DayZ drops players right into the thick of it, spawning them at the coastline with almost nothing but the clothes on their backs, and rapidly depleting hunger and thirst levels. To survive, players must learn the lay of the land quickly - locating sources of food and water, scavenging for gear, and equipping weapons for self-defense.
The game’s crafting system can assist with these endeavors, allowing players to harvest materials from their surroundings and create useful tools to help them survive. Here are the best items to craft first in DayZ.
11 Rags
Whether applying them as bandages, combining them with other materials, or even fashioning makeshift clothing items, rags are easy to acquire yet prove surprisingly valuable throughout the game.
They are used in several simple but important crafting recipes and can be crafted by cutting up any piece of clothing with a knife.
10 Knife
The bread and butter of crafting, possessing a knife gives players access to a multi-use survival tool that allows them to cut, carve, and dig out most materials found in the wilderness.
A knife is one of the most essential items to obtain, and if players don’t come across a standard version, they can always craft their own. There are two types of crafted knives – a stone knife, which can be crafted from two small stones found on trails and railways, and a bone knife, which uses two animal bones instead.
9 Rope
A piece of kit that has tons of utility, a rope is required for various crafting recipes while also having its own uses. It can be worn as a belt, allowing the player to attach a knife to it, or it can be used to restrain someone in the absence of handcuffs.
A rope is crafted with two full stacks of rags, or by combining a knife with some guts.
8 Spear
As a basic melee weapon, spears are often the first self-defense item that players will get their hands on. It has a decent range and will be effective in early-game encounters with zombies, although if going up against other players, it likely won’t be that helpful.
Cheap and easy to fashion, spears can be crafted by combining either a bone or a stone knife with a long stick, which can be harvested from large bushes.
7 Hand Drill Kit
Effectively a replacement for matches or lighters, a hand drill kit ignites a fire on a fireplace or stove. This comes in handy when trying to cook food or stay insulated from the cold, and can be a blessing if players are unlucky enough to miss out on a pack of matches or a lighter.
A hand drill kit can be crafted from a piece of bark and a short stick, which can be obtained from small bushes or by snapping a long stick.
6 Torch
DayZ nights can be long and perilous, but carrying a torch will make them a little easier. Torches provide a source of light and heat, allowing players to stay warm while at the same time illuminating their surroundings. It should be used with caution, however, as it will make players easier to spot and might lead to an untimely death.
Torches can be crafted by simply combining a rag with a short or long stick. It will need to be ignited using matches, a lighter, or a hand drill kit, and can be made to last longer by soaking in gasoline or animal lard.
5 Nailed Bat
An upgraded baseball bat, the nailed bat is an excellent close-quarters weapon. It packs an extra punch, dealing more damage than the regular version, and can cause opponents to bleed. It is still outclassed by other weapons like guns, but for the cheap price and simple recipe, it’s a solid pick.
A nailed bat can be crafted by, unsurprisingly, combining twelve nails with a regular baseball bat.
4 Wooden Crate
Once players have scavenged some useful gear and supplies, and are turning to base building, they’ll likely want a place to store their hard-earned loot. A simple storage container like a wooden crate provides them with an easy way to deposit their items in a safe place.
Wooden crates can be crafted from ten nails and two wooden planks, which can be harvested by using a hacksaw on a lumber pile.
3 Improvised Backpack
As for carrying around useful supplies, players are best off using an improvised backpack. Many items in DayZ are only helpful out in the wilderness, and won’t provide any benefits simply sitting at home base. An improvised backpack is a perfect way for players to bring important supplies like medicine and ammo along with them.
Players must first craft a courier bag by combining a burlap sack with some rope, which can then be upgraded to an improvised backpack with three small sticks. Alternatively, swap out the burlap sack with a boar pelt to craft a fur backpack instead.
2 Fireplace
Players won’t always have access to a stove, and must instead craft a fireplace for their needs. These can be used to cook food and will warm the player if suffering from the cold. An item to ignite the fire will be needed, such as a hand drill kit, whereas players can sharpen a long stick to cook meat over the flames.
A fireplace can be crafted with either a piece of rag or tree bark and a small stick or firewood. Any combination works, and players can then upgrade the fireplace with large stones to eventually turn it into a makeshift oven.
1 Improvised Fishing Rod
A reliable way to acquire food, fishing rods are easy to fashion and will provide the player with a steady supply of fish. This can be invaluable if struggling to find enough food, although it might leave players a little exposed when casting their lines.
A fishing rod is crafted by simply combining a long stick with a rope. To go fishing, however, players will also need a bone fishing hook, which can be obtained by carving bones with a knife. Finally, they will need to dig up some earthworms from the ground to act as bait, and players will then be free to exploit this stable supply of food.
DayZ is available for PS4, Xbox One, and Windows.