You’ve probably survived a few days in DayZ, managing to avoid both zombies and other players. But eventually, you’ll find yourself in a situation where you have to fight and can no longer escape. And since firearms aren’t very common, melee weapons will likely be your best choice. Additionally, you can always use your fists to attack, so it’s essential to know the basic techniques! Even for experienced players, melee can be a good alternative and lead to victory in critical situations. Let’s take a closer look at the best melee tricks and also give you the best weapons to use!
Effective Melee Techniques in DayZ
First, you should familiarize yourself with the basics that make up DayZ’s melee combat. All these techniques can be used with or without a weapon, whether blunt or sharp. Therefore, it’s important to master all control elements and practice them in direct melee to become comfortable with them. DayZ isn’t necessarily known for its precision, so you’ll need to work with the game to win.
Normal Attacks: To attack, you need to hold down your right mouse button to switch to combat mode and ready your weapon. Then, you can strike with a left mouse click.
Blocking: In the same breath, you should also get familiar with blocking. Keep holding the right mouse button and move backward. Your character will raise their hands higher, allowing you to block most attacks. This doesn’t work against heavy attacks. You’ll take less damage but still be somewhat stunned. Block as much as possible to deflect the majority of the damage.
Heavy Attack: If you hold Shift while attacking, your character will perform a heavy attack. This takes longer but has significantly more power behind it. Additionally, your opponent will stagger, making them vulnerable to further quick attacks. However, be aware 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 directly with the left mouse button. The range of this attack is extremely long, giving you a good advantage. Use this technique only against zombies, as other players can catch you mid-attack.
Aim Correctly: As mentioned, DayZ can be a bit quirky, so not all your strikes will land perfectly. Always aim a bit higher than expected, roughly at the head. This way, your attacks are more likely to hit and deal significant damage.
First Person: We recommend fighting in DayZ from the first-person perspective. This allows you to see much better how to attack and defeat your opponent.
Dodging: You can also dodge in combat, giving you more room to maneuver and negate damage from heavy attacks. To do this, press Q or E at the right moment to dodge to the left or right. It doesn’t always work reliably but can be really handy in emergencies!
Kicking: Even many veterans don’t know this, but you can also kick! To do this, lie on the ground, hold the right mouse button, and roll onto your back. Then, you can kick with your leg. This is only practical if you’re already on the ground and want to fend off other players. It doesn’t deal damage but 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 might be hiding. For stamina recovery, avoid running too fast. It regenerates faster if you stand 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 own attack style. In a pinch, 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 a little patience, you can fend off zombies with your bare hands. It can be a bit more challenging against other players, as you can’t anticipate their attacks as easily.
Fire Axe: The fire axe is not only the best weapon in the game but also a wonderful tool for activities outside of combat. It deals as much damage as a sledgehammer but is lighter in the inventory. With it, you can defend yourself against any zombie and most players. We advise you to hide it in your inventory. The bright red axe head is like a magnet for players looking to loot you!
Brass Knuckles: If you want to give your fists a powerful upgrade, you should use brass knuckles. They are discreet and can surprise a zombie or player! They’re also small and handy, so they should fit into any inventory. Sure, they don’t deal as much damage as other weapons, but they’re super practical and can quickly make opponents stagger.
Knife: There’s another attack that might better suit your playstyle. With a knife, you can perform a stealth attack and kill zombies in one hit. It’s a bit complicated but very satisfying if you manage to pull it off. Sneak up from behind. The lighter your inventory, the less noticeable you’ll be. Then, 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 and help you defend yourself in almost any situation. Even without a weapon, you can use your fists to fend off and even defeat the occasional zombie. Some weapons, like the fire axe or brass knuckles, make it even easier. Rent your own DayZ server with us and try to fend off hordes of zombies together and find some of the rare weapons. A little fistfight in between surely won’t hurt!
