Many modern survival titles emphasize the ability to build your own base. However, this feature was only added to DayZ in 2018, so it’s not familiar to all players. Even newcomers today might not be aware of it. Yet, building a base can be a great idea to store and protect your loot. Today, we’ll take a closer look at the system, the basics you should know, and where it’s worthwhile to set up your own base. Building in DayZ isn’t entirely straightforward, especially for beginners.
Is building a base in DayZ worth it?
First, you must ask yourself whether it’s actually worth it to establish your own outpost. After all, you can’t guard it all the time, and sooner or later, another player will come along and try to break in. DayZ focuses heavily on player interaction, setting it apart from many other survival titles. Bases are therefore more optional; most players live like nomads.
Bases are especially worthwhile if you’re playing solely with friends. This way, you can be sure that the outposts are treated fairly and not just destroyed by cheaters. With friends, it can be a lot of fun to either build together or find other bases. On open servers, it’s less advisable unless you’re really good at hiding your base securely. However, don’t consider it a permanent structure in the world.
Perfect locations for your DayZ base
Once you’ve decided to build a base, you only need to find the right location. Of course, you can build anywhere you like. Just keep in mind that the structure can likely be seen from far away. It’s therefore worthwhile at the start to build in a residential house and only use fences for protection. Try to find a house with only one entrance where you can secure the stairwell, for instance. This way, no one can break in, and you’re well protected!
Essential tools for base building
Building a base in DayZ involves a lot of effort, which is also a reason why so few players do it. However, gathering all the tools and materials can be a great task and motivate you for a longer period. You should definitely be well-prepared, as stopping in the middle of the building process isn’t the best idea.
These tools belong in your backpack:
- Shovel
- Pliers
- Pickaxe
- Hammer
- Axe
- Saw
For all tools, you should always have a whetstone with you because they become dull very quickly and are then unusable. A large backpack is, of course, also practical, especially when you have to transport resources for your construction projects.
These resources are needed for all structures:
- Nails
- Logs
- Wooden planks (from logs or wooden plank piles)
- Metal sheets
- Metal wire
- Combination lock
Initially, this might not seem like much, but sometimes it can be challenging to gather these materials. For wood, we advise you not to cut down the trees in your immediate vicinity. This will only attract more players. You can obtain 1-3 logs without cutting down a tree. During a server reset, these will also be replenished. Only cut down trees that are a bit further away.
Basics for DayZ constructions
Fortunately, the starting points for a base in DayZ aren’t hard to grasp, but they provide enough options to set up your temporary home according to your preferences. On one hand, there are fences, and on the other, the blueprints for a watchtower.
Fences for defense
A fence is your most important defense when building your own base. For the fence kit, you need two sticks and a rope to first outline the fence. Ensure that the inside faces you without rotation. This is important because otherwise, other players can access it from the outside. To start building the fence, you need to gather two logs and dig them in with a shovel.
Once the foundation posts are set, you can expand the fence as you wish. Initially, cover it with wooden planks and metal sheets so that no one can walk through. On the backside, you can also add a small platform and a ladder to look over the fence. For privacy, you can cover the fence from the outside with camouflage nets. For climbing players or zombies, it’s worthwhile to add barbed wire.
With metal wire and pliers, you can transform a fence into a gate. To protect the gate, you’ll need a combination lock, preferably one with four digits. This is always attached to the right side of the fence (from the inside view). So make sure you can access the lock.
Watchtowers as a modular building option
As a second building option, you have watchtowers, which you don’t necessarily have to use as such. They are more or less square foundation blocks that allow you to build modularly. As with the fence, you’ll need a kit first, this time made from four sticks and a rope. Then, use four logs and a shovel to set the support pillars.
From here, you can decide individually which parts you want to expand. You can add three of the four walls, but also add stairs to two additional floors and leave the exterior walls open. At the end, you can also add a roof to the tower. Just like with fences, you can also add camouflage and barbed wire here to better protect yourself.
Effective storage space for loot
To store your loot in your base, you’ll also need appropriate boxes. You can craft these yourself from planks and nails. However, you can also use empty barrels to store items.
Many players also use tents or shelters to temporarily store items somewhere. They are much less effort than building a complete base but are particularly practical for storage space. Shelters can be lined with leaves, leather, or a tarp after a basic kit is made. Various tents can be found scattered around the world, so keep an eye out for them!
Conclusion on base building
Building your own base isn’t necessarily the first thing that comes to mind in DayZ. But it can be a lot of fun to find a safe place and construct a small fortress. Rent your own server for DayZ with us and build a cool base with your friends that protects you from zombies or other players. The building system is more complex than it first appears and gives you many opportunities to create an individual base.
