By now, you’ve likely survived several days in DayZ, managing to avoid both zombies and other players. However, at some point, you’ll find yourself in a situation where you must fight and can’t escape. Since firearms aren’t very common, melee weapons will probably be your best choice. Additionally, you can always attack with your fists, so knowing the basic techniques is crucial! Even experienced players may find melee a good alternative, leading to victory in critical situations. Let’s take a closer look at the best melee tricks and provide you with the best weapons!
Effective Melee Techniques in DayZ
First, you should familiarize yourself with the basics that define melee combat in DayZ. All these techniques can be executed both without a weapon and with either blunt or sharp weapons. Therefore, it’s essential to master all control elements and practice them in direct melee combat to become proficient. DayZ isn’t particularly known for its precision, so you’ll need to work with the game to succeed.
Normal Attacks: To attack, hold down your right mouse button to enter combat mode and ready your weapon. Then, strike with a left mouse click.
Blocking: Simultaneously, you should familiarize yourself with blocking. Continue holding the right mouse button and move backward. Your character will raise their hands higher, allowing them to block most attacks. This doesn’t work against heavy attacks. You’ll receive less damage but still get somewhat stunned. Block as much as possible to mitigate damage.
Heavy Attack: When attacking, if you also hold Shift, your character will perform a heavy attack. It takes longer but delivers significantly more force. Additionally, your opponent will stagger, making them vulnerable to further quick attacks. Keep in mind that heavy attacks deplete your stamina faster.
Sprint Attack: If you want to surprise your opponent, try this attack. Run towards your target and strike with the left mouse button. The range of this attack is extremely far, giving you a significant advantage. Only use this technique against zombies, as other players can counterattack during your charge.
Aim Correctly: As mentioned, DayZ can sometimes be a bit quirky, so not all your strikes will land perfectly. Aim slightly higher than expected, roughly at the head. This will hopefully improve your accuracy and inflict more damage.
First Person: We recommend fighting in DayZ from the first-person perspective. This way, you can better see how to attack and eliminate your opponent.
Dodging: You can also dodge in combat, giving you more room to maneuver and negate damage from heavy attacks. Press Q or E at the right moment to dodge left or right. It doesn’t always work reliably, but it can be extremely useful in emergencies!
Kicking: Many veterans are unaware, but you can kick too! While lying on the ground, hold the right mouse button and roll onto your back. Then, you can kick with your leg. This is only useful if you’re already on the ground and need to fend off other players. It doesn’t deal damage, but it can briefly stun the opponent.
A crucial tip is to always stay in motion. This not only gives you many advantages in melee combat but also makes you a difficult target for potential snipers who may be hiding. To regenerate stamina, avoid running too fast. It regenerates faster when you remain still.
Choosing the Best Melee Weapons in DayZ
Once you’ve mastered the techniques, you can start looking for some good weapons. This is just a small selection, and ultimately, it depends on your personal fighting style. In an emergency, almost anything can be a weapon, from a broom to a shovel.
Fists: Even without a weapon, you can always defend yourself in DayZ, and your fists aren’t a bad weapon! With some patience, you can fend off zombies with your bare hands. It can be more challenging against other players since you can’t easily predict their attacks.
Fire Axe: The fire axe isn’t just the best weapon in the game; it’s also a fantastic tool for activities outside combat. It deals as much damage as a sledgehammer but is lighter in your inventory. You can defend yourself against any zombie and most players with it. We recommend hiding it in your inventory. The bright red axe head is like a magnet for players looking to rob you!
Brass Knuckles: If you want to give your fists a powerful upgrade, use brass knuckles. They’re inconspicuous and can surprise a zombie or player! They’re also small and handy, fitting into any inventory. While they don’t deal as much damage as other weapons, they’re practical and can quickly make opponents stagger.
Knife: There’s another attack that might suit your playstyle better. With a knife, you can perform a stealth attack and take down zombies with a single blow. It’s a bit tricky but incredibly satisfying if you manage it. Sneak up from behind. The lighter your inventory, the less noticeable you’ll be. Hold the right mouse click and attack with the left mouse click when you’re close enough to the zombie’s back. The attack only succeeds if the zombie hasn’t noticed you.
Conclusion on Melee Combat in DayZ
Good melee skills are an essential part of DayZ, helping you defend yourself in virtually any situation. Even without a weapon, you can use your fists to fend off and even defeat a few zombies. Some weapons, like the fire axe or brass knuckles, make it even easier. Rent your own DayZ server with us and try to defend against hordes of zombies together while finding some rare weapons. A little fistfight in between surely won’t hurt!
