Loot, die. Loot, die. Loot, Die. This is the typical gameplay loop of any survival crafting game, but something about DayZ keeps you coming back for more, every time.
Ask any veteran survivor and they’ll tell you the tale of the first time they found an M4 or an AK. Did they make the lengthy trek across the map to the deafening silence of the west? Maybe they came across a long fought battle and scavenged the bodies for their spoils. Perhaps they even encountered a friendly person who offered them a rifle.
These are just a small sample of the many ways you will come across loot in your time in the ruins of Chernarus, and to help you on your journey, I’ve put together a list of my top fifteen places to gather loot, to give you the knowledge you need to get the edge on other survivors!
15. Svetloyarsk (Best for early game)
The start of your survival in Chernarus will start on a coastline, either the south or the east, and those spawning on the east are highly suggested to push north to end up in the medium-sized city of Svetloyarsk. A port city sitting on Guba Bay, the city holds some of the best locations to gear up with an easier chance of survival than one of the larger cities. This does not mean to be complacent, there’s always a chance someone is nearby.
- The harbor itself has tons of cargo containers for you to search through, containing everything from clothes, to canned food, to even military gear.
- A large police station in town containing good clothes, ammo, and firearms such as CR-75s and CR-61 Scorpions.
- A medical center in town to let you stockpile bandages and medicine for your travels ahead.
- There is a decent chance of contact with other survivors here, as it is a possible spawn point, so be wary.
14. Rify (Best for late game)
In the north-east of the country, a massive cargo ship ran aground at some point in the past few years, and its containers have been strewn around the rocky coastline. However, the ship carried a chemical weapon that has created a toxic fallout over the surrounding area, some even believe this is ground zero of the infection. Survivors wishing to explore the area must come heavily prepared.
- The cargo containers here are packed full of some of the rarest loot in the game, such as the illusive 40mm gas grenades. Anyone exploring this area will come away with a haul to tell your group about.
- Due to the gas, a set of NBC gear is required to enter this location.
- Only a few kilometres north of Berezino and a stone’s throw south-east of Svetloyarsk, this location is a possible hotspot for activity, and given the requirement of possessing a full set of NBC gear, only high geared players will be about.
13. Krasnostav/Northeast Airfield (Best for medical supplies)
Located just to the southwest of our previous two locations, the sizable town of Krasnostav is home to a small police station, a supermarket, a medical centre, and a large airstrip. The airstrip itself has been converted to an ad hoc field hospital due to the outbreak, giving it a mass amount of medical supplies. Due to the amount of supplies, and the natural geography of the area, survivors entering the area must be wary of snipers.
- One of the most gear-diverse areas in the game, with everything from basic supplies, to military rifles and equipment, in a two square kilometer location.
- Proximity to the coast, abundance of medical supplies, and largely hilly geography make it a hunting ground for skilled marksmen, and a near constant warzone.
- The geography also allows for you to enter relatively unnoticed from the south, as it backs up to dense forest from that direction.
- The town and field hospital are targets for sporadic chemical artillery attacks, watch for the flare and listen for the distant shots.
12. Radio Zenit (Best for early game)
A major radio station broadcast from here for years, but as the outbreak occurred, it was requisitioned by the Chernarussian Defence Force to communicate to the region. Sometime after this, the freshly built outpost was overrun, and the ruins are all that remain, looming over the small town of Gorka. Tread lightly, as the bright red radio mast can be seen for miles, beckoning any survivor to it.
- Very good military loot spawn, with several tents, buildings, and vehicles.
- It sits atop a hill, which helps against far off snipers.
- The hilltop location also makes spotting people a bit harder when they’re coming from the southern forest.
- Nearby Gorka has good civilian loot, but both the station and town are targets for chemical weapon attacks.
11. Nadezhda (Best for hunting supplies)
Nestled in the hills and forests of Chernarus are several holiday and summer camps, one of the best of which is Nadezhda. Located south of Novy Sobor, this camp is stocked with hunting gear and has a large medical center. Some believe an outbreak may have occurred early on here, as the CDF seems to shell it with chemical weapons rather regularly.
- The small size allows you to clear it out fast and easily.
- It is relatively out of the way, so the chance of meeting other survivors is relatively low.
- Chemical weapon attacks are a large threat here.
10. Tisy Military Base (Best for late game)
Deep in the woods to the farthest northeast corner of the country, word has it there is a large military installation that is fully abandoned, filled instead with infected. The military is constantly bombarding it with chemical attacks in a feeble attempt to either quell the outbreak, or to dissuade would be scavengers from entering. This is the El Dorado of Chernarus, you must be fully geared and ready to fight if you want to get into, and out of Tisy alive.
- The ultimate in loot locations, dozens of military buildings spread over the base.
- Massive amount of ground to cover in this nearly two square kilometer installation.
- The trek alone will take close to an hour from spawn to the base, not counting the looting you’ll need to do to get geared enough to survive.
- The survivors here will be heavily armed and should always be treated as hostile.
9. Northwest Airfield/Vybor Air Base (Best for military gear)
The largest military installation by area, and the most dangerous for combat. Long, open sightlines and minimal cover make it a death trap for those without the knowledge of field combat. This, coupled with the near constant CDF chemical artillery shelling, makes it a place of death and destruction. Survivors entering are warned.
- Massive amount of loot, second only to Tisy.
- Extremely dangerous place where you will come under fire.
- Avoid the runways themselves, as they have no cover.
- Loot quickly and quietly, always looking and listening.
8. SKVSCh Biathlon Arena (Best for food)
Sitting well above the clouds in the far west, Saint Roman is the highest point you can get to, naturally anyway. Built around it is the small sports city of the SKVSCh Biathlon Arena, a place once heralded for its competitions and tests of skill. Now, it sits abandoned, but there is still a good amount of gear strewn about.
- Very rarely trafficked, so there is little chance of danger.
- Good amount of food and medical supplies.
- Interesting and unique area.
7. Sinistok (Best for food)
Sitting between the Biathlon Arena to the southwest and the Tisy Military Base to the north, Sinistok is a tiny town situated in the grasslands. A farming community before the outbreak, Sinistok is packed full of civilian gear and many fruit trees. Be wary as this is a common route to Tisy.
- Typically a quiet town with tons of food and civilian gear.
- There is a decent chance of encountering other survivors, as the town is on the way to the back entrance to Tisy.
- Natural geography gives a great spot to the north to overwatch the town.
6. Pavlovo Military Base (Best for late game)
Just inland to the far southwest is the town of Pavlovo, and its military base. Many claim there to be deeply hidden government secrets here, as the chemical gas has never dissipated from the area. Guaranteed to be full of high quality military equipment. Anyone willing to search must have a full set of NBC gear to enter.
- It is home to multiple barracks, several workshops, and one of the few actual hospitals in the region.
- Low chance of other survivors, given the requirement to wear NBC gear.
- There is a chance to find gas grenades,a rare and extremely strong weapon that can clear an entire building.
5. Chernogorsk (Best for early game)
Easily the largest city in the region, and one of the most populated as well, Chernogorsk is the region’s capital. Cherno, with itsa massive port full of long forgotten cargo containers, plus hundreds of buildings, has over five square kilometers of area for you to search through.
- There is an immeasurable amount of possible places to loot.
- Large spawn area, so you will encounter other survivors.
- The port area alone is full of too many cargo containers to loot on your own.
4. Berezino (Best for early game)
On the eastern coastline lies a sizable town known as Berezino. The town has a good sized port, a railyard, and an overall industrial town layout. There will be plenty of other survivors here to slay, or ally with. The center of town holds a massive orchard of apple trees for you to stock up on food.
- Spawn town, be careful of others.
- Massive orchards make for easy food.
- Dock and railyard carry a large amount of loot.
3. Severograd (Best for food and clothes)
The northern highway is the longest and straightest route to the west. Those making the trek will find the city of Severograd an enticing place to stop at gear up for the rest of the journey. Be warned: Severograd is typically a warzone, with many uneasy neighbours attempting to lay claim to the area.
- A large, dense urban area with a lot of loot.
- The waterway running along the main thoroughfare makes navigating from the north to the south difficult, especially under fire.
- Always keep your eyes up and ears open for any movement or sounds.
2. Kamensk Military Base (Best for military gear)
North of Severograd and deep into the forest is the Kamensk Military Base, a place most veteran survivors will avoid. While the possibility of rifles and ammo may make a rooky salivate, the base is a death trap. It’s on the side of a hill, with more tree cover than the Amazon. The ground is covered in thick grass that a man can crouch through, and don’t get me started on what’s in the underground.
- Great place for high tier military loot spawns.
- Geography makes it easy for anyone to sneak into, use this to your advantage, but be just as wary of others using it.
- Underground bunkers carry dark lore implications I won’t spoil.
- Great place for vehicle parts.
1. Topolniki (Best for food and water)
Topolniki is a small industrial town in the northwest that sits along the northern highway. An extremely quiet town that is rarely travelled, survivors would do well to take advantage of looting here and taking their time. The fields around Topolniki appear to be a magnet for helicopters, as several wrecks are usually spotted in the area.
- Helicopter crashes spawn regularly around the town.
- It sits alongside a river, and has many orchards in it for food and water.
- Barely travelled so the danger level is low.
- There is tons of industry around, for all your base building and vehicle needs.
Also Be Sure To Read:
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[Top 10] Dayz Best Base Locations And Why They're So Good
[Top 10] BEST DayZ Loot Locations
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