New to Is Dead? This is the one guide to read before you spawn. It covers how to join, which server to pick, what to do in your first hour, and the handful of rules that catch new players out.
Before you join
- PC only. The servers are modded, and DayZ mods only work on PC.
- Pick a launcher. The vanilla DayZ launcher, DZSA Launcher, or any other third-party launcher works. Most of our players use DZSA, which downloads the mods for you when you join. The first download can take a while.
- Join the Discord and match your names. Your Discord nickname must match your in-game name, with at least 3 English characters. The default name "Survivor" is kicked automatically.
- Connect. Search "Is Dead" in your launcher's server list, or use Direct Connect with an address from the servers page.
Pick a server
- Chernarus: the easiest of the three and the best place to start. PvE with rotating PvP zones, quests, hacked crates, and a bit of everything.
- Livonia: fully PvE, so other players are never a threat. Medium difficulty: Inedia makes wounds and zombies tougher.
- Sakhal: hardcore survival with environmental danger and harder progression. Come back to it once you know your way around.
Your first hour
The quickest way to die on Is Dead is to run straight for a military base. AI there scale with the loot tier, and a T4 area is far more dangerous than a T1.
- Start at police stations and hunting camps. They often have a sidearm, ammo, and clothing, and the AI around them are easier.
- Cover the basics: food, water, a knife or axe, a backpack, bandages, and matches.
- Then take a few quests on Chernarus or Livonia before you step up to military areas.
- Press B to open the server book: server info, crafting, links, the rules, and how your character is doing.
Keys to know
- BServer book: info, crafting, rules, your stats
- OQuest HUD: objectives, hints, cancel
- MMap, including the Group tab
- F6Flip your vehicle or heli (driver's seat)
- ↓Turn on snapping while placing a kit
- PgUpPgDnRaise or lower the hologram
From fresh spawn to endgame
There's no required path, but this one works. Take your time: the journey is where most of the fun happens.
- Gear upHit police stations and hunting camps. Skip military areas for now.
- Run questsCash, supplies, and rare items. Press O for the Quest HUD.
- Earn moneyHunt, loot AI, and run quests, then sell at the trader hub or the P2P market.
- Buy a carYour first big goal: storage on wheels and faster travel.
- Build a baseRaise a flagpole, build a small cabin, add storage barrels.
- Go endgameT5+ zones, heli crashes, airdrops, crafting, and endgame tickets on Chernarus.
Traders buy. They don't sell gear. You cash in what you hunt, gather, and find, then earn weapons, armor, and endgame gear out in the world. That keeps the endgame worth chasing all wipe.
Rules new players break most
- Names that don't match. Your in-game name has to match your Discord nickname. "Survivor" is kicked automatically.
- Wearing an armband. Armbands are for AI. Mark yourself with flags, patches, army pouches, or canvas bags instead.
- Building in the wrong place. Stay 300m from military areas, encampments, and traders, and don't build in police stations, hospitals, clinics, fire stations, offices, garage rows, or hunting cabins.
- Building outside your territory. Anything more than 75m from your flagpole becomes unflagged and despawns after about two weeks.
- Combat logging. Don't log out to dodge a fight, AI, or a restart.
- DMing staff. Open a ticket in Discord instead, and don't call for admins in global chat.
- Raiding too early. No bases or stashes can be raided for two weeks after a wipe.
The full rules cover everything else, and the most current version always lives in our Discord.
Quick answers
- Why did I get kicked when I joined? Almost always your name. Full answer
- Can I buy weapons from traders? Not the good ones. Traders mostly buy, and gear is earned out in the world. Full answer
- When can my base be raided? Only when your flag is lowered to 0% and removed from the pole. Full answer
- How do I get help? Open a ticket in Discord. Full answer
- Do I need to download mods? Yes, and most launchers do it for you. Full answer
Where to go next
- Making money early: the fastest ways to fund your first car.
- Quests: How they work: the Quest HUD and what to do when you get stuck.
- Understanding AI: which fights to take and which to skip.
- Flagpoles and territory: your first base starts here.