Even though DayZ has been on the market for many years, there are still many new players eager to dive into this survival title. However, beyond the usual gameplay, just finding your way around the map can be challenging. This is not only due to the size of Chernarus but also because of the language barrier that the setting presents. To help you reunite with friends, discover the best loot, or go hunting, today we’ll take a closer look at all the navigation options in DayZ. With these tips, you’ll become a pro and can apply them to the other maps in the game as well.
Better Understanding the Location and Environment of DayZ
DayZ is set in the fictional land of Chernarus, which borders the Black or Caspian Sea. In the game, it’s known as the “Green Sea” and is surrounded by other fictional countries (and Russia). This is the first challenge many new players face. Everything you find in the game world is written in Cyrillic script, making it significantly harder to navigate DayZ. The terrain is based on a small part of a northern region in the Czech Republic, near the Ústí nad Labem region. The river’s course west of the city perfectly matches the coastal region of Chernarus. Many of the locations were directly adopted, which is no surprise since the developers themselves are from the Czech Republic!
When you first spawn with a new character on the map, you’ll find yourself on a beach. The main map is bordered by the sea to the south and west, which gives you an initial point of orientation. Additionally, when you first spawn, you’re always facing north. We recommend familiarising yourself with one of the larger coastal cities first, then venturing inland.
Helpful Techniques for Determining Directions in DayZ
Firstly, you should know the directions of north, south, east, and west. Even without a compass, which we’ll discuss later, you can determine them using various clues. As mentioned earlier, when you spawn, you’re always facing north, which you can use as an initial navigation aid. Try to remember this point.
As in real life, the sun rises in the east in Chernarus. At noon, it’s visible in the south, and in the evening, it sets in the west. The sun is never visible in the north. This can provide important clues about your current position on the map and serve as a general guideline for your next destination. The visibility and position of the sun are influenced by the season, weather, and clouds. Sunrises and sunsets are the best times to establish an accurate direction. However, clouds are also a good indicator of direction, as they always move from east to west in DayZ.
At night, the detailed starry sky can help you find the right direction. Many constellations are recognisable, including the Big Dipper. Follow its right edge upwards, approximately five times its length, and you’ll find the bright North Star. This star is also the starting point for the “handle” of the Little Dipper.
Identifying Man-Made Features for Navigation
You don’t have to rely solely on natural features; man-made signs are equally helpful. Even if you can’t read Cyrillic, you should pay attention to town and road signs. These will at least give you the name of the town you’re in or heading towards. You don’t even need to be able to read them; you can simply remember the symbols.
Railways, power lines, and ordinary roads are perfect for orientation too. They all lead to a town or village, and you just need to follow them long enough. However, we advise against staying on open roads, as you become an easy target for other players.
Forests are much better, and here, too, you’ll find many real-life navigation aids. Picnic areas, for example, feature large maps showing your current position. Hiking trails are another great way to explore the map, marked by white and coloured stripes on trees and posts. Green and yellow indicate easy trails, while blue and red mark difficult ones.
Effective Use of Navigation Tools in the Game
In addition to these clues, there are tools that directly aid your orientation. You won’t have to search long to find them. Depending on your playstyle and skill level, you should have these on hand!
Compass: Easily shows directions if you can’t or don’t want to determine them yourself. Found at campsites or military areas.
Binoculars: While not directly important for navigation, they help you see further and potentially spot known landmarks. Particularly useful when looking down on Chernarus from a height.
GPS Device: Extremely useful and can rarely be found in hunting lodges and stands. It requires 9V batteries. The device provides your exact coordinates and should be used in conjunction with the next item on the list.
Map: The tourist map is probably your best tool for navigation, providing the entire area’s layout at once. You can also see your coordinates, direction, and altitude at a glance.
If that’s not enough, you can always use external maps. We recommend both iZurvive and the DayZ Interactive Map for accurate spawns, all town names, and a better overview. However, the game itself offers plenty of ways to find your way without these tools.
Successful Navigation for DayZ Beginners
For newcomers, the map of Chernarus can be immensely overwhelming, but with the right knowledge from the real world, navigating DayZ becomes a breeze. You can directly apply many concepts, such as sunrise or hiking trail markers, from your real-life experience. Rent your very own server for DayZ with us and never lose sight of each other again with our tips. Ideally, everyone should find a map, and maybe even a GPS device for precise coordinates!
