In a world full of flesh eating zombies, the biggest threat to human beings are other human beings. That’s the way it is in The Walking Dead and DayZ. Even though there are loads of games that feature player-versus-player action, gamers can’t stop from trying to kill each other. The situation is so frustrating that even players who don’t want to be bandits end up shooting on sight out of fear. Excuses are excuses, though, and whether intentional or unintentional, being a bandit isn’t cool. Here are seven signs you might actually be one.
You wear one of the masks
They say to never judge a book by its cover, and that’s fair, but books should also make an attempt to have an inviting exterior. Players who wear a mask in DayZ carry a stigma that they may or may not want. If you’re trying to be a bandit, then by all means, wear the mask. If you believe you’re a nice person and want to present yourself accordingly, leave it on the ground.
You hang out in Berezino
A long time ago, Cherno and Elektro were the worst cities in Chernarus for player-versus-player. These days, that distinction goes to Berezino. If you go there on populated servers, expect to get killed. They won’t try and talk to you, and they aren’t going to hold you up. They are going to shoot you about 50 times and leave you (and your gear) laying in the middle of the road. Bandits hang out in Berezino, so if you’re spending too much time there, expect to be treated as such.
You hack, or even use hacked gear
Hacking isn’t cool, and neither is using hacked gear that you find laying around. This game is about survival against the elements, not finding a way to cheat in order to kill other players. If you find a hacked magazine or loot item, do the right thing and toss it into the water. Even if you aren’t the hacker, using hacked gear is just as bad.
You have a backpack full of ammunition
We don’t want to go full Jeff Foxworthy on you here, but if your backpack has more ammunition than it does food or general survival gear, you might be a bandit. Your backpack should be filled with fishing and hunting gear, maybe some morphine and bandages, but not 20 slots dedicated to 75 Round Mags. Make sure you’re capable of defending yourself, but don’t ignore some of the better aspects of DayZ, like telling stories by the campfire.
You kill other survivors on sight
Chernarus is a dangerous place, and it’s common to get shot without having a chance to exchange words. Don’t be that person. We know that if you trust strangers you will sometimes end up dying, but the unnecessary violence has to stop somewhere, and we all have to do our part. Shooting people simply out of fear for your own life is just adding to the problem. If more people would put their guns on the backs and say hello, the apocalypse would be a much better place.
You hang out on Sniper Hill
The most famous Sniper Hill might be the one near the Northeast Airfield, but there are actually several in the game. The term basically refers to any hill that overlooks a popular area and is frequented by snipers looking for easy kills. Survivors should generally avoid these hills and areas they overlook, and if you find yourself hanging out on them too often, you might be a bandit.
You rob people for supplies
This one goes without saying, but if you hold people up and steal their gear, you are a bandit. No, it’s not as bad as just killing them on sight, but robbing people isn’t exactly a friendly gesture. The only real exception here would be robbing a bandit. We’re not pretending we’re the be all and end all when it comes to DayZ morality, but we’d let that one slide for sure.
