DayZ is set during a zombie apocalypse where most of the inhabitants of Chernarus have turned into the undead. You must be cautious of them, as a single misstep and a fight with a “Zed” can lead to your demise. Even seasoned players can find themselves challenged when confronting a horde of infected. Therefore, it is crucial to have all the essential knowledge from the start to avoid dying in a silly encounter with a zombie. Let’s take a closer look at these zombies!
Where do you find the most infected in DayZ?
You will primarily encounter Zeds in larger cities and residential areas, as that's where most people were before the apocalypse. This also means the risk is high, but so is the reward. Cities have the most loot, but you must get past the zombies. The deeper you venture into the wilderness, the fewer infected you'll encounter. Occasionally, you'll find isolated undead near campsites, but in the forest, you will be almost free from infected. However, there's not much to gain there, apart from perhaps wild animals.Different types of zombies in DayZ
Depending on their spawning location, there are various types of zombies that behave differently and drop different loot. If an undead carries something like food, clothing, weapons, or other tools, you can identify this by the plus symbol.
These are the types of zombies:
Civilians: Most zombies you encounter are likely to be ordinary civilians. These are further divided into normal and weak infected. You should be able to defeat them easily. You can recognise them by their everyday clothing.
Special Occupations: There are also special undead for professions like policemen, firemen, or paramedics. These are always tied to specific locations and drop loot related to their profession. They can inflict more damage.
Military: Military bases house the former personnel of such bases, making encounters more challenging. Soldiers have more health and are stronger. There are also soldiers with bulletproof clothing and officers with a lot of health.
Runners: The so-called “Runners” are very rare. They are extremely fast and cannot be shaken off, no matter how far you run.
Screamer: “Screamers” can attract many zombies with their loud cries. They look like soldiers.
Recognising and reacting to zombie behaviour
The undead in DayZ have three basic behaviour patterns. Normally, they walk slowly around or stand still, but they are not aggressive. If they perceive you or another player, they switch to their search mode and actively look for movement.
If a zombie spots you, it switches to its aggressive mode. It runs directly towards you, grumbling or screaming. They can’t chase you forever, but they will follow you over a considerable distance. You can shake them off by distancing yourself and then lying down or crouching. But of course, you can also fight!
Combat techniques in DayZ against the infected
Once you’ve familiarised yourself with the combat system in DayZ, encounters with the undead should be no problem. We already have a complete guide on melee techniques that should definitely help you (The Ultimate Melee Guide for DayZ: Techniques and Weapons) .
Your primary tactic should be to block and move backwards. This way, you receive no damage and can keep even a handful of zombies at bay. Most zombies attack with two strikes and then pause for several seconds. This is your moment to strike! Even better are powerful blows that make them stagger. Keep an eye on your stamina.
By doing this, you can establish a good rhythm and kill normal zombies in about four hits. Always aim at the head, perhaps even slightly higher, as the hitbox in DayZ isn’t very accurate. This inflicts the most damage!
Avoid these things when fighting zombies:
Using firearms against the infected: Melee combat is simpler, makes less noise, and doesn’t attract additional zombies or players.
Not climbing onto cars: You become a target for other survivors.
Avoiding damage: Injuries can lead to infections. Heal quickly after a fight.
Not fighting too many zombies: They can overwhelm you faster than you’d like.
Trapping zombies in houses
An additional tactic against the undead is to trap them in houses. This gives you peace from them. Zombies aren’t very smart; you should use this to your advantage.
Find a location with only one exit. Run in circles, gathering Zeds within your radius. Block to avoid damage, then enter the building. Lure the zombies inside and close the door. Know beforehand where the doorknob is located.
Conclusion
Even though the infected in DayZ may seem threatening, they can still harm experienced players. It is crucial to handle them properly. Decide whether to confront them or evade them. Rent your DayZ server and face hordes of zombies with friends. A PvE server with more aggressive undead could be exciting!
