].
- Neglecting your health: Failing to address small problems can get you killed[12].
- Letting your guard down: Don’t sprint into unknown areas or assume an empty town is safe[13].
What to do next
Once you’ve got a handle on basic survival, you can start setting longer-term goals. Better gear and supplies await further inland, away from the coastal spawn areas. High-value loot like military weapons and advanced gear is typically found at military bases or in larger cities – but remember, these places are high-risk and often teeming with zombies and hostile survivors[14]. Make sure you’re well-equipped (food, water, medical supplies, and weapons) before attempting a run on a high-tier loot zone. You might also choose to team up with a friend or two for cooperative play, which can make tasks like looting and fighting infected easier (just be cautious about who you trust).
As you survive longer, consider establishing a base or a hidden stash to store extra equipment. A small camp with a fireplace and some storage can give you a safe refuge – though no base is completely safe from determined players. You can also work on advanced survival skills like hunting wild animals for food or even farming crops once you have seeds and tools. DayZ is a game of depth and player-driven goals, so there’s always something new to strive for as you become more experienced.
Ready to learn more and up your game? Read our full medical crafting guide for an in-depth look at treating injuries and crafting crucial items, and check out our DayZ base building guide to learn how to construct and secure your own shelter. Finally, remember that every death can teach you something – don’t be discouraged by dying (it will happen a lot!). Each time you respawn, you’ll have more knowledge and survive a bit longer than before[15].